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Inspiring travel through photography

You are here: Home / Travel / Americas / North America / Views from the Top of the Seattle Space Needle: A City Icon

Views from the Top of the Seattle Space Needle: A City Icon

Last Updated: April 30, 2022 // by Rhonda Albom // 39 Comments
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View of Mount Rainier from the top of the Seattle Space Needle
The snowcapped Mount Rainier in the distance is captivating.
Seattle Space Needle opened in 1962 for the World's Fair.

An icon recognized worldwide, the Seattle Space Needle is the number one tourist attraction in the Northwest United States attracting over one million visitors annually. Of course, we were amongst those on our last visit.

And the 360º views from the top seem endless, capped by Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges. At the right time of day, even the downtown buildings seem to glow.

With both indoor and outdoor viewing options at the top, the Seattle Space Needle really is a must-see for every visitor to the Emerald City (a moniker attached to Seattle due to the surrounding green hills).

And there is now an even more exciting option. The Loupe Lounge boasts the world’s first and only revolving glass floor cocktail experience. Imagine being seated with your feet resting on a glass floor offering ever-changing views of what’s 500 feet (152 meters) below.

Seattle Space Needle fun fact #1

The original ‘SkyCity Restaurant’ was the world’s second revolving restaurant. It closed in September 2017, and after major multi-million dollar renovations, The new Loupe Lounge opened on April 9, 2021.

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A bit of Seattle Space Needle history

Originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair – the Century 21 Exposition, it was considered a space-age wonder at the time. And fitting for the event whose theme was “The Age of Space.”

At a cost of $4.5 million dollars, the Space Needle was built in just 400 days and was ready in time for the fair. At the time it was built, it was state of the art and the tallest structure west of the Mississippi.

  • Seattle Space Needle historic image from 1962 World's Fair
    1962 Worlds Fair.
    Photo credit Donald G. Moss
  • Seattle Space Needle opened in 1962 for the World's Fair.
    Seattle Space Needle today

Seattle Space Needle fun fact #2

Over 2.3 million people visited the Space Needle during the World’s Fair. Since that time, nearly 60 million people have visited

Views from the top of the Seattle Space Needle

It takes only 41 seconds from the ground to the observation deck located at 520 feet. The tower’s top sits at just 605 feet.

We got lucky with the weather and Mt Rainer was visible in the distance. This isn’t always the case, despite this being one of the most classic shots used to promote the views.

At the top of this page is my shot of the snow-capped Mount Rainier in the distance.

With 360º viewing, there are plenty of other great views as we tower over the city of Seattle. Here are two more of my favorites.

View from the top of the Seattle Space Needle

Seattle Space Needle fun fact #3

Two of the elevators travel at 10 mph. This is the same speed in which a raindrop falls to earth. In contrast, snow falls much slower, at only 3 mph.
As a result, If you are in an elevator during a snowstorm, it appears to be snowing upwards.

View from the top of the Seattle Space Needle

Indoor and outdoor viewing

The two smaller images are from our last visit, before the multimillion-dollar renovations. The first is from the indoor portion of the observation area. It also featured a bar/eating area, gift shop, bathrooms, and guided signage highlighting key landmarks in each of the views. The second smaller shot is the former outdoor observation area featuring several free-to-use Swarovski telescopes.

The larger shot is from after the renovations and includes the tilting glass benches that lean out over the city. Called Skyriser, it’s on the Space Needle’s observation level.

  • The indoor observation area on top of the Seattle Space Needle
  • The outdoor observation area on top of the Seattle Space Needle
  • Photo credit Space Needle LLC

When to head up the Seattle Space Needle

Day or night, that is the question. With options to head to the top from 10am until 9pm on weekdays or 10pm on the weekends, the choice is really yours. We opted to head up the tower about an hour before sunset. As a result, we got a bit of both day and evening.

However, if you are going to be in Seattle for a few days, the Seattle Pass may be your best deal. It saves you up to 44% on entrances to the city’s top five attractions and includes two trips up to the top of the Space Needle (within 24 hours of each other), so you can easily go day and night.

Reserve your Seattle CityPASS now

View from the top of the Seattle Space Needle just before sunset
Approaching sunset from the Space Needle.

Seattle Space Needle fun fact #4

The Committee Hoping for Extra-Terrestrial Encounters to Save the Earth (CHEESE) claim possession of plans from the 1962 World’s Fair that show the Space Needle was constructed to send transmissions to advanced beings in other solar systems.

Skyline of downtown Seattle in 2017, from the top of the Space Needle during a cloudy night.
Source: Depositphotos

The Loupe Lounge

Offering cocktails and light snacks, it’s the views that bring people to this revolving lounge.

Designed like reinforced concrete, the structurally safe glass floor is made with 10 layers of glass and lots of built-in safety features.

Bookings allow visitors up to two hours at their table, which is four full revolutions, as it takes 30 minutes to make a complete turn. You can book here.

