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Are you curious if the famous Vegas High Roller is worth the hype?
We were wondering about it ourselves and wanted to write this review so you can see if it’s right for you. After all, you’re in Vegas with limited time and money, so making the most of both is essential.
We went hard in Vegas and had an amazing time. We explored it extensively and tried to do the best experiences it had to offer, but was this one of them? Keep reading this review and find out our opinion as well as insider tips below!
What is the High Roller in Las Vegas?
Located at The LINQ Hotel, the High Roller is the world’s largest rotating observation wheel offering the best views of Las Vegas. A full rotation takes 30 minutes to complete.
Each pod of the High Roller can hold a maximum of 40 people, so this is a great activity for large groups. They are air-conditioned with two benches making them extremely comfortable. And with fully transparent walls, you get great views regardless of where you’re at!
There are two ticket options for the High Roller depending on how you want your time aboard to look. The most popular option and the one we did was the one rotation with all-you-can-drink happy hour, and yes, they make very strong drinks! We loved it because drinking in Vegas can be spendy, but if you start your night on this, you can get a solid buzz for cheap. A ticket costs only $82 USD and from the moment you get into the pod, the bartender is making drinks for you the entire time.
The other ticket option is still one rotation, but without a bar onboard. We didn’t do this one, but if you’re with family or you want a more laid-back experience, I recommend you book this general ticket option instead for $34 USD. Both offer the same fantastic views, but one has free booze and the other doesn’t.
Book the Happy Half Hour ticket here or opt for General Admission instead!
Going during the day vs night
When we did this experience we went at night and honestly, I think that’s the best way to do it. The views of the city all lit up are amazing! We were lucky and caught the Bellagio Fountain going off in the distance and it was one heck of a show!
The only downside to going at night is the longer wait to get on and slightly more crowded pods, but we didn’t find it ruined the experience by any means.
I can’t vouch for it during the day, but I’m sure the views are still great, so if you want to avoid crowds you can go earlier. We also heard that sunset is amazing if you can time it right, but the lines can be unpredictable, so it usually just comes down to getting lucky. But you are in Vegas, so maybe you’ll hit the sunset jackpot!
The High Roller operates from 11:30 am to 2 am daily and you don’t need to book a specific time slot. Your ticket is valid for up to three days after you buy it, so just show up whenever you want to go for your ride!
General Admission vs the Happy Half Hour
I touched on it above, but I’ll go over the General Admission and Happy Half Hour tickets again and who they’re best for.
The Happy Half Hour ticket isn’t just a great way to get views of Vegas, but get a little (or a lot) buzzed as well. Considering how pricey beverages are in general, you can easily get your money’s worth in 30 minutes since bartenders make drinks fast, serve shots, and are aiming to get you drunk.
The happy hour ticket is definitely more expensive at $82 USD and I only recommend paying for this if you plan on throwing drinks back the entire time. We were able to get in four drinks and some shots when we rode it which was totally worth the price.
On the other hand, the General Admission ticket still offers dynamite views but for a much cheaper price of $34 USD and is the only option if you’re traveling with minors. The happy hour ticket only makes sense if you’re interested in getting drunk on the High Roller, but if you aren’t, save your money and book general admission.
Pros of the High Roller in Las Vegas
Amazing views – There are plenty of places to get good views in Vegas, but the High Roller blows the rest out of the water. It’s located in the perfect spot to take in the chaos of the strip below and gives an unbeatable look at the iconic Vegas Sphere!
Affordable – The General Admission ticket is incredibly affordable and so is the Happy Hour ticket if you get your drinks in. Going out can quickly add up in Vegas, so it’s nice that the High Roller is an experience that won’t break the bank.
Only Ferris Wheel in Las Vegas – Yep, this is truly a one-of-a-kind experience in Vegas! Makes sense why it’s so popular.
It’s huge – It’s hard to put into scale how big this thing is. This feat of engineering is mind-boggling and riding it will blow you away.
Everyone will find it fun – Doesn’t matter who you are, I guarantee you’ll enjoy the High Roller. Okay, unless you really dislike heights!
Next to lots of other things to do – Located just off the strip, the High Roller is located next to tons of other activities and casinos in the area like the Venetian. This makes it easy to fit into a night of fun!
Climate-controlled – Vegas can be incredibly hot well into the evening, especially if you’re walking everywhere. The fact that each pod is climate-controlled is a big plus in my book.
Lots of room in each pod – Each pod can hold up to 40 people, but even then there’s still plenty of room for everyone. Nobody likes to feel like sardines in a can.
Great service – If you book the happy half hour, you’ll see right away that the bartenders are fun, personable, and make very good and very strong drinks!
Related Read: Another epic experience we recommend is taking a helicopter flight to the Grand Canyon!
