Buzz
Observation towers offer a unique way to appreciate the world around us. These structures allow us to take in breathtaking landscapes without the need to conquer dangerous peaks. Often, the towers themselves are as fascinating as the vistas they reveal.
1. PENNINE TOWER
Built in 1964 and opened in 1965, the Pennine Tower near Lancaster, England, stands as a striking example of brutalist architecture. Located at a rest stop on the M6 Motorway, it serves as a midpoint between London and Edinburgh. The 72-foot tower once housed a 24-hour restaurant and an observation deck, offering visitors a glimpse of the motorway below and a vision of the future of road travel. Today, its design is more captivating than the view it provides.
The tower has since been designated as a Grade II listed building in the UK, recognized for its historical and architectural significance. Historic England describes it as resembling an airport control tower, capturing the modern allure of 1960s air travel and reflecting the era's trend of building towers with restaurants and observation decks. Unfortunately, due to updated fire safety regulations, the tower has been inaccessible to the public since 1989, though some adventurous explorers have still managed to gain entry.
2. TUBORGFLASKEN
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Yes, that’s a massive beer bottle you’re looking at. Constructed by Tuborg Brewery in 1888, the 85-foot-tall Tuborgflasken features an observation deck at its peak. It was created for the Nordic Industrial, Agricultural, and Art Exhibition in Copenhagen and introduced Denmark to the concept of bottled beer. Initially equipped with Denmark’s first mechanized elevator, it now has a spiral staircase for easier upkeep. After being relocated from Copenhagen, it now stands in Hellerup, Denmark, only returning to the capital in 1988 for its 100th anniversary.
3. FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S GAS STATION
Mike Procario via Flickr // CC BY-ND 2.0
While not a traditional tower, this observation deck designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is too remarkable to overlook. It was part of Wright’s vision for the utopian Broadacre City, and though the gas station is the only element of that plan ever built, it stands today in the quiet town of Cloquet, Minnesota.
Constructed in 1956, the gas station came to life after Wright designed a home for R. W. Lindholm, a Cloquet resident involved in the oil industry. Wright persuaded Lindholm to build the gas station in his hometown. A standout feature is the second-floor observation lounge with glass walls, reflecting Wright’s vision of a car-centric future. He described the gas station as "the future city in embryo
4. SELJORD LOOKOUT POINTS
Located about 100 miles west of Oslo, Norway, Lake Seljord offers stunning views of Norwegian landscapes. Along its shores, you’ll find unique wooden periscope-like structures rising 39 feet high, designed in 2011 to harmonize with the natural surroundings. These minimalist towers not only provide elevated views of the lake but are also used to search for legendary monsters.
Indeed, Lake Seljord is said to be inhabited by Selma, a serpent-like creature often compared to the Loch Ness Monster. This cryptid is deeply rooted in local folklore and even features on the Seljord Coat of Arms. The construction of these towers proved serendipitous when, in 2012, a 17-year-old girl recorded footage of what she claimed was Selma from one of the towers.
5. MUR NATURE OBSERVATION TOWER
Who says science is confined to laboratories? The Munich-based architectural firm Terrain challenges this notion with their innovative observation tower, blending art, nature, and science. Designed to resemble a double helix, this striking structure rises 89 feet above the treetops near the Mur River, on the border of Austria and Slovenia. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views by climbing 168 steps, while the tower also supports scientific research for the Mur Nature Reserve’s river restoration initiative.
6. PYRAMIDENKOGEL TOWER
Roland Buzzi via Flickr // CC BY 2.0
Standing at 2700 feet above sea level on the Austrian mountain Pyramidenkogel, this tower is the highest on our list. It also claims the title of the world’s tallest wooden observation tower, reaching 328 feet. The original tower, constructed in 1950 as a war memorial, was replaced in 1968 by a sleek concrete structure, which was later demolished in 2008. The current tower, opened in 2013, continues this legacy.
While the observation deck offers breathtaking views, the tower itself is a marvel to behold. Its stunning helical design appears to spiral effortlessly into the sky. The highlight, however, is Europe’s longest covered slide, which winds 400 feet through the tower’s core. Reaching speeds of up to 15 mph, it’s an exhilarating experience high atop the mountain.
7. JUBILEE TOWER
Doris Antony via Wikimedia // CC BY-SA 4.0
Austria’s love for observation towers extends beyond the Alps. Jubilee Tower, or Jubiläumswarte, sits on the outskirts of Vienna. The original wooden tower, built in 1898-'99 to honor Emperor Franz Joseph I’s 50th reign, was destroyed by a storm shortly after completion. A steel replacement followed, and in 1956, the current tower was constructed. At 1500 feet above sea level, it provides views stretching up to 100 miles on clear days—proof that the third attempt was indeed the charm.
8. KNOXVILLE SUNSPHERE
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Contrary to its portrayal on The Simpsons, the Knoxville Sunsphere doesn’t house stunning wigs. However, it remains an impressive structure, standing 266 feet tall with a 75-foot-wide 24-karat gold sphere at its peak.
Constructed for the 1982 World’s Fair, the Sunsphere quickly became a symbol of Tennessee. Its sphere features 360 glass panels coated in 24-karat gold dust, reportedly costing $1000 per panel. Originally home to a 360-degree observation deck and restaurant, it initially drew crowds but later fell into neglect during the 1990s. A short-lived reopening in 1999 failed to revive its popularity, yet it remained a cultural icon, appearing in sports logos, postcards, and even on driver’s licenses. In 2007, the Sunsphere’s panoramic views were restored to the public, and it has been operational ever since.
9. CANTON TOWER
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Canton Tower, the tallest structure in China, rises 1954 feet above the Pear River in Guangzhou’s Haizhu District. Since its opening in 2010, one of its standout features has been the observation deck, known as the "Horizontal Ferris Wheel Bubble Tram." This unique attraction consists of pods that glide along rails, allowing visitors to enjoy a ride around the tower’s circumference at a height of 1492 feet.
10. BA i360
Adam Butler via Flickr // CC BY 2.0
The i360, British Airways’ observation tower, stands 531 feet tall along Brighton’s coastline. Costing £46 million (approximately $59 million), it’s recognized as the world’s tallest moving observation tower. Its glass pod can accommodate up to 200 passengers, offering stunning coastal views as it ascends to 450 feet. Despite a rocky start, including an incident where 180 passengers were stranded for two hours in September, the tower remains a remarkable attraction.
