America’s Best Ferris Wheels

America's Best Ferris WheelsWhat is it about Ferris wheels that make them so timeless? Something about their size, their beauty, and their historical significance makes them so much more than just another ride at the amusement park. Ferris wheels take you above the world, letting you view everything below you in a way that could make any view breathtaking. We've listed some of our personal favorite wheels across the U.S. so that you can find one near you!


1. Navy Pier

This iconic Ferris wheel is surrounded by shops, dining, and museums along Chicago's famous pier. It's inspired by the wheel presented at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, but it's about 100 feet smaller than the original, which was destroyed in 1903.

2. Santa Monica

Set at the unofficial finish line of Route 66, this California Ferris wheel has more than 160,000 LED energy-efficient lights and stands 130 feet above the ocean.

3. The Texas Star

The centerpiece of the Texas State Fair since 1985, this Star wheel claims the title of tallest in North America -- in Texas, bigger is better. A massive 21-stories high, the Star has 44 gondolas and requires a staff of at least 18 to operate.

4. The Wonder Wheel

This wacky take on the traditional Ferris wheel has passenger cars attached to poles inside the wheel -- so that they slip and slide back and forth while the wheel turns for a bit more action in the ride. Located at Coney Island in New York, this wheel is 150 feet tall.

5. High Roller

This new edition to the Las Vegas strip is now the tallest Ferris Wheel in the world, coming in at a massive 550 feet tall. Cars on this wheel can hold up to 30 people, and are considered more of "observation decks." For more on the new High Roller, read one of our past blog posts here.

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