Space Needle

Space Needle

Seattle Space Needle Pixabay Public Domain

Seattle Space Needle Pixabay Public Domain

What would a visit to Seattle be without a visit to the iconic Pacific Northwest landmark, the Space Needle? This 605-foot tall spire was built for the 1962 futuristic World’s Fair, a design inspired by the German Stuttgart tower and built by Ed Carlson and his crew. This impressive structure has a five-level top house dome, complete with a revolving restaurant and observation deck! The Space Needle was built to withstand a wind velocity of 200 miles per hour and earthquakes of a 9.1 magnitude, its entirety weighing 9,550 tons. This structure was actually once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, a true masterpiece for the west coast!

Once inside you will be able to sign up for docent-led tours, read up on some important city history, and then take the 41-second ride to the 520-foot observation deck. Up here you will get the greatest 360-degree views of the greens and blues of the Emerald City below. You will see wonderfully the downtown Seattle skyline, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Elliott Bay, and the surrounded islands in the Pacific distance. At the Skycity Restaurant, you will sit at an altitude of 500 feet, as you soak in the sunset over the mountains and sample local tastes of Seattle for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Here you will enjoy the sky, sea, scallops, seafood, and sandwiches, as well as a free trip to the observation deck if you haven’t already been!