Once temporary attraction becomes a tourist favourite.
By: Rosemary Mauro
London, United Kingdom - There is no mistaking the London Eye stands out. It is a 443 ft tall enclosed Ferris wheel on the south bank of the historic Thames River. For those who;ve taken it for a spin - IT IS WONDERFUL.
When it opened in 2000, the London Eye was the tallest Ferris Wheel in the world - although technically it's a "cantilevered observation wheel". It was meant to be a temporary 5 year attraction, part of plan to boost tourism in South Bank London. It's done the job so well the city has no intention of taking it down.
The London Eye is the most popular paid-for attraction in the United Kingdom drawing more than 3.5 million visitors every year.
(Photo: Lisa Naccarato)
Here's what makes this wheel so alluring. Each completely enclosed capsule hold up to 25 people, but even at capacity, the capsule feels roomy and never over-crowed. On a clear day, you can see 40 kilometres in every direction giving you an unparalleled view of the city. This is an activity the whole family can enjoy. It takes about 30 minutes to do a full rotation of the wheel, plenty of time to enjoy the view, but short enough to hold the attention of small children. With so much to see, the time seems to fly by, yet you barely feel that you are moving.
The London Eye seems to have found its home on the skyline. It is a sleek and modern example of the city's future sitting comfortably amid the history and tradition of London's past.
Big Tip: The best time to visit the London Eye are on weekday mornings, but don't be discouraged by long lines on the weekends. The Eye holds 800 people so even the longest queues are cleared within minutes.
Real Deal: Discount tickets and packages can be found online. You can bypass the line by pre-booking your ticket and selecting your ride time.
(Photo: Lisa Naccarato)