STRAT Tower Thrill Rides Admission

The STRAT puts a fairground in the sky. From the SkyPod, you look down on Las Vegas from 1,149 feet, then strap into Big Shot, which shoots you 160 feet higher at 45 mph. I like the rare mix of city views and pure amusement-park fear, plus the option to ride once or twice rather than pay for attractions you will not use.

I also like that the ticket includes the observation deck, so you can slow down between rides and see the Strip from indoor and outdoor viewing areas. The main drawback is important: Insanity is closed indefinitely, and the rides are short, forceful, and not suitable for everyone.

Key points

• Big Shot fires upward from 921 to 1,081 feet, reaching 45 mph in seconds.
• X-Scream sends you 27 feet over the edge, leaving you hanging above the Strip.
• The SkyPod reaches 1,149 feet, with city views by day, at sunset, and after dark.
• The $33 ticket includes the observation deck and a choice of one or two rides.
• Insanity is currently unavailable, so do not book expecting three operating attractions.
• Plan for age and height rules: Big Shot requires riders to be at least 48 inches tall, and anyone 15 or younger needs a parent or legal guardian.

The STRAT turns a viewpoint into a thrill ride

Many Las Vegas observation decks ask you to look over the edge. The STRAT asks how you feel about being pushed toward it.

The tower’s SkyPod sits 1,149 feet above the Strip, making it the tallest tower west of the Mississippi. The rides occupy the upper levels, where the height is not just scenery. It becomes part of the machinery of fear. You see the city far below, then feel your stomach catch as the ride moves beyond the tower’s edge.

At $33 per person, the ticket makes the most sense for someone who wants both the view and at least one ride. If you only want a high lookout, a ride package may feel unnecessary. If you plan to ride twice, take photos, watch the city change from daylight to night, and spend time on the observation decks, the price becomes easier to justify.

The ticket is valid for one day and includes access to the SkyPod Observation Deck. Depending on the option you select, you receive one or two rides on Big Shot and X-Scream. Food and drinks cost extra.

Begin with the SkyPod at 1,149 feet

Start by going up to the SkyPod before choosing your ride order. The observation deck gives you time to see what you have signed up for, which is useful if the sight of the rides makes you reconsider your plans.

The height is the star here. The Strip spreads below, and the Las Vegas Valley reaches outward toward the desert. By day, you get a broad look at the city and surrounding terrain. At sunset, the light softens the view. After dark, the Strip becomes a long line of bright signs and traffic.

The SkyPod has indoor and outdoor viewing areas. Large touch screens help you identify what you are looking at in the distance, a small but useful feature when the city below becomes a blur of hotels and lights.

Give yourself more time than the ride length alone suggests. The actual thrills are brief, but the observation areas are where you can catch your breath, take in the height, and decide if you want another round. One practical warning: the upper levels can feel cold, especially at night. Bring a layer even if Las Vegas feels warm at street level.

Big Shot: the best choice for a first ride

Big Shot is the clearest introduction to the STRAT’s particular brand of fear. You strap into seats on a platform about 921 feet above the ground. The ride then launches you up the tower’s mast to about 1,081 feet.

The main movement is simple and brutal: straight up, then back down. Big Shot sends you 160 feet into the air at roughly 45 mph, reaching that speed in seconds. There is no long build-up and no scenic cruise. You are seated, secured, and suddenly moving upward with the Strip dropping away beneath you.

I would choose Big Shot first because it is easier to understand than X-Scream. You face the sky and feel the vertical force. The height is still intense, but the ride does not deliberately project your body beyond the tower’s edge.

The sensation is brief, which can be a benefit. You get a sharp burst of speed and force without committing to a long ride cycle. Some riders will want to repeat it immediately, and the two-ride ticket is useful for that reason. One ride lets you survive it. A second ride lets you pay attention to the view.

Big Shot requires a minimum height of 48 inches, or 122 centimeters. Anyone age 15 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Loose items must be removed from your pockets and placed in the provided storage bins, so secure phones, wallets, hats, and anything else that could fall.

X-Scream: the ride for people who fear the edge

X-Scream is less about going high than about being moved past the point where your brain says you should stop.

The ride teeter-totters from the SkyPod at about 866 feet above the Strip. Its car propels you headfirst 27 feet over the edge of the tower. You then hang above the city before the mechanism pulls you back and sends you forward again.

That pause over the edge is the trick. The ride does not simply rush past the tower. It places you beyond it, with open space below and the Strip far beneath your feet. The motion is repetitive, but the anticipation does much of the work.

X-Scream is short, so you should not expect a long roller-coaster session. Its value comes from the unusual setting, not duration. If you want a ride that feels tied to the tower itself, this is the one. If you dislike the sensation of leaning out over a drop, Big Shot may be the better choice.

The ride order suggested by experienced riders is Big Shot first, X-Scream second, and Insanity last when all three are operating. Since Insanity is currently closed indefinitely, the practical order now is Big Shot followed by X-Scream. That sequence lets you start with upward force before facing the more direct over-the-edge effect.

Insanity is closed, so plan for two rides only

The package description may refer to the STRAT’s group of thrill rides, but Insanity is currently closed due to maintenance. Do not assume you will get three attractions during your visit.

