Stratosphere

There is a segment of the population to whom "Getting High" usually involves a "Jay and Silent Bob" movie combined with a run to Taco Bell. In Vegas the best way to get high is to visit the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino. The dominating feature of this establishment is the 1,149 feet tower. This structure is not only impressive, but it is functional. It the tallest observation tower in the nation.

What do you do when you are the owner of a thousand foot tower? The Stratosphere's owners put a roller coaster on the top. Those who think they have braved the scariest roller coasters that the nation has to offer will find a whole new level of fear as they whip around the top of this tower on any of the rides that have been built on this intimidating spire.

All that this hotel has to offer is not just sitting over 1100 feet in the air though, when one's feet are firmly back on the ground, Stratosphere still has more to offer them. Folks can work up quite an appetite screaming their lungs out on the rides, so for every taste there is a restaurant. Guests can either grab a quick snack at Hagan Daz, or Starbucks. For those who need more than sugar and caffeine to survive, there is a full range of proper places to eat. A wide variety of casual dining establishments are available with a sprinkling of fine dining bistros such as the Naga Sushi & Asian Bistro.

For those who get the sort of rush from gambling that others get from roller coasters, the Stratosphere is home to a rather impressive casino. This 86,000 square feet of gaming joy has everything that the gambler could want. Along with all the games that one would expect to find in a world class hotel and casino, there is also a designated poker room for those who learned to play Holdem by watching Jennifer Tilly plays her Aces on ESPN, and a 120-seat race and sports book, equipped with 33 televisions and 24 big screens.

The Stratosphere is less of a hotel and casino and more of a total sensory experience.