A First Timer’s Guide to Las Vegas

Sin City, America’s Playground, the Entertainment Capital of the World. Las Vegas has earned quite a few nicknames over its 118 years as a city, and it’s easy to see why. There’s something undeniably magical about the lights of Las Vegas Boulevard, the stunning (yet unnatural) water features outside the Bellagio, and the thrill of winning big at the roulette table.

With so much to see and do, planning a trip to Las Vegas can get a little overwhelming—especially if you’re a first-timer. You’ve got to pick a hotel, figure out how to get around, and decide what you want to do with your time. Don’t sweat it! We can make your Las Vegas trip as easy as possible. Whether you’re looking for high-roller suites with private butlers or discount hotels with free parking, buffets with every kind of food or gourmet eateries with Michelin-star chefs, live music or magic shows, Vegas can deliver. And Partybus.com will help guide you through the process — and help you book a Las Vegas bus rental for help getting around!

Top Attractions for Adrenaline Junkies

Thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies will love all that Las Vegas has to offer. This city was built for pushing limits and doing crazy things. If you’re looking for attractions to get your heart pumping and make unforgettable memories, look no further. Forget waiting around in lines at Disneyland or Six Flags— you’ll have access to world-class rollercoasters, ziplines, and even a chance to skydive, all without leaving the city limits.

Take on The Big Apple Coaster at New York-New York Hotel & Casino. This roller coaster, named for its scenic route through the resort’s replica Manhattan skyline, reaches speeds up to 67 mph. You can ride through the hotel’s imitation city streets as you plunge down a 144-foot drop and experience a 180-degree “heartline” twist and dive.

Get a taste of free-falling with SkyJump Las Vegas at The STRAT. This controlled descent is similar to bungee jumping but is guided by a cable system instead of a bungee cord. For $129.99 a person, you can jump from 829 feet and reach speeds up to 40 mph during an 8-second freefall. Once your skydiving adventure is over, head to The STRAT’s Observation Deck to admire a breathtaking view of Las Vegas with a cocktail in hand.

Soar above Fremont Street on SlotZilla Zip Line. This downtown Vegas zipline takes passengers right through the center of the Fremont Street Experience. You can choose a lower “Zoomline” experience for $25, which spans 850 feet and takes you 7 stories above the street or the upper “Zipline” for $45, a 1,700 foot journey that begins 114 feet above ground at the top of the iconic canopy. Before boarding the zipline, be sure to check out the weight restrictions—passengers can weigh a minimum of 50 lbs to a maximum of 300 lbs.

Top Attractions for High Rollers

With a nickname like “Sin City,” you can’t expect Las Vegas to be shy about luxury. In fact, the city has a reputation for some of the most over-the-top luxury accommodations, extravagant nightclubs, and Michelin-star restaurants in the world. If you’re a group of high-rollers with a taste for all things luxurious, be sure to add these experiences to your bucket list. The last thing you should worry about is how to get to each location on The Strip in comfort. With Partybus.com, you can book a private shuttle to transport your group to each spot!

Sip a cocktail with panoramic views of Las Vegas from The Chandelier Bar. Located inside of The Cosmopolitan Hotel, The Chandelier Bar is actually a three-story lounge draped with over two million crystal beads. The elegant bar offers a wide range of handcrafted cocktails and even has its own VIP lounge on the third floor. The Cosmo, as the hotel is lovingly referred to by Vegas natives, is also home to unique eateries and one of the most popular nightclubs in the city, the Marquee Nightclub.

Spend the night at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas and dine at Wing Lei. The Encore consistently makes the list of top-rated luxury hotels in Vegas, and for good reason. Guests rave about their spacious rooms with panoramic views, elegant pool and spa, and of course, the acclaimed Wing Lei, the first Chinese restaurant in the United States to earn a Michelin star. Reserve your meal ahead of time, as it can be difficult to get in. This isn’t the only Michelin star restaurant in Las Vegas, however, and you may also want to try out Joël Robuchon Restaurant (with three Michelin stars) in the MGM Grand.

