How to Plan a Trip to the Space Needle in Seattle

The Space Needle was brought to Seattle for the 1962 World's Fair. It is located in the heart of Seattle at the Seattle Center. The Space Needle is 605 feet high, making for a dizzying view of the ground. Just don't look down for too long! A visit to Seattle is not complete without stopping by this iconic building and exploring every bit of it.

Instructions

1. Buy tickets. The Needle is open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday hours are extended until midnight. It is not necessary to purchase tickets in advance. Buy them at the Space Needle ticket office when you arrive.

2. Prepare for an intense elevator ride. The elevators on the Space Needle are glass. They give you a spectacular view of the city and a dizzying view of the ground. The ride to the top does seem to take longer than the average elevator ride. If you are extremely claustrophobic or have elevator fears, this is not the elevator for you.

3. Make reservations in advance for a meal at Sky City. This is a revolving restaurant located below the observation deck, about half way up the needle. Reservations for dinner around sunset time are the best and most difficult to get. The view of the sunset is unobstructed and absolutely amazing. The food is good too!

4. Visit the observation deck. The sunset is magnificent from the deck as well. It is just not as romantic without a steak in front of you. If heights are an issue, don't look down. There are barriers to protect you from falling, so you are perfectly safe. It is just an eerie feeling to be outside and look straight down.

5. Take a peek through the electronic view finders. Don't be cheap; just do it! This is an opportunity to see the Seattle skyline like never before. Pick out the ferries gliding across the Puget Sound and take a close up look at some of Seattle's beautiful architecture.

6. Browse through the gift shop. More miniature Space Needles are found here than any other place on earth. Definitely pick one up for your souvenir collection. There are also really great postcards and a variety of other goods and souvenirs.

7. After descending from the Space Needle, spend some time wandering around the Seattle Center. There are carnival rides, a science museum, a center house full of restaurants and shops along with many other activities. If you've come to visit the Seattle Space Needle during a festival, now is a great time to get a little more taste of Seattle.

Tips & Warnings

• The Space Needle sways on windy days. Do not be afraid. It has never fallen over in all of its many years in Seattle.