The "Rising to New Heights" Story

It was another ordinary day. I was searching for good airfare prices for our next trip when I came across a very unusual story about elevators in some of the largest and neatest buildings in the world. I was amazed with the stories connected with the elevators and thought I would at least show you what 12 of the neatest elevators in the world look like. Just a brief summary about each one accompanies the photo. Google anyone of them to get a better idea of how they work. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The fish-eye mirror at the back of this elevator at the Long Island City Business Center, makes the ride even more disorienting

The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, contains info on 125 years of automotive history—and some really cool elevators.

Elevator's at the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas travel at a sharp 39-degree angle.

Take in views of the city's parks, temples, and skyscrapers from the 89th-floor observatory atTaipei 101 in Taiwan.

The Lloyd's building in London was designed inside out, and the 12 glass elevators travel along the exterior.

There is no better way to take in the sights of Stockholm, Sweden, than a ride on theSkyView at the Ericsson Globe.

Take in the views of Lake Lucerne and the Alps as you ride up Switzerland's Hammetschwand Lift.

The 50-minute gondola tours at Scotland's Falkirk Wheel traverse two canals and include two rides on the elevator.

The four-minute elevator ride up the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, brings you to the top of the 630-foot-tall wonder.

The incredible Bailong Elevator in China's Zhangjiaijie National Forest Park rises 1,070 fee up a sheer cliff.

The elevator at the AquaDom in Berlin travels up the middle of the 82-foot tall aquarium.

The elevator at the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand, takes just 40 seconds to reach the observation level, 610 feet in the air.