What Is SkySlide at OUE Skyspace? A Visitor's Guide to This Landmark Attraction

OUE Skyspace in downtown Los Angeles is one of the city's most recognizable observation decks, perched 1,000 feet above the street in a glass and steel tower. Within that experience sits SkySlide—a distinctive and unusual feature that transforms the building into more than just a place to look out; it's a place where visitors can literally slide down its exterior.

Understanding what SkySlide is, how it works, and whether it fits your visit requires knowing the basics of this landmark attraction and how its components function together.

What Is OUE Skyspace? 🏢

OUE Skyspace is an observation deck and entertainment venue occupying the upper floors of the 72-story U.S. Bank Tower, the second-tallest building on the West Coast. The facility opened to the public in 2016 as a destination experience—meaning people visit specifically for the views, exhibits, and attractions, not because they work in the building.

The experience includes:

• Multiple viewing levels with 360-degree city views
• Interactive exhibits and digital experiences
• The Skyspace Museum, featuring Los Angeles history and architecture
• Dining and beverage options
• SkySlide, the signature thrill element

The entire complex is designed as a tourist destination and landmark—a place where the building itself becomes the attraction, rather than housing businesses or residences that would be the primary draw.

What Exactly Is SkySlide?

SkySlide is an enclosed slide that runs down the exterior of the U.S. Bank Tower, starting from the 70th floor and descending 45 stories to an exit on the 69th floor. The slide measures about 80 feet long, drops 12 stories, and is wrapped in a transparent, tube-like structure.

Key characteristics:

• Open to public visitors who purchase admission to OUE Skyspace
• Transparent design — riders can see through the floor and walls as they descend, creating a sensation of sliding down the outside of the building
• Enclosed for safety — not an open-air slide despite its exterior location
• Age and health requirements — there are restrictions on who can use it (typically minimum age and no serious health conditions that could be aggravated by the experience)
• Timed with admission — you don't need a separate ticket; it's part of your OUE Skyspace entry

The slide creates a psychological thrill rather than a high-speed amusement ride. The experience combines the fear of height, the sensation of motion, and the visual effect of descending along a skyscraper's outside surface.

Why Was SkySlide Built?

When OUE Skyspace opened, observation decks were—and still are—common in major American cities. However, passive viewing experiences (looking out from a high floor) face a business challenge: they're one-time or occasional activities. A typical visitor might go once or twice in their life.

SkySlide was designed to address this by:

• Creating a memorable, shareable experience that people talk about and post on social media
• Differentiating OUE Skyspace from other observation decks in major cities
• Attracting repeat visitors and visitors who might otherwise skip the observation deck entirely
• Generating word-of-mouth through the novelty and slight fear factor

The slide turned a stationary experience into a kinetic one—it's something you do, not just something you see.

Who Uses SkySlide?

Not everyone visits OUE Skyspace uses SkySlide, and not everyone who visits wants to. Typical visitors fall into different categories:

Variables that determine whether someone can or will use SkySlide:

• Minimum age (typically around 12, though this varies by current policy)
• Weight restrictions (slides have engineering limits)
• Health conditions (pregnancy, heart conditions, or back/joint problems may disqualify users)
• Comfort with heights and enclosed spaces
• Mobility and ability to climb or descend stairs
• Whether you've purchased admission to OUE Skyspace itself

How SkySlide Fits Into Your OUE Skyspace Visit

If you're considering a visit to OUE Skyspace, SkySlide is one element of a larger experience, not the entire attraction. A typical visit might include:

1. Arrival and check-in at street level
2. Elevator ride to the observation deck(s)
3. Exploration of exhibits and viewing areas
4. SkySlide use (optional, if eligible and interested)
5. Dining or beverages (if available during your visit)
6. Additional viewing time before departure

Most visitors spend 1 to 3 hours at OUE Skyspace, depending on how much they explore and whether they use SkySlide.

What to Expect Physically

While SkySlide is enclosed, the sensation is significant:

• You can see through the transparent slide walls and floor
• The speed of descent is typically moderate (not a high-speed drop)
• There is no free fall—the slide maintains contact throughout
• The experience lasts roughly 5 seconds or less
• You emerge on the 69th floor, where you can rejoin the main observation deck

The psychological experience—feeling like you're sliding down the outside of a building 1,000 feet above the ground—often feels more intense than the physical sensations, even though the actual motion is controlled and safe.

Practical Considerations for Your Decision 🎢

If you're deciding whether to visit OUE Skyspace and use SkySlide, consider:

Comfort factors:

• How comfortable are you with heights?
• Do you experience claustrophobia in enclosed spaces, or does transparency help or hurt that?
• Are you interested in the experience for the thrill, the novelty, or both?

Logistics:

• Current age, weight, and health status relative to operator requirements
• Time available (SkySlide adds minimal time to your visit)
• Whether you're visiting primarily for the slide or as part of broader LA sightseeing

Cost perspective:

• SkySlide access is included with OUE Skyspace admission—there's no additional charge if you already plan to visit
• If the slide is your main reason for visiting the observation deck, your cost-benefit calculation differs from someone primarily interested in views and exhibits

Photography and social sharing:

• SkySlide photos and videos are typically striking and memorable
• If this matters to your visit, it's a factor in your decision

The Broader Context: Why Landmarks Add Attractions

OUE Skyspace exists within a larger trend: landmark attractions increasingly bundling passive experiences with active ones. Observation decks, museum floors, and scenic sites have learned that visitors want to participate in their experience, not just observe it.

This means landmarks often feature:

• Interactive exhibits alongside passive viewing
• Photo opportunities designed for social media sharing
• Unique or unusual elements that differentiate them from similar attractions
• Experiences that can be completed in under an hour

SkySlide is a particularly bold example—it's not a minor exhibit; it's a mechanical feature that extends the building itself into the experience.

Making Your Decision

Whether OUE Skyspace and SkySlide are right for you depends on:

1. Your interest in observation decks — is this something you value when visiting a major city?
2. Your reaction to heights and enclosed spaces — both matter here
3. Your availability and time in Los Angeles — is this a priority activity or a "if we have time" option?
4. Whether you meet eligibility requirements — age, health, and physical ability restrictions apply
5. Your budget — observation deck admission has a cost that makes sense for some visits and not others

Understanding what SkySlide is and how it functions within OUE Skyspace gives you the information to evaluate whether this landmark attraction aligns with your interests and circumstances.