Paris: Eiffelturm - Eintrittskarte zweiter Stock

First off big tip - do not use the elevators! The line ups are stinking long - climb the stairs instead. Yes, you can - they're easy to ascend and have historical markers that no one on the elevators get to see. Just do it ( a lot cheaper too by the way; which is important because you will buy the over priced champagne on the second level - oh, yes you will). If you care about such things, the history of steel construction is laid out before your eyes at a time when it wasn't a proven building method. The views of Paris are tremendous as you can imagine and you will realize how hilly parts of it are compared to your perceptions from the ground. Try it; you'll like it (and skip the elevator - seriously).

As a family with young kids we decided to do something different and climbed up the stairs to the second floor stopping on each floor to admire the views and get a sense of the sights of the city. There are 655 stairs and the walk up gives you a really good sense of the incredible architecture that holds the tons of tower up. We picked a great day with lovely weather. Then up to the top we took the lifts. Go early to avoid the queues through security and then at the various levels and lifts. That night we also went past the eiffel again and saw the beautiful lights.

Synonymous with the Paris skyline at day or at night, we made the effort to climb the stairs. 600 steps each way in arctic temperatures the weather was clear enough to get a great view of the city. The very top is closed at the moment for renovations, so the second level is as high as you can get by stairs or elevators.