How to Enjoy the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, NV

The Stratosphere from a distance.

The Stratosphere Las Vegas hotel and casino, on the north end of The Strip, is one of the most unusual places in Las Vegas. Its design has the look of a space tower. Getting to the top and looking out over all of Las Vegas is a must-see.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

How to Enjoy the Stratosphere in Las Vegas, NV

1. A fancy dessert made to look like the Stratosphere made of milk chocolate and white chocolate dessert and filled with raspberry mouse.

   Enjoy a meal at the Top of the World, a rotating restaurant on the top of the Stratosphere. The meals are out of this world, the servers treat you like you are royalty, and you'll get the best view of Las Vegas anywhere in the city. Don't miss dessert. Among the offerings is a scrumptious chocolate and raspberry mousse concoction that includes a piece of white chocolate in the shape of a tower. When combined it looks like the Stratosphere.

2. The view from the Stratosphere observation deck.

   Visit the indoor observation deck where you can learn about Las Vegas attractions while sipping on a cup of hot Starbucks coffee and taking in the view of the Strip and outer parts of Las Vegas. The cost is $13.95 a person or included in the cost of a meal at the Top of the World. You can also get combos that lower the price if you want to visit the observation deck and ride on one of the rides.

3. Insanity, the ride.

   Take a ride on one of three rides on the top of the Stratosphere Tower. Ride Insanity, a giant claw that suspends off the edge of the Tower and spins you in circles, almost 1,000 above the air. Did I mention all you can see is the ground all the way below? It is $12 a ride. Or choose from X-Scream, a teeter-totter type of ride that suspends you over the edge of the Tower 866 feet in the air, leaving you feeling like you are going to crash to the ground. It is also $12. The Big Shot shoots you up into that air at 45 mph, giving you the highest view you can get from the Tower, for $13 a person.

4. See the American Superstars show featuring celebrity impersonators such as Elvis Presley, Rod Stewart and Tim McGraw.

Tips & Warnings

• Have lunch at the Top of the World restaurant rather than dinner. It's much less expensive and the portions are rather hearty, almost as big as dinner portions.

• If you do decide to go to the Top of the World restaurant for dinner, make sure you wear dressy clothes. Lunch time is more casual. Skip the rides on top of the tower if you are afraid of heights.

Resources

• The Stratosphere's web site.