stratosphere rides

The Strat Hotel & Casino is home to the famous SkyPod that sits high above the Vegas Strip. A closer look at the SkyPod will tell you that this is more than just something cool to look at. The SkyPod is where you’ll find three adventure rides that will challenge any adrenaline junky or thrill-seeker, plus the SkyJump if you’re in the mood to freefall towards the Strip. 

Curious and want to learn more? Here are all the heart-pounding, adrenaline-boosting details. 

Three Thrilling Stratosphere Rides Plus the SkyJump

Big Shot

The Big Shot was the first of the Stratosphere rides, and it remains a favorite today. The Big Shot is a high-speed ride experience that shoots riders 160 feet into the air at 45 miles per hour, only to be dropped back down at lightning speed. Feel the effects of high vertical G forces as you’re dropped and shot up into the air again. 

Big Shot

The Big Shots starts off on a platform that’s 921 feet above the ground on the Stratosphere tower. At the maximum elevated height, your feet are dangling at 1081 feet above Las Vegas. We’d like to tell you that you get an incredible view of the Las Vegas skyline from this high up, but the truth is your adrenaline will be pumping too much to even notice. 

Big Shot

This Big Shot is the second-highest thrill ride in the world. Riders must be at least 48-inches tall to ride the Big Shot. It’s strongly advised that guests with physical, mental, or medical limitations refrain from riding the Big Shot for their own safety. 

Insanity 

Insanity

Insanity entered the lineup of thrill rides atop the Strat tower in 2005, and it’s one of those thrill rides that you don’t want to touch if you have a fear of heights. Insanity is this huge mechanical arm that reaches out 64 ft over the edge of the SkyPod, at more than 866 feet in the air. What happens once they have you out there, dangling for dear life, so many feet over the edge of the attraction? 

The first part of the scream-inducing ride is that it will spin you up into the air at unimaginable speeds, all while propelling you up at an angle of 70-degrees. At this angle, you’re tilted straight down over Las Vegas. Between the speed, spinning in a circular motion, and angle, all at forces unmatched, this is one Vegas ride that isn’t for the faint of heart. Try this ride at night for the most amazing view!

Passengers must be at least 52-inches tall to ride Insanity. It’s strongly advised that passengers with physical, mental, or medical conditions should refrain from riding Insanity for their own safety. 

X Scream 

X Scream 

In Las Vegas, they don’t do anything small – even their teeter-totters. X Scream is a combination of thrill rides meets a playground favorite, and the result is nothing short of a heart-pounding thrill. X Scream opened at the Strat Hotel Casino SkyPod in 2003 and has held its place as the 4th highest thrill ride in the world. 

At first, X Scream doesn’t look so intimidating. But once you realize that it takes you on a trip off the Stratosphere tower at more than 866 feet above the ground, only to be propelled headfirst to twenty-seven feet over the edge of the Strat SkyPod, you discover that you’re not in for any ordinary trip. Once X Scream forces you over the edge, you’re left to dangle, teeter-totter style and weightlessly, with a bird’s eye view of Las Vegas Boulevard. 

Passengers must be at least 52-inches tall to ride X Scream, and the Strat asks you to consider your ability to tolerate the speed, height, and jarring motion of the X Scream before boarding one of the most exhilarating thrill rides in Las Vegas. 

Strat SkyJump

Strat SkyJump

The Strat SkyJump is a bit different from the other Strat attractions in that it’s not so much one of the thrill rides as it is an unforgettable experience. The SkyJump breaks all kinds of barriers, and it’s the highest commercial decelerator descent facility in the world, according to the Guinness World Record. Gather all of your bravery and prepare for an open-air leap from the observation deck level of the Stratosphere tower.  

Take a jump from 829 feet in the air above the Las Vegas Strip. You’ll reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour as your fan club watches you from the SkyJump landing pad. 

Those brave enough to try the SkyJump must meet certain requirements. Passengers must be at least 14 years old, and minors will need their parent or legal guardian to sign an authorization waiver. The SkyJump has a maximum weight capacity of 265 lb, and anyone boarding the SkyJump must be at least 52-inches tall. 

About the Strat Hotel Casino Skypod

Strat Hotel Casino Skypod

The Strat Hotel Casino SkyPod has become one of the most iconic Las Vegas attractions. The SkyPod is located at the Strat Tower. It sits high up and is easily recognizable among the Las Vegas skyline. 

The Skypod is home to the thrilling Stratosphere rides, along with the observation decks, the Top of the World restaurant, which does a full 360-degree spin during your meal, and more. Even if you’re not into the thrills of the rides, the SkyPod is a must for the most gorgeous, unsurpassed view of the Vegas skyline. 

Cost & Tickets for Strat Rides

Rides

Prices

Tickets

Single Thrill Ride + Tower Experience

$40

Two Thrill Rides + Tower Experience

$45

Unlimited Rides + Tower Experience

$49.95

Skyjump Only

$169

Skyjump + Wrist Cam & Photo

$209.99

Skyjump + Wrist Cam

$204.99

Skyjump + Photo

$184.99

Guests can choose from several different ticket options. All tickets come with admission to the SkyPod experience, including views from the observation deck of the Strat tower. Guests who are looking for some thrills can choose between a ticket for one ride, two rides, or three rides. There’s also an unlimited ride pass, which gives you unlimited access to all strat rides for an entire day. 

The SkyJump is not included in the thrill ride ticket options. The base SkyJump ticket price is $129.00 (subject to change), with the option of adding on a photo package or a wrist cam to record a video of your jump from high above the Las Vegas Strip. 

Hours

Days

Hours

Daily 

2pm - 10pm

Rides at the Strat are open seasonally and dependent upon the weather. If it’s too windy, the rides will be shut down without notice. Hours of operation are always subject to change. 

Location

The thrill rides are located on levels 109 and 112 of the tower at the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino. The SkyJump is also located on level 108. The Strat Hotel Casino & SkyPod can be found at 2000 S Las Vegas Blvd (affectionately known as the Las Vegas Strip to travelers). 

FAQs

How many rides are at the Stratosphere?

The Stratosphere Las Vegas offers three thrill rides, plus the SkyJump. All of these are enough to rival rides at the top theme parks in the world.

What are the rides called on the Stratosphere?

The Strat has three different rides. They’re called the Big Shot, Insanity, and XScream. There’s also the SkyJump which is included in the thrilling attractions at the Stratosphere Casino u0026amp; Hotel.

Get Your Adrenaline Pumping with the Strat Rides

There’s no shortage of ways to get your heart racing in Las Vegas, but the rides at the Strat are a whole new level of excitement. The next time you’re in Sin City, prepare to have your limits testes as you see for yourself what the excitement is all about. 

4 Comments

  1. Visiting Vegas over NYE. What will it cost to get to the very top platform, observation deck of the Stratosphere? No rides needed. I’ve also heard if you went to the bar at the top and bought a drink, you’ll get entrance to the observation deck included.
    Thanks!
    PS, one of us is a senior over 65

    1. If you want to get to the top of the Strat on NYE, you can purchase tickets now for $165. If you wait until 12/31 to purchase, the price goes up to $200. This is a great spot to watch the NYE fireworks display, so it’s worth every penny!

      If you want to visit the top on a different date, a standard observation deck tickets range from $20 to $40 a piece, depending on the day of the week. An observation deck ticket is required to access the bar.

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