Seattle Space Needle

In most places of the country, you would have to climb a mountain to get the views that the Space Needle can give you. In just 43 seconds, you will rise to the top at a towering 520 feet! The views will take your breath away as you see skyscrapers look like Legos®, mountains look like hills, and - of course - people look like ants! Going up in the Space Needle of Seattle, Washington, is a one-of-a-kind experience that you certainly shouldn't miss.

The fun begins on the ground as your eyes take in the massive structure that, until now, you've only seen in pictures. Wrap your arms around the massive steel legs and take a picture looking towards the sky. Then get in the elevator and get ready! The elevators propel you at a rate of 800 feet per second to the Observation Deck at the top. This room provides you with 360° views of Seattle and the surrounding area. From this vantage point, you can see all the natural wonders that surround the Seattle area, as well as this wonderful man-made city. On the south side, you can see Mt. Rainier off in the distance. This volcano is snow-capped all year and never disappoints as a breath-taking view. To your east is the Cascade Mountain Ranges, and the Olympics cover the west side. Also in the west is the massive Puget Sound. The northern view shows you the city itself.

You don't need an eagle's vision to take in this bird's eye view. Colorful displays line the walls to tell you what you're looking at and where to look for major landmarks. They also provide vivid, colorful images and detailed information. Swarovski telescopes are conveniently placed around the Observation Deck. Use these telescopes to find your hotel in the sprawling city, get a better view of Mt. Rainier, or find a friend in the stands at Safeco field!

This landmark is youth-friendly and a fun time for people of all ages. The large spaces accommodate groups of any size and all locations are handicap accessible. Many people are concerned with going up in large metal structures, but the Space Needle was built to withstand winds of two hundred miles per hour and has twenty-five lightning rods on the roof to prevent lightning damage. The contractors doubled the building codes at the time of construction and made the Space Needle twice as strong as it legally needed to be.

At the base of this feat of engineering is a gift shop where you can find some of the most original souvenirs in the city. There is something for everyone, as the gift shop has a wide variety. It was even voted by "Seattle Magazine" to be one of the best places to find souvenirs in all of the northwest.

There is always something new going on at the Space Needle. Look for special events as you plan your visit and if you're lucky, you'll see them turn on their Legacy Light. It only gets turned on a few days of year for holidays and special occasions, but it certainly can't be missed from anywhere in the city!