Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas: all you need to know

In April 1996, the Stratosphere Tower was inaugurated and, at 350 metres high, it is considered the tallest non-hanging structure not only in Las Vegas, but in the entire state of Nevada.

Thanks to its privileged location at the northern end of the Strip (the most famous street in the mythical Sin City), it is the perfect place to get spectacular views. It is definitely one of the best things to see and do in Las Vegas.

But what exactly will you find here? What should you consider before your visit? How to get tickets to the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas? Read all about this and much more below!

The best option

Las Vegas Stratosphere Tower Observation Deck Tickets

It is an observation tower and one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.

Perched 350 metres above the city, this major landmark offers spectacular views of downtown Las Vegas. The observation deck and rides can be visited both day and night.

From £20 at Hellotickets

The STRAP Hotel, Casino and Skypod is one of the most famous themed hotels in Las Vegas and its main focus is extreme adrenaline and fun. With these tickets to the Stratosphere Tower you get a direct pass to the hotel's main attraction, the observation deck located at an impressive 350 metres above the ground.

To get to the top of the observation deck you will have to climb over 100 floors in a high-speed lift that will literally take you seconds. At the end of the ride you'll find one of the most breathtaking views of Las Vegas, as well as some truly frightening high-adrenaline rides.

Recommended if... You are a lover of adrenaline and extreme sensations, then the Stratosphere is not to be missed. Described as terrifying and mesmerising in equal proportions, the mechanical rides that make up the attraction will make your heart beat faster than you thought possible.

Tickets to the Stratosphere Tower range from approximately 20€ to 40€. Unlike other attractions or museums in Las Vegas, tickets here are not sorted by age range but rather by the type of adventure you want to experience.

The Stratosphere Tower has become a unique landmark and a symbol of the Las Vegas cityscape. When you visit this interesting place, in addition to the iconic observation deck, you will find very interesting mechanical rides.

Below is the approximate price table in detail.

• To go up the observation tower alone and admire the view of the city you will have to pay around €20.
• If you want to go on the Thrill Rides attraction (1 ride) and access to the observation tower the price is about €30. You can increase the number of times you want to go up or buy an unlimited pass for around €49.
• If you want to experience the SkyJump (free fall from the top of the tower) the experience costs approximately €120 per person per jump.

At the moment there are no guided tours of the Stratosphere Tower and there is no need for them either, as it is an attraction mainly focused on adrenaline and adventure. All rides are operated and monitored by professionals in the area who give the user detailed safety instructions.

Additionally, the Stratosphere has a privileged position in the urban landscape, which makes it one of the best views in the city of Las Vegas.

It is ideal for taking photos of the urban environment (both day and night) so I recommend scheduling a visit in whatever time slot you have available.

Yes, it is possible to get tickets directly from the Stratosphere Tower box office. The ticket booth is very easy to find: just go to the ticket office located near the giant and highly visible tower.

If you look at the map of the STRAT Hotel, you will see that the box office is marked in green under the name "STRAT Box Office"

. However, my recommendation is to buy your tickets online a few days before your arrival in Las Vegas. This saves you a lot of time as tickets are sold in limited quantities and quotas.

When you buy your tickets online you will have your access time reserved, something very convenient if you are going to be in the city for a few days, for example 3 days in Las Vegas, and your goal is to make the most of every minute of your excursion.

Yes, you can find tickets to the Stratosphere Tower in conjunction with the Las Vegas Sightseeing Pass offered by GoCity. GoCity has developed a special pass called the All Inclusive Pass which gives travellers free entry to a number of the city's most popular attractions, including the Stratosphere Tower.

The All Inclusive Pass comes in two main formats:

• 2-Day Pass: Allows entry to numerous attractions, including access to the SkyPod (the observation deck) of the Stratosphere Tower and access to the STRAT comedy show; rated as one of the best shows in Las Vegas. This pass is available from €120 per traveller.
• 3, 4 and 5 Day Pass: This option allows entry to all the attractions of the two-day pass plus a premium experience of the traveller's choice. On the list of options is a premium experience at Stratosphere Tower known as the Stratosphere Jump, a zipline jump from the top of the tower to a landing platform. These passes are available from €200 per adult traveller.

Other exciting experiences you can enjoy with the Go City Pass include: The Blue Man Group show; tickets to the Mob Museum the Madame Tussauds Museum of Las Vegas and much more.

Getting around Las Vegas is very easy and The STRAT Hotel is in a very accessible area. My favourite part of visiting the city is that the urban and touristy part is not too big and most of the attractions are very close to each other. Here are the recommended options for easy access to this part of the city.

