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Space Needle
Rating Details »
Categories: Local Flavor, Landmarks & Historical Buildings
Neighborhood: Queen Anne400 Broad St
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 905-2100
- Hours:
Mon-Thu. 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
269 reviews for Space Needle
When you think of Seattle, you think of landmarks with the Space Needle being the one most associated with Seattle. While it is definitely a rip off for a short elevator ride to the top, it does give a fantastic view of the city.
There is a restaurant right below the observation deck called Sky City which you can dine at which makes for an interesting experience since it rotates. After your meal, you can make your way to the deck for a nice relaxing look at the changing times in Seattle.
The Space Needle is best viewed on a tetanus shot schedule, as in once in a decade. Go to the Needle for the changing times and to realize the power of inflation.
Seen 1, ya seen 'em all.
Yep, its tall.
Yep you can see for miles up at the top.
Yep, it has a gift shop (purchased my space needle socks here). Woohoo!
Its just as janky and old as the monorail....as the Washington Monument. Hey, don't hate me because I'm jaded. I ride right past the Washington Monument daily. If we had Yelp Paris, I'm sure I'd say the same thing about "La Tour Eiffel".
What can I say, the space needle just didn't blow my hair back; the winds on the observation deck did. What -also- blew my hair back was the lil minibar at the top selling $8 cups of three-dollar-wine. Ay there's the rub.
Side note/play on words (post wine) there were so many heroin addicts out here, I started calling this place the "Space Needle Exchange"! LMAO!
I'm giving this 3 stars for It was just AIIGHT! I don't recall being blown away or anything. It looks a lot better from the ground looking up in my opinion. I think it was just maybe old and dated?
But I agree everyone should go up once just to cross it off your list.
I feel underwhelmed. I was all excited to go and see Seattle's noteworthy landmarks. We took what seemed like a quick, super-jet elevator ride up to the top and then feasted my eyes upon the sights, which was a lovely 360 view of the city. There's bars on this? Oh yeah, safety first! Definitely lovely water view and downtown view. I think I would have enjoyed looking at the Needle itself from another building or maybe at nite to be in total awe. All I have to say is "check" and "next".
Wow! Overpriced! $16 just to ride up an elevator? They should have more up there besides a small wet bar, and the view of Downtown Seattle to look at. The view is like any other view from your hotel room...buildings, and more buildings. I got bored pretty quickly and left after 15 minutes.
Its a known landmark, so I guess if you're in Seattle, you'd just have to see it....
When I registered for a training, the confirmation email revealed the training address as the Space Needle. I figured that it was just a catch-all location and my seminar would end up being in some faceless reception facility somewhere outside of the actual Space Needle. But I was wrong. I showed up when the building's doors were still locked, and flagged down an employee whom I expected to politely steer me in the right direction of the training site. Instead, I was invited to take the elevator up.
There's no concise way to describe the sensation that occurs when you get to take an elevator up to a very tall height, and the elevator happens to be glass on one side so you can see just how high above everything you travel. As you're safely suspended in a fish tank far above the world where you usually are and where everyone else still is, maybe this feeling inspires dread or fear or nausea. If you're me, its closest relative is freedom. The only thing that rivals this whoosh on the insides is the elevator trip back down to earth.
My review is biased, since by virtue of my training stub, I was granted access to the top of the Space Needle free of charge. The adult admittance fee of $16 seems a bit steep, but it likely won't once you get to the top and that whole 360 view as your compensation. Sure, my employer had to pay for the training, but there's no price you wouldn't pay for freedom, right? Thanks, work.
Finally, I find it very hard not to love a city when you get to see a city from a very lofty vantage point. It's why Portland always looks good from the grounds outside the Pittock Mansion, and why San Francisco is so hard to resist from on top of Twin Peaks. I drove the four hours north from P-Town for work, took a ride on an elevator, and ended up falling in love with Seattle. I guess the moral of this story is if you want to win me over in no uncertain form, get me high.
