Space Needle

The landmark of the 1962 World's Fair. Its 160-meter observation level features a rotating glass floor, offering 360° views of Seattle, Puget Sound, and snow-capped mountains.

The Space Needle was built for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. It stands about 184 m tall, and its saucer-like shape was inspired by flying saucers. It is the most striking landmark on Seattle's skyline. A high-speed elevator takes just 41 seconds to reach the observation level at about 160 m. The upper level has an outdoor deck with glass railings all around. You can lean on the 'tilted glass bench' for photos. The lower level, 'The Loupe,' is the world's first rotating glass floor. It turns once about every 45 minutes, and you can see the tower's base and downtown Seattle directly beneath your feet. On clear days, you can look out over downtown skyscrapers, Lake Union, Puget Sound, Mount Rainier to the southeast, and the Olympic Mountains to the west. Admission varies by time slot. Adult tickets cost about $35 to $45. Buying a combo ticket with Chihuly Garden and Glass is a better deal, and the Day & Night ticket, which allows entry both by day and by night, is also popular. Getting there: The Space Needle is in Seattle Center. From Westlake Station downtown, take the 1962 Monorail for about 2 minutes, with a one-way fare of about $3.50. Note: The area is most crowded around sunset on summer weekends, so book a time slot on the official website. Visibility is poor on rainy days, so check the weather before you go.

Space Needle

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