Space Needle
About
What It Is
The Space Needle is an observation tower standing 605 ft (184 m) tall at 400 Broad Street in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. [2] It was constructed for the 1962 World's Fair and drew an estimated 2.65 million visitors during the exposition. [4] The city's Landmarks Preservation Board designated it an official Seattle landmark on April 21, 1999. [2] The tower's distinctive hourglass silhouette was the result of contributions from businessman Edward E. Carlson, architect John Graham Jr., and architect Victor Steinbrueck, whose wasp-waisted tower shape drew from an abstract sculpture. [4]
Activities & Experiences
Visitors ride elevators to an observation deck 520 ft (160 m) above ground in 41 seconds, where panoramic views take in the downtown Seattle skyline, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Elliott Bay, and islands in Puget Sound. [2] The Loupe level features the world's first and only revolving glass floor, called the Loupe, along with Skyriser glass benches that allow visitors to lean out over floor-to-forever views. [1] An Oculus selfie spot on the glass floor and a 360-degree live camera feed are also available. [1]
Several food and beverage options operate within the tower. The TipTop Cafe on the observation deck serves pies and soft serve ice cream daily, and the Sunset Bar offers cocktails, beer, and wine at the same level. [3] The Loupe Lounge, a seasonal cocktail and culinary experience 500 ft above Seattle featuring a multi-course meal, operates September through May. [1] A robot barista named Cosmo operates in the gift shop at the base. [1]
Practical Access
The Space Needle is located at 400 Broad St., Seattle, WA 98109, and is open year-round with hours that vary by season and day of the week. [1] Saturday hours run 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM; Sunday 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM; Monday through Thursday 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM; and Friday 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM. [1] General admission tickets range from USD 35.00 to USD 55.00, with prices varying by season and time of day. [1] Combo tickets with Chihuly Garden and Glass plus IMAX are available from USD 74.00, and a Fast Pass Combo is priced at USD 129.00. [1] Discounts are offered for youth ages 5 to 12, seniors 65 and older, military, King County residents, and tribal members; military, King County resident, and tribal rates require in-person purchase with ID. [3]
Timed tickets are issued in 15-minute arrival increments, and guests are assigned a 5-minute window within each slot. [3] Visitors should allow approximately 30 minutes from entrance to the top, accounting for a security checkpoint, the Building the Marvel exhibit, and the elevator ride. [3] The Seattle Center Monorail connects downtown Seattle directly to the Space Needle and links onward to Sound Transit bus and light rail. [3] Parking at the Space Needle is limited; Seattle Center parking facilities nearby are recommended, and valet parking is available at the base at a general rate of USD 25 per hour. [3]
Restrictions
All guests, bags, and parcels are subject to a security screening upon entry. [3] No weapons are permitted except for on-duty law enforcement, and only service animals are allowed inside. [3] Large bags are not permitted; small backpacks and purses are acceptable, and free bag check is available for up to two hours. [3] Guests arriving more than 5 minutes early or late for their timed ticket must see an attendant for the next available slot. [3]
What Makes It Distinctive
The Space Needle houses the world's first and only revolving glass floor, the Loupe, setting it apart from other urban observation towers. [1] The structure was engineered to withstand winds up to 200 mph and earthquakes up to magnitude 9.0, well beyond the building code requirements of its era. [2] Originally built as the centerpiece of a World's Fair, it has remained a functioning public attraction and designated historic landmark for over six decades, making it one of the few mid-20th-century exposition structures still in active daily use. [2][4]
Sources
- Space Needle
- Space Needle
- Plan Your Visit | Space Needle
- Space Needle History | Space Needle
- Base 2 Space – Space Needle
- Seattle CityPASS – Visit Seattle
- New Year's Eve at Seattle Center – Center Spotlight (City of Seattle)
- Base 2 Space – Fred Hutch Cancer Center
- Seattle on a Budget – Visit Seattle Press Kit
- Press Releases – Space Needle
- Open year-round
- Typical duration: 2h
Access & fees
- citypass $119–$139
- combo ticket $74
- fast pass combo $129
- general admission $35–$55
- youth & senior discounts
Things to do
- elevated brunch dining
- glass-floor experience
- glass-floor selfie spot
- night views
- panoramic city viewing
- photography
- revolving bar drinks
- sunset viewing
Amenities
- free bag check
- gift shop on-site
- monorail access
- multiple food venues
- valet parking available
Best time to visit
- night visits for city lights
Events & seasons
- base 2 space stair climb
Features
- 605 ft tall tower
- 848 staircase steps
- observation deck 520 ft
- revolving glass floor
- seattle landmark designation
- skybeam legacy light
Nearby
- chihuly garden and glass
- imax at the center
Good to know
- open year-round
- phone (206) 905-2100
- security screening required
- timed-entry tickets
Photos