You don't visit Seattle and NOT visit the Space Needle.
We did the brunch thing for $45.00 a person. The food was seriously top notch, I had the chorizo omelet my friend had the almond crusted French toast. There's also tons of different bread and cake, soup or salad and dessert. We could not finish it all.
You rotate and take in the entire city, while eating.
Visibility was perfect, 5 solid.
Well I'll say this is just about the best Space Needle ever!
We went here a few years ago and I didnt really remember it too well, as I was sick. This time around, We went at night. Waited about 25 minutes in line before we went up. You get some spectacular views of the city and some great narration by whoever is operating your elevator. I stumped my elevator person by stating "How about them Seahawks?" to which the entire crowd in the elevator started laughing hysterically to... A PROUD MOMENT. All he could say was "Well, We got 11 people on the injury list, so that pretty is all I can say about the Seahawks". LOL
Nice place if youve never been there. I would suggest going in the daytime before 3pm on weekdays. Otherwise, It can be an overhyped tourist trap. Watch for the low ceilings.
Iconic Seattle tourist destination. Expensive ($20 for the elevator ride). So much fun, though. Amazing views, amazing piece of Seattle history. Great place to hang out and take pictures. Everyone needs to visit at least once. Great place for kids or to take a date.
Not much to it that isn't obvious, unless you didn't know there's a restaurant up there. It's pretty much a line, an elevator ride, and then checking out the view. Very safe up there, though not pleasant for acrophobics (as I have grown to be).
Fair wanring on the restaurant...all you really get for your money is a table with a view. The food is pretty much banquet fare. If you have any sensitivity to poor value or mediocre food, you'll be disappointed. But you rotate almost 360 degrees while you dine, getting a great eyeful of the entire city. In certain company, you might be a stick in the mud if you suggest dining elsewhere.
So, this is one of those places that you basically have to do.
At least once.
On a nice night, the view from the top is pretty neat. Especially if you like photography.
Tips:
- Wear warm clothes - it's windy up top
- Go at night - the skyline is beautiful
- Don't go if it's not a clear night.
Pros: Important landmark, great views
Cons: Expensive, too touristy, overhyped, aging infrastructure
When you think of Seattle, things like rain, coffee, Boeing, Microsoft and grunge music might come to mind, but likely to come to your mind first and foremost is the Space Needle. Constructed in the 1960s for the World's Fair, the Space Needle is an important landmark in the U.S. and one of the most recognizable.
As important as it is, though, in many ways it's nothing more than an overhyped tourist trap. It costs $16 to ride up an elevator. Once you're up, you have to battle with rude, overweight tourists wearing fanny packs and touting cameras. After 20 minutes, you will have seen everything (or not seen anything if it's a very rainy day) and then you will come back downstairs to deal with marked up knick knacks nobody needs and cheesy people wanting to take your picture. The constant bombardment gets quite irritating after a while.
I'm glad I saw the Space Needle as I do believe it is important to go up for your first time in the city, but I'm perfectly okay with never doing it again. It's one of those "must see" Seattle things people do when they are here (along with EMP and Pike Market). I think the best way to experience the city is doing it AFTER you are familiar with all the touristy things. Then you can explore the cool neighborhoods or take the short drive over to one of the national parks for a nice hike. That's when Seattle's really a fun place.
One of the things that really disappointed me about the Space Needle was the surrounding infrastructure. It is beyond old. The midway rides look decrepit, and the KeyArena looks completely outdated. After seeing it, I'm not surprised the Seattle Supersonics NBA team moved away.
What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Seattle? Microsoft? Amazon? Rain? NO! It's the space needle. Do you know why? Because it's freaken awesome.
But it sounds like most of the people on here disagree with me. People seem to think that it was something more than a super long building that lets you go to the top and look around. What did you expect? To go to space? To meet aliens? To fly?
