5. Bring a Hat and Gloves - If you plan on riding the elevator to the top in the Spring, Fall or Winter, bring a hat and gloves. Even if the weather is warm on the ground, remember that you are traveling over 300 meters up and with the wind chill, the temperatures at the top can be bone-chilling. You'll appreciate any extra clothing - especially, during the long waits outside for the elevators to head back down the Tower.
6. Walk up the Tower - Save some time and money by walking up to the Second Stage of the Eiffel Tower. It's not that bad - only 704 steps. You'll get a workout, save around 5€, and bypass the lines for the elevators up. In the summer, walking up can save you hours of time over standing in line.
7. Take a Tour of the Mechanical Rooms - If you're interested in the mechanics of how the Eiffel Tower works, take a tour underneath the tower. You'll see the original machinery as well as the current Eiffel Tower control room, and learn facts about the construction of the Tower. Contact visite@purplebeam.com for more information.
8. Send a Postcard - On the first floor of the Eiffel Tower is a working post office. Send a postcard home with a Eiffel Tower postmark to commemorate your trip.
9. Buy Souvenirs - When you arrive at the Eiffel Tower, you'll be surrounded by vendors trying to sell you Eiffel Tower paraphernalia. If you're not interested, just shoo them away with a terse "No" and keep walking. However, if you're interested in purchasing an Eiffel Tower souvenir, and if you're persistent (e.g., pretend to walk away), you can often negotiate a price far better than you'll find in any Paris souvenir shop.
10. Visit the Eiffel Tower website - A must read before your trip on the Eiffel Tower website is the Eiffel Tower News page. It lists current events taking place on the Tower. Past events on the First Floor have included symphony orchestra concerts, ice and roller skating, and even a labrinyth!
The Eiffel Tower site contains every detail imaginable about the Tower, including visitor demographics, games for kids, 3-D virtual tours, 360 degree panoramic views, videos and quizzes. And, seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the home page gets you in the mood for your Paris trip.
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