9 Observation Decks Worth A Visit (PHOTOS)

Though you might be scared of heights, observation decks are some of the best ways to see a city. It's like having your own large-scale map right in front of you.

While in general they can be tourist traps, here are 9 observation decks around the world that are certainly worth a visit.

Did we miss one? Send us your photos!

 

Have a favorite observation deck not included here? Send us your photos.

Find a picture, click the participate button, add a title and upload your picture

1 of 9

Top of the Rock, New York

1 of 10

First Slide

Previous Slide

@

High above Rockefeller Center is the Top of the Rock, with sweeping views both north and south. Tickets for adults are $21, while children are $14.

NPR Cruise To Set Sail On Regent's Seven Seas Voyager (PHOTOS)

Now Open for Summer: 4 Gorgeous Spots Along the East Coast (PHOTOS)

7 Incredible Outdoor Spas (PHOTOS)

Born To Explore: A Really Stupid Way To Die (PHOTOS)

5 Great Destinations In The South Of France (That Aren't Provence Or The Riviera)

Sticker Shock: 5 Of The World's Most Expensive Hotel Suites (PHOTOS)

High above Rockefeller Center is the Top of the Rock, with sweeping views both north and south. Tickets for adults are $21, while children are $14.

comments(16)

Total comments: 16 | Post a Comment

1 of 10

View

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Seen better. Amazing!

• 
  1
• 
  2
• 
  3
• 
  4
• 
  5
• 
  6
• 
  7
• 
  8
• 
  9
• 
  10

Current Top 5 Slides

loading...

Choose your Top 5 Slides

UserName

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Top User Slides

← Prev|Next →

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Users who voted on this slide

← Prev|Next →

loading...

Comments

[BandsofBlack]

12:47 PM on 10/13/2010

The Grand Canyon Skywalk is not part of Grand Canyon National Park (it's privately owned and operated) and anyone planning to go to the Skywalk should know the cost of it ahead of time.

A couple of friends of mine went last year. First they had to park 8 miles from the rim and they were charged a $20.00 parking fee for that. Then there was a $40.00 per person charge to take the (required) bus to the rim. After that there was an additional $30.00 charge per person to actually walk out onto the Skywalk.

Also, they were not allowed to take their camera or cell phone out onto the Skywalk. You can have your picture taken on request which you can then purchase for yet an additional fee. (My friends didn't say how much.)

[p456]

10:14 AM on 10/12/2010

The Grand Canyon Skywalk must be a trip. to walk out and look down though a glass floor the high up. I would do it but I know it would be hard.

[lauriemann]

09:19 PM on 10/11/2010

I LOVE heights. I've been in six of the towers listed. My favorite is probably a tie between the Empire State Building and Sydney Tower because the views were so good. CN Tower in Toronto gets a special nod for having a glass floor years ago and NOT charging a lot extra to walk on it. Much as I enjoyed both Sydney Tower and the Melbourne's Eureka Tower during a recent trip to Australia, they charged outrageous amounts if you wanted the "glass floor" experience (a horizontal "elevator" in Melbourne, and the "outside walk" in Sydney).

[HighDesertBob]

06:51 PM on 10/11/2010

I can see Russia from my house.

[KIVPossum]

05:17 PM on 10/11/2010

no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, and no. Manmade heights scare the shiat out of me.

[camanokat]

08:18 PM on 10/11/2010

I'm with you on that! I've been to the Space Needle twice, though and it's not too bad, especial;ly inside the restaurant.

[Ted Bouklos]

03:09 PM on 10/11/2010

I miss the observation floor of the WTC i remember going as a kid and putting my head against the window and looking straight down it scared the bejeesus out of me.

[lauriemann]

09:22 PM on 10/11/2010

I really regret missing the observation deck at the WTC. The one time I visited the WTC, the deck didn't open until later in the morning (I was there on a Sunday).

Actually, another great man-made view - the top of the Hoover Dam.

[p456]

10:20 AM on 10/12/2010

Growing up and living most of my adult life in N.Y. I too really regret taking the WTC for granted. I thought I would go up some day with a new date or something like that.

[mcamp52]

12:28 PM on 10/11/2010

The Peak overlooking Hong Kong is easily as impressive (or more so) as the ones shown here.

[BlueCashew]

11:34 AM on 10/11/2010

Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh, PA

[SaulZ]

11:16 AM on 10/11/2010

I agree with the list with a suggestion. I think Minara Kualalumpur or KL Tower should have made the list. It is the 4th tallest free standing structure of the world and offers gorgeous views of the city, including the mischievous monkeys infested forest at the base, the National Mosque, the Bird Park, the Petronas Towers, so on and so forth.

[castleblanca]

10:47 AM on 10/11/2010

Regarding the view of the Grand Canyon from the south rim, I can tell you that the view from the north rim is even better. The sad thing is that very few people make the long drive around the Grand Canyon to the north rim to experience this view.

I remember when I left the National Park on the south side, a park ranger asked me where I next headed. When I told her, "The north rim", she smiled and shook her head in approval. She even told me I was wise to do so, and that it is a pity so few people make the effort to go there.

If you ever go there, keep this "tip" in mind. You can thank me later.

[SaulZ]

11:12 AM on 10/11/2010

I agree.

My advice to those travelling with families and children is to be anchored only 'The North Rim' from the start. 'The South Rim' is too easily accessible in my opinion and distracts tourists from visiting the shockingly beautiful platform on the opposite side.

[HighDesertBob]

06:53 PM on 10/11/2010

I agree, the north rim is far and away the best. As for the glass walkway, even with people wearing shoe boots, the glass is scratched and getting more and more difficult to see clearly straight down. I suspect these scratches can and will be polished out, but.............

[jymfrancais]

09:52 AM on 10/11/2010

From the roof of my parents house in France, we can see the Mont.St. Michel..beats the new building any day...