It’s better to have company in Las Vegas. The best Sin City vacation stories come from vacationing with friends or family – whether for a raucous bachelor party, a family reunion or a company retreat. The Strip offers plenty of museums and nighttime activities for large groups. However, if you’re craving a bonding experience that doesn’t involve tequila or acrobatics, it’s best to look beyond the downtown lights. There you’ll find group-friendly activities with an outdoorsy bend.

River Rafting Tour

Experiencing the great outdoors? Check. Learning about history? Check. Family bonding? Definitely. Enjoy unobstructed views of Hoover Dam and the Colorado River’s waterways on a 3-hour motorized raft tour offered by Black Canyon River Adventures. The fun begins at the base of the dam, where guests depart for a calm and scenic ride down the Black Canyon National Water Trail.

Stop along the way to take photos of natural wildlife such as Bighorn sheep and herons in their natural high-desert habitats before landing at Willow Beach near Lake Mohave. There’s plenty to see and do along the way, so be ready to quick-draw your camera and snap a pic of a rare bald eagle or one of the magnificent side canyons along the river’s edge.

Recommended for: Up to 20 guests. Group tours for 25-300+ can be arranged by calling 800-455-3490.  

Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts used to involve crazy stunts and checking list items off a piece of paper. Today’s scavenger hunts in Las Vegas are designed to be immersive, interactive ways to see major tourist sights – and get to know some of the 100,000+ people who visit Sin City every day. Most hunts are catered towards a specific group or style. For example, cityHUNT focuses on corporate teambuilding, while self-guided smartphone walks like Big City Hunt are social enough for bachelorette parties or family reunions.

Recommended for: Teams of 6 or less. Larger groups can split up into small teams and race against one another to finish the hunt.

Getting your Greens

Year-round sunshine and warm weather make golfing a popular pastime in and around Las Vegas. Tee off at Angel Park Golf Club, where two Arnold Palmer designed courses boast amazing views of Red Rock Canyon and the surrounding mountains. The 18-hole Palm course challenges athletes with difficult par-3’s, while the Mountain Course is lengthier and has more par 4’s and 5’s. New players will appreciate the 12-hole Cloud 9 course, most of which is lit for nighttime play.

Recommended for: Four or eight players.

Las Vegas is a prime destination for large groups, with plenty of activities that encourage active participation. Venture off The Strip to the surrounding high desert and you’ll find rafting tours, golf courses, scavenger hunts and even adventure pursuits like ziplining or indoor skydiving. When it comes to group activities, not everything that happens in Vegas needs to stay there. Some vacation experiences are better shared.