The Space Needle
Seattle Center Attractions
Built 1962
The Space Needle is Seattle’s Eiffel Tower. Its elegance and futuristic look have aged well and it is a Seattle architectural icon recognized internationally.
Here are a few fun facts about the Space Needle:
- The observation deck is 520 feet high and the top of the Needle is 605 feet high.
- The building was designed to withstand 200 mph winds and an earthquake of 9.1 magnitude. The top of the Needle sways 1 inch for every 10 mph of wind.
- During construction, as much concrete was poured underground as in all of the structure above ground. It took 467 cement trucks to provide the concrete for the foundation.
- The foundation weighs 5,850 tons. The above ground structure weights 3,700 tons.
- The center of gravity of the structure is five feet above ground.
- The 25 ton structure of the restaurant rotates and a 1.5 hp motor provides the turning force.
- Each elevator weights 14,000 pounds and can carry 25 people.
Photographers can have a grand time strolling around the area near the Space Needle and capturing the grace of this magnificent structure. You have to work hard to take a bad picture of the Space Needle. Its unique bronze elevator cars are very interesting subjects to photograph. Surrounding the base are a number of large stone balls that make interesting objects for photos. At Seattle Center, you can shoot photos of this magnificent structure from many viewpoints.
Visitors can dine in the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle. The base of the structure houses a large gift shop.
If you don’t experience vertigo, a trip to the observation deck of the Space Needle offers tremendous views of the Seattle area. If vertigo bothers you, you can also see beautiful views from the top of the water tower at Volunteer Park.
A panorama from the observation deck
ADMISSION
Adult $19
Senior (65+) $17
Youth (4-12) $12
The Space Needle is an attraction covered by the Seattle CityPASS. Please click on the image below to find out about the money-saving CityPASS.
OFFICIAL SPACE NEEDLE WEB SITE
Please click here to go to the web site for the Space Needle (including a virtual tour of the observation deck views).
Click here to return to page Seattle Architecture--Seattle Center General