10 great places to ride a unique elevator

— -- After Elisha Otis created the safety elevator in 1852, the world changed. The Connecticut inventor, who was born 201 years ago today, perfected a safety brake that prevented an elevator from falling even if its rope broke. The innovation changed not only building design, but tourism, says Stephen Showers, archivist for the Otis Elevator Co. Otis elevators, he notes, are key components to some of the most popular places on the planet. Showers shares some favorites with Larry Bleiberg for USA TODAY.

The Deep

Hull, England

The world's only underwater elevator is as much an attraction as the sea life at this British aquarium, which opened in 2002. The cars travel through a transparent tube, rising 33 feet through the water and pausing midway to give visitors a mid-tank view. "You're in the middle of a re-created ocean," Showers says. "It really does give you the experience of being in a submarine." thedeep.co.uk

Space Needle

Seattle

This ode to the Space Age opened 50 years ago as a centerpiece of a World's Fair. The elevators echoed that theme with cars shaped like space capsules. "The elevator is really part of the experience," Showers says. Engineers also took into account the area's weather, designing the high-speed elevators to cut their speed in half to 5 mph in high winds. 206-905-2100; spaceneedle.com

Christ the Redeemer monument

Rio de Janeiro

Until 2001, visitors had to climb steep staircases to reach the base of this inspirational concrete and soapstone statue. But new whisper-quiet elevators now carry guests up without disturbing the mood or detracting from the scenery. "To a lot of people, this is pretty incredible. Now the elderly and handicapped can visit," Showers says. visitbrasil.com

Burj Khalifa

Dubai

Visitors zoom to the top of the world's tallest building on the world's fastest elevators, which travel nearly 2,000 feet per minute. "This is one of the incredible structures in the world today," Showers says. And the view from the 124th floor outdoor observation deck is pretty fantastic, too. burjkhalifa.ae/

Newseum

Washington, D.C.

The history of modern journalism isn't the only reason to visit this downtown museum. The building's six-story glass-walled elevators also offer a memorable bay-window view of the 90-foot-tall atrium and the sights along Pennsylvania Avenue. "There are no other elevators like it in the world," Showers says. 888-639-7386; newseum.org

Eiffel Tower

Paris

Just as amazing as Gustave Eiffel's tower built for the 1889 World's Fair was Otis' customized elevators, designed to climb up the monument's curved legs. "There was so much engineering they had to do," Showers says. While modernized a century later, the cars still carry visitors to the observation deck. eiffel-tower.com

Luxor Hotel

Las Vegas

When this 1993 Las Vegas Strip casino-hotel opened in 1993, it did the pharaohs one better. There's no need to climb to the top of the 30-story, pyramid-shaped building. Elevators do the work, including 16 that travel the walls at a 39-degree angle, which have led to their nickname: inclinators. 877-386-4658; luxor.com

Empire State Building

New York