Getting Around Las Vegas with Big Bus Las Vegas

By Casey Makovich
Published: July 18, 2024
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The Big Bus Las Vegas Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour is one of the best ways to get around and see all the top sites in Las Vegas. Big Bus provides a means of transportation to and from various points of interest along the Strip, Downtown, and beyond and features entertaining and educational information about the sites along the way. We put together a list of all the stops along the three bus routes and included several points of interest to help you plan your itinerary and make the most of your time in Las Vegas. Big Bus Las Vegas runs along two routes included in the Go Las Vegas Card that cover all points of interest along the Strip and Downtown. (Please note: Big Bus Las Vegas operates a third line, the Las Vegas Night tour (Green), but it is not included in the Go Las Vegas Card.) Each stop is listed below with suggested points of interest for your itinerary. Download the bus route map here, pull it up on your phone, or print it at home to follow along as you go.

Strip Route (Red) (buses run every 20-30 minutes):

  • Big Bus Tours Welcome Center
  • Circus Circus Resort & Casino (catch a free circus show, one of the many free things to do in Las Vegas)
  • Fashion Show Mall (with over 250 shops, this is a shopper's paradise)
  • Treasure Island (get off here and take some photos with your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds and grab a bite to eat at the Planet Hollywood restaurant)
  • Caesar's Palace
  • Park MGM
  • Excalibur Hotel & Casino (be sure to check out their Tournament of Kings dinner show if you're traveling with kids)
  • Welcome to Las Vegas Sign/ Harley Davidson
  • Tropicana Hotel & Casino

Old Vegas Tour Route (Blue) (buses run every 20-30 minutes):

  • Big Bus Tours Welcome Center
  • Hawaiian Marketplace (here is also where you'll find the CityCenter Fine Art Collection -- a must visit for art lovers)
  • LINQ (explore this outdoor shopping and entertainment area and then take a 30 minute ride on the High Roller Observation Wheel)
  • SLS Hotel
  • Arts & Antiques District (featuring funky shops with great finds; many will ship your purchases so you don't have to try to find a way to bring them on the plane)
  • Las Vegas Premium Outlets (an excellent shopping destination for the die-hards)
  • Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino (hop-off here to experience Fremont Street, or, take a Fremont Street Walking Tour)
  • The Mob Museum (our regional manager's favorite attraction in Las Vegas!)
  • Gold & Silver Pawn Shop (Pawn Stars)
  • Stratosphere Hotel & Casino (head to the Stratosphere Observation Deck for amazing views of downtown and the Strip)
  • Circus Circus Hotel (be sure to check out their theme park and whimsical circus acts)
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Get discount tickets to the Big Bus Las Vegas Hop-On Hop-Off Day Tour and save up to 55% on combined admission to your choice of lots of top museums, tours, attractions, and more with a Go City Card Las Vegas Explorer Pass®.

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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The Grand Canyon
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Things to do Outside Las Vegas City