Opened in 2021, it is now a 21+ experience. This video will give you an idea of what it’s like.

Seattle Space Needle fun fact #5

While the glass offers clear and unobstructed views to the ground from the inside, it appears opaque from the ground.

Getting to the Space Needle on the Monorail

Depending on where you are staying, getting to the Space Needle can be part of the fun.

Also built in the then modern “George Jetson” style, the Seattle Center Monorail has remained in operation since it opened for the World’s Fair in 1962.

It has only two stops, running for one mile between 5th Avenue and Pine Street to the Space Needle complex. It is the first full-scale commercial monorail system built in the USA.

Seattle Center Monorail

What you need to know before visiting the Space Needle

  • The Space Needle is open every day from 10am closing at 9pm on Monday-Thursday, and at 10pm on Friday to Sunday.
  • Tickets can be purchased for the Space Needle alone, as a combination with Chihuly Glass, or as part of Seattle CityPASS.
  • Seattle CityPASS ticket holders can enter twice within 24 hours to see the sights both day and night. If you are in Seattle for a few days, the pass is a great deal. And it was easy to use.
  • The best time to visit is before 11am or after 7pm when it is generally less crowded.
  • Be sure to stop for your free photo before getting into the elevator.
  • There is a bar on the observation deck offering wine, beer, juice, bar snacks, and some sweets.

Reserve your combination ticket to Chihuly Garden and Glass and the tower (Space Needle)

Or if you are visiting for more than two days:

Reserve your Seattle CityPASS

Save on your trip with these resources

We use these aggregator companies to save time and money. They do the work for us by providing a list of options, prices, and reviews for anywhere we are travelling worldwide. Plus, we have personally had positive customer service experiences with all of them: 

  • Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
  • Hotels: we use Booking.com as they consistently return the best rates and their reviews are from actual guests. However, for self-contained lodging, use VRBO
  • Cars: we use RentalCars to find the best deals and dealer ratings.
  • Private guides: we often hire private guides from Tours by Locals
  • Travel Insurance: we start at InsureMyTrip as they are the best option to compare plans and find the right coverage for you.

Before you book the rest of your trip: Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.

We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.

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Seattle Space Needle opened in 1962 for the World's Fair.

Have you been to the Seattle Space Needle?

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Disclaimer: A guest of the Seattle Space Needle, I was also provided with a Seattle CityPASS. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

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Category: North AmericaTag: Seattle, Skyscraper

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Paula McInerney

    June 14, 2016 at 9:11 pm

    You certainly covered a lot of heights during your recent trip. Lovely the family photo. Mt Rainier looks superb

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 14, 2016 at 10:44 pm

      I hadn’t really thought about it that way, but you are correct. We were on top of things quite often.

      Reply
  2. Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute

    June 14, 2016 at 5:50 am

    Seattle is such a cool city, and when Rainier is out it’s almost magical! I really love walking around the EMP Museum and the rest of the Seattle Center. Great article Rhonda!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 14, 2016 at 8:28 am

      We also walked through the EMP musuem, amongst several others. I will be writing about Seattle for another week.

      Reply
  3. budget jan

    June 13, 2016 at 4:42 pm

    Mt. Rainier and the boats in harbour are beautiful shots. The observation deck certainly provides for good photo taking. I didn’t realize Mt. Rainier was so clearly visible and so beautiful.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 13, 2016 at 6:04 pm

      LOL – I had no idea either, but there she was towering in all her glory.

      Reply
  4. Lisa Ross

    June 12, 2016 at 5:59 pm

    Wow. I think I’d like Seattle

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 12, 2016 at 5:59 pm

      I think so too. I have several more posts coming. It’s a wonderful city.

      Reply
  5. Lyndall

    June 12, 2016 at 8:26 am

    Love your photos, of course Rhonda! The view with Mt Rainier in the background is rather special. Great to be able to take pics without the fingerprinted glass in front of you too 🙂

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 12, 2016 at 2:25 pm

      Funny thing is I was looking close in and down at first and when I finally looked out at the horizon, Mt Rainier took me by surprise.

      Reply
  6. Jade @ Captured By Jade

    June 12, 2016 at 7:29 am

    Panoramic city views like this are always quite breath taking.

    Reply
  7. Paul F. Pietrangelo

    June 12, 2016 at 1:27 am

    Quite a sight especially the sunset one. You are quite a photographer Rhonda. I’m happy that you have enjoyed a wonderful vacation, one that you probably won’t ever see again. ( unless you decide going on another one, please go. )

    Enjoy your day my friend. See ya.

    Cruisin Paul

    Reply
  8. Anda

    June 11, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    I’ll have to go visit Seattle, Rhonda. You beat me to it. The view from the Needle is fantastic and so are your pictures.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:58 pm

      You could almost do it as a weekend getaway.

