“You have to be high.” Whether you have ever heard this term in your daily life or not, you will experience it when you head to the observation deck at The STRAT for some fun in the sun. At the top of the hotel-resort’s legendary tower are three exhilarating rides that will leave you feeling brave and amused, dazed and confused at the same time.
The story of these rides begins with the gala opening of the STRAT Casino in 1996, when two rides were introduced: The Big Shot and Let It Ride High Roller Coaster. The Drop Tower Ride Big Shot, which looks like the biggest ring-the-bell game you’ve ever seen, propels its riders straight ahead from 921 feet to 1,081 feet at a speed of roughly 45 mph. No, you cannot wear your flip flops.
Although the roller coaster closed in 2005, two more heart-pounding rides have opened. The X-Scream actually emulates a roller coaster itself while a car rolls back and forth on one piece of the track. Of course, it’s not exactly the gentlest movement, and it can only scare you. And then of course it’s time to tip yourself over the edge – and if that doesn’t freak you out, we don’t know what’s going to happen.
Wait, we know what’s going to happen: the inverted centrifuge’s giant arc arms ride madness hanging you 64 feet over the edge of the tower as you spin fast (3 Gs). And it’s not even level – you’ll be spinning at an angle. Oh my goodness.
All trips have different requirements, from age to height, weight and medical restrictions.
Bonus thrill points: Jump from the tower. Yes, you can perform a controlled descent all the way down, 855 feet, on SkyJump. Pinch? You? No way.
The STRAT, 702.380.7777
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