Getting an eyeful of London town
By Chris Oliver
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Where: London Eye, South Bank, London
Why go there: Love heights? Space junkies will enjoy a buzz from the view over London tendered by the city's Millennium Wheel, aka the London Eye. The world's second-tallest observation wheel opened in 1999, quickly becoming London's coolest ride (the Eye was eclipsed by the Star of Nanching, in 2006, in Nanching, China, at 530 feet high). This year the Eye's 25th millionth passenger will step aboard.
What you see: Passengers step into a roomy glass capsule with bench seating for a ride lasting about 30 minutes rising high above the South Bank of the River Thames to 440 feet (that's about as high as the First Hawaiian Center). On a clear day, passengers see up to 25 miles in all directions, looking down on nearby Big Ben (320 feet) and Houses of Parliament at Westminster and across to distant Windsor Castle. Count the bridges across the Thames, which snakes away up- and down-river. The slow-moving gondolas allow ample time to identify buildings. Take a guidebook to spot famous London landmarks.
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, June-September; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, October-May
Tube: Westminster or Waterloo
Tickets: Adult $28; $14 for children ages 5-15, younger than 5 free. (Visitors can also buy tickets for a champagne flight, a wine flight, a breakfast flight or reserve a private capsule for special events.)
Reservations: + 44 (0)870 220 2223, www.londoneye.com
Tips: Book ahead; 10,000 people ride the Eye every day — online bookings avoid the lines and get a 10 percent discount; there is no booking fee.
In the neighborhood: Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge, National Theatre, National Gallery, St. Paul's Cathedral
Reach Chris Oliver at coliver@honoluluadvertiser.com.