Buzz
Back in 1893, Chicago sought a pièce de résistance for the World’s Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair. The goal was to create a landmark as iconic as Paris' Eiffel Tower from the 1889 fair. After several extravagant proposals were rejected, a 33-year-old engineer from Pittsburgh, George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., proposed the idea of a massive rotating wheel.
On June 21 of that year, the world's first Ferris wheel was revealed. Standing 250 feet in diameter, it featured 36 cars, each accommodating 60 passengers. Although Ferris didn't invent the wheel itself, his creation, funded with $25,000 of his own money, became a sensation, attracting 1.4 million visitors over the next 19 weeks.
Tragically, Ferris never built another wheel, as he passed away from typhoid fever just three years later. The original structure was dismantled in the early 1900s. However, over the past century, numerous remarkable Ferris wheels have emerged worldwide. Here are some that are truly worth the journey.
1. NAVY PIER FERRIS WHEEL // CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
The city where the Ferris wheel originated continues to captivate visitors with its iconic rides. Before 2015, a Ferris wheel stood approximately 100 feet shorter than the original 264-foot marvel by George Ferris. Despite its smaller size, it gained fame in 2013 by hosting the world's longest Ferris wheel ride, lasting over 48 hours. In 2016, a new version debuted to celebrate the Navy Pier's 100th anniversary. This upgraded wheel features 42 climate-controlled gondolas, each accommodating 10 passengers, complete with luxurious seating and built-in television systems for year-round comfort and entertainment.
2. WIENER RIESENRAD // VIENNA, AUSTRIA
While Chicago may no longer boast the tallest Ferris wheel, the Wiener Riesenrad in Vienna holds its own unique distinction. As the world's oldest-operating Ferris wheel and the sole survivor from the 19th century, it reigned as the tallest for decades. Constructed in 1897, the 212-foot-tall attraction claimed the title of World's Tallest in 1920 and retained it until 1985. Although surpassed by Japan's Technostar, the Riesenrad remains iconic, having appeared in numerous films, including a poignant scene in
3. PACIFIC WHEEL // SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA
California’s Pacific Coast is famed for its sunny, picturesque weather—and the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier takes full advantage of it as the globe’s first and only solar-powered Ferris wheel. Initially installed in 1996, the original wheel was auctioned on eBay for more than $130,000 when a replacement was built in 2008. The original solar panels remain functional, producing up to 71,000 kilowatt-hours of photovoltaic energy—sufficient to power 160,000 LED lights and accommodate 800 riders per hour.
4. WONDER WHEEL // BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
Built in 1920, this Coney Island icon is among the earliest, if not the first, eccentric Ferris wheels—a term describing how 16 of its 24 cars sway back and forth on the 150-foot-tall structure. Designed by Romanian-born engineer Charles Hermann, it combined the thrill of Ferris wheels and roller coasters. As the wheel turns, the red and blue cars glide inward toward the axle and outward toward the edge, creating a unique experience.
Over its century-long history, the Wonder Wheel has hosted more than 30 million riders, operating much as it did when it first opened. It has run smoothly, with the exception of the Great New York City Blackout on July 13, 1977, when it halted along with the rest of the city. Second-generation owner Fred Garms manually cranked the wheel to safely return all passengers to the ground.
5. THE HIGH ROLLER // LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Similar to the London Eye, the High Roller isn’t a traditional Ferris wheel. It’s classified as an “observation wheel,” designed to offer tourists panoramic views of the city rather than thrill rides. In Las Vegas, this translates to 28 glass capsules, each accommodating up to 40 passengers, moving at a leisurely pace of one foot per second—completing a full rotation in 30 minutes. Standing at 550 feet, the High Roller, which debuted in 2014, ranks among the tallest observation wheels globally, offering unparalleled vistas.
6. Ain Dubai // Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai invested years in building the world’s largest observation wheel. Towering at nearly double the height of the London Eye, it can accommodate 1400 passengers and even features a private bar. Originally scheduled to open in 2020, its launch was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
7. BIG O // TOKYO, JAPAN
Tokyo’s Big O offers a unique distinction as the world’s first and largest center-less Ferris wheel. Situated in the heart of the city’s ultramodern landscape, it features a striking open center, with a roller coaster speeding through it at 81 mph, adding an extra layer of excitement to the Dome City Complex attraction.
8. TIANJIN EYE // TIANJIN, CHINA
Built in 2008, this observation wheel stands out for its extraordinary location: perched directly over a river and spanning a busy bridge. Rising 400 feet above the Hai River, it offers breathtaking views as cars on the Yongle Bridge zoom beneath its 50 passenger cabins.
This article was originally published in 2015 and has been updated for 2021.
