In addition to having become the symbol par excellence of Seattle over the years, the Space Needle is a true panoramic observatory of the city. It is therefore almost impossible to leave it out of things to see in the city, as it allows you to experience a real piece of history of the United States while also giving you the opportunity to take beautiful pictures from a height of 603 feet. Let’s find out how to organize a visit to this futuristic tower.
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Where is the Space Needle?
The Space Needle is located in the complex known as Seattle Center, which was designed and built to host the 1962 Expo. The neighborhood that houses it is Lower Queen Anne, also known as Uptown.
If you are already in the downtown area, the most convenient way to get there by public transport in Seattle is to use the famous monorail that directly connects to the Westlake Center, with a station inside the Seattle Center very close to the Space Needle.
There are many parking lots in the area (including the official Space Needle one that has valet parking), although prices are not cheap, especially if you intend to spend most of the day exploring the area.
Space Needle Tickets
The Space Needle is open every day of the year, but it may sometimes close for special occasions or private events. Opening hours vary slightly, depending on the season, so please check on the official website.
Ticket prices to ride the Space Needle start at about $35 for adults and $26 for children ages 5-12. Generally speaking (however, check for safety), if you want to save money, you should choose a time between 10:00 and 12:00, or between 18:00 and 19:30. Tickets are a bit more expensive in the middle of the day. Tickets are sold with both date and time reservations, which you have to stick to.
If you are staying in Seattle for more than one day, I suggest you buy a Seattle CityPASS which, in addition to including access to the Space Needle, will provide access to some of the most famous attractions in the city including the Seattle Aquarium and the Museum of Pop Culture.
Visit Space Needle
One of the great attractions of the Space Needle is the possibility of having an all-round view of Seattle below you. The panoramic dome has two floors: the lower one which is completely indoors and the upper one with its outdoor corridor.
There are some special features that will also test your courage, such as the glass floor in the area called The Loupe, in the lower section, allowing you to observe what is directly below you (a bit ‘like the Grand Canyon Skywalk), and also the mechanism that rotates the dome (it takes one hour for it to make a full circle). Definitely not an activity recommended for those who suffer from vertigo.
The large windows around the perimeter of the Space Needle allow you to enjoy an uninterrupted view. Between one window and another, there are also some openings a few inches wide that allow you to take pictures without any kind of reflection from glass (be careful not to drop your phone!). Even the benches are designed not to obstruct the view since they were built entirely of glass.
If you want to grab a bite to eat while enjoying an original view, you can stop by The Atmos Café, designed for anyone wanting to try some of the typical dishes of this part of the United States, accompanied by a local beer. Alternatively, there are sandwiches and burgers on offer.
If you want a preview of what awaits you once you reach the rooftop terrace, you can take a look at this 360° interactive webcam.
Places to Eat Near the Space Needles
Here are some tips on where to eat near the Space Needle:
- Queen Anne Beer Hall: recommended especially if you like European beers. It is located in a very large and characteristic building reminiscent of the architecture of German breweries. There is a wide selection of quality beers to choose from.
- Collections Cafe: those who want to eat a more classic burger can opt for this choice, which also offers a varied menu that includes salads, soups and fish dishes that will be able to satisfy the tastes of many.
- La Marzocco Cafe: do you like Italian coffee? Here you can drink coffee that is very close to the italian espresso, all in a modern and pleasant environment.
Is the Space Needle the only observatory overlooking the city?
No: if you want to try some other alternatives and enjoy the city skyline from a different perspective, you can opt for the following solutions:
- Columbia Center’s Sky View: this is considered the highest observatory in the Pacific Northwest (it is located on the 73rd floor at a height of more than 885 feet). From this privileged vantage point you can also admire the Space Needle, the Smith Tower and all the skyscrapers of Seattle standing below you in the distance. You can purchase tickets by clicking here.
- Smith Tower: a very elegant location as the building it is located in is also the oldest skyscraper in Seattle. During the summer months, it also offers access to a stylish rooftop bar with views of the city. The observatory is open every day of the year.
- Water Tower Observation Deck: this is located in Seattle’s Volunteer Park and can be accessed for free. Keep in mind, however, that it is not a perfect location for taking photos because, although it offers a remarkable view, there are grates on all the windows, making it very difficult to get the perfect shot. You can access the building from 10:00 am until sunset.
Where to Stay near the Space Needle
To discover the best neighborhoods for accommodation in the city please take a look at our in-depth study dedicated to where to stay in Seattle. If instead you want to find the closest possible solution to the Space Needle click on the button below.