Yes, it is expensive. No, it's not the tallest building in Seattle. Or the second tallest, or the third or fourth or fifth (I think it's the 7th, but could be wrong). But it's still one of the most recognizable landmarks in the United States, and definitely in Seattle. So why complain?
If you're visiting Seattle for the first time (as I was), don't listen to the other reviews and avoid this place, you'll regret it. All you friends and family will ask if you went to the Space Needle, and if you didn't, they'll look at you like you're crazy. Pay the money, ride the elevator, see the top, read the history (which is actually really interesting), and just enjoy being an unabashed tourist!
You can't NOT give 5 stars to the Space Needle. It is a landmark, a destination, an architectural achievement and a status symbol. Not to mention a way to view one of the most gorgeous cities in the US from an amazing vantage point.
I bought a $29 limited edition annual pass for me and a guest to go up anytime I want and today marked the first trip. Steal of a deal, and comes with extra passes and free wine. Worth it on the first trip!
Sure, there are tourists, sure there are cheesy gimmicks. It's a business, too!
But it is also a Seattle marvel and I am sure I will go up on random days when the sun is out and I need an inspirational view. The 360 sights are beautiful and now that I can see it directly from my windows I have a whole new appreciation for this needle in the sky!
Really Overpriced.. I had a whatever dinner for 75dollars a person. I would have given it more stars if it was priced right. The view is amazing, just take the elevator and check it out (16dollars per person) if you really need that kind of thrill. While going up I felt like "been there done that".
look elsewhere, not worth the money!
If you live here I'm sure it's not a big deal, and for the price it really isn't much. But it is a must see, it's the entire downtown of Seattle and you can't get a better view then up on the space needle.
You can even have sandwiches and something to drink once you are up there. It was great, this day was a bit foggy but still never the less wonderful to experience.
Caught the sunset and the city on a picture perfect evening! I posted my pics!! Only complaint -the cafe had no bread bowl for soup--oh well!!
How do you rate a place that is THE LANDMARK for the city and a must see, yet isn't all that great? Really? I don't know.
I wasn't that impressed with the views, not a big fan of having to pay 16 dollars, only to be up there for about 20 mins. Yet, I'd recommend it. Which is weird, because I'd also recommend giving this place a pass! haha. Whatever...experience it or not, it really doesn't matter either way.
I think the coolest thing about this place is all the interactive shit you can play with inside the needle. I especially playing with the one with the knob that changes the time of day scene from the needle. Only bad thing about those cool things to play with, you gotta wait for annoying kids to get outta the way.
Not a fan of the space needle but loved the architecture of the buildings surrounding it. Also enjoyed the walk through the park. A great deal of activity going on here so a must see for the entire family.
I've been here several times, and I must say this is one of my least favorite tourist attractions. Extremely overrated, this place knows a thing or two about ripping people off.
It costs a whopping $16 per person to go up to the top of the tower, where the view is....about as good as any view from the neighboring hotels. Save your money and take pictures from the base of the needle...cost = free (and almost as exciting as going up the Space Needle).
At the top you can enjoy being shoved by fanny-pack clad out-of-towners and many screaming children. You can also buy expensive soda, wine, and chips.
They do have a rotating restaurant, which I've seen but not eaten at, which might be kind of cool (though I'm guessing overpriced).
The gift shop on the first floor of the needle has many trinkets sure to make any tourist gleeful (if they don't mind the price tag). Bleh.
It was a pretty cool sight to take in. What I really loved but I doubt others like was that it rained when we were up there. It's quintessential Seattle to have some drizzle in the Emerald City. =)
P.S. This was an attraction included with the Seattle Go Card.
I'm tempted to give the Space Needle a 1 star rating, but that doesn't seem completely fair.
The low rating is simply due to the entrance fee. $16 dollars for an adult to ride an elevator? Then listen to some obnoxious old lady's attempt at humor and Seattle history?
