The STRAT Tower and Thrill Rides

Reviewed by the Las Vegas Guide editorial team · Updated July 2026

The STRAT Tower is the tallest observation tower in the U.S. — 1,149 feet with indoor and open-air decks open to 1 AM, plus the Big Shot launch and SkyJump 900+ feet up, from $16.

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Is the STRAT Tower Worth It? Review, Rides & Best Time

The STRAT Tower is the tallest observation tower in the United States — 1,149 feet over the north end of the Strip, with an indoor deck behind floor-to-ceiling glass and an open-air deck above it. It crowns The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower, and it keeps the latest hours of any deck in town, running to 1:00 AM most nights.

The other reason to come up is what's bolted to the top: Big Shot, America's highest thrill ride, fires you 160 feet up the needle at 45 mph from the 921-foot platform — plus the separate SkyJump controlled descent. Be aware the tower's other two legends are gone: Insanity closed for good in 2023, and X-Scream has been shut since late 2025 with no return date, so ignore listings still promising a trio. Tower entry runs from $16 on off-peak days with the ride priced on top, and combo tickets are the better math if you're riding. One honest note on location: the tower sits at the far north tip of the Boulevard, so plan a rideshare rather than a stroll from mid-Strip.

Insider tipGo after 10 PM: the tour groups are gone, the deck runs to 1 AM, and the Strip is fully lit end to end. If you want Big Shot too, arrive before 8 — the ride closes at 10 and queues build near the end.

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Venue

The STRAT Hotel, Casino & Tower

★★★★

The STRAT is the north Strip's landmark tower hotel, home to the tallest observation tower in the US — with sky-high thrill rides, the Top of the World restaurant and panoramic views — paired with budget-friendly rooms.

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2000 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

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Frequently asked questions

STRAT Tower, High Roller or the Eiffel Tower — which view is best?

The STRAT is the highest by far (1,149 ft vs 550 and 460) and usually the cheapest to enter, but it stands apart from the heart of the Strip — you look down the whole Boulevard rather than into it. For fountains pick the Eiffel deck; for mid-Strip immersion the wheel; for altitude and late hours, this one.

How much does the STRAT Tower cost?

Deck entry starts around $16 on off-peak days and runs into the high $20s at busy times. Big Shot costs extra — a few dollars with tower admission — so a combo pass is the honest buy if you're riding.

Which thrill rides are still running?

Big Shot — the 4-G launch up the needle — plus the separately ticketed SkyJump descent. Insanity closed permanently in 2023 and X-Scream has been closed since late 2025 with no announced return, so any page selling all three is out of date.

How late is the observation deck open?

Until 1:00 AM most nights — no other Vegas deck comes close. The ride shuts earlier, at 10:00 PM, so ride first and linger on the deck after.

Do you need a lot of time here?

An hour covers the decks at a relaxed pace; add 15–20 minutes for Big Shot including queue. Sunset into darkness is the window worth planning around — the whole Strip switches on beneath you.

Rating

4.1

PriceFrom $16

WhereThe STRAT

Address2000 S. Las Vegas Blvd.

Tower vs ridesDeck admission and the ride are separate tickets — with tower admission Big Shot adds for a few dollars, and combo passes beat paying twice if you plan to ride.

Up topBig Shot — 160 feet straight up the needle at 45 mph, 48-inch minimum — plus the SkyJump descent. Insanity (closed 2023) and X-Scream (closed since late 2025) no longer run.

Under 16Riders under 16 need a parent or guardian with their own tower admission to go up.

TimingThe decks run until 1:00 AM, hours later than any other observation point in Vegas — but the ride stops at 10:00 PM, so do both before then.

Opening hours SkyPod decks: Thu–Mon 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM; Tue–Wed 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM Thrill rides: daily 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM

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