Burj Khalifa Observation Deck

Visit the Burj Khalifa while it’s still the tallest building in the world, before the Kingdom Tower in Jeddah, Saudia Arabia steals that record. The Burj Khalifa’s apex is at 2,772 feet, well past the building’s 163 floors. The observation deck, surprisingly, is nowhere near the highest floor; while still very high up on the 124^th floor, visitors don’t actually get to be at the top of the tallest building in the world. (The 39 floors above the deck are accessed only by office workers and the Royal Family who commissioned the building.) Still, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience, starting with an elevator ride that ascends at a rate of one floor a second, accompanied by a multi-media presentation. The viewing deck has indoor and outdoor areas, which provide 360-degree views. Reserve your ticket in advance, as walk-ins are charged three times as much as online reservations and space runs out.

Indagare Tip: At.mosphere is just one level below the observation deck at Burj Khalifa. While it might not have viewing platforms, it does have panoramic views from its floor-to-ceiling glass windows. There is no entrance fee, but reservations are required and there is a food and drink minimum.