Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas: all you need to know

Considered one of the must-see attractions in any visit to Las Vegas, the Stratosphere Tower is exciting and different. Here's what you'll find on your visit and what you need to know to enjoy it.

Katherine Betances

Katherine Betances

10 min read

Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas: all you need to know

Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas | ©James Smith

In April 1996, the Stratosphere Tower was inaugurated, which, with its 350 meters high, 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 of 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 in this place? What should you take into account 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 meters 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.

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 main attraction of the hotel, the observation deck located at an impressive 350 meters above the ground.

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

Recommended if... You are a lover of adrenaline and extreme sensations, then you can't miss the Stratosphere. Described as terrifying and mesmerizing in equal proportions, the mechanical rides that make up the attraction will make your heart beat faster than you thought possible.

How much do tickets to the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas cost?

Stratosphere. Las Vegas, NV.| ©DL Wise Photography
Stratosphere. Las Vegas, NV.| ©DL Wise Photography

Tickets to the Stratosphere Tower range from approximately $20 to $40. Unlike other attractions or Las Vegas museums, here tickets are not categorized 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 urban landscape in Las Vegas. When you visit this interesting place, in addition to the iconic observation deck, you will find very interesting mechanical rides.

Below is the approximate pricing table in detail.

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

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Are there guided tours to the Stratosphere Tower, is it worth it?

End of the Stratosphere| ©Reinhard Link
End of the Stratosphere| ©Reinhard Link

At the moment there are no guided tours to the Stratosphere Tower and they are not necessary either, as it is an attraction focused mainly 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 places with 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.

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How to get tickets to the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas at the box office

Strat entrance| ©James Marvin Phelps
Strat entrance| ©James Marvin Phelps

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

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

However, my recommendation is to purchase your tickets online a few days before your arrival in Las Vegas. This allows you to save a lot of time because the tickets are sold by quotas and limited quantities.

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.

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Are Stratosphere Tower tickets included in any of the city's tourist passes?

View from the Strat| ©Lodian
View from the Strat| ©Lodian

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

The All Inclusive Pass has 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 traveler.
  • 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 traveler's choice. The list of options includes a premium experience at the Stratosphere Tower known as the Stratosphere Jump, a zipline jump from the top of the tower to a landing platform. These passes are available starting at €200 per adult traveler.

Other interesting 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.

Book tickets to the Stratosphere Tower

How to get to the Stratosphere Tower Las Vegas (from downtown areas, by bus, subway etc.)

Las Vegas Taxi| ©Chris Yunker
Las Vegas Taxi| ©Chris Yunker

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

Walking

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

My advice? In this area of the city the best means of transportation 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 have little time to explore the city or walking is not your thing, the tour bus in Las Vegas; the Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus offers the best means of transportation you can imagine.

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

By Taxi

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

It is also an excellent alternative if you want fast, efficient and friendly transportation. It is widely used by those travelers who go to the city for short stays such as 2 days in Las Vegas or less.

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Is it advisable to go to the Stratosphere Tower with children?

Stratosphere Game| ©Jaume & Joan Teruel
Stratosphere Game| ©Jaume & Joan Teruel

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

Just keep in mind the age of the children and the age and height restrictions on all the rides.

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

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What you can't miss at the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas

The Big Shot| ©Perry Tak
The Big Shot| ©Perry Tak

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

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 of heart. You'll travel the impressive distance of 50 meters 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 like adrenaline you can't miss the amazing mechanical rides installed at the top of the Stratosphere Tower. One of them is the Insanity the Ride, a spider-shaped attraction in which you will place on the edge of the tower at a height of 274 meters and then spin at high speed.

The X-Scream - To feel your heart racing.

Another game that travelers love is the X-Scream roller coaster. First you get on an open carriage that transports you along a small track and then, between balances and back and forth, you will feel that the car could fall into the void at any moment.

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How much time do you need to visit the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas?

Climbing the Tower| ©Motel George
Climbing the Tower| ©Motel George

The time to visit the Stratosphere Tower is variable 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 go to the city during the busiest 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 about an hour. The ride up in the high-speed elevator takes just 30 seconds to travel the 110 floors.
  • If you visit the Skypod and some of the rides like the Insanity the Ride, I recommend reserving 2 hours for the experience.
  • If you want the full extreme experience including the rides, the Skypod and the SkyJump zip line, I recommend booking about 4 hours on average.

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Opening hours of the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas

Insanity The Ride at Stratosphere Tower| ©Richard Jack
Insanity The Ride at Stratosphere Tower| ©Richard Jack

The Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas and the attractions and rides that operate there are open to the public every day, year-round. Including national holidays.

They operate without a break from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., from Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays they work special hours starting at 10 am and ending at 2 am.

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Tips for visiting the Stratosphere

The nooche vegas from the Strat| ©Oliver Mallich
The nooche vegas from the Strat| ©Oliver Mallich

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 vacation the last thing you want to do is waste time in unnecessary lines. Buying your tickets in advance ensures hassle-free entry at the pre-booked time, so all you have to worry about is being on site in plenty of time.

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

Although one of the main reasons to visit the Stratosphere Tower are its fabulous mechanical games, don't think it is 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 are not motivated by the attractions, join 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 17h to 00h and it is best to book in advance.

Take the opportunity to get to know the surroundings.

Las Vegas is a city with a lot to offer, that's why I recommend to all my traveling friends visiting The STRAT Hotel, whenever their itinerary allows it, to visit an area commonly ignored 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 stores 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 considering the spectacle of lights and colors that The Strip transforms into when the sun goes down.

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

Book tickets to the Stratosphere Tower