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Stratosphere Tower Tour
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
9 reviews for Stratosphere Tower Tour
An absolutely amazing time once again! The Stratosphere Tower never ceases to amaze me and this time was no different. From the super quick elevator ride to the 108th floor to the amazing view, we enjoyed every single thing about the tower. They have a couple of new rides up top that I hadn't seen and sure enough, I'm still too chicken to try any of them! The bar upstairs served some very well prepared drinks and we even got coupons for a free drink with our tickets!
I will definitely recommend checking out the tower and the view from 800+ ft above the strip. I know its a little out of the way compared to all the other attractions on the strip, but you will be glad you made the trip!
I guess I should disclose that I got to take the Tower tour (self-guided) for free as one of my friends is an employee at Stratosphere.
I think the cost is around 12 or 14 bucks, you have to go through a metal detector/security check point before you're allowed up the elevators. You can also take a picture against a green screen and after your tour they will photo-shop you against a spectacular Vegas backdrop. For an additional cost of course.
Still, I think it's something to "try" at least once. If you are not good with heights, this obviously is probably not something you want to try. The elevators go up and down incredibly fast so you'll definitely feel your ears pop a few times. There are a few shops and places to get food or drink up at the time, as well as an artist that can sketch a caricature of you if you pay them.
The view is magnificent and goes 360 degrees around, lots of great photo ops. There's even patio area where you can walk outside if you don't want to take pictures through windows.
There are also a few rides that you can go on that look ridiculously frightening.
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Nice for getting some skyline photos of Vegas. Not worth the price. Besides, it is too far away from the big casinos -- you'd probably do better on the Eiffel Tower at the Paris casino.
Almost forgot -- has a security line that goes through your stuff and you have to walk thru a metal detector. When we got in line a weird lady on staff started asking my friends all kinds of questions about us -- but in a very rude way.
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I thought this was a fun thing to do!
I have been up once in the daytime and once at night on different trips to Vegas..
They have couches up there now so you can sit and relax.
There is no time limit on how long you can stay up there.
We got our tower tickets with the American Superstars show & dinner package for $59 bucks.
Not a bad price and it was a nice way to spend an evening doing a few different things.
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We visited the Stratosphere on the night of my birthday, upon returning from dinner in Old Vegas. It costs $14 per person to go to the top, but it's a nice view if you have never been before. The people in front of us in line were staying at the hotel and were adamant that they did not need to pay because they were hotel guests. Needless to say, when they got to the metal detector, the guard was nearly arguing with them that they needed to pay and obtain a ticket to go to the top. We were considering (so we say!) about riding Insanity, but it was closed due to wind when we arrived. The view is pretty amazing at night, so it's definitely a to-do one time you are in Vegas. They take your picture on a green screen prior to getting in the elevator to the top. I felt the need to purchase the picture, only $20 (you can choose different packages and different backgrounds) since I wanted a nice pic of the other half and I. There is also a gift shop and Starbucks (!!!) at the top of the tower. In the bar area near the gift shop, the drink "Liquid Courage" was recommended to me by a friend, but I didn't get to try it.
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I guess it's something everyone has to do once, and once is plenty.
If you're going to go to the top of the Stratosphere, you might as well do it at night when everything is lit up. You start the process by taking a few escalators and walking past several tourist trap stores before getting to the line for tickets. If you're a tourist, it costs 10 bucks or so to get to the top. For a local, its a couple of bucks less. As previously mentioned, it's like an airport getting through security. Place all your belongings in a plastic bin. Pass through metal detector, get the wand treatment and your off. Oh but wait, you also have to be accosted by the souvenir photo takers.
The elevator ride to the top is quick. The first level you you step onto is still enclosed. And yes, there's even a Starbucks at the top of the Stratosphere. To see the great view, just head up the stairs, where you're finally outside. For me, he reason to go to the top is the view itself. For others it's the insane rides. There's a ride that slides you down a teeter-totter type deal over the edge. Another take you over the edge and spins you around. These rides cost money on top of what you paid to get there. If you're a thrillseeker, you'll love it.
My guess is the Stratosphere is like the western Empire State Building. Cross it off life's to-do list and move on.
P.S. On the way down, the elevator op started giving her bullet point fun facts speech, only she gave us the version intended for the ride up. It was high hilarity.
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You know what guys...its worth it... the line, the $, all of it. So worth it. If your going to Vegas this is worth it...if you live there...probably not...
I live 20 min from San Francisco... never been to alcatraz....
If you visit Vegas, just go up there...its so cool...toss your kids on the rides, or go on them yourself, and freaken start enjoying your life already...Go on the stratosphere...Have a Starbucks (yes their everywhere) up there.
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It was okay.. $ 13 a person just to get to the top and the rides cost extra. My wife would not let me do the rides. I wanted to do the one where you dangle off the building. She did not want to become a widow. The hotel itself was not all that nice. I have a co-worker who absolutely loves this place, the fascination is beyond me. It's on the far end of the strip, like a 5 block walk to the Sahara. That's why the rooms are so cheap.
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YIKES!!!! If you thought the airline security lines are bad, this is 10 times worse. There were 10 people in line in front of me and it took nearly a half an hour to check and search everyone.....and the people were obviously tourists. I felt like I was going to meet the President or the Queen. What is scary is that the line could have several hundred people waiting and they have only one security check point. Here is my summary:
GOOD POINTS: 4 stars
1. This is the classic million dollar view.....ooops wait this is 2007 and there has been inflation......This is the classic billion dollar view. A small one bedroom apartment would go for over a million with a view like this. Over 800 feet in the air. I came right before sunset and saw Las Vegas in sunlight, sunset and night. This is an indoor enclosed platform with floor to ceiling glass windows 360 degrees in a circle. SPECTACULAR
2. Fast Elevators. If you are slightly claustrophobic, this is ok if you can handle regular elevators. They say the speed is about 25 MPH...which means going 800 feet straight up is less than a minute.
3. You can stay as long as you want and no one bugs you to keep moving on. I was there for 2 hours just staring at the scenery. Great place to sit and have a good conversation with someone or read a book during the slow season. At sunset, the place was nearly empty.
4 Daytime photography is great. There is little distortion from the windows.
BAD POINTS: 2 stars
1. The security check in is a LONG wait. God knows how long it would be with 100 or more people in line during peak season. Call ahead to check to see how long the lines are.
2. Night time photography is awful. For safety reasons there is a double or more panes of glass between you and the elements. As a result, you get multiple reflections through the layers of glass that is unavoidable. I took long exposures when resting the camera on a steel beam...so i know there was very little movement.....and the pictures still were blurry with distortions consistent with camera position.
3. Admission is $10.95 including tax. A little steep for Vegas and just sightseeing for an hour or so for most people. With this stiff for Las Vegas fee, you don't feel obligated at all to buy or gamble in their casino. Look at Bellagio.....the Botanical Gardens, the Water Fountain Show....all that is free.
Overall rating: 3 stars
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