When you think of Seattle- the first thing that pops up is probably Space Needle. And sure it's cool to go up that Space Needle, but now there's a long wait and its also pricey and once you're up it you can't actually take a picture with it. A more affordable, cool way to see the city AND get a pic with the Space Needle (albeit small) is the Sky View Observatory. Located close to downtown, the Sky View Observatory at the Columbia Center offers awesome panoramic views of Seattle 70 floors up at a fraction of the cost ($7-10), with little to no wait. There's also a bar with beer and grub, some nice sofas to lounge around, and a little info on Seattle/history to educate yourself/family/significant other. It is a little confusing navigating your up however, as you just buy your ticket on a kiosk and are kinda are your own to get up. I also wish bathrooms were more easily accessible in the observatory (use it on the floors below before you go up). Otherwise, I liked wandering past the various law offices on the journey to the top. Hopefully its not too cloudy/rainy to enjoy the view! read more

We came here in March 2016; there was a Groupon special for discounted entry. We went in the evening on the first day of our arrival to Seattle. The views were fabulous in the evening because you can see the city lights all around, including the Space Needle, ferris wheel, etc. The only draw back is that there is glare in the photos when you take them at night since there are lights inside the observatory area, and it's not open to the "outside". You are enclosed within a room by all glass windows. Fun place for tourists and locals alike! Worth it to visit at least once. read more

Awesome views! I wish I knew about this the first time I visited Seattle. Back then, we went to the Space Needle. After visiting the Sky View Observatory, I believe this is a better view of the city. First, it's higher than the Space Needle, so you see more of the city. Second, it's enclosed on the 73rd floor, so you don't have to deal with the weather (it was cold and windy on the day we visited). Third, it's cheaper here than going to the Space Needle. With my student ID, it was more than half what I would have paid at the Space Needle. Finally, there is more space for you to walk around and take pictures as the observatory nearly goes around the 73rd floor. We were visiting from Hawaii, and the visit to the Sky View Observatory made me fall in love with this city more. read more

Cool. I just wish I'd timed my visit better. I picked a Monday, mid-morning so had the place entirely to myself which was awesome. But the light at that time of day was a little flat and hazy. I don't know if anybody else has mentioned but there is a fee for visiting this: 5 bucks. But that's way better than the Needle and the view is WAY better. Remember: they're closed on weekends and you want to go when the light is good for taking pictures. Bring a tripod !!! (wish I had) read more

The columbia building is taller than the space needle, giving you a much better view of the city, including the needle. It's cheaper and much less crowded. You can take pictures through the glass windows, which were quite clean. Great place to bring parents or a date for the feel of a fancy outing without hurting your wallet. Best if you get it on a clear day. You can see Rainier and over 100 miles. read more

I was there at sunset on Saturday August 19, 2017. The views were spectacular, no issue there. Five stars for the views. I was however disappointed to find, at that prime hour, that the Sky View Cafe' was closed. A "light bite and... Northwest beer ...to enjoy with the view" as advertised in the brochure would have been really nice. I did not see any hours posted anywhere for the cafe'. So one wonders if it keeps regular hours at all, or if one just takes one's chances. I also found the northwest quadrant of the deck blocked off for a private event. That was not really a problem, the public could still see 360 degrees. But it made me wonder if I might just as likely have bought my ticket, got up there, and been surprised to find half of the deck closed off for a larger event? So my tip, I guess, is if issues such as those I have noted might lead to your being disappointed; perhaps call ahead? And/or don't go hungry. read more

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If you're looking for an incredible view and nothing more, the Columbia Center is the best place to go. As everyone has already said, admission is much cheaper than the Space Needle, with views that make the Needle look short in comparison. We bought a 2-for-1 coupon so we payed just $9 to ride the elevator(s) over seventy floors to enter a mostly-empty viewing room. The views are fantastic, but not 360 degrees... more like 270 degrees. For some reason, that takes a bit of the fun out of it for me. You could see everywhere except north toward Gasworks Park/Wallingford. Also, the viewing area is surprisingly plain. It is very much an empty office space, where cubicles would be (best cubicles ever, but still). Unlike the Space Needle, the Columbia Center offers little information about where you are, what you're looking at, the history of Seattle, etc. That said, most people just want to see the view. So if you don't want touristy stuff like souvenirs and telescopes and the option to buy junk food, definitely check out the Columbia Center. However, I still think the Space Needle, touristy crap and all, is worth experiencing at least once. read more

