Southern Nevada is known for being home to the world-famous Las Vegas Strip, with its glowing lights and glamorous resorts. However, unexpected excitement and adventure can be found just beyond the city limits in fabulous destinations boasting outdoor activities, cultural points of interest, and delicious dining.
Each with their own unique style and atmosphere, the cities of Boulder City, Laughlin, and Mesquite offer a variety of experiences for groups. From getting on the Colorado River and Lake Mead to exploring regional (and often ancient) history, these destinations deliver unique, off-the-beaten path itineraries. These hidden gems of Southern Nevada are easily accessible by plane, car, RV, or motorcoach, with each destination located only 30 to 90 minutes from Las Vegas and Harry Reid International Airport—and the open highways treat travelers to Nevada’s vast, picturesque, and mountainous desert landscape.
Quaint Boulder City
The all-American charm of Boulder City is bound to captivate any group, with its friendly people and hospitality, historical downtown, and alluring atmosphere that recalls the idyllic idea of “Main Street U.S.A.”
The town was founded during the construction of the Hoover Dam. Visitors can take fascinating tours that get them up close and personal—on the water—with the engineering marvel on a Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures excursion.
The endearing downtown area features several points of interest, including the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum and its interactive exhibits detailing the lives of the people behind the dam, along with several antique shops and boutiques, art galleries, and charming sidewalk cafés.
Those looking for something more adventurous can spend their evening experiencing the more daring side of the city on the Haunted Boulder City Ghost and UFO Tour, where a local guide shares true tales of ghosts, UFOs, monsters, and more that are sure to prompt smiles and even some goosebumps! For a peek into the past, groups can also visit the Nevada State Railroad Museum and step into a collection of awe-inspiring train cars—each with their own backstory that chronicles different styles of travel—then hop on the legendary train for a 40-minute ride.
When the group gets hungry, Southwest Diner serves up hearty homemade grub. The TAP offers American pub food and local and craft brews, and Milo’s Cellar serves Italian- and Mediterranean-inspired favorites alongside a fabulous wine list.
Riverfront Laughlin
Situated along the mighty Colorado River, Laughlin offers an exhilarating mix of outdoor adventures on and off the water, as well as exciting entertainment and nightlife.
The destination’s compact hotel corridor lines the banks of the crystal-clear river, making it easy to visit each resort using the Laughlin Riverwalk or taking a pontoon water taxi from the hotels’ boat docks. Visitors can also climb aboard the U.S.S. Riverside for an extensive narration on the area’s history, or board the Grand Celebration—a spacious, 96-foot yacht—for a scenic cruise that’s popular with groups for its stunning sunset dinner cruise option.
Parties with a need for speed should jump on a cruise with London Bridge Jet Boat Tours, the perfect way to explore the water, traveling at high speeds down the river to Lake Havasu and the famed London Bridge. For hands-on adrenaline seekers or those looking to relax along the river, several outfitters offer watercraft options to suit any exploration need.
That’s not it, though! Laughlin lies within an hour of an old western mining town, Route 66, a former Harvey House train stop, a distillery with tours and tastings, and a wild animal park. Whether the group overnights at a boutique property or a high-rise hotel, with nearly 9,000 rooms, Laughlin can easily accommodate groups of all sizes. The hotels offer all the amenities and comforts necessary for groups, including an array of restaurants, coffee shops, live entertainment, and plenty of motor coach parking—all in a small-town, friendly atmosphere.
Scenic Mesquite
The outdoors is a main attraction in Mesquite, as the Southern Nevada desert offers breathtaking landscapes at every turn. Surrounded by spectacular flat red mesas and sandstone formations, Mesquite not only makes a great base camp for visiting Valley of Fire State Park, but also nearby designated areas such as Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park. Visitors can also enjoy the destination’s natural beauty while playing a round at one of the nine championship-quality golf courses in the area.
While outdoor exploration is the name of the game during the day, Mesquite also offers a vibrant nightlife that won’t be found in neighboring communities. Each of its resorts offer an abundance of entertainment options, from gaming and bowling to bingo and special events.
And there’s more to explore. An unexpected experience in this scenic valley, Camel Safari is a 176-acre exotic animal ranch and accredited zoo offering animal encounters and guided tours atop camelback, on a safari tram, or via an ATV excursion. Visitors can opt to stay a bit later to watch a stunning western sunset and roast marshmallows over an open fire for tasty s’mores. There’s also the Lost City Museum, where visitors can experience an actual archeological site unearthed in the 1930s, plus three exhibition galleries showcasing artifacts, a Native American pit house, and reconstructed pueblos.
When it’s time to grab a bite, Mesquite’s quaint restaurant offerings are sure to satisfy; the destination was, in fact, voted No. 9 in USA Today 10 Best’s 2024 Readers’ Choice for the Best Small Town Food Scenes in the country. From upscale gourmet dining like Gregory’s Mesquite Grill and bountiful buffets such as Mesa Buffet to international eateries like D Thai Bistro, there’s something for every appetite and budget in Mesquite.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s Southern Nevada sales team is ready to help plan that next group itinerary or refresh an existing one. Call us at 702-386-3372, email us, or use the online RFP form to get hotel room rate proposals.
Top photo: London Jetboat in Laughlin
Photos by Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority
