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    The Seattle Great Wheel

    3.8 (939 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    The Seattle Great Wheel Photos

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    Gorgeous up close & personal
    Vivian H.

    I haven't been on the ferris wheel for a ride (yet), so this review is only for the beautiful view it provides on the waterfront. Yesterday, it was a gorgeous day in Seattle and I hear its rare to get sunny skies here, but goodness, I got lucky! After a work event, I didnt feel like being cooped up in a hotel room so I took a stroll/jog down by the waterfront which was close to my hotel. The ferris wheel is beautiful and lights up at night and makes for a very beautiful addition to the waterfront. It was really fun to check this ferris wheel out up close and I got some good shots of the ferris wheel up close and from the ferry station closeby. A true treasure of downtown Seattle, worth a visit, even if just to admire from on the ground.

    Nehal A.

    The Great Wheel is the most iconic attraction of the Seattle Pier 57. There's about 42 gondolas. They load up all of them at the same time, each group gets their own. Then the wheel goes around for 3 uninterrupted loops for about 15 minutes. They have a bar before the entrance, but you can get adult drinks only if no kids in the group. They also take pictures which are available for purchase after the ride. We were lucky it was a beautiful sunny day in Seattle the day we took the ride. We bought tickets at the counter. We waited about 10 minutes to get on the gondola. It was clean and glasses were clear. From the peak of the wheel, we were able to see the whole horizon from Mt. Reiner to Mt. Olympia. The pier also had a good view. Overall it was a good activity to do as a couple or with family.

    Arthur T.

    Had a pleasantly good time at the Great Wheel! Came by after happy hour at Elliot's and was walking around the pier. It was $23 a head. Weird admission charge and retail tax came to $26.50 per person. Waited maybe around 10-15 min. Fun souvenir. Print gives you free digital (not outrageously priced). Staff said it would be 3 turns around, but I think we counted it as 4. Wouldn't recommend on a bad weather day if it shakes a lot or visibility isn't great.

    Views
    Kenny C.

    Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, step right up and feast your peepers upon the spinning superstar of the Seattle waterfront the mighty Seattle Great Wheel. Now listen here: when you visit Seattle there are a few commandments carved in Pacific Northwest stone. Thou shalt gaze upon the glorious Space Needle. Thou shalt cheer inside T-Mobile Park. And thou shalt yes thou absolutely shalt ride the big spinning beauty hanging right over the docks like a giant carnival halo over Elliott Bay. Now I'll confess something: the first few times I saw that wheel, I just stood there gawking like a confused seagull eating a French fry. "Nah," I said. "Too touristy." But then one day my wife said, "Get in the gondola." So I did. And let me tell you holy spinning cinnamon biscuits I should've done it years earlier. The wheel lifts you slow and smooth, the city starts shrinking, the water starts sparkling, and suddenly you're floating above the docks like some sort of happy human chandelier. You can sip a drink, relax in your cozy glass cabin, and watch ferries glide by while the skyline of Seattle shows off like it's posing for a magazine cover. Round and round the wheel goes, Up past the seagulls and waterfront shows. The harbor gleams, the skyline sings, While your little glass cabin gently swings. You'll laugh, you'll grin, you might even squeal "Why in the world did I wait to ride this wheel?!" So here's my advice, straight from the waterfront gospel: don't just stand there staring at it like a puzzled pelican. Buy the ticket. Step inside the gondola. Let that giant wheel carry you into the sky. Because sure, the Space Needle may be the king of the skyline... but the Seattle Great Wheel? That's the fun-loving jester of the bay spinning, shining, and proving that sometimes the best way to see a city... is to take it for a ride.

    View from inside
    Samantha K.

    Rode the Seattle Great Wheel and... okay, yes--it's definitely overpriced. No way around that. That said, I'm really glad I did it. It goes around about four times, which gives you plenty of time to take in the views, and they're honestly beautiful. You get such a unique perspective of the water, the city, and everything around you that you just can't replicate from the ground. It's one of those experiences where you kind of wince at the price, but still walk away thinking, "okay... that was worth doing at least once." Would I do it again? Probably not. But am I glad I did it? 100%.

    View at the top of the
    Danielle P.

    Solid (and scary -- I'm scared of heights!) experience, but definitely overpriced at $23 per person. My boyfriend and I just wanted to go on it for vibes haha. It does shake or rock a bit and you get to go around 3 times. You also get the option to take photos right before heading into the line with a digital option or physical print ($8-$12) for a memorabilia moment. Staff didn't seem intrigued with helping people out at the wheel though. Definitely a one and done activity!

