Does the sight of the slowest roller coaster at Six Flags make you nauseous? Then you better stop reading. The rides atop the tallest building in Las Vegas, 922 ft above the ground, are for the brave only. As is often the case with attractions like this, the worst part is the fear. The ride itself is pure adrenaline and fun. Everything is 100% safe and I have seen first hand young children take the rides. They were thrilled!
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Big Shot – Free Fall in the Seat
The Big Shot simulates a free fall during which visitors can enjoy the view of the Strip and the entire Las Vegas Valley.
The experience involves 16 people at a time, who are seated in seats and thoroughly restrained by seat belts. These are important as they experience a 4G overload within seconds of freefall. During the journey from 921 ft to 1,081 ft the red seats reach speeds of up to 45 mph. There are four on each side of the structure, so each has a view in a different direction.
I personally found Big Shot to be the most peaceful of all the rides, if only because you can see the solid ground beneath your feet the entire time. In addition, I had experience with the same attraction at Tivoli Park in Copenhagen, Denmark. If you want to conquer your fear on The Strat but don’t have much confidence, I recommend going to Big Shot first.
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X-Scream – A Swing Behind the Edge of a Skyscraper
This attraction is a bit like a classic playground swing, with one child bouncing off the ground while the other hangs in the air. In the case of X-Scream, the design is more sophisticated. Eight people sit in a cart, which then moves back and forth, up and down, on a narrow rail.
Further movement of the trolley cannot be estimated, and everything takes place at a height of 866 ft and 27 ft beyond the edge of the skyscraper. If you want to enjoy the X-Stream to the fullest, I recommend getting a front row seat, which will give you the best view of the city below.
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SkyJump – Jump From the Roof In 829 ft
The most adrenaline-pumping attraction at The Strat is the SkyJump, which has been open since March 2010. The daredevil is dressed in a special jumpsuit and very carefully attached to belay ropes. He then jumps from 829 ft, the hard impact into the prepared mattress is prevented by the aforementioned ropes.
The level of adrenaline is significantly higher at SkyJump than at other attractions, the maximum speed during the free fall reaches up to 45 mph. SkyJump is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest free-fall attraction with belay ropes.
SkyJump is the only one not covered by other tickets. The jump must be booked separately, and photos and video of the experience are available for an additional fee.
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Insanity – Attraction Closed
Finally, an honorable mention, the most adrenaline-pumping attraction of all. Insanity did not bear its name for nothing. Five couples settled into seats attached to a giant arm that extended beyond the edge of the skyscraper and spun. There was no floor beneath the feet of the daredevils, and to make matters worse, they were spinning face down. They were separated from the pavement below by 886 ft.
Of all the attractions at Stratosphere, I liked Insanity the best. Unfortunately, the ride has been permanently closed since May 2023 and has been broken down a lot due to the height and high winds.
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How to Visit Stratosphere in Las Vegas
🗺️ Where Is the Strat
The attraction is located on the rooftop of The STRAT (formerly Stratosphere, show on a map), which you can’t miss because it’s the tallest building in Las Vegas.
The nearest bus stop is called “The Strat”. You can also use the “SB Las Vegas at the Strat”, which is right in front of the hotel.
🕒 Opening Hours
The attractions on the roof of The Strat, including SkyJump, are open every day from 14:00 to 22:00. In case of bad weather conditions they may be closed. The observation deck at The Strat has longer opening hours, you can enjoy the view every day from 10:00am to 1:00am.
🎟️ Tickets for Stratosphere Las Vegas
Tickets to The Strat observation deck are $24.00 per adult. Children’s tickets are valid up to and including age 12 and are sold for $18.00.
Adrenaline attractions are charged separately. The price of the package including Big Jump and X-Scream is $41. The price for the SkyJump attraction is $150 without photos of the jump, $165 with photos and $185 with wrist video.
I last updated all prices on May 8, 2024.
🎫 Entry to Stratosphere With Go City Pass Las Vegas
You can use all variations of the Go City Pass Las Vegas to enter The Strat observation deck, which also includes one thrill ride of your choice.
The Go City Pass serves as a permanent ticket to attractions in and around Las Vegas. It is sold in a 2-5 day option, during which you can visit dozens of locations without paying anything extra. This can save up to several hundred dollars over the course of 4 days.
The choice of available attractions is wide. Together with The Strat, you can experience a helicopter flight over Las Vegas, ride the Big Apple Coaster and the Giant High Roller, or climb the observation deck at the Eiffel Tower.
💡 Fun Facts About the Strat in Las Vegas
The Strat has a total of 2,427 rooms spread over 24 floors. Construction on the hotel began in February 1992 and continued until April 30, 1996, when the Stratosphere opened. Its progress was not without its problems, the biggest of which occurred around midnight on August 29, 1993, when a fire engulfed the tower. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but it did significantly slow down the completion of construction.
⭐ My Review of Stratosphere Las Vegas
I love adrenaline attractions, so I couldn’t pass up Stratosphere. I haven’t been to SkyJump, but I have tried the other three attractions. Big Shot and X-Scream were complemented by the Insanity Centrifuge at the time of my visit, which I liked the best.
The Strat is worth a visit for the unique views of the city, even if you’re not a fan of adrenaline.
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Photos of The Strat Attractions in Las Vegas
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