Going Round and Round in Paris, London and Seattle #FriFotos

By PhilaTravelGirlFriFotos on Twitter, London, London Sightseeing, Paris, Seattle
Place de la Concorde and Roue de Paris at night

This week’s #FriFotos theme is “Circles” …..I thought round and round…..then my mind wandered to the Dead or Alive song “You Spin Me Round (like a Record)” before landing on the Ferris Wheel (don’t ask how my mind associates things).  Many cities have added Ferris Wheels to attract tourists and provide incredible city views (who doesn’t love a great photo from above?), no longer is the Ferris Wheel limited to the boardwalk or amusement park.  These are a few of the memorable Ferris Wheels in Paris, London and Seattle that I’ve encountered this year.

Roue de Paris (Paris Ferris Wheel)

Located at Place de la Concorde at the end of the Champs Elysees it was installed for the 2000 Millennium.  Surprisingly, this Ferris Wheel can be transported and relocated and over the years, it traveled a bit before landing back in Paris. I don’t remember a time when it wasn’t there and would find it odd if it were missing.  At night, all aglow, it fits right into the Parisian landscape.

Place de la Concorde and Roue de Paris at night
Place de la Concorde and Roue de Paris at night

 

The London Eye

Originally installed in 2000, the London Eye is now iconic new London, located diagonal from the historic icons of Big Ben and Parliament. It took me ten years of visits to London before I was able to experience the thirty minute ride and what fun to see all of London from above.  Revisiting this summer with my niece was again a thrill to see how the skyline of the city is changing with the addition of the Gerkin years ago, the Shard this year and the Walkie Talkie (the Brits love nicknames) building yet to open. With constant construction cranes in the sky, every London Eye visit is bound to be different from trips in the past when you look to the right at the City. I can’t wait to ride at night to see the city’s colors along the Thames or during the holidays for the Frostival.

Thames view of London Eye
View of the London Eye from the Thames cruise
Big Ben and London Eye
Classic London – Big Ben and the London Eye

 

Seattle Great Wheel

Located on Pier 57 along the waterfront, the Seattle Great Wheel is the largest observation wheel on the West Coast and juts out into Elliott Bay to provide you with incredible views of the city on one side and the water/islands on the other.  Opened in 2012, this has already become a popular attraction.

Seattle Great Wheel
The Seattle Great Wheel on the Waterfront at Pier 57

Do you have a favorite Ferris Wheel from a city you visited or amusement park?  Have you been anywhere that seeing a Ferris Wheel surprised you?  Do share in the comments below.