STRAT Tower Thrill Rides Admission

The Las Vegas Strip looks different from 1,149 feet. The STRAT Tower combines wide-open SkyPod views with two short, serious thrill rides, making this one of the city’s most unusual sightseeing stops. I especially like the chance to see the desert and Strip from the observation deck, then turn that calm view into a blast of adrenaline on Big Shot or X-Scream. The main drawback is simple: the rides are brief, and Insanity is currently closed indefinitely.

At $33 per person, the package is a fair deal if you plan to ride at least once and spend time at the observation deck. Big Shot is the stronger pick for pure speed, while X-Scream delivers the stranger sensation of tipping beyond the tower. Some people will find the height and force too much, and an unlimited option mentioned in older experiences should not be assumed to be available now.

Key points to know before you go

• Big Shot launches from 921 feet: You shoot 160 feet upward at 45 miles per hour, reaching about 1,081 feet.
• X-Scream hangs you over the edge: The ride pushes you 27 feet beyond the SkyPod from roughly 866 feet above the Strip.
• Insanity is closed indefinitely: Current access focuses on Big Shot and X-Scream.
• The observation deck is part of the ticket: Give yourself time for indoor and outdoor views, not just the rides.
• A one-ride or two-ride choice applies: Check the selected ticket carefully before booking.
• Height and age rules matter: Big Shot requires you to be at least 48 inches tall, and anyone 15 or younger needs a parent or legal guardian.

Reaching the SkyPod above the Strip

The STRAT is at the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip, and its tower is hard to miss. This is not a long sightseeing tour with a guide or a set route through the city. You arrive at the tower, enter the attraction, go up to the SkyPod, and decide how much time you want to spend looking out before taking your ride.

A useful practical tip is to allow time at the main entrance before heading to the observatory ride desk. One booking experience noted that the ticket had to be collected at the main entrance first, then taken upstairs to the observatory entrance. Follow the signs and ask staff if the route is unclear. A small amount of patience here can save you from standing in the wrong line.

The observation deck sits about 1,149 feet above Las Vegas. That height gives you a broad view over the Strip and the Las Vegas Valley, rather than a close look at one single landmark. On a clear day, you can spend time identifying what lies in the distance with the help of large touch screens mentioned by visitors who enjoyed the SkyPod.

The deck has indoor and outdoor viewing areas. That matters in Las Vegas, where heat, wind, and cold can change your comfort quickly. One person found an evening visit especially impressive, while another caught a desert sunset from the tower. If you can plan your timing, late afternoon gives you a chance to see daylight, sunset, and the city lights without needing a second admission.

Big Shot, the best choice for a first ride

Big Shot is the easiest ride to understand and, for many people, the most satisfying. You sit in a row of seats and are shot straight up the tower’s mast. The launch rises 160 feet at 45 miles per hour, taking you from a platform around 921 feet high to a peak near 1,081 feet.

The ride is short, but the short length is part of the appeal. There is no long wait for a slow climb or a long build-up. You are strapped in, the tower and Strip sit below you, and then the ride sends you upward in a burst. You return down again before your body has quite decided what happened.

The view makes Big Shot different from a normal amusement ride. At the top, you are already far above the city, so the launch adds another layer of height rather than taking you from ground level. That can make the first run especially startling. The ride’s force and sudden movement also explain why some riders describe it as frightening in the best possible way.

I would choose Big Shot first if you are unsure which attraction to try. It gives you the cleanest rush, and it is the ride most often singled out as the highlight of the visit. Several people enjoyed it enough to ride twice, and one person said the nighttime version was especially good. The Strip’s lights below add drama, though daytime lets you see the valley more clearly.

Big Shot has a minimum height of 48 inches, or 122 centimeters. All riders must remain seated, and loose items must come out of your pockets and go into the provided storage bins. Do not try to hold a phone, sunglasses, or anything else during the ride.

X-Scream, a slow tease over the edge

X-Scream is less about shooting straight up and more about the mind playing tricks on you. The ride is shaped like a roller coaster car on a track that teeter-totters beyond the edge of the SkyPod. It pushes you headfirst about 27 feet over the tower’s edge from a height of roughly 866 feet.

That first movement is the whole point. You know the car is secured, but your eyes see the Strip dropping away below you. The car dangles over the edge before being pulled back, then propelled out again. It is a simple idea with an effective result: the ride gives you time to think about the height, which can feel worse than a fast launch.

X-Scream is a good choice for anyone who finds the idea of Big Shot’s vertical force less appealing but still wants a serious scare. It is also a useful second ride because the sensation is completely different. Big Shot throws you upward; X-Scream makes you feel as though the tower has run out of floor.

The ride does not last long. One person described it as short but fun, which is a fair description. At this price, the package makes more sense if you are using the observation deck as well or have selected two rides. If you buy access expecting a full theme-park session, you may feel the attraction is over quickly.

Insanity is not part of the current ride plan

The STRAT’s Insanity ride is described as a spinning attraction that hangs riders from the SkyPod and reaches forces of up to 3 Gs. However, it is currently closed indefinitely for maintenance.

That point deserves emphasis because older descriptions and past experiences may still mention all three rides. Do not book this attraction expecting to ride Insanity. The current package information specifies access to Big Shot and X-Scream, with a choice of one or two rides depending on the ticket selected.

This closure changes the best way to think about the experience. You are not getting a three-ride collection at present. You are choosing between two distinct attractions, then using the SkyPod observation deck to round out the visit.

How much time should you allow?

The ticket is valid for one day, and availability determines the starting time. The rides themselves are brief, so the length of your visit depends on how much time you spend at the observation deck and how busy the attraction is.

