I visited the Stratosphere in February for one reason--the rides at the top! *Please note that I did not stay in the hotel, just visited the casino and rode the rides!*

Location
The Stratosphere was located at the opposite end of the strip from our hotel, so we took a taxi there (cost about $10, including tip).

What We Came For
Since beginning planning our trip, the top item on my agenda was to ride the rides at the top of the Stratosphere. Finally, this was it!

My boyfriend and I followed the signs through the casino to an upper level where we purchased our tickets ($25 apiece to ride all 3 rides once). For $30 we could have gotten an unlimited rides pass, but we had to meet our friends in a couple of hours so just bought the $25 one. Then we proceeded to the security check, where we went through a metal detector and a security guard looked through my purse. This was a bit of a hassle, as we each had to go through the metal detector numerous times, but soon we were on our way. We were there on a Sunday night in winter and there was absolutely no wait in line; our friends had gone on a Saturday night in winter before and had waited about an hour in each line (an hour for security and an hour for the ride they rode).

We took an extremely fast elevator (the elevator operator called it the fourth-best ride in Vegas, after the three at the top of the hotel) to the indoor observation deck and spent a few minutes walking around looking at the incredible view! Then we entered the elevator to the rides through the gift shop and rode Big Shot, a Power Tower-like ride at the top of the hotel. It was absolutely amazing!!! Immediately, we went right back to the gift shop to purchase re-ride tickets for $4 apiece (at this point we could have stayed till they closed at 1, happily re-riding, so we wished we'd gotten the unlimited ride tickets).

Next we rode Insanity, which is chairs on arms which extend out from the hotel and spin you in circles above the Strip--also totally fun and amazing!

We rode X-Scream next, a ride which sends you out on a ledge over the Strip and shakes you around like it's trying to drop you. Also amazing!

Finally, we rode Big Shot again and gazed out at the lights of the Strip from what felt like the top of the world.

Casino and Bite
We went back inside, exhilarated from our rides. I played some slot machines, and my boyfriend played craps--no problems, and very fun (he won, I lost).

We had been looking for affordable shows while we were in Vegas, and found that we had missed the Stratosphere's show Bite, a show with "vampire" showgirls. The sign for the show said it was reasonably priced ($16 per person, I believe), and we would definitely have checked it out if we'd been there earlier (show was at 10 and we were there around midnight).

Final Judgment
From the other reviews I've read, you may want to just go to the Stratosphere for fun and not stay in the hotel. We definitely would go back just for the casino and the rides!

Recommended: Yes