Stratosphere Tower Thrill Rides: Worth It?

The Strat tower thrill rides sit 866 feet up and deliver exactly what the name promises: Big Shot shoots you straight up another 160 feet at 45 mph before dropping, while the other rides swing or teeter you over the edge. The real star is the observation deck itself—360-degree views of the Strip, downtown, and the desert beyond. Expect wind, height-induced stomach drops, and crowds. The whole experience takes 30-60 minutes once you're at the top, including wait times. It's genuinely thrilling if you like heights, but the rides themselves are short.

Best time is weekday mornings right after opening, especially in spring or fall when it's not 110°F on the platform or freezing in winter winds. Summer afternoons get brutally hot and the lines swell with families. Expect to pay around $30-50 for the observation deck plus one ride, $70-100 for a two-ride combo, and north of $130 if you want the SkyJump bungee-style plunge included. Packages are almost always better value than buying individually.

Tip: Do the observation deck and just one thrill ride (Big Shot is the classic). Skip buying photos on the way out—they're overpriced and the wind usually ruins your hair anyway. If you're scared of heights but still curious, just buy the deck ticket and watch everyone else scream.