Happen to stumble upon due to a Groupon purchase and Im glad I decided to take my chances. The views are stunning from atop the Columbia Center. They really need to push more advertising/promotions! The place isn't as touristy as the space needle but in my opinion it offers better views and is less crowded. We happened to be there on a clear day and was able to view a game happening at Centurylink field from above! Four of us went and all four of us were happy we did! read more

I work at the Columbia Center and my fave thing to do is to go up to the observation deck. On foggy days, you can see the fog rolling in over Puget Sound. On sunny days, the view of the mountains is fab. Granted, I prob would not visit so often if I had to pay the hefty price tag, but it is worth visiting at least once. read more

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Beautiful views of Seattle. Didn't think it would be worth it because I'm scared of heights but it didn't scare me at all and I was more in awe then anything. I would go back again. read more

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The best view of Seattle there is. Highly recommend this over the Space Needle - plus it's a fraction of the price. Luckily I found a Groupon deal right before we got there for $14 for two people. I recommend going an hour before the sunset and you can hang out there and have a romantic little evening watching the sunset pour over the Seattle skyline~ read more

came here on a weekend... paid $9 to park in the garage and it's $15/head to go up for the view point. Spent another $10 on sodas at the top... Bottom line... it's pricey to see a beautiful view at the Columbia Tower. It's a rather breath taking view though. The highest point you can physically go without some sort of (air)craft to get a 360 view of our beautiful city. There is plenty to see when you're up top. And there are a lot of great factoids posted around the walls to learn a little more of how great our city is. Overall a great thing to do if you've never done so before - but I wouldn't come back often due to how expensive it is. read more

What a really cool venue and amazing view. We went on a slightly rainy day and one could still see everything except the mountain ranges, which I am sure are beautiful. I have been to the top of the Space Needle before and this is much cooler, cheaper and less crowded. It's twice as high as the Space Needle too. I am somewhat afraid of heights and I didn't feel sick or scared up here. Definitely a cool tourist stop. read more

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This place is cheap and it's got the best views of the city and its surrounding areas. Hands down. If you're just in it for the Skyline, head over to Kerry Park. But here, on a clear day, you can see the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier. You also get a gorgeous view of the Puget Sound and Lake Washington and Bellevue and... okay everywhere. It's awesome. They've also got cool factoids painted on the walls so you can learn a thing or two about Washington and also tall buildings. I even picked up a couple of photo-taking tips from said walls. But what makes this better than going up to the Space Needle (other than the price) is that you get to put the Space Needle in your tourist pics! Without it there, the skyline's just... a skyline. You can't view this skyline without its defining feature. There's also drinks and snacks up there, so you can hang out, enjoy the view, and have a drink too. Come visit. You won't regret it. read more

Awesome place to get a view of the city. What I love about the Sky Deck is that it allows multiple entries per day. You get a stamp and can go in and out as many times as you please! This option is great because it allows you to catch the city in the daytime and at night to see the city lights right before it closes at 8:00 pm. I loved how there are chairs to lounge on if you want to sit around. The cafe at Sky Deck serves alcohol too! read more

Sky View Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Scrolling through Groupon knowing two weeks away from now I'll be in Seattle, Wa, I found this absolutely amazing deal; Two adult tickets to the 73rd floor of the Sky View Observatory with free admission for children under 5 for $12.50, one adult ticket is already $12.50 so that was a score! I saved $12.50 (I mean its not much but saving anything is always fun) and not to mention, its way cheaper than the Space Needle. My friends and I parked in the Columbia Center parking garage which is right underneath the building, the fee was less than $25.00 no validation & it goes by the hour I think? We stayed less than 2 hours. From the parking garage to the main lobby you would have to take the elevator, press the "5th Ave" button which is the fourth floor of the Columbia Center From there, you get off the elevator & go to the other side find the elevator bank labeled 37-76, get off on the 40th floor (that's where the HIGHEST STARBUCKS is located), exit from that elevator and continue to go into another one labeled 66-76, press for the 73rd floor (i know its a lot going on) and then you're here, in the tallest public view in the west. The view is beautiful, especially at 11a.m. you see all the beauty that Seattle has to offer, it was breathtaking! I could see snow on top of the mountains; Mt Rainier, the Olympic Mtns, fishermans in their boat fishing, Elliot Bay, the Space Needle, and people on the streets in their car commuting to work. It was spectacular! The 360 panoramic view was like looking at a photo! Picture perfect. I would recommend coming here if you're on a budget, in a group, or have friends/family visiting from out of town! Its affordable and the view is amazing. read more

