Starting today, every Thursday I hope to highlight an attraction, hotel, or other operation in Niagara Falls. As I have with the other new features, I’m starting with something easy.
A year and a half ago the Golden Griddle on Clifton Hill, along with the lobby of the Quality Inn Clifton Hill was torn down to make room for a giant Ferris wheel. Work continued throughout the winter and into the spring, and on Friday, June 16, 2006 at approximately 5:00 pm it finally opened. I’ve had a chance to go up in the SkyWheel several times and it is very impressive.
According to the press release the SkyWheel is 53 metres (175 feet) tall. There are 42 gondolas. Each one is fully enclosed and equipped with heating and air conditioning. I haven’t had a chance to go up in the winter yet, but during the summer the air conditioning worked well. The sides of the gondolas are made with large UV protected, non-reflective glass to reduce glare. This is supposed to make it better to take pictures. Six gondolas can be loaded at one time. They can hold up to eight passengers, but usually don’t load any more than six.
- To read about the progress as it was being built, and seeing some pictures at various stages, be sure to search the blog.
- To see pictures taken from the Niagara SkyWheel, view the image gallery.
- Visit the Niagara SkyWheel official site.
Thanks to regular visitor Louise of Clifton Hill Resorts for providing me with some of the information for this posting.