Know Before You Go: Visiting the Space Needle

Since the Space Needle is open to visitors year-round, it’s easy to incorporate into a Seattle itinerary any time of year. Seattle winters are known for being chilly and drizzly, however, and the city is far more pleasant in warm weather. For that reason, late spring and early fall are generally the best times to visit the Space Needle, when temperatures are neither too warm nor too cold.

Plus, as the Space Needle typically draws a lot of tourists during the peak summer season, you'll avoid those throngs by visiting during the shoulder seasons. For the best time of day to visit the Space Needle, stop by in the morning to beat the crowds or head over for sunset or after-hours to see the Needle in a new light.

The Space Needle’s hours vary with each day of the week. From Monday through Thursday, the Needle typically opens at 9am and closes at 10pm (except on Mondays, when it stays open until 11pm). Fridays and Saturdays have the longest hours, opening at 8am and closing at 11pm. On Sundays it’s open from 9:30am until 8pm.

Insider tip: These hours are only for ticketed admission to the Space Needle, but you can spot the tower from many areas around Seattle during any time of day or night, outside of official opening and closing times.

If you want to ride the elevator up to the 520-foot-high (158-meter-high) Space Needle Observation Deck for bird’s-eye views, then Space Needle tickets are required. Tickets are available to purchase on-site on the day of entry, but you can save yourself lines and wait times by booking in advance. If other Seattle attractions are on your list, consider purchasing a bundle ticket, such as a Seattle CityPASS® or a Chihuly and Space Needle combo pass.

Keep in mind that there are ways to admire the Space Needle itself that don’t require admission. You’ll find a few different angles on the tower amid the city skyline from places such as Alki Beach in West Seattle, which looks across the Puget Sound. Those views, of course, are ticket-free. Other views of the Space Needle include: Gas Works Park, Smith Tower, and the Olympic Sculpture Park, to name just a few.

Insider tip: You can also walk around the base of the Space Needle, free of charge, for close-up views of the structure surrounded by colorful Chihuly glass flowers.

A trip to the top of the Space Needle is a unique experience—and one that’s worth it for more than just the novelty of snapping photos from the tilted glass benches, called Skyrisers. Inside, you can learn about the Space Needle’s history and how it was constructed. At the tower’s saucer-shaped top, you also have indoor and outdoor access to 360-degree panoramic views.

Additionally, from this spectacular Seattle observation deck you’ll be able to see downtown, the Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier, and all the way to the Olympic Mountains and Cascade Range.

There aren’t necessarily official Space Needle tours, and you don’t need one to visit it. However, if you’re interested in visiting several attractions in Seattle with a local guide, consider booking a sightseeing tour of Seattle that combines a stop at the Space Needle with other popular sights, such as Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. Alternatively, include it on your itinerary during a walking tour, food tour, or bike tour of Seattle.

The Space Needle is located in Seattle Center, which regularly hosts events. Walk through Chihuly Garden and Glass, catch a laser show in the Laser Dome at the Pacific Science Center, or stop by one of the many global festivals taking place throughout the year (especially during summer weekends).

After you’ve had your fill of Space Needle and Seattle Center fun, explore the surrounding Queen Anne neighborhood. Head to Kerry Park at the top of Queen Anne Hill, which provides a picture-worthy Seattle skyline view overlooking the water—including Mt. Rainier, the Space Needle, and ferries passing on the Puget Sound.

Insider tip: Head to Kerry Park around sunset and watch as the skyline transforms, with the city lights reflecting in the water.

In 2017, the Space Needle’s rotating restaurant was closed during a renovation project. The SkyCity restaurant has been replaced by the Loupe Lounge, a seasonal 21+ space open from autumn through spring. There are also plenty of choices for quick bites inside Seattle Center’s Armory Food and Event Hall (where you can find tacos, kebabs, pizza, fish and chips, and more) as well as some good options within a 5-minute walk.

The Masonry serves wood-fired pizzas and house-crafted beers. For seafood-heavy, Creole-inspired cuisine, stop by Toulouse Petit. Or, opt for pho, bun, and other Vietnamese favorites at Coba, which also has a full-service bar.

Going to the top of the Space Needle itself involves an elevator, so any footwear is suitable. However, if you plan on going outside, including exploring the spacious Seattle Center or hilly Queen Anne before or after your visit, wear layers and comfortable walking shoes. It’s always a good idea to pack a raincoat (or umbrella, though Seattleites prefer a rain jacket by rule of thumb), as even sunny summer days can take a turn in this city famed for its rain.

Thanks to wheelchair accessible parking and elevators right to the top, the Space Needle in Seattle is an accessible attraction. There's accessible parking at Seattle Center and valet parking for guest pickup and drop-off near the entrance to the Space Needle.

Additionally, elevators are available to reach the observation deck and the rotating glass floor, while the restaurant and restrooms up in the Space Needle are designed to be wheelchair accessible. And, except for during peak season, when you may find it trickier to make your way through the crowds, the outdoor Seattle Center area is spacious with plenty of room to navigate with both wheelchairs and strollers.

• When was the Space Needle built? Inspiration for the Space Needle first struck in 1959, and construction began in 1961. The tower was completed in 1962 and opened to the public on April 21, the first day of the World’s Fair. The Space Needle has undergone several renovations and expansions since its opening.

• What is the story behind the Space Needle’s design? Many design ideas were brought to the table, from a tower with a floating disk or a flying saucer, to an hourglass figure. The final design, which was executed by architect Victor Steinbrueck, incorporated elements of the original ideas and took inspiration from The Feminine One, a sculpture of a Black ballet dancer.