No-one ever said that someone who is tired of Las Vegas is tired of life. And that’s because, quite frankly, Sin City can be *exhausting*: the 24-hour hustle and bustle; that constant neon glare; all those glitzy casinos, shows, restaurants, pools and rooftop bars vying for your attention; the overwhelming chaos of the Strip. It’s no surprise that, after a couple of days of high rolling, frazzled travelers often find themselves ready to recharge. The good news is that there are plenty of great things to do outside Las Vegas city. Hey, just because it’s in the middle of a desert doesn’t mean there aren’t dozens of eye-popping natural (oh ok, and man-made) attractions to discover, many within an hour of the Strip. Indeed, its desert location is what makes it such a fine destination for out-of-town excursions. The best of both worlds, if you will. So saddle up and join us on our rundown of some of the best day trips from Las Vegas, including: The Grand Canyon Hoover Dam and Lake Mead Seven Magic Mountains Red Rock Canyon Mount Charleston The Grand Canyon There are a number of ways to experience the Grand Canyon. Indeed, you may well be able to pap it from your flight into town (assuming you’re sat on the right side of the plane, that is). But can you really say you’ve ‘done’ the Grand Canyon if you haven’t set foot in it? No, dear reader, you cannot. So go on: book yourself a thrilling helicopter ride for spectacular (and close-up) aerial views as you cruise over the south or west rims of this epic natural wonder, before touching down among its iconic rust-red rocks and hardy desert wildflowers. You’ll have plenty of time for a wander and/or to stuff your camera roll full with enough selfies to fill your Insta feed for a year. Many operators also offer bolt-on experiences like champagne picnics and birthday celebrations for those ultimate #humblebrag souvenir snaps. The sunset ride back into Vegas ain’t too shabby either, as you soar over the neon-lit Strip against a backdrop of blazing desert skies. Magical. Seven Magic Mountains You could be forgiven for thinking you’ve been hitting the mescal too hard when you first lay eyes on the Seven Magic Mountains, a trippy Mojave Desert art installation by Swiss sculptor Ugo Rondinone, around 30 minutes south of Las Vegas. The sculpture consists of seven gravity-defying towers of boulders, some teetering as high as 35 feet tall! But that’s not all: these desert totems are painted in a kaleidoscope of colors – sky blue, mint green, flamingo pink – making for quite the eye-popping sight against those big azure desert skies. The installation is visible from Interstate 15, but is far more impressive up close. Take a good pair of walking boots and get there early to beat the crowds. Spring Mountains National Recreation Area You probably didn’t come to Las Vegas expecting snow. But snow is what you can have on a trip out to the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, or simply Mount Charleston as the locals know it. This is one of the (ahem) coolest things to do outside Las Vegas city limits, and is only about an hour north of the Strip. Temperatures here tend to run around 20-30 degrees lower than the city, making this fine natural wonder and Mount Charleston, its frequently snow-capped star, an excellent choice for escaping the Las Vegas heat. The scenic drive out of town is impressive enough in its own right, as the landscape transforms from those heat-hazed Martian reds to a coole, greener alpine environment. But the park’s lush wilderness, all pine forests and crashing waterfalls, is nothing short of spectacular.  There’s a vast variety of hiking opportunities here, and it’s also where you can spot gnarly bristlecone pines, among the most ancient living trees on the planet, some of them many thousands of years old. Take the relatively unchallenging Bristlecone Loop, or steel yourself for a 16-hour round-trip ramble to Charleston Peak, nearly 12,000 feet up in the clouds, where views, on clear days, of Death Valley, the Sierra Nevada, and Las Vegas, provide quite the stunning reward. Red Rock Canyon There’s a variety of ways you can enjoy the epic natural wonder that is Red Rock Canyon: 200,000 prehistoric acres of rust-colored sandstone stacks and cacti-crammed valleys. The canyon’s location just a few miles west of downtown makes it one of the easiest things to do outside Las Vegas. Rent a pink Cadillac and cruise there in less than half an hour (top down and ‘Viva Las Vegas’ blasting out at maximum volume, natch). There’s a scenic 13-mile driving loop, from which it's possible to access most of the hiking trails, from short casual rambles to steep, glute-straining ascents. You can even book guided half- or full-day horseback hacks through this extraordinary wild landscape, keeping peepers peeled (and camera at the ready) for hidden waterfalls, ancient Native American petroglyphs, and the twitching ears of curious jackrabbits along the way. Check out some of the hiking trails here. Hoover Dam and Lake Mead The Hoover Dam is one of those feats of early 20th-century engineering and ingenuity that will leave your jaw on the floor from the moment you set eyes on it. The dam’s shapely curves aren’t just there to look good either: it’s an arch-gravity dam, which means the pressure of the water against its specific curvature actually makes it stronger. Impressive. As with most out-of-town Vegas attractions, there’s a whole menu of ways to visit the Hoover Dam and its reservoir (the biggest in the United States, fact fans), Lake Mead, where its possible to go boating, swimming, water skiing and more. You could take a helicopter ride for aerial views, or get there by coach and set foot on the thing, taking in panoramic views from the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge some 905 feet above the Colorado River. The latter is available with the Go City Las Vegas attractions pass, which includes access to dozens more Sin City bucket-listers for one money-saving price. Check it out here. Save on Tours, Attractions and Activities in Las Vegas  Save on admission to Las Vegas attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
eiffel tower in vegas
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Spin into Fun: 10 Best Experiences Near the High Roller

