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By no means should we think elevators should serve a greater purpose than simply taking us to our desired floors. But for some, being cramped into confined spaces has gone out the door like yesterday’s news.  They have opened our minds with new designs, high-speed trips and adventures, especially from inside of each of these six elevators.  From the top of a mountain to the underwater world, they make their trips a one-of-a-kind experience with just the simple push of a button — so hop on.

Berlin, Germany:  AquaDom Elevator

A step inside the Berlin’s Radisson Blu is one experience you will never forget.  Not just because of the hotel’s warm hospitality, but because a visit here is matched with views of the largest cylinder-shaped aquarium in the world.

Towering at 82 feet and stunningly located in the middle of the hotel’s lobby, you won’t have to step feet away to see the AquaDom in all of its majesty because of the elevator that is located through its center.  As saltwater tropical fish swim and nibble all around you, the AquaDom’s elevator allows visitors to be completely submerged in an underwater paradise while ascending two-stories high.  As the only one of its kind to embody the feeling of cruising in a submarine, this is one lift that promises a subaquatic adventure from the moment its doors close.

Zhangjiajie, China: Bailong Elevator

Braving your fear of heights might not be a bad idea, especially once you encounter the bird’s-eye-views of China’s Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.  Etched into the side of a mountain, the Bailong Elevator, also referred to as the Hundreds Dragons Elevator, is an outdoor glass elevator that escorts visitors 1,070 feet into the air in less than two minutes. 

It is set in the heart of a valley, making it a complete thrill that combines both innovation and natural beauty.  So there’s no need to overexert yourself hiking to the top of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park’s mountain range. You have an exhilarating elevator that kindly does the climbing for you!

MS Oasis of the Seas: Rising Tide Elevator

You may think being enclosed in an elevator for eight minutes will be one of the longest and most boring trips of your life. But there may be a reason to change your mind after entering the MS Oasis of the Seas’ Rising Tide Elevator. 

Doubling as a bar, it is the only elevator that appeases its passengers’ taste buds with tasty cocktails.  And with eight minutes to spare, there is plenty of time to enjoy a sip on this two-story ride, which links the ship’s Royal Promenade to the deck of the Central Park.  Situated in the largest cruise ship in the world, the Rising Tide Elevator adds to the ship’s dynamic features as the only elevator where a bartender is ready to serve you a drink whether you’re going up or down.

 Colorado Springs, Colorado: Birdcage Elevator

Feeling like a caged bird is all the hype when traveling to the third floor at Colorado’s Pioneers Museum.   That’s because this vintage centerpiece goes hand-in-hand with the historic décor that encompasses the museum, making it seem more like a time machine than a simple ride to the next floor.

So take a step inside this century-old lift and revisit the past like never before.  Not only you be stunned by the exhibits and artifacts filling the spaces of the Pioneers Museums, but by the Birdcage Elevator, which also serves as a transportation device into American history.

Stuttgart, Germany: Mercedes-Benz Museum

Although the Mercedes-Benz Museums boasts an extensive collection of the luxurious vehicle, its elevators are just as appealing as the cars themselves — so don’t be ashamed to take full advantage of their high-speed ascents and descents.

Even if you haven’t driven with the top down in a Mercedes-Benz, the smooth thrill that occurs behind the closed doors of the museum’s elevators are quite the lavish experience, so why not hop in and take their elevator rides for a spin.

Switzerland: Hammetschwand Lift

One again there’s no place to test your fear of heights than way up in the sky, so why not attempt this feat from the highest outdoor elevator in Europe? 

Soaring 152.8 meters, this dazzling trip overlooks the Lake Lucerne and its surrounding landscape. However its connection to a hiking path and viewpoint area makes the Hammetschwand Lift an ideal place for capturing 360-degree views of Switzerland’s beauty. And with the world literally at your feet, the elevator is a modern yet electrifying trip to the heavens and back. You don’t need to be strapped into a seat for a liftoff because this skyrocket is perfectly designed to make you feel like you’re on top of the world.