Give yourself enough time to:

• Collect or confirm your ticket at the main entrance.
• Reach the observatory level.
• Walk through the viewing areas.
• Use the touch screens to understand the distant views.
• Ride Big Shot or X-Scream.
• Leave room for a second ride if your ticket includes one.

If you arrive near closing, pay attention to the final ride time. One person found that the last call was around 9:30 p.m., with the rides shutting down before 10 p.m. Hours can change, so check the current schedule before you go, especially if you want a nighttime ride.

Crowds can make a large difference to the value. A quiet period may let you ride more quickly, while a busy evening can turn a short attraction into a longer visit. The experience is not a guided group tour, so you have some freedom to set your own pace, but you still need to follow the attraction’s operating hours and staff instructions.

Is $33 a good value?

At $33 per person, the price is reasonable for a high-rise observation deck plus one or two major rides. It is not a bargain if you only want a quick look at Las Vegas from above, since the rides are the main reason to choose this package. It becomes better value when you plan to ride and stay long enough to enjoy both indoor and outdoor viewing areas.

The two-ride option is the sensible choice if you already know you like amusement rides. Big Shot and X-Scream offer different sensations, so taking both gives you a fuller experience than repeating the same ride. If you are nervous, start with one ride and judge your appetite from there.

Older accounts describe unlimited-ride tickets and repeated runs, including one person who rode Big Shot more than a dozen times in about an hour when lines were light. That can be useful context, but the current information here lists one or two rides, not an unlimited pass. Check exactly what your selected ticket includes before paying.

Food and drinks are not included. The tower may offer places to buy them, but you should treat those as separate expenses. A visitor also noted a buy-one-get-one-free cocktail period from 5 to 7 p.m., though promotions can change and are not part of the admission package.

Best times for views and rides

Daytime gives you the clearest sense of the Las Vegas Valley and the desert beyond the Strip. You can see the scale of the city, study the distant horizon, and make better use of the touch screens on the observation deck.

Sunset is the most attractive compromise. One person described catching a desert sunset while riding, and another recommended going at sunset before spending more time on the decks. The light changes quickly, so arrive early enough to see daylight before the sky darkens.

Night brings a different reward. The Strip becomes a long band of glowing signs and moving traffic, and Big Shot feels especially dramatic with the lights below. Nighttime also makes the height harder to ignore. If you dislike looking down from great heights, daylight may feel more comfortable.

Las Vegas weather matters here more than at a normal indoor attraction. The rides take place high above the ground, and cold or wind can affect how long you want to stay outside. One person with an unlimited ticket managed only one ride because it was too cold. A flexible plan is wise.

Safety, height, and who should skip it

This is a high-speed ride experience with strong vertical forces at a great height. The attraction is not recommended for people with physical, mental, or medical limitations. If you have any doubt about your ability to handle sudden acceleration, spinning, or exposure to height, speak with the attraction before booking.

You must remain seated throughout the ride. Loose objects must be removed and placed in the storage bins. That includes anything that could fall from your pockets or interfere with the restraint system.

Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Anyone aged 15 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Big Shot has a minimum height of 48 inches, while the supplied information does not give a separate height requirement for X-Scream.

This is best for adults, older teenagers with the required supervision, and families whose children meet the height and age rules. It suits people who want a concentrated burst of fear rather than a long amusement-park day. It is a poor match if you dislike heights, strong motion, or rides that place you visibly over the edge of a tower.

What the experience does best

The strongest part of the visit is the pairing of calm and panic. You can stand inside the SkyPod, look across the Las Vegas Valley, and take your time with the view. Minutes later, Big Shot sends you upward or X-Scream points you over the edge.

The views earn their own admission. The tower gives you a perspective that is hard to copy from street level, and the day-to-night change can make the timing worthwhile. Large touch screens also help you understand what you are seeing instead of simply staring at a distant blur.

The rides are the memorable bonus. Big Shot is the most direct and widely appealing option. X-Scream is the more unusual one, using anticipation and the sight of the drop to create its scare.

The weak point is duration. Each ride is over quickly, and Insanity’s closure removes one of the advertised sensations. You will get the best value by treating this as a tower visit with thrill rides, not as a full day of amusement rides.

Should you book the STRAT thrill rides?

Book it if you want dramatic views and a concentrated adrenaline hit in the same stop. Choose the two-ride option if available and if you are comfortable with heights. Start with Big Shot for the clearest introduction, then take X-Scream if you still want more.

Skip it if the thought of a high-speed ride hundreds of feet above Las Vegas makes you tense rather than excited. Also skip it if you expect unlimited rides or a long attraction session, since the current package offers one or two rides and Insanity is closed.

For most people who like thrill rides, the $33 price is fair, especially when paired with a sunset or nighttime visit. For anyone undecided, the observation deck alone gives you a reason to go slowly, look around, and decide at the top.

FAQ

How much does STRAT Tower thrill ride admission cost?

The listed price is $33 per person. The package includes SkyPod observation deck access and a choice of one or two rides, depending on the ticket option selected.

Which rides are included?

The current package includes access to Big Shot and X-Scream. Insanity is closed indefinitely for maintenance.

How high is the observation deck?

The SkyPod observation deck is about 1,149 feet above the Las Vegas Strip.

How high does Big Shot go?

Big Shot launches riders from a platform around 921 feet high to approximately 1,081 feet, shooting 160 feet upward at 45 miles per hour.

How does X-Scream work?

X-Scream moves like a teeter-tottering roller coaster. It sends riders about 27 feet over the edge of the SkyPod from roughly 866 feet above the Strip, then pulls them back and propels them out again.

Is there a height requirement for Big Shot?

Yes. You must be at least 48 inches, or 122 centimeters, tall to ride Big Shot.

Can children ride alone?

No. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Anyone aged 15 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.