The view is tremendous, of course. The High Roller Observation Wheel takes riders 550 feet over the Strip, allowing for 360-degree vistas of the Vegas Valley. When I recently took the 30-minute ride, the sun was breaking through the clouds just so, shining beams of heavenly light over Spring Valley.
But those suburban houses seemed far away from the world inside my cabin, where unlimited drinks were flowing from the roll-in bar as part of Happy Half Hour. The three other passengers—business tourists from Florida—and I became fast friends thanks to generous pours. Their only complaint? The trip was too short for the price. But we locals have the advantage of 50 percent off standard ticket prices, which range from $35 to $52.
The bartender was upbeat and friendly. The drink selection was what you’d expect from a casino open bar: a standard selection of well drinks, mixers and beer. “No shots or booze ‘on the rocks,’” the bartender explained as my group stepped into the moving cabin (the High Roller doesn’t stop for passengers; it’s like hopping onto a ski lift).
As I looked down upon the quickly shrinking casinos, I noticed that the cabin was missing a key feature: cup holders. I placed my rum cocktail on the built-in bench and marveled at the smoothness of the ride. The liquid didn’t even quiver.
HIGH ROLLER Linq Promenade, 702-322-0537. Daily, 11:30 a.m-2 a.m.