We rode the elevator up, walked around, took a few pictures and were through within 20 minutes. So a $32 cover for 20 minutes of our time? Not worth it at all. At least we can say we've done it though...I guess.
there is no excuse for not going to the space needle when traveling to Seattle, I mean its a Landmark, a beautiful architectural piece built for the 1962 worlds fair! the view is amazing, you get to see all of Seattle, including Lake Union where "Sleepless in Seattle" was shot. 520 feet in the air, and it only takes 43 seconds to get to the top when traveling on the elevator.
16 dollars well spent.
I almost regret paying to see what the hype was all about, but I guess I wouldn't know if I didn't do it. Yea.. it was just OK. Definately not worth the $16 general admission in my opinion. Maybe $10.
I hope she remembers.... cuz I'm not sure that there are many clear days in seattle ;) just kidding....
either way... it's probably been 25 years since I've been up this thing.. and along with the cityscape being different... I don't remember much of being up in the needle either.
Looked like they have done some cool things to modernize... and it wasn't too busy when we were there so the little girl got to run around a bit.
a very unique place... can go right next to Big Ben on her list of buildings she recognizes.
maybe I'll go in 30 years when she has a little one of her own too!
I have to admit that when I paid my visit to the the Space Needle, I (not literally) ran up, did a lap around the top, and then ran down. Well, as fast as the lines would let me anyway.
First off, I'm not a huge fan of heights. So naturally I don't want to spend my time at the top of a top-heavy building. Second of all, the line to buy the tickets/get on the elevator/and then the elevator line to go back down was torturous. Also, $16... yeah. $16. What. A. Rip. But I paid, like every other good tourist does just to check it off the list in life and then I was out of there.
Worth it? Mehh... no.
If in Seattle.. its a must.
whats the price now? 12 bucks right?
On a good day (clear and sunny) the view is amazing!!!
Even has a resturant on top to eat at.
To me its worth it if you stop by Seattle.
SO, here's the trick, but it will cost more than the normal entry fee for the space needle. BUt, if you work it out, it actually makes dinner pretty reasonable.
Make a reservation for a meal at Sky City. You can arrive 15 minutes early and get your buzzer and head on up to the observation deck. Then, when its time for dinner your buzzer will buzz and make annoying noises until you go back to the restaurant. But, you then get to sit in the slowly revolving restaurant (with no bad seats), and watch Seattle go by.
Sure, dinner is not cheap. Most dishes are $25-40 per person. But, subtract off the $16 per person you saved to go up to the observation tower, and that is really cheap.
We were there around sunset (9pm in the summer folks) on a perfectly clear day with not a cloud in the sky. Wow, just peaceful and gorgeous. It was a little crowded up here, but not too bad. You could still work yourself into a spot with a good view for a few pics. You can see the mountain ranges in every direction and have an excellent vantage point.
No, this is not super high up. But, you really do not need it to be to see everything.
We enjoyed it and our dinners, and we did not have to wait in any lines on a holiday weekend.
The views from the Space Needle are amazing. I loved being able to walk around outside and check out the views. You definitely have to check it out at least once. Not sure I would go back because now I've done the whole Space Needle tourist thing, but it was fun and worth checking out.
Got dragged here with a friend from out of town. I've never been up the space needle even though I'm born in Seattle but eh he paid and up I went. I was quite shocked that it was so expensive about $18 per person. I think the cost was due to the summer season...anyway they offered a free polaroid picture before heading into the elevators but we kindly declined.
I was feeling a bit claustrophobic since so many people were crammed into the small elevator. Once we got up there it was a great view of the city. The weather was great that day, but with all the other tourists from out of town everywhere ruined a bit of the experience.
Please don't pay $16 to take the elevator up the Space Needle. The view is great from up there, but not worth $16. Plus, it's super, super crowded, and the food up there isn't all that great.
Instead, just enjoy the view from the outside. It's great, and even better at night. The area around is great for a romantic night stroll. If only I wasn't single, that is.
Lets see: $48 for three of us to take a quick elevator ride to a building that is only approx 53 stories tall. Exit to be treated to a wonderful view of clouds and fog hovering around downtown Seattle. . . hmmm...