If you are visiting Seattle, especially for the first time, forsake the $16 Needle ride and go to this tower's observation deck. For $5, you get an amazing view of the city and a much better tourist trap to ooh and ahh ratio. A partial northern view is blocked by the bathrooms and the elevators, but you can still see the Olympic Mountains. Trust me on this one. Just walk in and tell them what your plans are, give them five bucks, and wait for someone to take you up. It's cake from there. read more

This is a must see if you come to Seattle. I was here on a rare, clear, sunny, beautiful day and I was able to see super far! The view is awesome and it's almost like the Willis Tower observatory in Chicago, except it's much cheaper, faster, and there are not as many people upstairs. Quick tip: There's a SBUX in the upper floors, I believe 40th or just above the sky lobby, right at where you make the elevator transfer and that offers some awesome views too. I believe getting up there is free ;) read more

The first thought that crossed my mind as I walked through the door was "Did I go to heaven"? I don't know what it was about the water and the way the clouds were positioned that day, but I was feeling something out of body/out of mind as I walked through that door. Compared to the Space Needle, you get a better value for the money as it only cost about $25 for two people vs the $20 Space Needle charges just for one adult. And unlike the Space Needle, boarding the elevator isn't micromanaged by staff. You walk in, head to the second bay of elevators then head on up to the 74th floor to enjoy the view! Naysayers who complain its not a great tourist attraction don't appreciate whats in front of them. Sure I see the cons: there's no outdoor deck, because its glass photos are prone to glare etc. But for those who appreciate a quiet not overtly touristy place will enjoy this! read more

The view is awesome! We came up here today to get a glimpse of the city. Its the tallest building in Seattle so you can see for miles. It even looks DOWN at the Space Needle. This place was awesome! You can see both sports stadiums, the cruise ship terminals, the new ferris wheel etc. Today it was super clear out so you could even see Mount Rainier really well too. It was $9 to get in which I thought was well worth it. You take 2 elevators up to the 73rd floor and then you have one of the greatest views in the Pacific Northwest. It was great! read more

Best view of Seattle, hands down. Just get a clear day like we did. Not too crowded, not too expensive.

It's beautiful view. Better than Space niddle. It's just not easy to find way to come here but once you come really nice view , take lot of pics , cafe . Must come place. read more

Sky View Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This spot is so much better than the space needle. 1. You get to see the space needle and can have it in your pictures. 2. You're higher up so the view is better. 3. It's cheaper!!! Student ticket is 9$ and regular price is just a few dollars more. 4. You're paying to for the whole day!! That one price lets you go up and down as often as you like in one day! We went and saw the view at around 6pm and then went back up after dinner to see the sunset. The views were amazing. read more

The view is amazing! It was about $20 per person. Came on a Saturday, and there was no line. There's a little video in the elevator on the way up and they take photos. Got there for sunset and stayed after dark to see the lights. Had some wine and a flatbread to hold us over until dinner, and the wine was great, but the flatbread was a bit too hard and almost tasted stale. Overall it was totally worth the price to get it in. I'll never forget that sunset. read more

At just over 900 ft at the 73rd floor, this is the tallest of the 3 observation decks in Seattle. It was cloudy & overcast when I went up there but there still lots of things to see. The view was nice enough but, for me, the Columbia Center lacked the character of either the Space Needle or the Smith Tower & I visited all 3. Visit them all & judge for yourself. BTW: The decriptive materials at the Columbia Center claim that it is twice as high as the Space Needle but this can't be true because the space needle is about 600 ft high while the Columbia Center tower is only 900 (not 1200) feet high. read more

