The Ferris wheel is a staple of any fair or theme park — it’s one of those classic cultural icons that no one notices but that everyone would miss were it to suddenly not be present. It's the ride designed for anyone and everyone: safe enough for toddlers, high enough for teenagers, and relaxing enough for the newly retired. There is always a good reason to ride the Ferris wheel. Below are five of the best.
1. Your kids are too small to ride anything else.
We all know that the Ferris wheel is the token “family ride” at any event — anyone can ride it! But it’s also a great place to take kiddos who want to ride a big kid ride even though they’re too tiny. After all, the Ferris wheel welcomes everyone.
2. You’re hiding from your grandkids.
I know the Ferris wheel is cool, and you know the Ferris wheel is cool, but your rambunctious middle-school grandchildren don’t. Send them to the huge roller coaster around the corner while you take a relaxing ride to the top of the world and back.
3. You’re on a date.
The Ferris wheel may be the token family ride, but it’s also the token couple ride. Somehow those two things are compatible. I’ve never been on the romantic ride as part of a couple, but I’ve heard it’s the perfect opportunity to take a break from the excitement of a fair or theme park and have some quiet you-and-me time.
4. You’ve done everything else and have an hour to kill.
The Ferris wheel is a massive time-eater. The cars have to be loaded, the wheel has to move, more cars have to be loaded — it takes over 20 minutes before everyone is ready to go. Then the actual ride takes place. And once it’s over, there’s the process of getting everyone off. It’s the perfect way to use the extra time between the last really fun thing and going home.
5. You want a bird’s-eye view of your area.
Ferris wheels get a lot of hate, but one of the greatest things about them is that you can see in every direction from the top. It’s like a less-intense version of a hot air balloon ride — and you don’t have to worry about plummeting to the earth due to a lack of fuel.
