Sure, the casinos may call to you with brightly-lit promises of easy money and a taste of the high life, but those who are looking to explore beyond Sin City’s traditional tourist traps will find themselves happily surprised. Vegas isn’t just about testing Lady Luck anymore—it’s also the perfect place to plan some fun in the desert, all without worrying about which casino has the loosest slots or learning to count cards at the blackjack table.
From scenic helicopter tours to museums with glowing neon signs, you can make a trip to Las Vegas with your church group, school class, or company team all about bonding and experiencing the diverse array of attractions the city has to offer. If you’re planning to visit Vegas with a large group, consider renting a charter bus to make the experience even better. Partybus.com has an abundance of options, ranging from 18-passenger minibuses to spacious 56-passenger coaches to give your group a comfy ride to all of the destinations on your itinerary.
When you call us at 877-563-2133 to book your Las Vegas bus rental, don’t forget to ask your reservation specialist about additional amenities. We can equip your private charter bus with free WiFi to keep everyone connected, reclining seats with plenty of legroom, and even televisions with a DVD player for a one-of-a-kind road trip experience.
High Roller Observation Wheel
Price: $29 – $39 per person
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily
Standing 550 feet tall and measuring 520 feet in diameter, the High Roller Observation Wheel at The Linq is a Vegas must-see. At the time of its 2014 construction, the wheel was the biggest Ferris wheel in the world (though it was dethroned by the 550-foot Ain Dubai in 2021). Each of the wheel’s enclosed cabins is big enough to fit 40 people and can even be rented out for a private party, corporate event, or social celebration like a birthday or wedding.
Your group doesn’t necessarily need to rent a pod to enjoy the High Roller. Just book your general admission online for the cheapest price, snag a few snacks or drinks from the bar before you board, and take in the dazzling 360-degree views of the city. The ride lasts 30 minutes and offers photo ops of The Strip and its casinos, the High Roller’s open-air promenade, and the surrounding mountains. Each cabin is climate-controlled too, making it a great choice for those who want to enjoy some fresh air in the evening without having to brave the desert chill.
Address: 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: (702) 322-0593
Ethel M Chocolate Factory
Price: Self-guided tours are free, Factory tours are $15 per person
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, holiday hours may vary
For your group of candy lovers and chocolate enthusiasts, the Ethel M Chocolate Factory offers a unique experience that goes beyond the typical, cookie-cutter factory tour. In the 1980s, Forrest Mars Sr. (grandson of Frank C. Mars, founder of the Mars Candy company) brought his love of chocolate to the Las Vegas desert. He designed a gourmet chocolate line in honor of his mother, Ethel, and built a factory and botanical garden to showcase their creations.
Today, guests can enjoy a complimentary self-guided tour of the factory observation deck to see the factory workers create and package Ethel M Chocolates. To experience the full process, book a paid, 30-minute tour of the factory led by a guide to see every step of the process—from cocoa bean roasting and chocolate molding to packaging and the beloved Tasting Room. Groups of 12 or more will need to reserve their tour at least 24 hours in advance to be guaranteed a spot.
Outside the factory lies a four-acre botanical garden with paths that wind through over 300 species of cactus, succulents, and other desert plants that are beautifully illuminated after sunset. During your time at the factory, be sure to grab a few boxes of your favorite Ethel M chocolates to bring home—and if you’re here for the holiday season, don’t leave without snapping a few photos of the cacti draped with thousands of lights!
Address: 2 Cactus Garden Drive, Henderson, NV 89014
Phone: (702) 458-8864
FlyOver Las Vegas
Price: $34-$49 per person
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
If anyone in your group has a fear of flying or is averse to heights, FlyOver Las Vegas offers a way to experience some of the country’s most breathtaking views without having to actually board an aircraft. This immersive ride experience simulates a flight through the American Southwest. You’ll “fly” over landmarks like the Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, and the red rock formations in Sedona, Arizona, all while strapped into suspended seats that move in tandem with the ride’s film.
