Seeing the world from a bird’s-eye perspective offers travelers the chance to peer down on magnificent urban and natural landscapes. To aid in this pursuit, spectacular observation decks have been built all across the planet. Typically standing taller than already cloud-scraping skylines, these record-breaking marvels of engineering allow us to gaze in wonder at all the action below. Take a look at the nine tallest observation decks around the world. 

9. CN Tower – Toronto, Canada

Towering above Toronto’s skyline since 1976, the 1,815-foot-tall CN Tower was the world’s tallest freestanding structure for over three decades. This busy tourist attraction in downtown Toronto is home to the Western Hemisphere’s highest observation platform, the Top, located 1,456 feet above ground. On sunny, cloudless days, it’s possible to see as far as Niagara Falls and the state of New York. Remarkably, visitors can also feel the sensation of the giant tower swaying in the wind.

Those looking for even more of an adrenaline rush can step outside and (attached by harness) wander around the tower’s perimeter via the EdgeWalk, which sits 116 stories above Canada’s largest city. Another popular attraction is CN Tower’s revolving 360 Restaurant, which completes a full rotation in 72 minutes. 

8. Tokyo SkyTree – Tokyo, Japan

Rising 2,080 feet above Tokyo’s Sumida City, Tokyo Skytree is the tallest structure in Japan. When unveiled in 2012, it was the second-tallest freestanding structure in the world. The SkyTree primarily functions as a television and radio broadcasting site, but its two lookout decks are a major draw for tourists to the world’s most populous city.

Perched 1,148 feet above city streets, the lower Tembo Deck spreads over three floors and features glass floors, restaurants, and panoramic views. The 1,476-foot-high upper deck, called Tembo Galleria, has a breathtaking glass ramp that wraps around the building and offers unbeatable views. The tower stays open until 10 p.m., presenting the chance to admire the sprawling Tokyo skyline by night. 

7. Shanghai World Financial Center – Shanghai, China

At 1,614 feet, the futuristic-looking Shanghai World Financial Center is one of China’s 10 tallest buildings. Across its 101 floors you’ll find shops, restaurants, a media center, luxury office spaces, and an upscale hotel. The tower also has an observatory with lookout decks on the 94th, 97th, and 100th floors, with the upper lookout located 1,555 feet above ground. Visitors are treated to 360-degree panoramas of the Pudong District and can spot other notable city landmarks, including the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Shanghai Tower.

6. Canton Tower – Guangzhou, China

On the Pearl River waterfront of Guangzhou’s Haizhu District stands the colossal Canton Tower (also called the Guangzhou New Television Tower). A stunning example of the city’s modern urban development, the design of this 1,968-foot-tall tower is influenced by the silhouette of a female hip. It has observation decks at three different levels, located between 1,404 and 1,601 feet high. The lower deck features a glass walkway with dizzying views of the city far below. More vertigo-inducing vistas await above on the outdoor balcony of the 488M Look Out. Another popular attraction is the Bubble Tram, a rollercoaster-like attraction of 16 glass and spherical cabins that rotate around the tower. 

5. Lotte World Tower – Seoul, South Korea

One of the world’s tallest buildings, Lotte World Tower in South Korea’s sprawling capital city is home to the Seoul Sky observatory, which is situated at 1,640 feet above ground. A double-decker elevator takes visitors from the ground floor to the observatory in just a minute’s time. Once there, it’s possible to walk around a 120th-floor outdoor terrace and stroll over the world’s highest tower bridge.

The tower itself stands 1,821 feet tall, and its design was inspired by the curvature of traditional Korean calligraphy and ceramics. Its exterior is made up of an incredible 42,000 glass windows. When not enjoying the views, visitors can check out the shops at the Lotte World Mall, browse contemporary works at the Lotte Museum of Art, and spot 55,000 sea creatures at the Lotte World Aquarium.

4. Ping An Finance Centre – Shenzhen, China

Unveiled in 2022, Ping An Finance Centre sits in the heart of Shenzhen’s burgeoning Futian Central Business District. The 1,965-foot stone and glass tower is predominantly occupied by a hotel, offices, and retail outlets. On the 166th floor, at 1,775 feet above ground, is the Free Sky viewing platform. Visitors can access it via the fastest-accelerating elevators in China, which whisk visitors up from ground level in a mere 55 seconds. Views encompass the nearby Luohu District, as well as Bijia Mountain, Silver Lake Mountain, and northern Hong Kong. There are also glass-floor areas and immersive attractions such as a mirror maze and space tunnel. 

3. Shanghai Tower – Shanghai, China

Twisting toward the sky in a state-of-the-art helical shape is the 2,073-foot-tall Shanghai Tower. Located near the Huangpu River and Shanghai World Financial Center, this is the second-tallest building in the world. Its Top of Shanghai observation deck is located on the 118th floor (1,791 feet high), with huge glass windows that make it easy to admire Shanghai’s gleaming skyscrapers, historic architecture, and green spaces.

The observation deck is accessible through some of the fastest elevators on the planet, which travel at around 40 mph. As of 2024, plans are also in place to open a new observation deck on the 125th and 126th floors, which will grant views from lofty heights of 1,914 feet above Shanghai’s busy streets. 