If you think the High Roller is just about sky-high views and glittering panoramas, think again. This giant wheel sits smack in the middle of a playground packed with excitement, flavor, and non-stop entertainment—all within a stroll of your pod. Whether you’ve got energy to burn after your ride or you’re seeking a way to wind down (with a side of Vegas flair), the area surrounding the High Roller delivers—big time. We’re talking adrenaline, eats, laughs, and those quirky moments you’ll remember long after you’ve left the Strip. Ready to plan an unforgettable Vegas day? Here are our top picks for things to do and places to explore just steps from the High Roller.  Our must-do picks near the High Roller Observation Wheel include:  Fly LINQ Zipline  Sweet Sin Bakery & Cafe at the LINQ Promenade  Madame Tussauds Las Vegas  minus5° “Cool Experience” at the Venetian Canal Shoppes  Eiffel Tower Experience  The Mob Museum  Illuminarium Experiences at AREA15 Las Vegas  The Australian Bee Gees Show  KA by Cirque du Soleil  The LINQ Promenade itself  Sweet Sin Bakery & Cafe at the LINQ Promenade  After all the high-flying excitement, a treat is definitely in order. Sweet Sin Bakery & Cafe is a dessert haven with a Japanese twist, known for delicate pastries and inventive lattes. This sunny space buzzes with visitors—grab a sleek marble-topped table or snap a selfie under their wall of pastel macarons. Try their fluffy Japanese soufflé pancakes (locals swear they’re Vegas’s best) or grab a tangy yuzu tart to-go. Their signature matcha latte is a favorite for cooling down, but there’s always something new, from seasonal mochi donuts to caramel croissants. Sweet Sin is perfect for people-watching or just taking a well-earned sugar break.  Madame Tussauds Las Vegas  Meet your favorite celebrities without the velvet rope at Madame Tussauds, just a short stroll away. Here, the figures are eerily lifelike—pose with Elvis, snap a selfie beside Beyoncé, or challenge Muhammad Ali to a face-off. The experience is equal parts interactive and hilarious, and the themed zones (Marvel superheroes, EDM party, classic Vegas acts) keep the energy up. What makes this a standout? The sense of fun—everyone is there to get silly and snap Insta-worthy shots. There’s even an outlandish 4D Marvel movie experience tucked inside. If you’re group-traveling, it’s a crowd-pleaser with so many photo ops you’ll run out of phone memory before you run out of smiles.  minus5° “Cool Experience” at the Venetian Canal Shoppes  Ready to beat the Las Vegas heat? Step inside minus5°’s ice-filled world for a completely different vibe—giant frozen sculptures, chilly seats, and drinks served in real ice glasses. Don a parka (they’ll supply it) and wander around themed rooms filled with frosty art and fun photo spots. The lighting and colored ice make for out-of-this-world snapshots, and there’s that giddy feeling of “is it really this cold in Vegas?” The playful, laid-back atmosphere means you’re just as likely to find fellow travelers starting conversations as you are to bump into a bachelorette crew. Whether you stay for one cool cocktail or three, it’s one of those unexpected Vegas experiences you’ll want to talk about later.  The Mob Museum  Ready to swap glitz for gritty stories? The Mob Museum, a quick drive from the High Roller, is pure drama—three floors of immersive exhibits chronicling the rise and fall of organized crime in Las Vegas and beyond. Step inside and you’re transported: vintage neon, clandestine wiretaps, police memorabilia, and a speakeasy-style bar complete with secret entrance. The stories are fascinating, the atmosphere is both thrilling and informative, and the interactive exhibits (like the crime lab) invite you to play detective. Whether you gobble up true crime podcasts or just love a brush with Las Vegas history, the Mob Museum delivers a real behind-the-scenes peek.  