Seattle Space Needle – A Pacific Northwest Iconic Landmark
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Seattle Space Needle – A Pacific Northwest Iconic Landmark

The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and Seattle’s most popular tourist attraction. The Space Needle stands 605 feet tall and was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River when it was built, but is now dwarfed by other structures along the Seattle skyline, the Columbia Center currently being the tallest at 967 ft.
Space Needle & Seattle Skyline At Night
Seattle Space Needle Night Time
The tower’s saucer-shaped “Tophouse” rotates 360 degrees every forty-seven minutes and includes an indoor-outdoor observation deck and SkyCity, a restaurant featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine. From here, on a clear day, visitors have breathtaking panoramic views of downtown, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and both the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges

The Skybeam was unveiled on December 31, 1999 and shines skyward from the top of the Space Needle to honor national holidays and special occasions. Originally it was scheduled to be turned on for 75 nights per year but has been used fewer than a dozen times per year due to concerns about light pollution.

The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and Seattle’s most popular tourist attraction. The Space Needle stands 605 feet tall and was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River when it was built, but is now dwarfed by other structures along the Seattle skyline, the Columbia Center currently being the tallest at 967 ft.

The tower’s saucer-shaped “Tophouse” rotates 360 degrees every forty-seven minutes and includes an indoor-outdoor observation deck and SkyCity, a restaurant featuring Pacific Northwest cuisine. From here, on a clear day, visitors have breathtaking panoramic views of downtown, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and both the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges

The Skybeam was unveiled on December 31, 1999 and shines skyward from the top of the Space Needle to honor national holidays and special occasions. Originally it was scheduled to be turned on for 75 nights per year but has been used fewer than a dozen times per year due to concerns about light pollution.

Space Needle & Seattle Skyline At Night
Seattle Space Needle Night Time
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Frequently Asked Questions

Seattle Space Needle Information

Located in: Seattle Center
Address: 400 Broad St
Seattle, WA 98109
Phone: (206) 905-2100
Online: www.spaceneedle.com

Why is the Seattle Space Needle famous?

The Space Needle is known as an icon of the Seattle skyline and a spot with historical significance. With over two million visitors to the 1962 World’s Fair, it was dubbed “the world’s most novel amusement” at its opening.

Why is it called the Space Needle?

In 1959, Edward E. Carlson (a chief organizer of the 1962 World’s Fair) traveled to Stuttgart Germany where he was inspired by a broadcast tower featuring a restaurant. He doodled an idea of a dominant central structure for the fair, convinced that such a tower could make a centerpiece for the fair and an enduring symbol for Seattle. He called it a “Space Needle.”

Does the Seattle Space Needle rotate?

The Space Needle now boasts the world’s first and only revolving glass floor. It rotates once every 47 minutes.

How long does it take to reach the top of the Space Needle?

It takes only 43 seconds to travel the 520 feet from street level to the towers observation deck.

How long does it take to tour the Space Needle?

Allow at least an hour and a half to visit the Space Needle. This will give you time to wait in line (maybe 45 minutes) for the ride up, walk around, get plenty of selfies, and visit the gift shops.

Is visiting the Space Needle worth it?

If you’ve never been or have not been in the last 20 years, visiting the Space Needle is absolutely worth it. Sure, it is a tourist attraction (that is why you are going) and it is not cheap, but it’s an iconic landmark that shouldn’t be skipped.

How much does it cost to eat at the Space Needle restaurant?

The consensus is that it costs too much to eat the Space Needle but you are paying for the phenomenal view as much as for the food. The restaurant rotates while you eat so you’ll get to see a large part of the city while you eat. Just don’t expect the food to match the price.

Where do you park for the Space Needle?

Public parking is available at the Seattle Center’s 5th Avenue N. parking garage, located two blocks from the Space Needle.

Can you get to the Space Needle easily from Seattle airport?

The Space Needle is 12 miles from the Seattle Airport (SEA). If you want to visit the Space Needle during a long layover, you can use the Link Light Rail and Monorail to travel between Sea-Tac Airport and Seattle Center, where the Space Needle is located.

Is the Space Needle the tallest building in Seattle?

The Space Needle is 605 ft tall. The tallest building in Seattle is the 76-story Columbia Center, which rises 937 feet.

Does the Space Needle have stairs?

Want a workout? A stairway was added in June 2000. There are 848 steps from the base to the top of the observation deck.

Where can I get the best photographs of the Space Needle from the ground?

The Space Needle can be seen from many parts of the city, but the most well-known view is from Kerry Park, in the high-end Queen Anne part of town. The park features a large terrace that overlooks the city and bay and offers an unobstructed view of the Space Needle and downtown Seattle.

Luna Park and Hamilton Viewpoint Park, both in West Seattle across Elliot Bay, boast sweeping views of the famous landmark as well.

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