Who doesn’t remember those road trips as a kid when mom or dad insisted on making a stop “on the way” to check out some unique roadside attraction? Well, this trend continues as millions of children are now subjected to this same time-honored “tradition.” If you find yourself traveling through Nevada, you absolutely MUST stop and take a look at the Flaming Praying Mantis in—where else?—Las Vegas. This roadside attraction is definitely unique. Oh, and don’t forget your camera.
The famous Flaming Praying Mantis is located in Downtown Container Park in Las Vegas, on the corner of Fremont and S. 7th Streets.
Downtown Container Park/Yelp
Container Park opened in 2013 as an ambitious effort to revitalize part of downtown Las Vegas that had been long-neglected and run-down.
Kend Lund/Flickr
Downtown Container Park is so named because this unique, sustainable, outdoors shopping center is constructed entirely from stacked shipping containers and other recycled materials.
Phil Guest/Flickr
The park contains a variety of boutiques, eateries, and galleries, as well as a children’s playground, tree house, and 30-foot water slide. There is even a wedding chapel that was added in 2016. Nightly concerts and other entertainment is provided at the amphitheater. But the star of the show is the unique and rather large metal, flame-shooting, praying mantis.
Downtown Container Park/Yelp
The huge mantis is constructed from recycled metal. If that’s not strange enough, how about the fact that it randomly shoots flames out of its antennae at night, particularly when crowds are nearby.
Jay Galvin/Flickr
The 40-foot long mantis was designed and built by aerospace engineer Kirk Jellum. It is 150 times the size of the real insect and burns about 50 gallons of propane nightly. Flames can reach as high as six stories. If you want a unique roadside attraction, this is definitely the place to be.
Juliann W./Yelp
The mantis was originally part of the famous Burning Man festival and was recycled and moved to Downtown Container Park to entertain (and probably terrify some) everyone who comes to see him. The mantis shoots fire multiple times each night.
Tony Swartz/Flickr
This “little” guy is always ready for a photo op.
Eric E. Castro/Flickr
As for unique roadside attractions, the Flaming Praying Mantis of Downtown Container Park ranks high on the list.
bluestocking42/Flickr
Container Park is located at 707 Fremont Street in Las Vegas’ historic downtown district. Admission is always free; however, pets are not allowed. Have you seen the giant Flaming Praying Mantis? Please share your thoughts and experiences below.
Downtown Container Park/Yelp
Kend Lund/Flickr
Phil Guest/Flickr
Jay Galvin/Flickr
Juliann W./Yelp
Tony Swartz/Flickr
Eric E. Castro/Flickr
bluestocking42/Flickr
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