نظارت بر جالبترین عرشه های جهان
World's Coolest Observation Decks
Find some of the world’s most thrilling views atop a growing number of observation decks.
You could be standing on air.
That’s what it feels like when you step inside one of the glass boxes that protrude from the 103rd-floor Skydeck at Chicago’s Willis (formerly Sears) Tower. After all, the seamless, apparently unsupported glass floor is the only thing between your toes and the urban mosaic 1,300 feet below. Even if you’ve been to hundreds of observation decks, the effect of the Ledge is still unnerving.
And really, a skyscraper observation deck should make you feel like you’re flying. Decks, at their best, are a mechanism for transforming the engineering genius of super-tall buildings into pure visceral magic. Emerge from the elevators at the top of places like Toronto’s CN Tower and you get a double hit: a dizzying view and a powerful sense of immersion in the building’s unprecedented scale.
Fortunately for altitude-loving travelers, the demand for that total skyscraper experience is seemingly endless. There are currently so many observation decks opening that it’s hard to keep track.
Burj Khalifa,
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Note that while the observation deck at the newest world’s tallest building (around 2,717 feet) is called At the Top, it’s not. It’s on the 124th floor of 163. What it offers is massive double-height windows, an open-air terrace, and an unparalleled perspective, which tends to make the real Dubai look a lot like the architectural models you see on display over town.
Observe This: Buy tickets online well in advance if you want to visit at sunset. Note that a special $108 ticket will allow you to cut the line.
The Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, Chicago
How do you make the observation deck of a 37-year-old skyscraper that hasn’t been the world’s tallest since 1998 feel new again? You attach a series of magnificently scary glass boxes, collectively known as the Ledge, to the venerable Skydeck. The illusion that you’re standing unsupported 103 stories above the ground is a real crowd-pleaser.
Observe This: The boxes are hung from a moving steel frame that allows them to be retracted into the building to make way for the window-washing rig.
Guangzhou TV & Sightseeing Tower, Guangzhou, China
Scheduled to open to the public in November, this astonishingly skinny, shockingly tall (2,001 feet) tower has two primary functions: to support a TV antenna and to show tourists a good time. Attractions include a guided open-air climb up 600 feet along a winding staircase through a jungle of structural steel, a tiered sundeck at the very top where weary climbers can lounge on bleachers, and yes, the World’s Highest Ferris Wheel.
Observe This: Supposedly the two revolving restaurants won’t be serving soup because the tower’s swaying motion will turn attempts to eat it into a Charlie Chaplin routine.
Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, China
On the 100th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center Observatory, the top tier of a three-layer observatory is 1,555 feet up and still the world’s highest. Architecture geeks will love it for the fact that it spans the building’s most distinctive feature, the rectangular cutout that makes the whole building resemble a giant bottle opener.
Observe This: Check out the elevator artwork by Toshio Iwai on the way up.
Grand Canyon Skywalk, Arizona
Whose idea was this? Cantilevered way, way out over the Grand Canyon’s west rim, with the Colorado River some 4,000 feet below, this U-shaped glass bridge is arguably the world’s highest observation deck. It’s certainly the most mind-blowing one.
Observe This: Deck visitors have to don paper slippers over their shoes to keep from scuffing the glass.
International Commerce Centre, Hong Kong, China
Sky 100, atop this newly completed 108-story tower (currently the world’s fourth tallest), will give visitors the opportunity to look back at Hong Kong Island from the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour. When the deck opens later in 2010, you can skip the multimedia exhibitions and visitor resource center. The thing here is the view, pure and simple, a panorama of one of the world’s most spectacular-looking cities.
Observe This: Try to visit sky 100 at Christmas, when Hong Kong office towers are decorated with multistory holiday lights.
SkyTower, Auckland, New Zealand
SkyTower, at 1,076 feet the “tallest man-made structure in New Zealand,” doesn’t hold any world records, but it is home to two high-adrenaline attractions: Sky Jump, an opportunity to BASE jump while safely attached to a wire, and Sky Walk, a stroll around the tower’s pergola while snuggly harnessed and tethered to an overhead rail.
Observe This: A similar Skywalk is available at the Sydney Tower in Australia, and the Macau Tower in China features bungee jumping.
CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario
Toronto’s famous television tower, 1,815 feet high, was the world’s tallest structure (taller than the tallest skyscrapers) until the Burj Khalifa came along. It is also the home of the original observation-deck glass floor, 256 square feet of it, installed in 1994. But unlike on Chicago’s Ledge, here you can clearly see the structural members that support the thing.
