Space Needle

Space Needle

Built in a Space Age mode for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle is Seattle’s world-famous symbol.

Its 605-foot height appears even taller; it is perched atop a hill in Seattle Center, and so commands a position of authority that is visible from miles away. The Space Needle appears to tower over downtown Seattle skyscrapers and competes easily with mountains in the background.

Observation Deck

Get a bird’s eye view of the entire region. Zoom in on the action below with a Swarovski telescope. Use of the telescopes is free, making a zoom feature even sweeter.

The telescopes are so strong, you can spot someone a couple miles away, sitting in the stands of Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners baseball team.

No reason to guess what’s on the horizon. Colorful, imaginative graphics surround the outer, open-air edge of the Observation Deck to interpret the views. Inside, informative displays explain more about what you’re seeing, along with nuggets of Seattle trivia.

SkyCity Restaurant

SkyCity is the restaurant locals take visiting family and friends, and that visitors flock to for the definitive Seattle experience. The menu offers the best of Pacific Northwest produce, meat, cheeses, and other local ingredients. The wine list is consistently cited as the best for Pacific Northwest wines.

Ah, but it’s the views that will make you stand up and cheer. The entire dining area revolves – slowly – to ensure you get a 360-degree panoramic course. Don’t be surprised to see kids (and grown-ups), delight to return to the spot they left a note, pencil or coin.

The Lunar Orbiter is the restaurant’s most famous dessert. On the menu since 1962 when the Space Needle opened for the World’s Fair, this ice cream treat is a hit.

It All Began with a Drawing on a Placemat

The germ of the idea for the Space Needle dates back to 1959. Everyone was buzzing about the shape that the future would take in the Space Age. Seattle was giddy at the prospect of leading the charge by hosting the 1962 World’s Fair.

A Seattle hotel executive, inspired by a tower he’d seen in Germany, sat in a coffee house and sketched the centerpiece structure of the 1962 World’s Fair.

The artist was Edward E. Carlson, then president of Western International Hotels. His space-age image was to become the symbol of the future – and of Seattle. To this day, 1962’s “Century 21” futuristic theme resonates for the world to see.

Views and views

At every degree of the Observation Deck’s 360-degree platform, there’s something to command your attention. Get your bearings by sighting snow-capped Mt. Olympus to the south, the Cascade range to the East, and the majestic Olympics to the West.

Spot sea planes. Ferries plying the commuter waters between nearby islands and downtown docks. Cargo ships, en route to Asia. City streets dotted with cars, traffic signals and pedestrians.

It’s a wonderful place to watch Seattle in motion.