I’ve never done well with heights, but in Las Vegas, it’s hard to resist The Strat Hotel & Casino, home to the tallest observation tower in the United States. Rising 1,189 feet—nearly a fifth of a mile—above the Las Vegas Strip, it’s worth visiting for the views alone. But at some point, somebody got the idea to add thrill rides, making the concept far more compelling (and a whole lot scarier).

From pool parties to desert escapes, here’s why spring is the perfect time to visit Las Vegas.

Las Vegas in summer is hot, hot, hot—as in very popular, very exciting, and very melty. In 2024, average highs were nearly 108 degrees, with the mercury peaking at a record-breaking 120 in July. Personally, I like the extreme heat. It feels very sensual, like a full-body bear hug from a hibachi grill.