FlyOver Las Vegas is located in the heart of The Strip and is best enjoyed during the evening, when the city’s glittering lights transform the surrounding desert landscape. Your group will want to reserve tickets online in advance, as the rides tend to fill up quickly—especially if you’re traveling in the summertime or during major holidays. If you have any mobility concerns, just let the ride’s staff know at the time of booking. The ride is designed to be wheelchair-accessible. Your charter bus can also drop your group off and then find parking at one of the nearby casinos, resorts, or paid public lots while you enjoy the ride.
Address: 3771 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: (702) 685-0593
The Mob Museum
Price: $29.95 per adult
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas
Take a walk through the shadows of Las Vegas’s more seedy history with a tour of The Mob Museum! The city was one of the country’s most prominent hubs of organized crime during the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. This museum, which is housed in a historic 1933 courthouse (the first federal courthouse to be constructed in Nevada), chronicles how notorious figures like Al Capone, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, and Meyer Lanksy brought their businesses to Nevada and contributed to the state’s gaming laws as we know them today. The museum also shines a light on the law enforcement agencies—like the FBI and Kefauver Committee—who fought to combat the Mafia and bring their criminal activities to light.
Your group doesn’t necessarily need to be fans of the Godfather series or The Sopranos to find The Mob Museum fascinating, however, they’re sure to have a blast exploring interactive exhibits and discovering a different side of Las Vegas history. Book a tour for your school group and learn about the law enforcement response to the Mafia, or plan a corporate team-building day at the museum. You’ll enjoy a selection of exhibits, events, and a visit to the museum’s basement speakeasy.
Address: 300 Stewart Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 229-2734
The Neon Museum
Price: $20-$32 per adult
Hours: Vary by season, usually 3 p.m. to midnight
Everyone’s heard of the Neon Boneyard, an outdoor exhibition space filled with retired, retro neon signs. But many folks don’t realize it’s the main attraction of a much larger museum: The Neon Museum.
This 2.25-acre neon sculpture garden is a must-see, and not just for photographers. You’ll find many iconic Vegas signs here—including neon cowboys and glittering martini glasses that used to decorate the Strip and downtown—that you’ll be able to walk around, read about, and even take a selfie next to. The museum also offers guided tours (daytime and nighttime) that offer insight into the design, construction, and history of each neon creation.
Admission is timed and must be purchased online in advance, so be sure to have an itinerary planned to help your bus driver organize drop-off and pick-up times. Your group can wander around the neon sculptures at their leisure as long as they stick to the designated paths. There is also an indoor museum you can tour to see smaller installments and learn more about how these vibrant creations are designed and built. But if you’re just here for the photo ops, you can book the Boneyard Express self-guided tour and stick to the outdoor collection.
Address: 770 Las Vegas Blvd N, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 387-6366
Seven Magic Mountains
Price: Free
Hours: Sunrise to sunset, daily
No trip out to Nevada is complete without a quick pitstop to experience Seven Magic Mountains, a large-scale art installation by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. Located about 10 miles south of Las Vegas, this free exhibit features seven fluorescently colored totems of stacked boulders standing more than 30 feet tall. Each rock column weighs thousands of pounds and was painstakingly placed along the highway.
This is a must-see for art enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and those who want an eye-catching photo op for their Instagram feeds. If you’re looking for a social-distancing-friendly activity, you’ll also enjoy that the installation is located in the open desert, about a mile from the nearest highway exit. Plan your visit for a weekday or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds of fellow tourists, as well as midday desert heat.
Address: S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89054
Charter bus rental tip: There isn’t a designated parking lot for this attraction. You’ll have to exit the freeway and find parking along the side of Las Vegas Boulevard. Because of limited parking, your bus may have to find another place to wait for your group after you’re dropped off.
Pinball Hall of Fame
Price: Admission is free, but most games require coins or credits
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Are you or anyone in your group old enough to remember arcades? This one’s for you. The Pinball Hall of Fame museum, located just south of The Strip, has been delighting groups of visitors since 2006. Home to one of the world’s largest collections of vintage pinball machines and retro arcade games, there’s a ton of fun here that appeals to people of all ages. And while you’re encouraged to try out the newer games like Dance Dance Revolution and air hockey, the classic pinball machines are where this place truly shines.