Illuminarium Experiences at AREA15 Las Vegas  Just a short rideshare away, Illuminarium at AREA15 breaks all the rules about what an ‘attraction’ can be. These immersive, multi-sensory rooms transform with sound, visuals, and even scents—one moment you’re wandering an African safari, the next you’re stargazing on Mars. The tech here is incredible, as is the sense of wonder it inspires. The lounge area, complete with creative cocktails, extends the fun after your interactive adventure. Illuminarium is perfect for kids and adults alike—a place that makes you feel like a kid, no matter your age.  The Australian Bee Gees Show  If you’re after live music and a healthy hit of nostalgia, The Australian Bee Gees Show packs the dance floor with a tribute to the music legends themselves. Taking place at the Excalibur Hotel, it’s a full-on night of sing-along, toe-tapping fun wrapped in sparkly stage lights and groovy ‘70s style. The performers have the look and the harmonies down spot-on, creating a feel-good throwback party that brings the whole room together. For fans of disco—or just good energy—this show is guaranteed feel-good.  KA by Cirque du Soleil  Las Vegas dazzles with spectacular shows, and KA takes the “spectacular” part seriously. This Cirque du Soleil masterpiece fills the gigantic MGM Grand theater with jaw-dropping acrobatics, martial arts, aerial stunts, and a soaring, operatic score. The real wow comes from the moving stage itself—it spins, tilts, even turns vertical—so every seat gets a front-row experience. The performance is a rush of color, sound, and story that leaves everyone in the audience wide-eyed, making it a perfect after-dinner treat just a short hop from the LINQ area.  The LINQ Promenade  Don’t overlook the pleasures waiting right under the High Roller’s shadow. The LINQ Promenade is its own mini-universe of Vegas delights: swirling lights, pub patios, quirky shops, and street performers strumming up a party. Snap a shot with the flamingo at the famous Flamingo hotel, sample local craft beers at the open-air bars, or hunt for wild fashion at Kitson and other boutiques. There’s always something new popping up, from temporary art installations to surprise DJ sets. The vibe is playful, vibrant, and perfect for wandering with friends or family—especially after dark, when the neon glows and the Strip’s energy is at its peak.    With so much to see and do right by the High Roller, it’s easy to fill your Vegas day (and night) with surprises, laughs, and wow-worthy memories. Why rush anywhere else? This corner of the Strip has just about everything you need for an unforgettable Vegas adventure.    Enjoyed this? Check out our guide to getting to the Strip from the airport, and discover how to make your morning a memorable one.   Step up your sightseeing with Go City®  We make it easy to explore the best a city has to offer. We’re talking top attractions, hidden gems and local tours, all for one low price. Plus, you'll enjoy guaranteed savings, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.  See more, do more, and experience more with Go City®– just choose a pass to get started! 
Vegas skyline on a warm summer night
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Las Vegas in June

