Starting Fourth of July weekend, Atlantans will be able to get a sky-high view of the city on a giant Ferris wheel. The wheel, formally known as SkyView Atlanta, stands at nearly 20 stories high and provides a 17-mile view of the city. Located directly next to Centennial Olympic Park, SkyView will be placed in what is currently a parking lot for the Tabernacle concert hall.
This is not the first outing for the 180-foot wheel. It has been shopped around various cities before finally settling on downtown Atlanta. Starting in Paris, the wheel has moved to Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and Pensacola, Fla., providing stunning views of those cities. The wheel will now set up shop in Atlanta in a move that required absolutely no public funding from taxes. This is partially due to the wheel being located on private property.
Much like London’s Eye Ferris wheel, the wheel’s gondolas are enclosed and air-conditioned. The gondolas can hold six riders and will go around four times over the course of 15 minutes. The wheel consists of 42 separate gondolas, some of which are VIP, featuring a glass floor and leather seats. Each ride will cost $13.50 for adults and $8.50 for children.
The attraction will certainly bring more tourism to the city by providing fantastic views of the nearby World of Coca- cola, Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center and Philips Arena. Many believe there is not much to do in our home state, but the fairly cheap prices for this privately funded attraction should soon change that opinion. Opening July 2, the rides will run from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Opening ticket reservations can be made soon on www.skyviewatlanta.com.