      Reply
  9. Lydia C. Lee

    June 11, 2016 at 11:16 am

    I didn’t realise it had an open viewing thing…

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:57 pm

      Honestly, I didn’t either, but once I was on it, in my mind it elevated it quickly to one of my favorite towers world wide, and we have been up plenty of towers.

      Reply
  10. Ruth

    June 11, 2016 at 9:08 am

    The second photo with Rainier in the background is great. This is one of the things I would not like to miss in Seattle.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:57 pm

      It was funny, I was looking close in at first, and I was somehow really surprised to notice Mt. Rainier the first time it was suddenly in my field of view.

      Reply
  11. Ann

    June 11, 2016 at 12:56 am

    I haven’t been in years! I think it’s the views of Mt. Rainer that make it so popular. And, I also remember that they played a lot of space/rocket themed music there. I especially remember hearing Elton John’s Rocket Man several times.

    My favorite tower is probably the Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai. But, I didn’t have quite as clear of a day when I visited so the views weren’t as good as yours were in Seattle.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:56 pm

      I don’t remember Rocket Man specifically, but there was a definite theme going on. It’s just a fun tower to visit.

      Reply
  12. Janie Junebug

    June 11, 2016 at 12:36 am

    Yes, I have been in the Space Needle several times, and I’m glad you got to go. It’s been quite a few years since I was there, but we loved eating in the revolving restaurant on special occasions. Once we ate there when it was snowing. So beautiful. I’ve also gone up in the Empire State Building. Once when I was in Chicago with my daughter and her boyfriend we hoped to go up in the Sears building, but didn’t do so because it was quite expensive and so foggy we wouldn’t have been able to see anything. I hope you’re having a great trip. I love the Pacific Northwest. We lived near Seattle for a little more than three years. I’ve always been disappointed that we left. It was not my choice.

    Love,
    Janie

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:55 pm

      This trip I did get to one revolving restaurant, but it was in Los Angeles (story coming soon). Did you get a chance to see my recent photos of the Sears (now Willis) Tower Ledge?

      Reply
  13. Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields

    June 11, 2016 at 12:26 am

    Seattle is our favourite American city. We have been there more than once, mainly for the cycling and as a place to fly into for road trips in the north-west, but we have never gone up the Space Needle or ridden the monorail. A trip up the space needle is on our list. Did you know that Sydney had a monorail for many years but tore it down about five years ago? I am pretty sure I still have an old multi-use ticket with rides still on it.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:54 pm

      It is a great city, but I think San Francisco will always top my list in the USA. I had no idea about the Sydney monorail. History is so interesting.

      Reply
  14. Alex J. Cavanaugh

    June 10, 2016 at 11:54 pm

    And I’ve been there!
    Wild to think it was the tallest building back then. Most western cities have skyscrapers taller than that now.
    Great shots from the top, Rhonda.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:53 pm

      Finally, I have traveled to somewhere Alex has been. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

      Reply
  15. Tanja (the Red phone box travels)

    June 10, 2016 at 9:50 pm

    great views!

    Reply
  16. Lexa Cain

    June 10, 2016 at 9:34 pm

    What cool pieces of info! Especially the mph of rain and snow and the way it seems to snow upwards if you’re coming down. I’m not much for heights, but I loved the pics of the views, and I think eating in a revolving restaurant would be awesome! Thanks for the wonderful pics!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:52 pm

      I agree, sometimes it is the random facts that are the most interesting. If my goal wasn’t to avoid snowy winters, I think I would want to be there in a snow storm just to see the snow going up for the 41 second ride.

      Reply
  17. Barbara Radisavljevic

    June 10, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    Although we lived in the Seattle area for four months in 1988, we never made it to the needle. Love that view of Mt Rainier. I miss seeing it every day.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:51 pm

      We are a bit like that. I don’t think we went up the Auckland Sky Tower for the first 5-6 years we were here. Now we are up whenever we get the chance.

      Reply
  18. Christen Tyre

    June 10, 2016 at 7:04 pm

    These are so pretty! I am really hoping to see Seattle one day. It’s very high on my list!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:49 pm

      It’s a wonderful city. This is the first of a series of posts I am writing about our visit.

      Reply
  19. Hilary

    June 10, 2016 at 6:59 pm

    Amazing views from the Tower – and interesting to read its history. I too love the photo of Mount Rainier … good memories for you – cheers Hilary

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:49 pm

      It was even prettier live.

      Reply
  20. Mary {The World Is A Book}

    June 10, 2016 at 5:05 pm

    Lovely photo collection! You got lucky and had a nice clear day to spot Mt. Rainier. We visited a few years ago and enjoyed it too. It helped to have nice weather. Glad to see the free photo souvenir is still around.

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:49 pm

      I know, we did get a perfect day. And I was delighted to have the free photos.

      Reply
  21. Sarah E. Albom

    June 10, 2016 at 3:45 pm

    Wow, the view is absolutely stunning!!

    Reply
    • Rhonda Albom

      June 11, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      Sorry that you were not there, you would have loved it.

      Reply

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