2. Burj Khalifa – Dubai, UAE

Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa — the world’s tallest building at 2,716 feet — is the best place to take in the city’s ultramodern skyline. There are three observation decks located within the 160 floors of this architectural wonder. The tallest — At the Top, Burj Khalifa SKY — occupies the 148th floor at 1,821 feet above street level.

After peering out over the city, visitors can kick back with drinks at a lounge bar before checking out the other two lookouts on the 124th and 125th floors. Here, high-powered telescopes, virtual presentations, and a glass floor with realistic cracking sounds create an immersive and memorable experience. The journey to these attractions is an adventure in itself via double-decker elevators traveling at 22 mph. 

1. Makkah Royal Clock Tower – Mecca, Saudi Arabia

Makkah Royal Clock Tower, the tallest of a collection of seven towers that make up the Abraj al-Bait complex, soars 1,972 feet above the sacred Masjid al-Haram, the world’s largest mosque. It features an observation deck situated at 1,831 feet above ground. When visiting during Hajj, tourists can look down on the millions of worshippers who make this annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The viewing deck is accessible from the Clock Tower Museum, a four-floor museum with science and cosmology exhibits. It’s also home to a high-end hotel whose rooms overlook the sacred Kaaba sanctuary. On the outside, the four sides of the tower are decorated with the world’s largest clock faces. 

The years and months leading up to an Olympic Games see a flurry of activity, as cities rush to complete the additional facilities required to host a broad range of events. Many are permanent venues that are intended for legacy use, perhaps as stadiums for local football teams or municipal swimming pools for the general population. In some cities, however, factors such as a lack of funds or unexpected political change can take their toll on Olympic venues. But as is often the case with abandoned places, these derelict structures retain a mystical appeal and can be eerily beautiful to visit, especially in light of their former glory. Take a look at five abandoned Olympic venues that are worth checking out.

Ski Jump – Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

The Trampolino Olimpico Italia (Italian Olympic Ski Jump) may sit empty today, but it had an illustrious past. Surrounded by the stunning Italian Dolomites, the ski jump was constructed for the 1956 Winter Olympics held in Cortina d’Ampezzo. In addition to hosting the world’s top skiers that year, you might also recognize it from the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only, when a suave Roger Moore takes flight with rifle-toting assassins on motorbikes in hot pursuit. 

But ski jumping hills must be accredited with the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) for insurance reasons, and the certification lapsed at Cortina in 1990. Even though the Italian resort town (together with Milan) is due to stage the Winter Games again in 2026, there are no plans to bring the landmark jump back into use. Instead, a different ski jumping hill at Predazzo in the Val di Fiemme will be the focus. In the meantime, visitors to Cortina will still be able to admire the sleek lines of its abandoned predecessor.

Linnahall – Tallinn, Estonia

At the time of the Moscow Summer Olympics in 1980, Estonia was part of the Soviet Union. With no suitable venue in the Russian capital to host the sailing competitions, Estonia’s capital city, Tallinn, took on the task. The city constructed the Lenin Palace of Culture and Sport (later renamed Linnahall) to host these events during the 1980 Games. Designed by architects Raine Karp and Riina Altmae, this multipurpose venue boasted a 5,000-seat amphitheater that was later used to stage music concerts, along with a seasonal ice rink with a capacity of 3,000 people, before falling into disrepair and becoming abandoned by the end of that decade. 

Today, its outlook over the Baltic Sea perhaps softens the decaying Brutalist architecture, yet the structure sits low enough not to spoil those same sea views from Tallinn’s charming medieval Old Town. The city authorities hope that, one day, Linnahall can be refurbished, but for now it’s a poignant reminder of Estonia’s past.

Bobsleigh and Luge Track – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was still a part of Yugoslavia when the city hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics. Among the many facilities created for those Games was a bobsleigh and luge track, designed by architect Gorazd Bučar and constructed on the slope of Mount Trebević. The track was also used for several other events over the years, including World Cup competitions and the European Bobsleigh Championships. 

However, it sustained serious damage during the war that took place in the region in the 1990s, when it served as an artillery position for Bosnian Serb forces during the Siege of Sarajevo. But today, the venue is still mostly intact, if covered in colorful graffiti, and city authorities hope to restore it for winter use at some point. In the meantime, competitive lugers make the most of it for summer training.  

Hellinikon Olympic Canoe and Kayak Slalom Centre – Athens, Greece

Greece was the birthplace of the ancient Olympiad and the first host of the modern Olympic Games, which took place in 1894. When Athens successfully bid to host the 2004 Summer Olympics, it ended up costing the country about $11 billion, according to several reports, with unforeseen costs sending the Games considerably over budget.

It’s particularly noteworthy in that context to see that some of these purpose-built venues are no longer in use. One such facility is the Hellinikon Olympic Canoe and Kayak Slalom Centre, which boasted two courses and a warm-up pool, as well as seating for 7,600 spectators. The pool was unusual in that the water was salty, pumped in from the Aegean Sea. However, it’s now dry, and weeds have colonized the stadium seating where excited fans once cheered. 