Cons of the High Roller in Las Vegas
Only lasts 30 minutes – Depending on who you are, this could be viewed as a pro or a con. Some people will be satisfied with 30 minutes while others (like ourselves) wish we had 10 more minutes to enjoy the views. I guess on the upside, the short duration makes it easy to fit into the night.
There can be a lineup – As one of the most popular experiences in Vegas, it makes sense there can be a lineup, but nobody likes standing in line for a long time. We got lucky and only had to wait about 15 minutes, but we heard this can go up to a half hour on really busy nights.
The happy half hour is expensive – Again, unless you’re pounding drinks, the happy half-hour is pretty dang expensive. $82 USD can get you pretty far in Vegas, so you’ll want to make sure to get your money’s worth.
Going during the day isn’t as fun – Granted we didn’t go during the day, but part of the appeal of going at night is to see the lights of Vegas. During the day, it’s a bit expensive to get an average view of the city.
No bathrooms – It can be a long 30 minutes if you need to use the bathroom after you get on board, and if you’ve been drinking already that might happen!
Our experience on the High Roller in Las Vegas
We reached the High Roller after sundown, although I couldn’t tell you exactly what time. We queued up in line for about 15 minutes which felt a lot longer if I’m being honest, but it was totally worth it for what was to come next.
As we reached the front and our bar pod came around, we stepped in and the drinks started flowing, it was on! You don’t see much for the first couple of minutes since the pod is close to ground level, but I didn’t mind since it was an opportunity to get some more drinks.
The higher we went the more we saw and the more amazed I became! The Bellagio Fountains started shooting off, The Sphere was all lit up for a concert, and we could see people and cars below, it was incredible! Between taking in the sights, we decided to take a few shots too and everyone was laughing and having a great time.
Close to the end of the ride, the staff took pictures for everyone and thanked us for hanging out with them. I couldn’t believe how quickly 30 minutes went!
Would I ride the High Roller in Las Vegas again?
We loved our time on the High Roller, but we left feeling like it was a one-time experience only. However, we did meet people there who had done it multiple nights in a row!
If you’re in Vegas and can fit it into your budget and itinerary, I think it’s the perfect way to see the city all lit up and get a little lit up yourself (if you opt for the happy hour tickets)! If you can’t do it don’t feel like you missed out entirely, there’s so much to do here that it’s impossible to do it all! But if you do decide to go for a ride, you’ll have one heck of a time.
Guarantee your spot with Happy Half Hour tickets or General Admission!
Where to Stay in Las Vegas
There are about a million options on where to stay in Las Vegas, so it really comes down to your budget, location preference, and what you want to do! Keep in mind that prices can fluctuate by season or if there is a big event going on. But to help narrow down your options, here are our top three picks on the Vegas Strip.
Bellagio – $$$
There’s no doubt that the Bellagio is the premier hotel and casino on the Vegas Strip. So if your travel budget allows, I can’t think of a better place to stay for a lavish experience! Centrally located in the heart of the Strip, you’ll find multiple restaurants and bars, 5 pools, a spa, a huge casino, and amenities to make you feel like royalty.
Rooms are available varying from an average hotel room up to multi-bedroom strip-view suites, but even the “average” room is fitted with marble features. Regardless of what you choose, it will be luxurious and the service is top notch.
Prices range from $240 USD to $1,600+ USD, depending on the time of year and which room you select. Book your stay at the Bellagio on Booking.com
The LINQ – $$ (where we stayed!)
We stayed at The LINQ Hotel last time we were in Vegas and loved it! It’s centrally located on the Vegas Strip which means it’s super easy to visit the best casinos and restaurants. We also liked that it has direct access to the LINQ Promenade which is a huge open-air district with shopping, restaurants, and the huge High Roller Ferris Wheel which is super convenient!
The rooms are modern with artsy touches and if you can, try to get one that faces the strip or the High Roller Wheel for the best views! Prices can go as low as $50 USD, but average more around the $100 USD mark and can go higher depending on availability. Book The LINQ online here!
Excalibur – $
Just because you’re staying on the Strip doesn’t mean you have to blow your budget. The Excalibur is a great choice to stay within budget and still get that Vegas resort feel. Located on the south end of the Strip, it’s a short walk to the main attractions. You won’t be compromising quality with spacious, comfortable, and clean rooms, 4 onsite pools, 14 restaurants, and a large casino.
Best of all, rooms start at $21 USD! Check availability and book the Excalibur on Booking.com.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for sticking around to the end of our review of the High Roller Wheel in Las Vegas! We had a blast on our night out riding the High Roller and enjoying the free drinks. The views were amazing and seeing Vegas at night from above is something I highly recommend!
For more help planning your travels, check out all our blogs on the United States. Besides Vegas, we’ve also traveled to other famous US cities like NYC and Washington, DC, and have tips to help you out!
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