Get lucky at the Bellagio Casino. Located in one of the oldest and most glamorous hotels on The Strip, the Bellagio Casino is best known for high-stakes tables and an iconic poker room, which hosts the World Poker Tour annually. You can also catch a high-stakes poker match live at the Bellagio Casino, so you’ll feel like you’re in the heart of Vegas as you experience the grandeur of the tournament.

Top Attractions for Groups with Kids

Sin City isn’t just for high-roller adults and party animals. If you’re traveling with a group that includes kids, you can still have fun. In fact, Las Vegas offers activities for families to enjoy beyond the casino floors and nightclubs. These destinations, from aquariums to interactive museums and exhibits to amusement parks, make Vegas a wonderful place for families with young children.

Spend an afternoon exploring the wonders of the ocean at the Shark Reef Aquarium. Located inside Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, this aquarium is home to over 2,000 animals including 14 species of shark! Your little ones can walk through a 1.3-million-gallon shipwreck tank, where they’ll be surrounded by sand tiger sharks, giant rays, green sea turtles, and more. After the shark tank, head over to the Polar Journey exhibit to get up-close with a polar bear and watch penguins waddle through a snowy habitat.

Take a quick shuttle from The Strip to the Discovery Children’s Museum. Just a couple miles away from downtown, this 58,000-square-foot museum offers a variety of exhibits for kids. They can participate in hands-on activities like building a house with kid-sized foam blocks, making art, learning about the human body, and performing live science experiments. While there, your kids can also catch a show at the museum’s onsite 3-D theater or visit the Summit, a 70-foot tower they can climb to experience the city from a new vantage point.

Plan a day at Adventuredome Theme Park, located at Circus Circus Hotel & Casino. This massive 5-acre amusement park is a great escape from the heat, with a climate-controlled environment that also makes it perfect for an outing on a rainy or windy day. Little ones will love the carnival games and rides, while older children will enjoy the roller coasters and thrill rides.

Top Attractions for History Buffs

Sure, the history of Las Vegas is relatively young when compared to other U.S. cities—but the history you’ll find here is nonetheless quite unique. This is one of the few places in the U.S. where you can walk through a casino that was a speakeasy during Prohibition or see photos of famed mobster Bugsy Siegel, who owned The Flamingo Hotel and Casino. And if you need an expert driver to navigate the city’s streets while you talk about gangsters and speakeasies, Partybus.com can help. Book a shuttle with us for a more informative and unforgettable history tour experience.

Step back in time to Las Vegas’s gangster heyday at The Mob Museum. Located in a 1933 building that once served as both a post office and courthouse, this museum is a must-see for history lovers. The museum is filled with interesting exhibits that feature the history of the Mob, its presence in Las Vegas, and the laws that were enacted to bring mob-run casinos under control. Explore The Mob Museum on a self-guided tour or reserve a group experience in advance for a more tailored adventure. If you’re with a smaller group of 12 or less and want to visit in style, consider booking a tour in a classic black Cadillac.

Wander through a museum of neon at the Neon Museum. Neon signs are synonymous with Las Vegas and have been part of the city’s unique character for almost a century. The museum is located just north of Fremont Street and features a 2-acre “boneyard” of over 200 historic neon signs. If you’re in the market for vintage memorabilia or some Vegas-inspired art for your home, the museum also has a large collection of historic photos and postcards for sale in its gift shop.

Experience what Las Vegas used to be like at The Golden Nugget. Opened in 1946, this casino is the city’s oldest. Located on Fremont Street, The Golden Nugget isn’t only a historic hotel and casino, but it also boasts an impressive aquarium tank with sharks! Don’t forget to check out the Hand of Faith, the largest golden nugget on display in the world.

Top Attractions for Foodies

Vegas may be known for its poker and blackjack tables, but in the last few decades, the city has become an unlikely hotspot for gourmands and foodies alike. With Michelin-star restaurants, lavish buffets, celebrity chef-owned eateries, and a variety of unique food experiences, everyone from the most discerning palettes to kid-friendly tastes will find plenty to satisfy them.

