This page from my master list of all Las Vegas articles I wrote while developing Vanabode as the best travel vehicle for cheap easy long term road trips.

Stratosphere Hotel In Las Vegas

Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas has the highest thrill rides in the world. The number one highest ride is the Big Shot at 1,081 feet, followed by Insanity the Ride at 900 feet and the XSCREAM at 866 feet. Forget about staying in your hotel room or playing the penny machines. We almost always stay in our Vanabode in the parking lot here. When you're in Vegas you MUST go on these rides. One of the best times to go is at dusk for a full view of the city and the sunset. It pays to dress up. If it's a slow day at the Strat and you are nicely dressed, they may comp you for the top of the tower.

Well, there are lots of big shots (VIPs) in Vegas, but only ONE ride like this. It's worth the thrill and the spectacular view of the Strip. You will blast straight up at 40 mph and gravity will do the rest. It takes nerves! It's scary no matter how many times you've been on it. Be prepared to blast right off your seat. It's wild! They'll also catch that petrified look of yours in a photo. Don't eat before this ride or your stomach will be in your mouth. Ugh.

The Big Shot ride at the top of the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas.

Insanity the Ride is just that! You'll be dangled over the Stratosphere Tower and twirled around at 40 mph. If the winds are blowing hard, I don't recommend this ride because there's an automatic 'safety mechanism' that shuts the ride off and you'll be stuck out on a limb for who knows how long. It's happened twice since it opened in 2005 and people were stranded out there for an hour or more. You'll definitely scream on the XSCREAM at the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas. If you're afraid of heights, you have to try this. It preys on your fear of falling. Only a few people can ride single file at a time in this canoe-like rigg. Sit in the front seat for the most thrill. This teeter-totter machine releases you over the edge of the tower and literally drops you 3-4 times at different angles.

If you are a thrill-seeker, these rides are made for you. They are not for the weak of heart and you will definitely get a rush. They are even more thrilling than the roller coasters at the New York, New York and the now closed Sahara.

To get your tickets for the rides or the tower at the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas, you need to purchase them downstairs. Proceed through the mall to the elevators. Be warned that on weekends, the line can be long due to security checks just like security at McCarran International Airport.

Stratosphere is one cool casino. This tower is the main attraction and is classified as the tallest observation tower in the United States. We have had dinner at the Top of the World restaurant 3 times. The view from this dining room on the 109th floor is spectacular. The restaurant actually revolves around as you eat so you can stay seated and still see the entire Las Vegas Valley through the unobstructed massive glass walls.

The Stratosphere is one of my favorites especially when you factor in the affordable prices here (and the easy Vanabode parking) on everything from rooms to entertainment. Highly recommended as long as you don't demand absolute glamour.

The Stratosphere sits at the north end of the strip so you get to enjoy it's unique tower apart and look back at the other centrally located strip hotels and casinos. You can take a super fast elevator ride to the top to dine, observe or get on a thrill ride.

At 1,149 feet the tower is visible from everywhere in the valley. I highly recommend reservations to the Top of the World restaurant that start one hour before sunset so you can see this spectacular site in the day, then watch the entire world transform into a 10 billion light extravaganza as Vegas night life awakes below you. Every time I have been up there the tour helicopters fly by right outside the windows and it is so eerie because you can't hear them. The thick glass makes the outside world whisper quiet. Bring a date here and they will never forget you.

There is also a great lounge on the 107th floor so you can take in the view without having to buy a $26 dollar a plate dinner. IT is cleverly designed, and integrated so as to have breathtaking views. Most times you can skip paying the "tower pass" fee to ride up and use the observation deck. How? Simply tell the elevator attendant you want to go to the lounge for a drink instead.

Picture shows views from the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino Tower in Las Vegas during the day. Don't miss these same views at night as they become unbelievable!

Young people flock to the Strat because of the great teen friendly shows like American Superstars that feature seriously talented Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Tim McGraw, and Madonna impersonators. Young couples love the take it easy pool scene, and especially Polly Esters Nightclub; one of the largest in Vegas. Plus, I have never been at the top when there wasn't a line to ride the incredible rollercoasters & thrill rides that actually extend

OUT over the top above the OUTSIDE of the tower. The Big Shot is technically on the 113th floor and shoots straight up another 150 feet, then drops like a rocket back down while you stare at the all of Las Vegas shocked and amazed. This experience is NOT for the faint of heart and anyone with motion sickness or a fear of heights issue should NOT visit the Stratosphere. Even the elevator ride is unnerving due to its speed and distance up.

Overview: A must see stand alone casino, hotel and adult playground
Location: Northern end of Las Vegas Strip
Restaurants: Top of the World revolves around as you dine 109 floors up in the sky. It is well priced for the quality and one of a kind view. Roxy's Diner is one of the few places in Vegas where the staff breaks out into a song every 5 minutes or so like a Karaoke bar while the serve you your food. Lots of family fun here. Fellini's serves Italian food and it is pricey with limited hours. The Courtyard Buffet is typical except you serve yourself your drinks also.
Nightclubs, Lounges: C Bar is right in the middle of the gambling floor, easy to get to with free live music sometimes, dancing at Polly Esther's nightclub
Casino: 85,000 square feet, including Blackjack, Caribbean Stud Poker, Craps, Keno, Let It Ride, Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Roulette, more than 2,600 slot machines, and a small poker room, race & sports book has seats for 130 people, 40 TV's and 25 big screens for viewing major televised events.
Entertainment: American Superstars super talented impersonator show, Bite a topless vampire rock and roll show set to hard 80's and 90's music
Extras: 3 incredible thrill rides on the top of the tower, plus far out views
Pools: 1 huge pool for the general audience with a massive hot tub outdoors, complete with waterfalls and nice seating areas. There is an adult only topless pool for hotel guests and outsiders willing to pay to get in.
Health Club or Spa: Both plus a full service salon
Shopping: small shops and little restaurants located in a winding uphill venue called the Tower Shops at Stratosphere.
Wedding chapel: numerous packages held in the Chapel in the Clouds
Childcare facilities: None
Pets allowed: No
Parking garage: free indoor parking garage plus limited outdoor parking for oversized vehicles like rv's and buses.
Shuttle service to the airport: back and forth to the airport by a private company, cabs are faster
Shuttle service to Strip: Stratosphere is ON the strip, no shuttle needed unless you want to visit the other casinos in which case you will walk a long way. I suggest you take the bus or a cab down and back.
Hotel amenities: Typical fare here as well as pay-per-view movies, valet parking, salon, currency exchange, luggage handling, electronic check-out.
Miscellaneous: Check-in time is 3 pm and Check-out time is 11 am. The minimum age to reserve a room is 21 years and there is a maximum number of guests per room of four. Provide credit card for incidentals

You and your friends can have your picture taken in front a green screen. When you are done with the rides, turn in your tickets and there's no obligation to buy the photo, so what the heck, go ahead and do it. You'll be getting off the observation deck and gift shop level when you get out the elevators. For the rides, you'll need to take additional elevators. It's a long way to the top for the best rides at the Stratosphere Hotel in Las Vegas.

American Road Trips - reviews & pictures of places we visited on $20 a day - food, gas and lodging.

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