Reach for the sky – or the 50th floor

The observation deck on the 50th floor of the 223m tall building presents a 360 degree must-see view from a relaxed, family-friendly space.

In its heyday, the centre was a city block of opulence, and housed boutiques and upmarket shops. It also housed the Skyrink, an indoor ice rink on the 19th floor.

The neighbouring Carlton Hotel was Joburg’s hotel of choice, and welcomed many a famous person through its doors.

City Sightseeing Joburg and Soweto’s Catherine Pate said that many people mistakenly think that the centre has passed its prime.

“This is not true. It is now a lively mall [with] most of the major chain stores and boutiques that [do an] extremely brisk trade. However, shopping is not the main reason to visit the centre. The views from the 50th floor are [an] experience for all ages,” she said.

Although there is a restaurant on the centre’s top floor, visitors are also welcome to bring their own food and drinks to enjoy a picnic with a view across the city of gold.

And with the red open-topped double-decker City Sightseeing buses, there’s no reason to limit your enjoyment of the city to the Carlton Centre. The centre is stop number three of 12 stops that make up the exciting Red City Tour of the CBD.

Should you opt for the tour bus experience, a City Sightseeing marshal will escort you to the top floor and answer all your questions about this landmark building.

The tour can be started at any of the stops on the route, but a recommended itinerary is to park your car at the Sandton, Rosebank or Marlboro Gautrain stations, and take the train to Park Station where you can board the bus at stop number one outside the station.

Until 15 January, parking for anyone who does a round trip on the Gautrain will only cost R1 per day, provided you exit the station parking within one hour of the return train trip.

Details: 0861 733 287; www.citysightseeing.co.za/joburg