My visit to the Columbia Tower Observatory on the 73rd floor was nothing short of amazing. The…read moreviews are absolutely breathtaking--truly one of those experiences where you find yourself stopping just to take it all in. Seeing Seattle from that height gives you a completely new appreciation for the city and its surroundings. What made the visit even more enjoyable was the staff. Every employee I encountered was incredibly welcoming, friendly, and genuinely pleasant. Their warmth made the experience feel even more special, and it was clear they take pride in creating a positive atmosphere for visitors. One observation I did have relates to the elevator experience. It has been two years since my last visit, and unfortunately, the elevator's video system is still not functioning. I remember when the observatory first opened, and the video played during the ride up--it added an engaging and memorable element to the experience. Without it, the ride feels noticeably less enjoyable. Interestingly, others seemed to feel the same way. I mentioned how long the video system has been out of service while riding up, and a couple riding up with us--visiting from Australia--commented that it would have been nice to have something to watch during the ascent. As an alternative, it might be a wonderful opportunity for the elevator operator to share a few interesting facts during the ride up. A brief, engaging introduction--highlighting that this is the tallest building in Seattle, along with a bit of history about its construction and facts about its tenants--could really enhance the experience and help pass the time in a meaningful way. Additionally, with all three video screens currently not working and visibly cracked, addressing this issue would make a noticeable difference. Either repairing or replacing the screens--or even temporarily covering them--would create a much more polished and welcoming feel for visitors and help elevate the overall experience. You can't beat the view though!

If you're deciding between the Sky View Observatory and the Space Needle, I'd strongly consider Sky…read moreView. The experience felt much more laid back, with fewer crowds and plenty of space to take in the views. It is also technically taller than the Space Needle. The observatory floor goes all the way around and has lots of helpful information and displays explaining what you're looking at, which made the experience more engaging than simply taking photos from an observation deck. There's also a café w/ bar upstairs, making it easy to relax and spend some time enjoying the scenery. One of the biggest advantages is that you get incredible panoramic views of Seattle including the Space Needle itself, which makes for some great photo opportunities. We got lucky and it was a beautiful afternoon and were able to watch the sunset from there. Between the views, the atmosphere, and the overall value, this ended up being one of my favorite stops in Seattle.

Nice historical "skyscraper" with great views of Seattle as well. They've preserved most of the…read morehistory and it still uses the original elevator (albeit with some modern improvements) so there's a few rooms of self-guided "museum" to visit as well on your way up to the observation deck. It is definitely not as tall as Sky View or the Space Needle, but is much less crowded and still offers amazing 360 views. It's also cool that there are people who still work in the historic building! They don't open before noon, so plan accordingly. Staff was super friendly and upbeat, and you do need an entry ticket to get to the observation deck bar/restaurant. If you go early on a weekday, you basically get the place to yourself for a little bit, which is super cool. Worth a visit if you're in the area!

Greetings from the East Coast - Northern Virginia, to be exact! My DEEPEST apologies on getting…read morethis review out literally nearly a month ago from when I visited ... My Partner & I flew from Washington Dulles IAD to Seattle Washington. We LOVED every minute of Seattle & I still can't stop raving about how wonderful our trip was! IF I am unable to attach a picture of us to remind Richard, Chris was the thin waspy pale red-headed guy & I, Ruben, was the chunky Latino asking Richard like ten million different questions during our Sky Tower Tour. Richard advised that He'd been working with & for your company for ten years now & we were both SO impressed very & highly impressed by ALL the wealth of knowledge he had up his sleeve! LOL, I then also asked him, LOL, perhaps the dumbest question of ALL time which he has ever heard during his tours - Richard had been informing us about how Seattle had held the World's Fair ... LOL, but I was still plagued by interest, thus I asked how a city gets chosen to hold a World's Fair & good old Richard, God Bless Him - tried his best to answer! After the tour, my partner Chris was like - Ruben, you are SUCH an idiot for asking something SO stupid! At any rate, BRAVA! Richard ensured we were entertained throughout the entire tour! He deserves a raise & also a management position if he doesn't already have one! Brava! Kind Regards & God Bless!

