An observation deck gives you a bird’s-eye view of amazing locations. Some popular spots include the Eiffel Tower and One World Trade Center. But, some decks are made for those who want a thrill while enjoying the scenery.
Warning: If heights aren’t your thing, you might want to skip this!
Sampa Sky
Located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sampa Sky opened in August 2021 and has drawn over 11,000 visitors. This glass-floor deck is on the 42nd floor of Mirante do Vale, the tallest building in Sao Paulo. It was inspired by a similar deck in Chicago’s Willis Tower.
If you’re brave enough, you can take selfies in a clear box while looking down at the city. It’s the least scary deck here, perfect for sunset watching.
EdgeWalk
If Sampa Sky is too easy, try the CN Tower EdgeWalk in Toronto. It’s the world’s highest hands-free walk around a building. The CN Tower is 553 meters (1,815 feet) tall and is one of the Modern Wonders of the World. The EdgeWalk is 356 meters (1,168 feet) high, 116 stories above the streets.
Before you go up, you’ll answer questions about your mental health and be tested for alcohol. Then, you’ll get a safety briefing. The ledge is only 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide. You’ll wear a jumpsuit and harness attached to ropes on the tower’s edge. Then, you can lean over the edge and walk around, enjoying the view.
Shanghai Skywalk
If you want a thrill closer to the ground, the 88-story skywalk around the Jin Mao Tower in China is for you. This skywalk has no handrails. You’re strapped to the building with a harness.
The ledge is 60 meters (200 feet) long and 1.2 meters (4 feet) wide, holding up to 15 people. You’ll see Shanghai’s skyline and the hotel atrium below.
Stairway to Nothingness
For Alps views instead of cityscapes, try the Stairway to Nothingness at the Dachstein Glacier resort in Austria. It includes a 100-meter (328 feet) suspension bridge at the edge of a 400-meter (1,300 feet) cliff. At the end are 14 steps to a glass viewing platform.
The resort says it’s for those with “nerves of steel.” You’ll feel “pure freedom” as you hover above the cliff, looking at the Alps.
Aurland Lookout
The Aurlandsfjord in Norway is stunning. The Aurland Lookout Tower, or Stegastein, is 650 meters (2,135 feet) above it, letting you see it from all angles. The deck is steel and pine, stretching 30 meters (100 feet) before facing a thin glass pane above a steep drop.
The glass makes you feel like you’re “falling into nature.” But, if you fear heights, you might feel like you’re falling into the fjord!
SkyPoint Climb
The SkyPoint Observation Deck is on levels 77 and 78 of the Q1 skyscraper in Queensland, Australia. It was the tallest residential building from 2005 to 2011. It’s Australia’s only beachside observation deck, holding 400 people. You can see Brisbane, the Gold Coast hinterland, Byron Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.
For more action, try the SkyPoint Climb. It’s Australia’s highest external building climb, starting at level 77. Almost 300 stairs lead to the Q1 Spire, with great views. If you’re fearless, walk along the stairs’ edge, ignoring the 270-meter (885 feet) drop.
Bihar Glass Bridge
The Hangzhou glass bridge in China inspired the glass bridge in Rajgir, Bihar, India, overlooking forests and mountains. It’s part of a jungle safari with glass-covered cabins for eight tourists. The cabins are on a ropeway for close forest views.
The 25-meter (85 feet) long and 61-meter (200 feet) high bridge holds 40 visitors. It’s one of many activities, including the Son Bhandar caves and the Brahma Kund hot springs.
Step into the Void
“Step into the Void,” also known as the Aiguille du Midi skywalk, is high in the French Alps at 3,842 meters (12,600 feet). “The Void” is a glass box with a glass floor, giving clear views of the landscape.
An elevator takes tourists to the glass box. A cable car goes to the mountain’s summit. The Aiguille du Midi is a peak in the Mont Blanc massif. It’s the closest you can get to Mont Blanc without climbing.
Glass Love Bridge
Vietnam has many attractions, like national parks, Halong Bay, and Ho Chi Minh City. In 2019, it added the 5D Love Bridge. It’s Vietnam’s first glass suspension bridge with 5D effects, built in four months. The 80-meter (262 feet) long structure has 30 special effects and a love theme. It’s 20 meters (66 feet) high, with mountain and forest views of Moc Chau.
Another glass bridge opened in 2019, offering views of the O Quy Ho Mountain Pass in Lai Chau province. The Rong May bridge is 600 meters (1,970 feet) high and 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level. A 300-meter (985 feet) glass elevator takes you to the bridge, reaching the mountain peak. Try not to look down!
Huangtengxia Tianmen Sky Walk
The Huangtengxia Tianmen Sky Walk in China isn’t for the faint-hearted. Three pillars hold a viewing platform 368 meters (1,200 feet) from a cliff edge. It’s the world’s longest and tallest single-column cantilevered glass corridor and has the largest circular waterfall.
The 500-meter (1,650 feet) high skywalk has two oval structures: a horizontal walkway and a vertical tower, reached by an open-air corridor. The glass is 99.9% transparent and holds about 4,000 people.
At dawn, clouds often cover the structure. At night, 2,000 colorful LED lights illuminate it.
In 2019, a fashion show was held on the skywalk. Models walked barefoot to avoid scratching the glass.
Ready to Take the Plunge?
These observation decks offer more than just a view; they provide an unforgettable adrenaline rush. From glass floors to sky-high climbs, each location promises a unique and thrilling experience. Would you dare to visit any of these?
Leave your comment below and tell us which observation deck you’d be brave enough to visit!
