Why you should visit the Stratosphere in Las Vegas.
Rising 1,149 feet above the Las Vegas skyline, the Stratosphere (officially called The STRAT) offers more than just panoramic views — it’s a full-on adrenaline playground in the clouds. This is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States, giving you a front-row seat to the city’s dazzling lights by night and the surrounding desert by day.
If you’re looking for calm, the observation deck delivers serene 360° views. If you’re chasing heart-pounding excitement, the rooftop thrill rides — like Insanity, X-Scream, and Big Shot — will have you dangling, spinning, and free-falling over the edge with nothing but open air beneath you.
What you didn’t know about the Stratosphere.
Construction of the tower took four years, and when it opened in 1996, it instantly became one of Vegas’ most recognizable landmarks. The STRAT’s Big Shot ride was once the highest thrill ride in the world, shooting riders 160 feet into the air atop the tower’s already dizzying height.
The structure has withstood intense desert winds and even minor earthquakes thanks to its innovative engineering — a fact that will comfort you (or not) as you hang 900 feet above the ground on Insanity’s spinning arm.
How to fold the Stratosphere into your Las Vegas trip.
The STRAT is located on the north end of the Strip, making it easy to combine with downtown Vegas or Fremont Street adventures. Arrive in time for sunset to watch the desert sky melt into neon city lights. Tickets for rides and observation decks can be purchased separately or as a combo.
If you’re not into thrill rides, enjoy a cocktail at the 108 Drinks lounge or dine at the Top of the World restaurant, which slowly rotates to give you the entire Vegas panorama while you eat.
Hear it from the Foresyte community.
“The city spreads out beneath you in every direction, glowing and endless. Stepping off the elevator is part thrill ride, part sky-high escape, all with the rush of being above it all. Hit the rides up top if you’re feeling brave.”
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