Things are heating up in Sin City! June is a busy month in Vegas, as the last of the spring clouds are gone, the sun comes out in all its glory and party goers flock to the strip in search of fun and festivities. Most of the excitement is now happening indoors away from the heat, but for those who seek the sun there’s still plenty going on outside – and the pool parties never stop, of course! Hotel prices are at a premium now, especially around the Juneteenth commemorations, but there are some good deals to be had if you come mid-week, or book ahead. Visiting Las Vegas in June Average temperature: 99oF • Average rainfall: 0 days/mth • Average Sunshine: 14.5 hours/day You won’t need many layers in June, as the mercury will hit the 80’s most days and will probably nudge over 100 on some too. It doesn’t cool down much overnight, either – the average low is a very mild 75, so you can look forward to some lovely warm evenings. Plan to be indoors in the air conditioning during the day, and if you are going out wear sunscreen and a hat. There’s almost no rain in June, although the wind does pick up to a breezy 10 miles per hour, so if you’re heading out of the city make sure you have sunglasses to protect your eyes from flying dust. Remember to keep hydrated, and you’ll be fit to keep partying for as long as the sun is up – or down! What’s on in Vegas in June? Juneteenth Juneteenth is an annual commemoration of the official abolition of slavery in the US, which was declared on June nineteenth in 1865. The day itself is marked with special religious services, speeches and family gatherings, and in Vegas is usually accompanied by a festival that takes place on the weekend closest to the day. This uplifting and inspiring holiday is a showcase of the city’s African-American heritage, particularly in the entertainment industry, so expect music, art and plenty of dancing. Sports Most outdoor sporting events wrap up in June, but sports fans can still find some indoor events if they need a break from the gambling and partying. The local WNBA team, the Las Vegas Aces, plays at the Mandalay Bay Michelob ULTRA Arena, where there’s also some quirky silver art in the lobby that’s worth checking out. Or if you want to keep up with all the sporting action around the country, head to the massive pool complex at Circa’s Stadium Swim, where you can catch all the action on a massive 40-foot-tall LED screen while you’re keeping cool in the pool or sipping cocktails on a comfy sunbed. Where to cool off? When you need a break from the heat of the strip, duck into a casino and enjoy a moment in air-conditioned splendor. You don’t have to be a gambler to appreciate all they have to offer (although if you do fancy a flutter you’ll be spoilt for choice!). Caesar’s Palace is famous for its round lobby with classical marble pillars and renaissance-themed frescoes, the MGM grand has a games and billiards arcade, the Cosmopolitan has a bar famous for its edible cocktails, and Circus Circus has its own family-friendly indoor amusement park, complete with roller coasters, bumper cars and acrobats. For a refreshing twist on things, have a wander through the indoor botanical garden at the Bellagio – stopping on the way to check out their world-recording-holding chocolate fountain, of course. Muse in a museum Despite its reputation for drunkenness and debauchery, there’s quite a bit of culture to be counted up in Vegas. There are several museums, all air-conditioned and ranging in themes from the very traditional Natural History Museum to the surprisingly educational Erotic History Museum. In between there’s a Madame Tussauds, a Mob Museum (where you can explore the history of organized crime and try your own cocktail in an underground speakeasy) and an Illuminarium, which is a 4K, 360o immersive cinematic experience that takes you past the moon and into the far reaches of the galaxy. If that doesn’t cool you off, you might need to try more extreme measures – jumping off the STRAT, perhaps? Party by the Pool A summer trip to Vegas wouldn’t be complete without visiting at least one luxury resort complex and spending a day at the pool. There are plenty to choose from, although keep in mind that some of them charge a fee for non-guests and you’ll probably have to book. Mandalay Beach does a good job of imitating an actual tropical beach, but if you prefer to know you’re in a city then perhaps try the Boulevard Pool at the Cosmopolitan, which overlooks the strip. Others to look out for include the Golden Nugget’s Shark Tank, the uber-luxurious eight-pool complex at the Venetian, or the Mount Olympus-inspired Garden of the Gods at Caesar’s Palace. Keep an ear out for hotels hosting pool parties (which is basically a club, but you can wear your swimsuit) or if you can’t decide, jump on a Rock Star Pool Party Tour and let someone else chauffeur you around from party to party like a proper celeb. Emerge in the evenings When the sun goes down you can finally step outside and breathe in a bit of warm summer air. Stroll down the strip, and maybe try an evening tour from the top deck of a Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour – be sure to jump out at the ‘Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign now it’s all lit up, and retrace your steps to the Bellagio Hotel to see the water fountains, which will also now be brightly illuminated. If you’re in the mood for views you can look down on it all from the Eiffel Tower Experience, the Fly LINQ Zipline or even from a helicopter, or you can go for full escapism with a show like Cirque du Soleil’s KA or the Blue Man Group’s bright fusion of color and sound. On the other hand, if you want to keep up the heat, head to Senor Frogs for a sizzling fiesta of Mexican food, drinks and party vibes. Keep things cool with Go City In Vegas, it’s never too hot to have a good time! Be sure to get your Go City All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass, and you’ll get cool savings on all the best attractions in town!
Karleen Stevens

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