Over 100 years ago, Canada built a 72" telescope on a moutain overlooking Victoria, BC. Today,…read morethis historic device is still in use along with a spectrograph for spectroscopy. My visit on a fairly clear evening was rather insightful and re-wetted my old teenager appetite to be an astrophysicist. With today's computers vs. slide rules used in high school, I might have a chance now! The tour was conducted by multiple scientists and program managers. Although the group touring was just over 50 people, the guides kept us on track. The tour included an informational film, a tour of the museum, and lots of time up close to the main telescope and spectrograph. This was too technical for some, and small children may not find it engaging. The night view of Victoria was inspiring Getting to see and touch the original 2 ton main reflective lens was beyond cool! The museum is in English and French. Lots of old instruments. Refreshments/snacks are sold in the gift shop. I'll likely re-visit some day!

What a find! I stumbled upon this place just from looking at a map at a nearby beach. The map…read moreindicated "Observatory Hill", and of course I wondered what the heck that was. So I drove here, and I am glad I did. This is a Canada National Historic Site, and for good reason. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_Astrophysical_Observatory Tours are available for the telescope. There's an interprative centre for visitors and it' highly informative for you would be astronomers and enthusiasts. There's nothing of the sort in Vancouver. Strongly recommended,

Getting the combined Space Needle - Chihuly - IMAX ticket for $74 pre tax. Pretty good deal and…read moregreat activity to experience Seattle city view from an observation deck. The elevator moved relatively quickly but worry not, being inside you couldn't really feel as it moved smoothly, besides you could enjoy the panoramic city view. Plus point was they provided tons of photo spots and you could easily grab the pics online for those taken with their camera. Obv you could take as much as you wished using your gadgets as well. The rotating glass floor they had was also fun experience! Got my legs jellied for sure plus adrenaline rush, but certainly memorable one LOL.

Overall, we had a good experience. The drinks, food and dessert were all amazing. most of the…read moreemployees were very friendly. Unfortunately, our leftovers were boxed incorrectly. Both of our meals were missing, and we received a container of random, half-eaten food we didn't order. It was gross and we were pretty disappointed, especially because it was kind of a lot of food missing.

I worked next door for 6 years and never went in. They must be under new management or ownership or…read moresomething because the security outside was nice, helpful, and efficient. The inside was actually beautiful. It was spacious and clean upstairs in the 21+ area. The bar staff was quick and friendly. Even the floor of the venue was clean and well managed. They were on top on checking wristbands and bags too. I would definitely see a show here again!

Frank avoids this place like the Bubonic plague of the 14th-century! Damn it's been 15 years since…read moremy shadow has graced this place. Frank B is here is here to share its one of the worst venues in Seattle. Granted live music is played inside but it's a warehouse with zero site lines for quality viewing. I've been to sold out shows and you're crushed in like sardines. Definallty not fun when the person your pushed again smells like a rotted corpse or worse. Should you have mental health issues this might trigger you... I'll skip any show if it's scheduled at Showbox SODO. Aside from bad venue you must consider parking & personal safety in the area as another factor. Don't say I didn't give you fair warning.

May be Seattle's Best Venue! The showbox is historic, its…read moreintimate, it has stunning interior and makes you feel like you are at one of the secret shows in the days long past. If one of your favorite bands comes here, you will have an amazing, close and personal experience! The drinks are good, fairly reasonably priced. It is an STG location, so the service is good and consistent! The Showbox is one of those Seattle venues where the atmosphere is almost as memorable as the show itself. The historic architecture gives the space a distinctive character, while the interior combines old-school concert-hall charm with a gritty, intimate rock-and-roll aesthetic. The exposed brick, high ceilings, dark finishes, and vintage details create a setting that feels authentic rather than overly polished. What really makes The Showbox special, though, is its size. It is large enough to accommodate a great crowd but small enough that you never feel disconnected from the performance. There is an intimacy to the room that makes even a larger touring act feel like they are playing a much more personal show. The sound quality is another major highlight. The relatively compact layout means the music feels immediate and powerful without losing the clarity of the instruments or vocals. You can actually hear and experience the performance rather than simply watching it from a distance. Whether you're standing near the stage or farther back in the venue, the acoustics help create a consistently immersive experience. Overall, The Showbox is a fantastic place to see live music. The unique architecture and decor give it plenty of personality, while the smaller footprint, strong acoustics, and close proximity to the stage create the kind of concert experience that larger arenas simply can't replicate. It feels like a true Seattle institution--and exactly what a great live music venue should be.

This remains a great place to see a concert. Staff is great and very friendly. I needed a phone…read morecharge during a show and the set me up. Interior seems a little dated, but that's ok.