The World’s 8 Best Ferris Wheels
Believe us, these are not your average carnival rides. From the London Eye to the Singapore Flyer, these eight record-breaking spoked wonders are the coolest Ferris wheels in the world.
1. London Eye
London, England
The London Eye, with a circumference of 1,392 feet and a height of 443 feet, currently holds the title of Europe’s biggest wheel. It can accommodate 800 passengers in its 32 pods. According to the website, that’s the equivalent of 11 iconic London double-decker buses. Since it took its inaugural rotation 15 years ago, the wheel has become one of London’s most recognizable attractions. It reportedly receives more annual visitors than the Taj Mahal or the Great Pyramids of Giza.
2. Navy Pier Ferris Wheel
Chicago, Illinois
The world’s first Ferris wheel made its debut at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, so it’s only fitting the city pays homage with a 150-foot-tall replica. Located at Navy Pier and open year round (whether permitting, of course), the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel offers spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.
3. Singapore Flyer
Singapore
Promising a moving experience at every turn, the Singapore Flyer offers a variety of unique themed “flights” from within the Ferris wheel’s air conditioned pods. You can enjoy teatime, sip a Singapore Sling, or dine on a butler-ed meal. When it opened in 2008, the Singapore Flyer was the tallest in the world at 541 feet. Today it is number two behind Las Vegas’ High Roller. Ride it at night when you’ll not only see the wheel lit up, but you can marvel at the illuminated landmarks below, like Merlion Park, Marina Bay, Raffles Hotel and the Esplanade.