What are the nearest attractions to Space Needle?

Attractions near Space Needle: Chihuly Garden and Glass Seattle Center Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)

What else should I know about attractions in Seattle?

As well as visiting the Space Needle, check out these trip ideas to make the most of your visit: Sairen Store Cofounders The Kaitlins' Guide to Seattle's Chinatown How to Select Quality Seafood: Tips from a Pike Place Fishmonger Taking the Ferry in Seattle

Space Needle - History, Location & Key Facts 2023

The basics

The Space Needle is a must for first-time visitors to Seattle. A high-speed elevator brings you to the flying saucer–esque top, where you can enjoy sweeping views of downtown Seattle as well as Lake Union, Mt. Rainier, and the Olympic Mountains on clear days.

A visit to this Seattle staple is included on many city sightseeing tours, some of which also include Pike Place Market. For a real treat, reserve a table at the Loupe Lounge to enjoy cocktails and contemporary dishes on a revolving glass floor.

How to get there

The Space Needle is located in the Seattle Center cultural and entertainment park, just northwest of downtown. The complex also houses Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of Pop Culture, the Pacific Science Center, and the Seattle Children’s Museum. You can get to the Space Needle by bus or monorail, and the site offers valet parking and limited general parking. The Seattle Center's nearby parking facilities are just a short walk away.

Trip ideas

A Space Needle Employee’s Guide to Seattle

A Space Needle employee gives her insider tips on visiting the Seattle icon and the best of the rest Seattle has to offer.

How Seattle Became an Oyster Town (and Where To Slurp Them)

Chef Dan Mallahan on Seattle’s oyster scene and where to find the city’s freshest oysters.

5 Kid-Friendly Museums in Seattle and How to Visit

From the Pacific Science Center to MoPop, here's where to spend your time.

A Store Owner's Guide to Seattle's Chinatown

“The Kaitlins,” Seattle Chinatown-International District business owners, share their recommendations for visiting the neighborhood.

5 Ways to Get Out on the Water in Seattle

While Seattle has much to offer visitors on land, there are many worthwhile experiences to be had offshore, as well. To help beef up your Emerald City itinerary, here are the best ways to get out on the water in Seattle.

How to Spend 2 Days in Seattle

With two days in Seattle, you have time to explore the city’s downtown core and see some of the charming neighborhoods that give the Emerald City its character. Here are a few ways to maximize two days in Seattle.

Taking the Ferry in Seattle

Victoria Day Trips From Seattle

Food Lover's Guide to Seattle

Woodinville Wine Country Tours from Seattle

Pike Place Fishmonger Tips for Selecting Seafood

Strolling the Pike Place seafood stalls makes for a quintessential Seattle afternoon. While the market is temporarily closed, local expert Ryan Reese offers up tips for picking quality seafood at your neighborhood grocery store—until Pike Place opens its doors once again.

When to get there

The Space Needle is open year-round and daily; times vary depending on day of week and season, so be sure to check prior to arriving. The site is most crowded on weekends and around sunset, when visitors are afforded prime lighting for the panoramic skyline views. The skies tend to be clearest during spring and summer.

The Wheedle on the needle

The 1974 children’s book Wheedle on the Needle tells the tale of a large furry creature called the Wheedle. Bothered by the whistling of workers first settling the city of Seattle, the grumpy Wheedle moved to Mt. Rainier in an effort to escape the noise. Eventually, the Wheedle gathered clouds in a large sack, returned to Seattle, climbed up the Space Needle, and threw them into the sky to make it rain. The Wheedle has since become a Seattle fixture, even acting as the mascot to the Seattle SuperSonics NBA team before they moved to Oklahoma City.

Space Needle