The American city of Seattle is one of the latest places to open a semi-permanent observation wheel.
The 53-metre Seattle Great Wheel was supplied by Chance Rides and is sited at Pier 57, Elliot Bay. Built to a European R60 design, it features 42 climate-controlled enclosed gondolas with UV-protective non-reflective glass, LED lighting and an all-white finish.
Adult tickets are $13 and the experience, comprising three revolutions, lasts around 12 minutes. A VIP gondola, with luxury seating and a glass floor, is accessible for $50 per person, including a souvenir T-shirt and queue jump.
The ride is almost 100-metres shorter than the observation deck on the city’s 50-year-old Space Needle tower, which can be seen over to the right of the view below.