Each game requires a quarter to play, so be sure to bring plenty of cash! If you have a really big group, you can even contact the museum to rent out part or the entirety of the 10,000 square-foot facility for a company party or other private event.
Address: 4925 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Phone: (702) 597-2627
Area15
Price: General admission is free, attraction prices vary
Hours: 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Area15 is one of Las Vegas’s most unique destinations. Located about a mile west of The Strip, this 200,000 square-foot entertainment complex features a mishmash of virtual reality gaming experiences, artistic exhibits, bars, restaurants, and a few uniquely Las Vegas attractions. Visitors love the surreal experience at the Omega Mart, an immersive grocery store and art installation produced by the art collective Meow Wolf. You’ll also find a glow-in-the-dark, axe-throwing venue, a steampunk-themed distillery that puts on an immersive performance, and a zip line that soars above the entire space—making it a popular destination for groups of friends, company events, and even bachelor and bachelorette parties.
General admission to the space is free, but if you’re visiting with a group, you’ll have to make reservations for certain attractions like Omega Mart. Parking is relatively limited, and Area15 encourages guests to rideshare or take a taxi. If your group is traveling in an oversized vehicle like a charter bus rental, you’ll need to park off-site and organize drop-off and pickup times.
Address: 3215 S Rancho Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89102
Phone: (702) 846-1900
The Valley of Fire State Park
Price: Entrance Fee is $10-$15 per vehicle
Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily
No visit to Las Vegas is complete without a scenic day trip from the city to experience the beauty of The Valley of Fire State Park. The park is only about an hour from Las Vegas and is known for its brilliant sandstone and limestone rock formations that look like waves of vibrant red, pink, and orange. Explore the ancient petroglyphs (carvings or paintings that predate Western Civilization) on Atlatl Rock, check out the park’s many trails for a quick hike, or pack up your charter bus’s luggage bay with tents and camping gear to spend a few nights out under the Nevada stars.
If you’re traveling with a group of outdoor lovers or photographers, The Valley of Fire is one of the best places around Las Vegas to see native plants like brittlebush and cholla cactus. You may also encounter lizards, desert tortoise, and other wildlife that make Nevada’s natural landscape so special. Just make sure to keep your distance from the wildlife!
Address: 29450 Valley of Fire Hwy, Overton, NV 89040
Phone: (702) 397-2088
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Price: $15 per vehicle, $30 for annual passes
Hours: 6 a.m. to 5 or 8 p.m. daily, depending on the season
At just 20 miles from The Strip, you can easily escape the bustle of Las Vegas for a few hours at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The park boasts an array of attractions, including hiking trails, rock-climbing, and a 13-mile scenic drive for those who would prefer to relax and soak in the views from their car. During your trip, be sure to stop by the visitor center to learn more about the park’s history and diverse array of plant life and wildlife. You can also explore an array of trails to see the sandstone rock formations that give the canyon its name. The Calico Tanks Trail and Ice Box Canyon Trail are popular choices.
Visitors are strongly encouraged to make a reservation beforehand to enjoy the park’s scenic drive loop between October and May. Timed tickets and reservations are required to ease traffic on the one-way scenic road during busy days. Your driver can park at any of the designated areas, and your group can enjoy hiking and exploring while enjoying fresh air and sunshine.
Address: 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161
Phone: (702) 515-5350
Explore Las Vegas with Partybus.com
Now that you know about the amazing attractions Las Vegas has to offer, you can plan a group vacation or outing that goes beyond the slots and tables. And when you’re ready to plan your group transportation, Partybus.com has your back. Give us a call at 877-563-2133 and a reservation specialist will help you book the ideal bus rental to explore Sin City and its surrounding desert gems! We’re available 24 hours a day, so don’t be afraid to call even if your day trip plans are last minute.