It's 75 degrees outside right now in New York City, and though it's technically still spring, the summer tourist season is ramping up. As usual, visitors will be making the rounds of the Empire State Building, Macy's Herald Square, Central Park, Apple 5th Avenue and the World Trade Center site, but unlike in recent years, there's actually something to see now at Ground Zero.

That's right; Freedom Tower is making serious headway. ]]> JetSetCD 2011-04-11T12:39:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2011/1/6/13726/45645

BYO Disney ice-skating outfit.

While most people were likely nursing a hangover on January 1, others hit Chicago's John Hancock Observatory for the debut of the world's highest ice-skating rink. Skating in the Sky, which sits on the 94th floor of the famous building, puts its ice more than 1,000 feet up in the air.

This isn't the Hancock's first time offering a rink. When the building first opened, there was an ice rink in the sunken plaza out front. Unfortunately, those Windy City winds picked up debris from nearby construction areas and threw them at the skaters, putting an end to that idea. ]]> Jennifer Kester 2011-01-06T08:31:04-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/12/9/111215/096

Hong Kong is a city of superlatives. Tallest...tastiest...techiest...this city knows what to do to attract the attention of the world. But what about the notoriously short attention spans of tourists? Hong Kong doesn't offer many free activities, unless you really love dawn tai chi in the park or long walks through malls, but they did devise the "Symphony of Lights" show in Victoria Harbour. Keeping to the superlatives, the Guinness Book of World Records named the skyscraping light performance "World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show," and it could also easily snatch the title of "World's Largest 20-Minute Gathering of Camera-toting Tourists." ]]> JetSetCD 2010-12-09T15:00:51-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/9/7/172918/5795

Like it isn't bad enough that the coast of Lake MIchigan freezes over during the winter, Chicago's John Hancock Center has announced that they'll have an ice skating rink installed on the 94th floor. This news comes from TimeOutChicago, who doesn't neglect to point out that an ice rink more than 1,000 feet up makes it the world's highest ice skating rink.

Expect to rent ice skates and do some figure-eights as soon as January 2011. The rink will be the newest entry in a list of recent upgrades at the Hancock's Observatory: "Over the last couple years, the observatory has rolled out a cafe and full bar, augmented reality telescopes, and a sleek design." Perhaps to compete with the Sears Willis Tower's tourist-attracting glass ledges on their 103rd floor? We bet!

We love the response of our friend—who lives in the John Hancock Building—to the new ice skating rink plans: "WTF that is insane. What are we—Dubai?"

[Photo: Jaunted]]]> JetSetCD 2010-09-07T17:33:14-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/4/5/14949/47389

What a beautiful new building Dubai has; it's just too bad that ever since they officially opened the 200+ story (160 of them habitable) Burj Khalifa tower as the tallest building in the world, they've barely been able to use it. After the 124-floor observation deck opened at the beginning of January, it soon experienced electrical problems which trapped visitors in an elevator over 1,000 feet up. This prompted the closure of the only open-to-tourists part of the building until now; the Observation Deck reopened over this last weekend, and is again welcoming those who can resist vertigo enough to look out across the Emirates on a clear day. The Armani Hotel still isn't open, so you can't yet sleep inside of the tower either.

To get access to the observation deck, you have two options: reserve online for timed tickets (you get one hour at the top) for 100 AED ($27) per person or walk up to tower during open hours for immediate entry at a cost of 400 AED ($109) per person.

And even though you're paying quite a bit for your 124-floor visit, it's too bad you don't get to experience the world's highest mosque, found on the 158th floor, closer to Allah!

Related Stories:
· Observatory at Burj Khalifa, world's tallest tower, reopens after being closed for two months [Chicago Tribune]
· Dubai's Armani Hotel at the Burj Khalifa Will Try to Open April 21 [HotelChatter]
· Dubai Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: HDWallpapers]]]> JetSetCD 2010-04-05T16:45:17-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/2/9/0910/62138

Remember a couple years ago when all the cool news was coming out of Dubai, like they had all the money in the world and were using to build the adult playland of the future? Well, Dubai is still turning out all the news, but it's just that the headlines have gone sour, and this week has brought another rush of bad news for the showy Emirate.

First, the newly opened 124-floor Observation Deck in the Burj Khalifa building has closed. The reason they're giving for the closure is that they've had far too many electrical problems, and with people paying $27 in advance or $109 on the spot for the privilege to simply look out their windows, they can't afford to have any hiccups. Really—they can't afford it. Maybe they also can't afford to keep the lights on right now too? ]]> JetSetCD 2010-02-09T11:30:14-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/27/11651/8330

The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, opened its observation deck this month in Dubai and we did some digging to see what the experience is supposed to be like. Perched on the 124th floor, the observation deck is supposed to give an airplane-like view of the area.

To get to "At the Top," the observation deck's, you have to enter through The Dubai Mall’s lower-ground level. Before you pop your ears on the elevator up, brush up on your knowledge of Dubai and the building with multimedia displays like "Dubai Then and Now," "From Earth to the Sky" and "From Vision to Reality." You'll also see a big illuminated model of the Burj Khalifa, formerly called the Burj Dubai, where you can learn about the skyscraper.

A video of the view, after the jump.]]> Jennifer Kester 2010-01-27T08:40:48-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/