Our Favorite Architectural Marvel: An Ode to the Space Needle

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(Photo: Thinkstock)

It’s not the tallest. It’s not the grandest. And it’s certainly not the most iconic. But when it comes to the world’s most famous observation towers, there’s nothing quite like Seattle’s Space Needle. “The 400 Day Wonder” — an old nickname referring to how quickly the Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair—is by far The Emerald’s City’s most famous landmark. After all this time, darned if the 52-year-old structure doesn’t still manage to look all space-age and futuristic—like George Jetson’s apartment building or a mini Cloud City from “Star Wars.”

Fortunately for adventurous tourists who aren’t scared of heights, the world is full of other, even taller observation towers designed to keep you entertained while giving you a sky-high vantage point. These are some of our favorites.

Space Needle – Seattle, Washington

Height: 605 ft

Year Completed: 1962

Elevator Speed/Time to Top Level: 10 mph/43 seconds

Can I (Legally and Relatively Safely) Jump Off: No

Where You’ve Seen It: As collateral damage in the climatic battle between two super-powered teenage boys in the 2012 movie “Chronicle”; the logo to the sitcom “Frasier,” just above the “I.

Why You Should Visit: The Space Needle pulls in around one million visitors a year for two reasons: the view and the dining. The view provides a jaw-dropping look at Elliott Bay and a great “peak peek” at Mount Rainier. As for the dining, the famous SkyCity restaurant provides nice 360-degree views of the surrounding land/cityscape. But be warned: SkyCity’s a little on the pricey side.

Fun Fact: Because the Space Needle’s elevators hurtle upward at 10 mph, and snow falls at 3 mph, riding during a snowstorm makes it look like the snow is falling up! A good reason to visit during the winter.

Sky Tower - Auckland, New Zealand

Height: 1076 ft

Year Completed: 1997

Elevator Speed/Time to Top Level: 21 mph/40 seconds

Can I (Legally and Relatively Safely) Jump Off: Yes

Where You’ve Seen It: “ The Amazing Race”; “The Biggest Loser”

Why You Should Visit: It bills itself as New Zealand’s tallest man-made structure AND the tallest freestanding structure in the entire Southern Hemisphere. Plus, it’s New Zealand’s most popular paid attraction with 500,000 visitors each year. Many do the SkyJump, where visitors can leap off the tower for a controlled, 630-foot freefall while tethered to a sort of vertical zipline . For a slightly less-adventurous outdoor adventure, there’s the SkyWalk where you shimmy around the outside of the tower.

Fun Fact: Michael Bublé and Beyonce recently did the SkyJump.

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(Photo: chchenego)

Macau Tower - Macau, China

Height: 1110 ft

Year Completed: 2001

Elevator Speed: 11.2 mph

Can I (Legally and Relatively Safely) Jump Off: Oh, yes

Where You’ve Seen It: “ The Amazing Race: All Stars”; “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations”; The Guinness Book of World Records

Why You Should Visit: The Macau Tower was modeled after New Zealand’s Sky Tower. In addition to drawing people for its views, Macau Tower has become a mecca for bungee jumpers. In 2006, bungee guru A. J. Hackett jumped from a 764 ft-high Macau Tower platform, breaking the Guinness World Record for highest bungee jump from a building. Today, Macau Tower visitors can try to recreate that feat. Or, like at Sky Tower, they can opt for a tethered walk around the tower’s outer rim.

Fun Fact: Macau Tower markets its aerial daredevil offerings to groups as team-building exercises.

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(Photo: Macau 2007 series 2)

CN Tower – Toronto, Canada

Height: 1815 feet

Year Completed: 1976

Elevator Speed/Time to Top Level: 15 mph/58 seconds

Can I (Legally and Relatively Safely) Jump Off: No

Where You’ve Seen It: Every Toronto postcard ever made

Why You Should Visit: Like the Space Needle, the CN Tower is probably its home city’s most recognizable landmark. It reigned for almost 35 years as the world’s tallest tower, building, and freestanding structure; it’s still the Western Hemisphere’s tallest freestanding structure. And its Edge Walk – which resembles the outdoor Sky Walks around New Zealand and Macau’s towers — can still claim to be the world’s highest (1168 feet). In its observation area, there’s a glass floor where all that’s separating you and a 1,122-foot drop is 2 ½ inches of glass…

Fun Fact: … but it’s really strong glass. CN Tower insists its glass floor is “five times stronger than the required weight bearing standard for commercial floors and can withstand the weight of 14 large hippos.” You should still expect them to deny admission to your pet hippo, just to be safe.

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(Photo: nechaiphoto.com)

Stratosphere Tower – Las Vegas, Nevada

Height: 1,148 feet

Year Completed: 1996

Elevator Speed/Time to Top Level: 20mph/30 seconds

Can I (Legally and Relatively Safely) Jump Off: Yes

Where You’ve Seen It: Skyline shots in just about every Las Vegas movie ever; featured in plot of Keira Knightley’s “Domino.”

Why You Should Visit: You’d have to leave the country to find a taller observation tower. Many a wild Vegas night has culminated here. The highlight is its 855-foot version of SkyJump, the only one in North America (don’t worry; there’s a bar – the highest in Vegas, they say - conveniently located not far from the jump zone). Plus a variety of rides with names like “Instanity” and “X-Scream” that are designed to constantly remind you how high up you are.

Fun Fact: The elevator, which has been clocked at 20 mph, was rated one of the 10 fastest in the world.

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(Photo: Bruce McKinstry)

Canton Tower – Guangzhou, China

Height: 1970 feet

Year Completed: 2010

Elevator Speed/Time to Top Level: 10.8 mph/90 seconds

Can I (Legally and Relatively Safely) Jump Off: No

Why You Should Visit: It broke the CN Tower’s height record (it didn’t keep the title for very long). What it does have is the world’s highest Ferris wheel, which runs along an elliptical track ringing the Tower’s roof. But it inclines only 15-degrees and goes pretty slowly; it takes about a half-hour to circle the tower. If you desire something more than that at this altitude, you’re probably a jet fighter pilot.

Fun Fact: Those fast elevators include an air regulation device to protect visitors’ eardrums.

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(Photo: Thinkstock)

Tokyo Sky Tree – Tokyo, Japan

Height: 2080 feet

Year Completed: 2011

Can I (Legally and Relatively Safely) Jump Off: No

Why You Should Visit: It’s the biggest guy on the block. Sky Tree is currently the world’s tallest freestanding tower. Very tourist-friendly with a few shops, a restaurant, and multiple vantage points. Still, this tower is all business – no rides and no bungee jumps.

Fun Fact: Sky Tree’s builders says their work on the tower has inspired them to build the world’s tallest elevator by the year 2050. Their elevator would travel 125 mph and hit a height of 22,370 feet. That would be above geosynchronous satellites orbit. That would be a long ride, especially if the same elevator music is playing throughout the trip. But imagine the view!

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(Photo: Thinkstock)

Sid Lipsey is a journalist, writer, and producer based in New York City. He has yet to jump off any towers. Follow him on Twitter @sidlipsey