HIGH VIEW S
kyView, the newest Atlanta attraction puts you high above downtown – 200 feet in the air! – on a ferris wheel with 42 air-conditioned glass-enclosed gondolas. We rode SkyView on a recent weekday evening and found many families lining up to catch a ride. The gondolas are spacious enough for two adults and two kids. When it was our turn, the attendant helped us board, secured the doors, and off we went! Almost. The first rotation stops several times to let people board their gondolas (like an elevator stopping at other floors) but then you get three full revolutions without interruption. Bliss! The entire ride lasts for about 15 minutes; plenty of time to get some pretty pics of the view. The views are primarily westfacing, so on a clear day, you can see all the way to Kennesaw Mountain. We had a cloudy s k y, b u t o u r group was just as excited to see the Centennial Olympic Park activities from on high, from the kids splashing in the Fountain of Rings to the crowd dancing to live music.
Every party has a gondola to themselves, although single riders may have to share. Of course, every child needs to be accompanied by an adult. The ride was smooth, whether going up or down, and we found it easy to move around to see from all sides. For those always in need of a restroom or a snack, SkyView has you covered. Concessions by Proof of the Pudding will be available soon, and a three-potty restroom trailer is located behind the ride. Stroller parking is near the base of the ride, and umbrella-shaded seating areas are on site for those who want to watch the wheel turn. We imagine the nighttime views of the skyline would be spectacular if the kids can hang past bedtime! Lines can be longest on weekend evenings, so weekday mornings until about 4 p.m. are the best times to step right into a gondola.
If You Go SkyView Atlanta 168 Luckie Street NW, Atlanta. Skyviewatlanta.com n Hours: Mon.-Wed., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Thu.Sat., 10 a.m.-midnight; Sun., noon-10 p.m. n Cost: Adult: $14.45, child $9.10; ages 2 and younger ride for free.
For an extra special experience, the VIP gondola ($50 per person) is super swanky, with leather seats, a glass floor, tinted windows and a place to keep your juiceboxes chillin’. SkyView can host events like birthday parties in a VIP area with on-site catering. If you’re headed downtown for an attraction visit or special event, a ride would be an exciting add-on to the day. – Dalia Faupel
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Family Fun Guide
September 2013 Atlanta Parent 57