Walking

The STRAT Hotel is located on the northern part of the Strip, the popular name for Vegas Boulevard, an important public avenue where the city's most luxurious hotels and casinos are located.

My advice? In this area of the city the best means of transport are your own feet, as they allow you to enjoy the curious details and unexpected corners that are so common in the city of fantasies.

Tourist Bus

Now, if you're short on time to explore the city or walking isn't your thing, the Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus offers the best mode of transport imaginable.

This service has been designed with the first-time tourist in mind and stops close to all the popular attractions. You can purchase a multi-day pass (however many days you'll be in the city) and use it as your primary mode of transport.

By Taxi

Although taking a taxi in Las Vegas will be more expensive than in many other cities, it is an option to consider, as fares can be quite reasonable for shorter distances.

It is also an excellent alternative if you want fast, efficient and friendly transportation. It's popular with travellers going to the city for short stays such as 2 days in Las Vegas or less.

Absolutely! If you are enjoying a family holiday or simply visiting Las Vegas with children, the Stratosphere Tower is one of the most exciting activities you can do.

Just be aware of the age of the children and the age and height restrictions on all the rides.

Remember that for safety reasons, there is always a minimum height requirement to ride the rides in order to properly adjust the safety system on the attractions.

Almost everything at the Stratosphere Tower is exciting, so sometimes it's hard to choose one activity over another. However, here are my favourites.

The Big Shot - Fly at the speed of light.

An impressive mechanical shuttle will take your feet off the ground on an uphill journey not for the faint hearted. You'll travel the impressive distance of 50 metres in just a few seconds to arrive at a point with breathtaking views of the entire city.

The Insanity The Ride - For non-stop high-speed spinning

If you're an adrenaline junkie you can't miss the amazing rides installed at the top of the Stratosphere Tower. One of them is the Insanity the Ride, a spider-shaped attraction where you will stand on the edge of the tower at a height of 274 metres and then spin at high speed.

The X-Scream - To feel your heart racing.

Another popular ride for travellers is the X-Scream rollercoaster. First you board an open carriage that transports you along a small track, and then, between balances and swings, you'll feel like the car could fall into the void at any moment.

The length of time you need to visit the Stratosphere Tower varies and depends mainly on the specific activities you want to do there.

It may also vary slightly depending on whether you purchase tickets online or at the box office or if you are in town during the busy season such as Christmas in Las Vegas.

In any case, here are the estimated times.

• If you only visit the Skypod or observation deck, you can reserve approximately one hour. The high-speed lift ride takes just 30 seconds to go up the 110 floors.
• If you visit the Skypod and some of the rides such as the Insanity the Ride, I recommend booking 2 hours for the experience.
• If you want the full extreme experience including the rides, the Skypod and the SkyJump zipline, I recommend booking about 4 hours on average.

The Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas and the attractions and rides that operate within it are open to the public every day of the year. Including national holidays.

They operate non-stop from 10am to 1am, Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays they operate special opening hours starting at 10am and finishing at 2am.

Follow the tips shared below to make your visit to the fantastic Stratosphere Tower an even more memorable experience.

Buy tickets in advance

If you're in town for your holiday the last thing you want to do is waste time in unnecessary lines. By buying your tickets in advance you ensure hassle-free entry at the pre-booked time, so all you need to do is make sure you're there in plenty of time.

Go up even if you don't want to take part in the extreme rides.

Although one of the main reasons to visit the Stratosphere Tower is for its fabulous rides, don't think it's the only reason. Remember that the attraction is a lookout point and that it is also home to one of the best restaurants in the city: the Top of the World Restaurant

Even if you're not motivated by the rides, join in the fun and go up to enjoy the view and, if you want, treat yourself to a fabulous dinner with spectacular views of the city. The restaurant is only available in the evenings from 5pm to midnight and it is best to book in advance.

Take the opportunity to explore the surrounding area.

Las Vegas is a city with a lot to offer, that's why I recommend to all of my travelling friends visiting The STRAT Hotel, whenever their itinerary allows, to visit an area often overlooked by the typical tourist: The Art District of Las Vegas.

Located between the famous hotel and Fremont Street, this unique area has a different and warmer vibe than the rest of the city. Take a leisurely stroll through its streets to find plenty of street art, restaurants of all kinds, craft breweries, unique antique shops and the best bars in the area.

Consider an evening visit

While it's true that the Stratosphere Tower can be enjoyed at any time of day, climbing to the highest point in the city is one of the best things to do in Las Vegas at night, especially when you consider the spectacle of lights and colours that The Strip transforms into when the sun goes down.

From this vantage point you'll have the best vantage point to admire the spectacle of this vibrant city.