Photo: gomattolson
Almost everyone jumps at the idea of city views from tall buildings. Here are some of the world’s best.
The Sears Tower, Chicago
While the Sears Tower is not a building renowned for its beauty, the SkyDeck on the 103rd floor (412 meters) looks out over one of the United States’ most beautiful cities and, on a clear day, as far as 50 miles across Illinois and Lake Michigan into Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Photo: respres
Top of the Rock, New York
Re-opened in 2005 after a 19-year and $75 million renovation, the 259-meter high observation platform on the top floors of Rockefeller Center gives sweeping views of the city, highlighted by a close-up of the Empire State Building.
Photo: Ralph Hockens
Stratosphere Tower, Las Vegas
The tallest freestanding observation tower in the USA offers views over Sin City and the surrounding desert. For adrenaline junkies, three of the world’s highest thrill rides are at the top: Big Shot, XSCREAM, and Insanity: The Ride.
Photo: mandj98
Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Shanghai
Arguably the most recognizable building in the ever-expanding business district of Pudong in Shanghai, the 468-meter tower provides visitors the chance to gaze out on one of China’s most rapidly growing cities.
Photo: Alex Buhrmann
Sky Tower, Auckland
If you don’t go up for the views, you can visit one of the world’s highest casinos, or attach yourself to a wire and plummet 192 meters toward the ground below on the famous SkyJump.
Photo: johnlillnz
The London Eye, London
Otherwise known as the Millennium Wheel, this attraction is the most popular in the UK. Just across the Thames from the Houses of Parliament, the 135-meter high wheel takes 30 minutes to complete a full rotation, giving you plenty of time to soak up the London scene.
Photo: nedrichards
Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower was the world’s first structure built simply for the pleasurable viewing from atop. At 325 meters, it was once the world’s tallest building. The tower still welcomes over 6 million visitors a year, making it the most popular monument in the world.
Photo: sho33y
The Singapore Flyer, Singapore
Having beaten London and Nanchang in China, Singapore now boasts the world’s largest observation wheel at 165 meters, a height which allows you to look over the entire country and parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.
Photo: Jarnojii
Taipei 101, Taipei
Since its completion in 2004, this 509-meter building is the world’s highest and boasts the loftiest outdoor observation platform on the 91st floor. The Burji Dubai is already taller than Taipei 101, but can’t claim the height title until construction is finished at the end of 2009.
Photo: orange tuesday
CN Tower, Toronto
Boasting the record of the tallest completed freestanding structure on land, the CN Tower reaches over 553 meters. The tower contains a revolving restaurant, three observation decks, and the world’s highest glass floor elevators.
Photo: PoYang
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
If this list doesn’t satisfy your desire to get high, check out our picks for the world’s 10 best rooftop bars.
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14 Comments... join the discussion!
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I’ve done three of these and by far my favorite is the view from the Eiffel tower at night. It’s so romantic. I really enjoy the cityscape from the stratosphere but all of the noise of the rides ruin (change?) the mood.
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I have been up both the Sears Tower and Sky Tower and can only comment on these. The views of Auckland are amazing. However, a little freaky are the sections of glass panels along the floor of the observation deck which you can stand on and look at the city below. I think the Sky Tower is the highest observation point in the southern hemisphere?? The views of Chicago and Lake Michigan are likewise amazing – I have some great photos of the city!
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I believe the Eureka Skydeck in Melbourne is the highest observation deck in the southern hemisphere…or at least that’s how it’s billed. Sometimes the Aussies like to claim these sorts of things!
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the eureka tower skydeck in melbourne australia is a good one. i’m pretty sure it’s the tallest building in the southern hemisphere and from 88 stories up, you get a 360 degree view of the city.
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These are great fun…but wait…why not the top of the Space Needle in Seattle?! The restaurant on the 35th floor of the US bank tower in Portland, OR has a great view of our city as well.
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The views from the Hancock Center are, by far, better than the Sears Tower. No contest.
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Great comments, everyone. Any other ones that we missed?
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Twin Peaks in San Francisco at night is the best city view I have personally seen. And to the poster who said the Hancock is better then the Sears, I agree 100%.
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The Seoul Tower in South Korea’s capital offers great 360 degree views of this sprawling city (though, admittedly, the smog at times impedes a clear view).
Though I love a great view from the highest point in any city, they’re usually the most touristy and overpriced. I find it much more rewarding to make it to the top of a lesser building for free, and without a crowd. Though security in many tall city buildings is tight, it never hurts to try, or to ask. I’ve had building managers escort me to the roof of their building with little more than an exchange of names.
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I visited Seoul Tower towards the beginning of my stay in the city. A sign said it had closed the previous day…for one whole year! Maintenance work, I guess. By the time it reopened, I had lost interest. Did get to eat that day at the ridiculously priced revolving restaurant towards the top, though.
What about the 63 building? Is that still the tallest in the city?
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Good article. I’ve only been to the Jun Mao Tower, in Shanghai, but have to say I was disappointed with all the pollution. Big fan of the jumping picture at the beginning
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Don’t agree with you about the Eiffel Tower – not only do you have long queues to get up to the top, but also, when you get there…you can’t see the Eiffel Tower. Montparnasse is much better – it’s cheaper, less busy, and your panoramic city shots will have the Eiffel Tower on them!
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How about the Emirates Office Tower or the Hotel Tower… Anything that views Dubai is an insane view
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