Enjoy the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace. If you’re looking for the ultimate Las Vegas buffet experience, this is it! Caesars Palace may be home to a variety of upscale restaurants and bars, but this extravagant buffet offers an unlimited spread of tasty bites from every corner of the culinary world. It’s easy to lose track of time when indulging in such an amazing variety of food—the buffet serves over 500 dishes! So reserve at least 2 to 3 hours for your foodie journey at Bacchanal.

Go for a stroll around Fremont East and grab a bite to eat. Fremont Street isn’t just about casinos and historic neon signs. In the last 10 or 15 years, this downtown entertainment district has experienced an evolution, with a new wave of trendy restaurants and bars making it their home. Enjoy a bottomless brunch at Park on Fremont, order farm-fresh dishes like cauliflower steak and fig and goat cheese flatbread at Therapy, or have a unique cocktail at Commonwealth. To find the best dining and nightlife experience in Fremont East, ask your charter bus driver to safely drop you off in the area and then explore on foot!

Take a guided food tour of Las Vegas. Whether it’s a chocolate and treat-inspired tour or a brewery hopping trip, Las Vegas offers a ton of different curated food tours for tourists and locals alike to enjoy. This is the perfect way to experience a little bit of everything at a reasonable cost—and often includes transportation around the city as well. If you’re traveling with a group, consider a walking tour with Lip Smacking Foodie Tours or a bus tour with Secret Food Tours. These tours have specialized routes for both kids and adults, so you’ll find something that everyone in your group will enjoy.

How to Get Around Las Vegas

With so much to do in this Nevada city, you’ll want to make sure your group has a convenient and safe way to get around Las Vegas. The city is relatively small when compared to Los Angeles or San Diego, and you could technically see the entirety of The Strip within a day or two on foot—if you’re okay with walking 5 miles (one-way) and wearing comfortable shoes.

That being said, traversing the city with a group can be tedious if you aren’t organizing a ride plan beforehand. Let’s go over a few options available to you:

Public Transportation

Las Vegas has two main public transportation providers, RTC Southern Nevada and the Las Vegas Monorail. The RTC bus system services the entirety of the city and surrounding suburban areas. You can purchase an unlimited 24-hour bus pass for only $8 or a 3-day unlimited pass for $20. This affordable bus pass gives you free rein across the RTC routes for the duration of your pass and lets your group easily access the Strip and Downtown.

The Las Vegas Monorail only services 7 stations along the east side of The Strip. So if you’re looking to experience The Strip and Downtown, you’ll have to take the RTC bus or a taxi/rideshare. The Monorail is a decent option for a quick hop between MGM Grand and the Sahara, but its limited access doesn’t make it the best for sightseeing. You can purchase a single-ride ticket for $5, a 24-hour unlimited pass for $13, and a 2- to 7-day pass (with prices ranging between $23 to $56).

Taxis and Rideshares

Taxi stands can be found at most major casinos and resorts along The Strip and Downtown, which can be convenient for a quick ride. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are often a preferred option, as well as the cheaper choice. However, both taxis and rideshares have a few limitations, especially during busy travel times and large events. Demand can cause wait times to surge and increased prices, and fares are generally not organized for groups. If you’re traveling with more than 5 or 6 passengers, you may have to book multiple rides. This can often lead to long wait times and your group being separated.

Private Party Buses & Charter Buses

For a truly customized and luxurious travel experience with a private driver, you’ll want to rent a party bus or charter bus in Las Vegas for your group. These larger vehicles not only provide a comfortable ride, but they can be easily organized for big groups. Charter bus rentals have seats arranged in rows while party buses usually have seats lining the edges of the bus with an open space for dancing, mingling, and playing games. You can even request premium amenities like sound systems, televisions with DVD players, and a minibar on your private bus.

With Partybus.com, you’ll find a variety of options and capacities. Party buses can even be rented for short periods of time to shuttle your group to a concert or club. So if you need transportation from the airport to your hotel, to and from The Strip and Downtown, or to and from an event—Partybus.com is your go-to transportation service for every group travel need.

Ready to Get Started?

When you’re ready to start your Sin City adventure, give us a call at 877-563-2133 for a personalized bus quote.