That leaves Big Shot and X-Scream as the active ride choices covered by this ticket. This matters when comparing the package with other Las Vegas attractions. The admission remains worthwhile if you want the tower view and one or two high-altitude rides, but it is not an all-attractions pass at present.

The closure also affects the value of any unlimited or expanded ticket offered separately at the venue. Ask what is operating before paying more for repeated rides. For the package described here, choose one or two rides on Big Shot and X-Scream according to the option you book.

How to plan the visit around light, cold, and closing time

Sunset is the most useful time for a first visit if you want more than one kind of view. You can see the valley in daylight, watch the colors change, and stay for the Strip’s night lights. The tradeoff is that sunset can be a popular period, and you may need to allow extra time.

Night is especially good for Big Shot if you want the bright city below you. The ride’s height feels more dramatic when the Strip is lit, though you lose some detail in the distant valley.

Do not leave the rides until the last possible moment. One visit had a final call around 9:30 p.m., with the ride area closing before 10 p.m. Operating hours can change, so check the available starting time and current closing information on the day you go.

There is also a simple ticketing detail that can save confusion. After arriving at the main entrance, you may need to obtain the ticket there before going up to the observation entrance desk. Keep the process in mind and allow time for both steps rather than heading straight upstairs.

What the $33 price really covers

The $33 price is strongest when you treat this as two activities in one: a high observation deck and a compact thrill-ride session.

The included SkyPod access gives you a place to spend time even if you decide one ride is enough. That matters because both rides are short. Without the observation deck, you might feel that the price buys only a few minutes of action. With the deck, you can stay longer, compare day and night views, and use the tower as a proper stop on your Strip schedule.

The one-ride option is a sensible pick for cautious riders or first-time visitors. You can test Big Shot or X-Scream without committing to repeated runs. The two-ride option is better for anyone who already knows they enjoy strong vertical force and wants to try both attractions.

Food and drinks are not included. One useful extra mentioned by a visitor is a buy-one-get-one-free cocktail offer during a 5 to 7 p.m. period, but treat that as a separate venue promotion rather than part of the ride ticket. Check current details before relying on it.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend the STRAT rides to you if you want a short, intense activity that feels different from standard Las Vegas sightseeing. It suits people who enjoy amusement rides, unusual viewpoints, and the idea of combining a landmark visit with a physical jolt.

It is also a good choice for a mixed group. Someone who does not want to ride can use the observation deck while others take on Big Shot or X-Scream. The indoor and outdoor viewing areas make the visit more flexible than a ride-only ticket.

You should think twice if you have physical, mental, or medical limitations that could be affected by high-speed motion, vertical g-forces, or extreme height. The rides are not gentle sightseeing attractions. You must remain seated, remove loose objects, and follow the ride staff’s instructions.

Families need to check the rules carefully. Big Shot has a 48-inch minimum height, and riders 15 or younger need a parent or legal guardian. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Practical ways to get more from the ticket

Use the first visit to study the view and watch the rides before boarding. Seeing the cars tip over the edge can help you choose between the two attractions, though it may also give nervous riders a reason to retreat.

Wear secure clothing and empty your pockets before reaching the loading area. The storage bins handle loose items, but it is easier to arrive prepared than to sort through everything at the last second.

If you are deciding between one and two rides, consider your group rather than assuming the larger option is automatically better. One ride is enough for a cautious visitor. Two rides offer a better chance to try both Big Shot and X-Scream, but the second ride may feel less appealing if the first leaves you shaky or cold.

Build in time for the observation decks before and after riding. The view is not just a backdrop. It is the reason the STRAT attractions feel different from ordinary amusement rides, and it gives the whole visit more value.

Should you book the STRAT Thrill Rides Admission?

Book it if the thought of going high above the Strip sounds exciting rather than merely scenic. For $33, you get SkyPod access plus one or two rides, and Big Shot is the strongest choice for a first attempt. X-Scream adds a more unnerving edge effect and is worth choosing if you want the unusual feature of hanging beyond the tower.

I would not book it expecting a full three-ride package, since Insanity is closed indefinitely. I would also skip it if you dislike high-speed vertical motion or have a condition that makes strong g-forces unsafe.

For most thrill-seekers, the best plan is a sunset visit, Big Shot first, X-Scream second, and enough time afterward to enjoy the city lights. That combination makes the $33 feel like a proper Las Vegas outing rather than a very short ride stop.

FAQ

Where does the STRAT Thrill Rides Admission take place?

The experience takes place at The STRAT in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the rides and observation areas located in the SkyPod high above the Las Vegas Strip.

How high is the STRAT SkyPod?

The SkyPod Observation Deck is 1,149 feet above the Las Vegas Strip.

What rides are included?

Depending on the ticket option, you receive one or two rides on Big Shot and X-Scream. Insanity is currently closed indefinitely due to maintenance.

How high does Big Shot go?

Big Shot launches riders from a platform about 921 feet high to around 1,081 feet, sending them 160 feet upward at about 45 mph.

What happens on X-Scream?

X-Scream moves beyond the SkyPod edge from about 866 feet high and sends riders 27 feet over the edge before pulling them back and repeating the motion.

Is there a height requirement for Big Shot?

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

Can children ride?

Anyone age 15 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The ticket is valid for one day, and you can reserve now and pay later.