Observe This: In 2008, they added North America’s first glass-floored elevator. Traveling up to deck level at 1,136 feet, it’s also the world’s highest glass-bottomed elevator.
The Empire State Building,
New York City
What this 80-year-old, 102-story landmark (the world’s tallest until the World Trade Center stole its title in 1972) has that newer, taller towers don’t is an unsurpassed location in the middle of Manhattan. The 86th-floor observatory has an outdoor promenade that gives visitors a full sensory immersion in New York City’s sights, sounds, and smells.
Observe This: Yes, you can pay $15 extra and continue on to the 102nd floor, but the 86th is really much nicer.
Theme Building Observation Deck, Los Angeles International Airport
No, it’s not very high up—only 68 feet—but this 1961 tribute to the flying saucer is inarguably cool. It just reopened for the first time since 9/11, after a $12.3 million renovation with a new security apparatus and structural upgrades (no more falling stucco). The outdoor observation deck offers a 360-degree view of flights arriving and departing at LAX.
Observe This: Try the very Jetsons-y Encounter restaurant on the level just below the deck.
America's Coziest B&Bs
Our top picks for cuddling up coast to coast.
Add a roaring fireplace, warm cookies, and friendly innkeepers to your travels this fall and you'll likely find yourself at a nice little bed and breakfast. Autumn discounts abound at BnBFinder.com, while BedandBreakfast.com offers no shortage of inspiration. While there are countless options for travelers seeking an intimate stay this fall, here are the 10 B&Bs we think are the coziest from coast to coast.
Editor's Note: The B&Bs in this story were selected in an unbiased fashion based on their unique merits, reader recommendations, and the personal experiences of the author and other SmarterTravel staff editors.
Carter House Inns
Eureka, California
Close to Redwood National and State Parks and Pacific beaches, the four buildings that make up the Carter House Inns are the perfect spot to rest your head after romping around outdoors. Local organic products, as well as herbs, greens, and vegetables from the inn's own gardens, are used to create dishes, and guests can join the chefs from Restaurant 301 each afternoon to collect produce for the evening meals. All reservations include fireside wine and hors d'oeuvres, turndown with chocolates, evening tea and cookies, and daily full breakfast. Many rooms are equipped with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs, and all come with a basket full of local treats. Rates begin at $195 per night.
Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise
Cave Junction, Oregon
Revisit your childhood dream, or just prepare to get super cozy at Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise in Cave Junction, Oregon. The property features three houses, each with a unique theme. Organic fruit and local products are used in each morning's breakfast, which is delivered directly to your tree house with the Winter Nesting Packages. If you're looking for leaf-peeping opportunities, fall is the perfect time to sleep amongst the leaves and wake up to the sun lighting up the red, orange, and golden leaves. Recreational technical tree climbing is available for guests who want to monkey around; while horseshoes, fishing, disc golf, and a swimming pool are available during summer months. Rates begin at $200 in the winter and $225 in the summer.
Inn At The Round Barn Farm
Waitsfield, Vermont
Down comforters, Tempur-Pedic beds, individually controlled heat, and warm robes are only a few of the reasons why rooms at the Inn at the Round Barn Farm are so comfy. Every room has a view of lovely rural Waitsfield, Vermont, while some also have fireplaces, steam showers, and oversized whirlpool tubs. Cookies, the music of Mozart, a glowing fire, and books galore greet you in the library, while the aromas from seasonal and local foods, often from the inn's own organic gardens, lure you into the dining room. Feeling adventurous? The inn's 245 acres include a trail system, and guests have access to complimentary snowshoe and cross country ski passes. Or, hit the water in the 60-foot lap pool located in the historic Round Barn, which extends into a greenhouse. Rates start at $165 per night, with a two-night minimum stay on weekends.
El Farolito Bed And Breakfast Inn
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Private casitas? Patios? Kiva fireplaces stocked daily with wood? El Farolito Bed and Breakfast Inn has it all. Located in historic downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico, this B&B is furnished in a south-of-the-border style, complete with local art and comfy sofas. Wireless Internet is available throughout the property, and all rooms come equipped with cable TV. A buffet-style breakfast of homemade baked goods is served each morning, and if you want to stray from the property, you're just seconds from shops and restaurants. Rooms start at $160 per night in the low season (November through January).