With the fact that I used to work on the 49th Fl. in midtown Manhattan, it is understandable if I was a little less than impressed. Space Needle is a total tourist trap, but honestly, when in Seattle do you really have a choice? I avoided the restaurant, along with photo they try to take of you behind a picture of the Space Needle as well as any of the Space Needle memorabilia they try to sell you afterwards in the gift store. Note to tourists: Avoid that monorail ride that pics up at the Space Needle as well. Also a rip-off. Thing is only a one-stop rail that goes about 10 blocks to the city center. Can easily walk it. Not sure why they didn't extend the rail to at least include 2 stops.
Sure, the view is impressive and it's a 'must-do' for out-of-towners, but the Space Needle is nothing but a money maker. It costs $16 to make it to the top, everything in the cafe is overpriced and the restaurant is beyond ridiculous. A $26 burger? Really?
And, as someone who used to work there, I can tell you that this company does not care about or respect their employees. The managers don't care, human resources doesn't care, the turnover rate is higher than at your local fast food chain. Don't support this disaster.
Space needle on a beautiful sunny day. Check.
In line: 40 minutes
At the top: 5 minutes
I hate that they make you take pictures of a fake backdrop of the needle. You can't make me do anything, so step away and let me through. I've had enough cheesiness this past week to last me a decade.
$16 later, I know that I never have to come back unless I have the urge to see city panoramic views in a torrential downpour.
Helpful hint: To avoid a long(er) line, go downstairs and use the elevator to exit. ;-)
one of my top 5 meals ever.
we booked a lunch reservation for 2 at 2p. perfect timing, the place was empty. the food was pricey but they waived the $16 admission (per person) but there was a $50 lunch minimum. so really the lunch like 20 bucks. the restaurant rotates once every 45 minutes and the view is amazing. we lucked out with a completely clear and sunny day so it may be disappointing if it is raining. the meal was delicious and the whole thing was amazing. i never pay $25 bucks a plate for food, but it was worth every penny.
COME ON!!! $41.00 for my husband and I to take our 4 year old up the elevator? What a load of crap. That's $16/adult and $9/child 'admission' to ride the friggin elevator.
The restaurant would get 3-1/2 stars, though. It's the price of the damn elevator that brings it all down overall. I'm really pissed about that.
I have had dinner once at the revolving restaurant, and it was lovely. A little stormy and windy that night, the Mr. got a little motion sick - but I liked it. The food was a bit overpriced but the execution and presentation was truly nice and the atmosphere was romantic and special.
However! I think that if you can prove you LIVE here and PAY TAXES here, then you should get a break on the damned admission to go up and take a look-see. It's criminal that to show my son the needle I have to shell out over 40 bucks.
Can't think of when I'll come up with the money to do this again.
Wouldn't mind another romantic dinner there again tho, Dramamine anyone?
I suppose you have to do it once. And then never again!
You either pay $16 for an elevator ride and to look at the view, or you spend a shit load of money eating at the restaurant and feeling like you got a good deal because you would have spent $16 for nothing.
I've never eaten at the restaurant. So my rating is based on paying $16 for looking at the view.
Cross that off the list.
I LOVED IT!!! i totally got over my fear of heights from this thing!
You have to go here if you are in Seattle. It would be a shame to not visit. Such a beautiful restaurant and a unique experience. YES, it is worth eating at the restaurant. Food was amazing, pricey, but worth it.
Sort of disappointed by the good 'ol Space Needle. I expected a little bit more WOW to it than what I got. Sure, the outside view (looking up at the Needle) is quite impressive and makes for a good photo op, but the admission price of ($16 I think?) wasn't worth it, in my opinion. Just seemed like looking out of a semi-tall building that made a round in a circle. But hey, at least I now get to say I've "made it to the top".
I went here around mid-afternoon. I bet the view is 100x better at night. Love lights.
Three stars instead of two because hey, it's the Space Needle.
