Space Needle – A View of Seattle from Above

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Viewing a city from an overhead perspective is a great way to visualize the architectural beauty that fits all of the pieces together to make up a city. Heading to Seattle, we were excited about heading to the summit of the iconic structure that is the Space Needle and take in the spectacular views of not only the surrounding city, but also the harbor, bay area and distant mountain ranges.

Standing at 605ft tall, the Space Needle was once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River and its history dates back to 1961 when construction was finalized in time for the Seattle World Fair in 1962.

Two Trips Are Better Than One

Arriving in Seattle on a stereotypical day in terms of the weather, yes that’s right you guessed correctly with torrential rain and a misty atmosphere, we were hopeful that the weather would improve to maximize our experience at the Space Needle. Courtesy of the Seattle CityPASS, we had access to the Space Needle on two separate occasions during a 24-hour period. This is ideal if you want to take in the views during the day and then head back later to take in the scenery at night.

During our second day in Seattle, we noticed a gap in the weather and almost caught a glimpse of the forgotten concept in this part of the world – sunshine! We decided that this was our opportunity to head up the Space Needle and hopefully the weather would remain on our side, at least until we had time to take in the scenic views.

Parking and Admission

Parking around the Space Needle is just like any other city center. Limited yet available but at a premium price! Fortunately we found a spot not too far from the structure that was actually the parking lot for the local Seattle Ducks that apparently was closed for the winter season. A short walk lead us to the base of the Space Needle and after heading through a brief security checkpoint, we headed up the elevator to the summit.

After exiting the elevator, you are immediately faced with the gorgeous views around Seattle. A 360-degree observation deck allows you to head outside and face the elements as you walk around and peer through the railings across this beautiful city.

Unfortunately due to the inclement weather of the previous day and given the overcast conditions, our views across the bay and towards the Cascade Mountains and Olympic National Park were restricted. But the overhead conditions didn’t prevent us from taking in the jaw-dropping views of downtown Seattle and into the surrounding metropolis.

Views of the city

I am a huge proponent of experiencing skyscrapers and the tallest structures around the world so it was natural that we visited the Space Needle. Heading to the summit of these buildings is a great way to map out the rest of your stay in a location because you get a birds eye view of the city and can spot some of the landmarks you wish to visit. Here is a quick tip – map out your journey around the city mentally and then put these ideas into practice when you return to ground level!

I could probably have stayed outside taking in the Seattle air for several hours but we returned inside and experienced the really cool, interactive wall that provides photographs of the Space Needle, Seattle area and beyond. Another feature of this wall is that you are able to add your ‘hometown’ location and it outlines a route along with the distance from the Space Needle (a nice way to market A Brit and A Southerner!)

A Revolving Restaurant

If you are interested in really maximizing your experience at the Space Needle, I would recommend heading to the Space Needle Restaurant at the top, which is a revolving deck and provides a romantic ambience with stunning views around the city. Reservations ahead of time are recommended if you want to take advantage of this restaurant and treat your loved one to a luxury meal as you feel like you are on top of the world.

Why Visit the Space Needle, Seattle?

The Space Needle experience is no different from any other tall structure around the world. You take the elevator to the summit and then simply take in the spectacular views. But the unique aspect here is that you are able to view Seattle in a way that no other structure can provide. I highly recommend experiencing the Space Needle and seeing Seattle from a different perspective!

Try this at the beginning of your visit and you will really reap the benefits later as you continue to explore the rest of Seattle.

You can view more of our pictures taken at the top of the Space Needle and also inside here: Space Needle Seattle Gallery.

Disclaimer – We would like to thank Visit Seattle for providing us with 2 CityPASS booklets for our trip. These are solely our personal opinions/experiences and we were not financially compensated for this post. 

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Chris Boothmanhttps://abritandasoutherner.com
Chris Boothman is the co-founder of A Brit and A Southerner. Born near Manchester, England, Chris moved to USA in 2006 where he soon after met his wife and travel partner in crime, Heather. They have since embarked on an amazing journey of travel as they challenge others to follow in their paths of working full-time but also being able to travel frequently! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact Chris at [email protected]

15 COMMENTS

  1. We love visiting towers when we travel as it is a great way to see the city from above especially as the sun is just about to set. Looks like we will need to add Seattle to any travel plans we make for the US so we can experience this and its revolving restaurant.

  2. It’s always nice to get a bird’s eye view of a city to orient yourself :-). And a multi-attraction city pass like the Seattle CityPASS booklet makes great sense when you know you’ll have a few days in a city and want to visit some of the major sights…

  3. What a cool idea 🙂 is it both in and outside? I would totally freak with the outside bit- I am terrified of heights! The restaurant sounds like a cool idea, tho’. We went up the TV tower in Bratislava, and the concept is there, but it’s badly executed which is such a shame because you can see so much from there!

  4. Looks like you had a great time. I didn’t like enjoy my time at the restaurant because they wouldn’t let us up before our sunset reservation, so I wasn’t able to get the pictures I wanted. Really nice picture with the rainbow. Glad you had nice weather 🙂

  5. If I ever make it to Seattle (which I truly hope) I’ll definitely go up the Space Needle. We’ve already done so in Toronto, Sydney and Auckland, just to name a few places. It’s the best way to get a great overview of a place and makes up for a memorable experience!

  6. Great post – we loved the Space Needle I could have sat up there for hours! It’s always good to get above the buildings and really see the place.

    We didn’t get a two visit ticket but I would have loved to go back up in the evening for sunset.. there’s always next time!

    • Hopefully you will get to visit Seattle sometime sooner rather than later because I am sure you will have a great time there. Remember to take your rain jacket because if you experience weather like we did, you will certainly need it 🙂 But that’s part of the Seattle experience right!

  7. I love visiting tall observation towers like this. Always such a great way to get a feel for the layout of the city. The Space Needle looks awesome and if I’m ever in Seattle, I’ll definitely visit it. 🙂

    • I think I have an addiction with skyscrapers LOL! Honestly, the Space Needle was really cool and the views around Seattle are stunning especially as you can look over the bay and beyond towards the mountains. Not many cities have such an incredible backdrop to offer.

  8. I love visiting towers like this. They always provide the best views and are the perfect place to get acquainted with the landscape of a city and of course make for great photos! Ever since the tv show Fraser I’ve wanted to visit Seattle – silly I know…

  9. […] The Space Needle is an awesome landmark but it was perhaps the Seattle Aquarium that we were most impressed by. We can highly recommend the Seattle CityPASS which allows visitors the opportunity to experience the following 5 attractions for a much cheaper rate than purchasing admission tickets to each one individually. […]

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