The Goldmoor Inn
Galena, Illinois
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi in Galena, Illinois, the Goldmoor Inn is the quintessential "room with a view." Fireplaces or Ben Franklin stoves warm up each room, and the daily hot breakfast is available in the dining room overlooking the Mississippi, or in the privacy of your own room. The inn has its own wine cellar, and with it comes an extensive wine list. Warm up your robe on the heated towel bar and slip it on after a dip in your whirlpool. Unwind with a massage, available in suite, in an open-air pavilion, or in the spa room. In addition to cottages and suites, the property's log cabins abutting the forest offer maximum seclusion. Though you may not want to leave your room, hot air balloon rides, local wineries, and local historic sites are the perfect diversions. Stays begin at $215 per night November through May, or $235 Memorial Day weekend through October.
Hartstone Inn
Camden, Maine
While roosters are perhaps overly represented in the wall art and knick-knacks at the Hartstone Inn and nearby Hartstone Hideway, the two Camden, Maine, properties are the very definition of cozy. Rooms include soft robes, fluffy featherbeds, down quilts and pillows, candlelight, fresh flowers, and chocolate truffles. Several also feature gas fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs, while others have extras like a private garden terrace or a bathroom with heated floors. Herb-scented bath amenities make bubble baths look extra appealing, and the inn's cooking classes, multi-course breakfast with dishes like lobster and asparagus quiche, stellar wine list, and cocktail hour with complimentary hors d'oeuvres will make you wish you had three stomachs. Rooms start at $105 per night.
The Empress Of Little Rock
Little Rock, Arkansas
Listed in the National Register of Historic places, The Empress of Little Rock, with its ornate Victorian architecture, is a Little Rock landmark. The three-and-a-half story corner tower, stained glass skylight, and octagonal-shaped rooms keep this B&B from blending in with the rest of the block, and the two-course breakfast served by candlelight will make your belly glad you chose to stay here. For an extra-snug stay, book a spa suite with a Jacuzzi, aromatherapy steam sauna, and spa amenities. All rooms offer separate sitting areas, fireplaces, robes, and king or queen feather beds, while some rooms have a multi-jet massage shower or footbaths. If you're into history, teatime at the inn includes food and a detailed historic tour of the property. For fresh air, hit the verandahs overlooking the town's historic loop. Rooms begin at $139 per night.
Cozy Cactus Bed And Breakfast
Sedona, Arizona
The name says it all at Cozy Cactus Bed and Breakfast, located in the heart of Red Rock Country in Sedona, Arizona. Choose from a standard room or a one- or two-bedroom suite at this five-room bed and breakfast. Reservations include a three-course breakfast, along with hiking and biking access to the Coconino National Forest. All five rooms have private outside entrances. Eight separate outdoor seating areas with umbrellas and heaters will keep you relaxed no matter what the weather. Hosts Mark, Carrie, and resident pooch, Margarita Rox, will make you feel right at home with fresh baked muffins and breads. Rooms begin at $150 per night during the off-season summer months for single or double occupancy.
Star Of Texas Bed And Breakfast
Brownwood, Texas
The Star of Texas Bed and Breakfast in Brownwood, Texas, is an ideal location to stash away your cell phone and just relax. Candles, music, and the starry night sky set the tone for your getaway. Most rooms have private Jacuzzis or outdoor hot tubs, while one room even has a tree house-style balcony. Travelers looking for something a bit more unique will enjoy the Dancing Buffalo teepee or Room 55, a restored 1955 Spartan Park Home decked out in vintage 50s furnishings. The inn also has a Texas Ranch Retreat—a ranch house on 50 acres adjoining the main property. At this B&B, you don't even have to worry about getting out of your pajamas for breakfast. A full hot breakfast is delivered to each private cottage around 9:00 a.m. Baked crème brulee or Mexican quiche are favorites, cooked with eggs from the inn's own chickens. Rooms begin at $129 per night.
Whispering Pines Bed And Breakfast
Dellroy, Ohio
You'll find a lakeside oasis at Whispering Pines Bed and Breakfast, which overlooks Atwood Lake in Dellroy, Ohio. The rolling hills of Carroll County provide the backdrop to the nine guest rooms, each decorated with antiques, and many with two-person whirlpool tubs, in-room fireplaces, and private balconies. Many rooms also come with their own sitting area, bathrobes, blanket throws, and wine glasses. On-site massages are available. The seven-acre property boasts a two-person wing and a fire pit for popcorn or roasting marshmallows. Got a sweet tooth? Homemade chocolate chip cookies and tea are always available. Reader skgarcowski enjoyed the inn's food: The "owner is a wonderful cook. Delicious, inventive breakfasts, great cookies, wonderful tea-time cake." Rates begin at $169 December through February, or $189 March through November.
(Editor's Note: SmarterTravel.com is a member of the TripAdvisor Media Network, an operating company of Expedia, Inc. Expedia, Inc. also owns Expedia.com and Hotwire.)
منبع سایت یاهو