Alonzo Herndon Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia

Alonzo Herndon Stadium, located on the Morris Brown College campus in Atlanta, was built in 1948. It was named for a local entrepreneur who was born enslaved and who later became the city’s first Black millionaire. The stadium had been regularly used before it was expanded to host the field hockey competition during the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games. However, less than two decades later, it is one of six of the 28 Atlanta Olympic venues to not remain in use. 

The college experienced significant financial hardship and planned to sell the stadium to raise funds. But lengthy legal issues over title deeds meant the stadium fell into disrepair. This has attracted the attention of Hollywood location scouts, though, who embrace its rundown state. For instance, the venue featured in the 2024 movie Civil War as a refugee camp. So, it seems for the time being that this abandoned Olympic venue’s legacy will be on the big screen.

Surely, landmarks such as the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and the New York Public Library are on any bibliophile’s must-see list, but the United States is also home to many other stately libraries well worth a visit. Their collections are housed in buildings that exhibit award-winning architecture and are often surrounded by stunning scenery. From a Gothic-style castle library to a log cabin library in South Dakota, here are eight of the coolest libraries in America that are bound to impress.

Tyrrell Historical Library – Beaumont, Texas

Originally built as a church in 1903, the Tyrrell Historical Library is a beloved landmark in the city of Beaumont, about 80 miles west of Houston. In 1923, oil tycoon “Captain W. C.” Tyrrell purchased the church and donated the building to the city to be used as a library, which opened in 1926. Exhibiting Richardsonian Romanesque and Victorian Gothic architecture styles, the stone castlelike structure is easily one of the most beautiful libraries in the Lone Star State. Outside, it features dramatic archways and stained glass windows, while inside are extensive archives of materials relating to the culture and history of southeast Texas. 

State Law Library – Des Moines, Iowa

Iowa is renowned for producing many of America’s best journalists and fiction writers — offering residencies, workshops, and writing camps across the state — so it’s no surprise this Midwestern state is also home to a bookworm’s dream. The State Law Library in Des Moines, located on the second floor of the state Capitol building, features Victorian-style architecture with spiral staircases, elaborate chandeliers, and stacked shelves of approximately 100,000 books. With everything from fiction to Iowa-related legal documents, the library is a wonderful place to be inspired.

Mill Valley Library – Mill Valley, California

If snuggling up with a good book in a chair beneath towering redwoods sounds like an ideal way to spend an afternoon, you should head to the Mill Valley Public Library in Marin County in the San Francisco Bay Area. Built in 1966, the unique structure seems to blend into the surrounding forest. Inside, it features handcrafted walnut furniture and many original works of art. There’s also a deck overlooking a park with a creek, a wood-burning fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the surrounding woods.

Nashville Public Library – Nashville, Tennessee

A popular wedding venue in Music City, Nashville Public Library’s Main Library is located two blocks south of the Tennessee Capitol. Designed in a modern classical style, the opulent building is made of granite, marble, and quartz. It houses a grand staircase in the lobby, large windows with views of the state Capitol, historic murals, skylights, and lots of outdoor space for reading or working on a sunny day. The stately interior houses impressive collections spanning three floors, including works on civil rights and the women’s suffrage movement. 

Arabian Library – Scottsdale, Arizona

Named for a breed of horse popular in the Middle East, Scottdale’s Arabian Library, opened in 2007, takes inspiration from the red-rock slot canyons of northern Arizona. Featuring weathered walls, an earthen stone roof, and landscaped grounds with native paloverde trees and hopbush shrubs, the modern library offers a tranquil environment for visitors. When the sun hits the library at dawn and dusk, the reddish-brown building is particularly riveting.  

Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library – Little Rock, Arkansas

The Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library and Learning Center was built in 2013 to foster imagination in young ones. The former first lady’s namesake covers 30,000 square feet and 6 acres in downtown Little Rock, where the Clintons once lived. Home to a greenhouse, vegetable garden, arboretum, and kitchen for learning about the culinary arts, the space is much more than a place to read — it’s a place for kids to learn more about their environment and experience the great outdoors. 

Hot Springs Public Library – Hot Springs, South Dakota

The log cabinlike exterior isn’t what you’d typically expect of a library building, but Hot Springs Public Library fits right into its surroundings in the Black Hills of South Dakota. With stone fireplaces and large windows that peer out onto the surrounding scenery, the building is a cozy retreat for bookworms and those in search of much-needed peace and quiet. When the sun comes out, readers can also enjoy the outdoor patio. 

Slover Library – Norfolk, Virginia

Blending modern and traditional architecture styles, the Slover Library in Norfolk represents the multiple uses and characteristics of libraries today, as places for historic preservation and portals for cutting-edge technology used to access information. As one of the most technologically advanced libraries in America, the structure was designed with sustainability in mind, earning LEED silver certification. With seven floors of computer labs, an art studio, lounge spaces, a waffle shop, and shelves of books, Slover really is more than a library — it’s the city’s ideal hangout spot.