Best deal ever. 9 bucks for student discount. I parked near Pikes Place and walked my a$$ over. Took a while but well worth it. You have to take two elevators to reach the 73rd floor. Take the first elevator to the 40th floor and then go around the corner to another set of elevators to head up to the 73rd floor. There is a cafe / snack bar on the observation level but they only have drip coffee. read more

Let's be real. If you HAVE to go up the Space Needle, do it. It is the signature structure in Seattle so I understand. But I concur with other reviewers, the Columbia Center is no question the better choice. + No where near as crowded as the Space Needle so you get plenty of photo ops without waiting or having people in your way. + Only $5, $3 if you're a student. It's $18 at the Needle! + No time limit or anything ridiculous up there. Just be aware its only open weekdays and closes at 4:30 pm. And yes there is a radio station broadcasting live so you have to be quiet. The sign tells you so, those are the rules, no big deal. + The views are fantastic. It is an excellent value. MINUS ALERT! I would have given this 5 stars but it only gets 4 because unfortunately we were encountered by an extremely rude and grumpy security guard who has managing the ticketing. He complained that WE caught him at a bad time. He complained that we didn't have exact change and wanted us to go to the bank and come back. Really? Hopefully this was just an isolated incident and no one else will need to deal with this. Nevertheless, we did not let it ruin the experience. read more

This place is AMAZING! You get to see a great view of the city without the crowds and the high prices. If you are afraid of heights, the Columbia Center Observation Deck is not for you. After walking into the office building, proceed to the security desk where you can buy "tickets." Then take the elevator up to the Sky Lobby on the 40th floor and another elevator up to the 76th floor and someone will magically appear to take you to the observation deck. There were only 5 other visitors while we were there so we had plenty of space to run around. I think the Space Needle may be more fun for kids but if its the view that you are after, this is the prime spot. read more

The view from this Columbia Tower Observatory is definitely better than the view from the Space Needle, but the Space Needle is more exciting. If you can see both, do it! If you had to pick one over the other, go to the Space Needle. :) read more

Love this place! The Space Needle now charges $18 to go up to their observation deck. It would cost nearly $100 to take my family up! Do yourself and your wallet a favor and come here. Yes, it's only open on the weekdays, but who wants to deal with weekend tourist crowds anyway? I sure as heck don't. It only costs $5, it's up a few hundred more feet than the Needle, located downtown, bigger and better view and no dealing with large tourist groups. The times I have gone up, there have been 10-20 people at most. Not many people compared to how large the room is. Definitely worth checking out! read more

$9 with student ID for a 365 view of Seattle. Valid for the entire day of purchase so I recommend going once during the day and once at night for 2 different perspectives! Closes at 8PM read more

I had no idea this observatory existed until my last day in Seattle. For about $14, you get access to the observatory on the 73rd floor all day. I wish I had known earlier into my trip so I could've visited during the day and night. The views are great and the information provided along the walls are very informative. There's plenty of seating if you feel like hanging around, which I did. It was peaceful. There's also a little walk up cafe inside. On the 40th floor of the building, there is a Starbucks that also has great views of the city. Access to the 40th floor is free. You can just go up the elevator. read more

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We got there the last hour of the day and it wasn't crowded at all, very enjoyable and peaceful. We got to watch the sundown over the whole city and its an epic skyview of everything :) They have lounge seats and charger areas, and a small snack stand, but you'll probably be set on the window view to even notice. There's two set of elevators you have to go through, but the kind lobby guy will direct you well. Feels non-touristy. It's much higher than the Space Needle, enough said. :) read more

You can't beat $9/person with the incredible view the observatory has to offer!! We didn't even know students get a discounted price until the man in the front asked if we were students. We showed our student IDs and he gave us the student price. To top it off, you can go when the sun is up and come up again during the night time without having to pay twice. Just make sure you get your hands stamped before you leave. It gives you 360 view of Seattle and it has even little fun facts by the window ledge to give you a little history of the things you are seeing. They have a little snack bar inside. They also have a good amount of chairs and the place was very clean. Overall, I was very satisfied with the Sky View Observatory and I would recommend it to everyone visiting Seattle !! read more

