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The first Ferris wheel was constructed in 1893, by George W. Ferris, for the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Since then, thousands of similar wheels have been erected throughout the years, many attempting to outshine the others.
The Wonder Wheel at Coney Island was introduced in 1920 and stills stands strong today taking passengers for rides in its swinging cars along Brooklyn’s iconic boardwalk. The Niagra SkyWheel at Niagra Falls gives riders a bird’s eye view of the thunderous cascades, probably the most unique views of any ferris wheel in the world!
While the Wonder Wheel may hold the record for the longest life and the Skywheel, arguably the best views, the London Eye, opened in 2000, with its enclosed cabins and slow rotation, is the tallest cantilevered observation wheel in Europe and one of the most visited, hosting a staggering 3.75 passengers per year!
Others throughout the world, have followed suite…the Sky Dream in Fukuoka, Japan (2002), the Zhengzhou Ferris Wheel in Henan, China (2003), the Changsha Ferris Wheel, Changsha, China (2004), the Tianjin Eye, Tianjin, China (2008), the Melbourne Star, Melbourne, Austrailia (2008) and the Suzhou Ferris Wheel in Suzhou, China (2009)…all standing 394 feet tall.
The Icon Orlando (originally known as the Orlando Eye), opened in 2015, is the next tallest at 400 feet. Following the Orlando Eye, in height, is the Redhorse Osaka Wheel standing at 404 feet tall which opened a year after Orlando’s landmark. The next year, 2017, produced the Lihpao Sky Dream at 413 feet tall.
Prior to these shorter statured mechanisms, there was the Star of Nanchang which measured 525 feet and was built in 2006. The Singapore flyer came shortly after in 2008 and stands tall at 541 feet. Dubai already boasts the highest building, the Burj Khalifa, however, construction is underway to brandish the tallest ferris wheel the world at 689 feet.
The United States, not to be outdone, opened the High Roller at the LINQ Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, in 2014, soaring to 550 feet…the tallest in the world! Each cabin holds forty passengers and as with Vegas style, drinks may be consumed on board. In fact, cabins may be rented with bartenders and bars!
Recently while in Vegas, I could see the High Roller from my hotel window. It was too hot to hang at the pool so I headed over the the LINQ Promenade (a great place for shopping, dining and entertainment) and purchased a ticket. I would imagine that there are a great deal more visitors in the evening hours, when Vegas’ lights can be seen even from space, but I marched to the front of the line and into an open cabin, one of twenty eight available.
Yes! I had it all to myself!
Sometimes, elation is short-lived.
A family of eight walked up and joined me. Oh well, the cabins do hold forty people, so at least we all had space to move around freely.
The rotation took thirty minutes to complete and I was fascinated not only with the views of the Vegas strip, nearby McCarran airport and the colorful desert mountains that ring the city, but the mechanisms that operate this monstrosity.
The cabin was comfortable with seating all around and air conditioned, very important in the desert heat.
Though my thirty minute trip around the wheel was gratifying and filled my mid-day void, I think that I would like to visit again, but with friends and take advantage of the nighttime views…
And of course…the bartender!
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The LINQ High Roller
- https://www.caesars.com/linq/high-roller?utm_campaign=GMB&utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_term=HighRoller&utm_content=attractions
- Address: 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Hours: 1130-0200, daily
- Admission: Daytime prices, Adults, $25, Youth $10, Happy Hours with bartender, $35 (must be 21 to ride in cabin). Nighttime prices, Adults, $37, Youth, $20, Happy Hours with bartender, $55 (must be 21 to ride in cabin). Discounts can be found on the internet.
LINQ Promenade