People take a ride on the Times Square Wheel, a Ferris wheel constructed in Times Square, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., August 25, 2021. Picture taken through glass. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
NEW YORK 鈥� A 110-feet-high (34 m) Ferris wheel spins in the once bustling heart of Times Square, looking to bring some joy to New York City and help turn the economy around.
For 12 minutes, customers can ride the Times Square Wheel for a bird鈥檚 eye view of the so-called 鈥楥rossroads of the World鈥� in midtown Manhattan, by the red glass steps over the TKTS booth where discounted Broadway show tickets are sold.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 remember the last time I鈥檝e been on a Ferris wheel. That was so much fun,鈥� said Deborah Johnson after taking a spin.
鈥淚t was special to be able to go that high in a Ferris wheel in Times Square. How often do you get that opportunity? Never,鈥� said Penelope Bustamante.
Before his ride the Naked Cowboy, a regular attraction himself in Times Square, strummed his guitar and sang, 鈥淚鈥檓 scared of heights so I鈥檒l probably squeal, ahhhh!鈥�
The idea is to bring back the joy of childhood, said Vito Bruno, who thought up the ride and is the founder and chief executive of AM:PM Entertainment Concepts. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a feel good thing. It鈥檚 just the right time. You see people come alive again. New York and this country needs happy right now.鈥�
Not all riders were so enthusiastic.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 as exciting as I thought it would be. This was eh,鈥� said Arlene Schulman. 鈥淚 thought I could go up to the elevator at one of the hotels and get a better view. Or maybe I鈥檓 just a jaded New Yorker.鈥�
Tickets range from $15 to $35. Rides are free each day for 100 people who get a first or second COVID-19 vaccine shot from Aug. 1 through Sept. 12, when the pop-up attraction ends.