Go here instead of the Space Needle!!! It's so much cheaper for a start and has better views - you can look down onto the Space Needle. As it's on the edge of town, you get a wonderful view of Seattle spread out in front of you. We were lucky to go at a very quiet time and had the place all to ourselves. They do a good Military Discount too. read more

The reviews are correct as this is a great way to see the skyline of Seattle and at nearly half the cost and twice the height of the Space Needle. We had a sunny clear day and could see all that Seattle had to offer. A must see!! read more

A bit of a contrarian opinion here. I visit such locations primarily to photograph the surroundings. Unfortunately, the Sky View Observatory makes such efforts frustrating, at best. First and foremost, there is no outside viewing option. Double-glazed windows separate you from the outside world, and the reflections from those four air/glass interfaces play havoc with any attempt at clean images. The accumulated coating of city grime, while not bad, doesn't help either. The hours are somewhat limited in comparison to their main viewing competition (the Space Needle), a situation not helped by the staff basing the time on an inaccurate watch during a recent visit. I find that the most appealing lighting for urban photos is often well after sunset (or before sunrise -- not an option), when the city lights come into balance with the sky light. Yet this place closes well before the ambient lighting gets sufficiently dark during the late Spring to early Autumn months. The practice of turning up the interior lights 15 minutes before closing reduces the available time that much more. It is true that the height of the Sky Observatory is much higher than any other ground-based platform in the city, but the obvious consequence is that you are looking down on everything -- and most rooftops are just flat HVAC equipment pads, not a particularly picturesque scene. Also, it is difficult to get a feel for the height of other buildings, since most are so much lower than your viewpoint here. I feel that viewing the city from the Space Needle affords a more accurate assessment of the various skyscrapers, with the added bonus of including Mt. Rainier in the background (on a clear day). Of course, if you want good views of the city itself, I believe that a number of local parks provide the best options (including the classic perspective from Kerry Park). And they are all free. Finally, the entrance fee here is considerably less than that of the Space Needle for single admissions (and Sky Observatory provides welcome in/out privileges), but an annual pass at the Space Needle is far less than a similar arrangement at the Sky Observatory, and amounts to less than 2 general admission tickets. Are there any redeeming attributes? Of course. You really do feel as though you are viewing the city from a stationary helicopter, without the noise and with considerably less expense. During my visits, there were FAR fewer people here than would be found at the Space Needle, no long waits to take the elevator, and a much more relaxed atmosphere. Due to the height and the location at the south side of the downtown area, you have a considerably different perspective on the region than from other viewing options. The Smith Tower, only a few blocks away and once the tallest building west of the Mississippi, looks awfully small from here. Its observation floor provides a "waist-level" view of downtown, but it is reportedly closed for renovation during 2015. My advice for photographers is to bring a tripod, some black fabric to help control reflections, and paper towels to clean the windows of any smudges. Also, check the closing time (it varies seasonally) to determine if it coincides with your goals. Even with all of the irritating image-degrading drawbacks, it is possible to get some satisfying photos from here. read more

Sky View Observatory - View north over downtown Seattle - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Great view. But it's $15 per person once you get up the elevator. Just looked for free behind the glass room. It's in an office tower, not the space needle so $6 would be more appropriate. I understand charging for the view to keep the free foot traffic low, but $15 per person is steep when we timed a group that paid- they were there for all of 5 minutes because nothing else to do in there. Ugh read more

My husband and I went here on a Thursday morning. We were told by a local to check out the Sky View over the Space Needle and we're so glad we did. Not only was it much cheaper, it's a higher building, and a great view! I also liked that there was a ton of information provided on the walls. It wasn't crowded either which was nice. I'd definitely recommend it! read more

You can't get a better view of the City elsewhere but all the comparisons between The Sky Tower and the Space Needle deck is missing the fact that the Space Needle is way more gimmicky with the tourist souvenirs and spinning head. The newly remodeled Sky tower has expansive views but it's pretty sparse besides a sad little cafe. Still, it's an unbeatable view and all the employees of Columbia can go up free anytime and even bring a guest. read more