The STRAT in Las Vegas, which many people still call the Stratosphere, is the 350-meter tower you can see from anywhere in the valley, at the north end of the Strip. At ground level it's a hotel and casino like many others; what draws visitors is up top: an indoor observation deck, an outdoor one, and thrill rides bolted to the tip of the tower that leave you dangling over the void. This guide explains what's up there, what was running and what wasn't as of November 11, 2026, how much it costs to go up and whether it beats the city's other viewpoints.
The STRAT in brief
- What it is. The tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States, at 1,149 feet (350 meters).
- Observation decks. On levels 108 and 109. Thursday to Monday they open from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Rides. Big Shot, Insanity and SkyJump. X-Scream was listed as closed on the official site.
- Address. 2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South, between the Strip and Downtown.
What the STRAT is, and why the name changed
The tower opened in 1996 as the Stratosphere, with a budget-style hotel at its base. In 2020 the owners renovated the complex and renamed it The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower. That's why you'll see both names mixed up online: "Stratosphere rides" and "STRAT Las Vegas" refer to the same place.
Its height is striking in context: Las Vegas is a flat city, and even the Fontainebleau, the tallest hotel on the Strip, falls about 400 feet short. From the top you see the whole Strip end to end, Downtown to the north, the mountains ringing the valley and planes landing at Harry Reid International Airport.
The decks: what you see and when to go
Level 108 is indoors, with floor-to-ceiling windows, the 108 Drinks bar and seating. Level 109 is an open-air terrace with safety fencing, where you feel the desert wind. The elevator ride is short, and the view south, with the Strip in a straight line, is the one worth photographing.
The best time is sunset: go up in daylight, watch the sky turn orange behind the Spring Mountains and come down once the Strip is lit. In winter the sun sets just before 5 p.m.; in summer, around 8 p.m. Remember that on Tuesdays and Wednesdays the deck doesn't open until 4 p.m.
Hours change without notice, the tower warns, so check its website the same day.
The rides at the top of the tower
They're the reason many people go up. They sit more than 260 meters above the ground and aren't for everyone.
- Big Shot. A seat that fires you 160 feet straight up the tower's mast at 45 mph, from a platform at 921 feet. At the top you're 1,081 feet above the ground, and for a second you float. It's the most famous ride and the one most people dare to try.
- Insanity. A mechanical arm that extends off the tower and spins you, hanging over the void, at up to 3 Gs. Visually, the most intimidating.
- X-Scream. A car that seesaws and tips you 27 feet beyond the edge, 866 feet up. When we checked in November 2026, the site listed it as closed; don't count on it.
- SkyJump. A controlled, cable-guided jump from level 108, a near free fall to the ground. It runs Wednesday to Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday.
The rides have height, weight and health limits published at the point of sale, and they shut down in high winds, which happens often in spring. Keep your phone in a zipped pocket or use the lockers: whatever falls from up there isn't coming back.
How much does it cost to go up the STRAT?
The STRAT sells deck admission and ride packages online and at the box office, with prices that vary by day. When we checked, the official site didn't show the fare on the attractions page, only once you picked a date. Resellers and agencies show deck-plus-ride combos for around $50, but you'll see the real price when you book.
Ways to pay less:
- Stay at the STRAT. It's one of the cheapest hotels on the Strip, and its guests often get access or discounts to the deck. Factor in the resort fee, which is added to the room rate.
- Combine it with the bar. 108 Drinks has a happy hour Monday to Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m.; a drink with a view can cost less than paying just to look.
- Pick one ride, not all. The unlimited-ride package only pays off if you'll really ride more than two.
If you're afraid of heights
You can enjoy the STRAT without riding anything. Level 108 is enclosed, with a solid floor and big windows, and the feeling is of being in a very tall building, not on an attraction. The terrace on 109 has high fencing and you can stay close to the wall. What does rattle people is watching others on Insanity hanging off the tower; if that makes you nervous, the bar on 108 is on the other side. For kids the deck is a good outing; the rides have minimum heights most children don't meet.
How to get to the STRAT
The STRAT sits at the north end of the Strip, far from the casinos in the middle of the boulevard. Walking from the Bellagio or Caesars is almost 5 kilometers, through stretches with nothing to see; don't do it on foot.
The RTC's Deuce bus runs the length of Las Vegas Boulevard 24 hours a day and stops in front of the tower. It serves all the big hotels and also reaches Downtown and Fremont Street. Another option is the Monorail, which ends at the SAHARA, about a 15-minute walk from the STRAT.
By car, the hotel garage is well signposted. By Uber, ask to be dropped at the tower entrance.
Is it worth it? STRAT, High Roller or Sphere
If you want height and adrenaline, nothing in the city competes with the STRAT. For a calm outing, as a couple or with young children, the High Roller observation wheel is right on the Strip, the view of the hotels is closer and the cabin is comfortable. The Sphere is something else entirely: a show, not a viewpoint.
A good plan is to combine the STRAT with Fremont Street, ten minutes north on the Deuce: sunset at the tower and the evening in the old downtown, with the light show on the Fremont canopy. And if you want history, the Mob Museum is also downtown.
Eating at the tower
Besides the bar on level 108, the tower has a revolving restaurant, Top of the World, that makes a full turn while you eat. It's expensive and worth booking ahead, but dinner includes the ride up and the view changes every few minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is the STRAT tower?
1,149 feet, about 350 meters. It's the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States.
How much does it cost to go up the STRAT?
The price varies by day and shows up once you pick a date on the official site. There's deck-only admission and ride packages; hotel guests often get perks.
What rides are at the STRAT?
Big Shot, Insanity and SkyJump. X-Scream was listed as closed on the official site in November 2026.
What are the STRAT observation deck hours?
Thursday to Monday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., according to the official site. Hours can change.
Is the Stratosphere the same as the STRAT?
Yes. The Stratosphere was renamed The STRAT in 2020 after a renovation.
How do I get to the STRAT from the Strip?
On the Deuce bus, which runs along Las Vegas Boulevard 24 hours a day and stops in front of the tower, or on the Monorail to the SAHARA and then a short walk.