    Will B.

    The beautiful view from the Great Wheel was a great experience. It was a bucket list thing I did to celebrate an event. We went at night and seeing the city lights was really cool. It was raining this evening so there was no lines. The price is $23.00 USD plus tax. The ride was about a solid 6- minute or so. I believe we went around 3 revolutions and paused at the highest point to take in the views. Upon entering, you will be offered the opportunity to have a photo taken as a keepsake, I don't know how much it costs for that. Also they have a bar you can purchase adult beverages and probably none adult drinks. This definitely a tourist attraction but at least a once in a lifetime thing for locals like me.

    Jay H.

    Expensive for like 5-6 turns but it was a cute, get it out the way experience. Would recommend maybe some music or something in the carts but yeah. Try it out.

    Nohely M.

    First night out on the pier and riding the Ferris wheel was on my to-do list so here I was! Riding under the classic Seattle weather, the Ferris wheel provided beautiful views of the water, pier and the city itself. Words do not compare to what I experienced in person--live! Photos don't do justice either. Must experience in person. I rode alone and found myself meditating as I enjoyed the beautiful views. Their summer must be gorgeous out here. This is a must-do and experience it for yourself. I do wish that it was less rainy but hey that's Seattle for you!

    Samantha G.

    It's a-ok. Definitely not a must-do attraction. And certainly overpriced. But the view can be nice (but not great). Underwhelmed is the word that comes to mind. Come with patience as the wait can be long. And the rotation is short. Once we got on, we did get to go around 3 times, which made it seem a little better. There's a bar once you get in line where you can grab an adult beverage. (Note that you cannot take an adult beverage on the wheel if are with anyone who is under 21.) Admittedly, there wasn't a whole lot to see at night. I do feel like this would've been a better experience if we had gone during the day:

    Carolyn C.

    Amazing views! It was super warm outside and therefore our capsule was super hot. Air comes off and on a bit but it made for a sweaty experience. Staff couldn't be less engaged - not not friendly but completely asleep at the wheel (pun intended!)

    Steve O.

    Staff: The team here was really nice. Everyone from the ticket window, to loading, to unloading. Quality: This is something that we wanted to try since the last time in Seattle 2 years ago. The waiting area to load is cool as they have music playing and a bar to enjoy a drink while waiting. The pods were spacious, clean, and provided a great view. Value: I think it is expensive at $120 for 3 people for a 10 minute ride. I'm glad we did it but not sure I would again at the current price. Overall: Cool view, fun experience, but a bit pricey in my opinion.

    Stunning at sunset
    Lily S.

    This is more like 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. The Great Wheel is an iconic part of Seattle, so we had to give it a go. To be honest, it's more spectacular from the outside than it is actually riding on it. The ride was $23 per adult for about 3 revolutions. The line to ride was longer than the ride itself. There was also a lot of stopping during the ride. On the plus side, the ride is very smooth and you do get great views of Seattle. The wheel itself is really cool to look at, especially in the evening when the wheel lights up with various colors. I recommend doing it once just to experience it, but would not need to go again.

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    This was a cool experience, but for the price I would not do it again. The views are very pretty though.

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    3 months ago

    Was super fun and affordable! The view is amazing, beautiful of the city and over the waterfront!

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    Page 2 of 24

    Ask the Community - The Seattle Great Wheel

    On friday and saturday nights, what time is the last ride?

    last ride for friday and saturday nights will be 9:45pm:)

    Someone told me they watch the ride for an hour and only saw loading and unloading they never saw the ride actually make a complete circle for the riders just the one time around while loading/unloading, is this accurate?

    That isn't accurate. I went 2 weeks ago and got 4 uninterrupted rotations before they stopped to load/unload.

    Do you have to be vaccinated and or need a mask in March 2022 while visiting the great wheel in Seattle?

    I'm not sure how tasty masks are 🤣, but, you don't have to wear a mask now unless you're in a federally mandated space like an airport or plane, or a medical facility.

    How much does a ride Cost?

    It was $15 plus tax per person as of May 2021.

    What time does it typically light up?

    I agree with Peter.

    Can you bring your own food for the ride?

    It's just a large Ferris Wheel type of ride. It doesn't last very long. I believe you can take food on it because they didn't search our bags, but there's no real easy way to eat it, or need to since it's a short ride.

    Do you get your own cabin or do you share one with strangers?

    Their website says the following: "Maybe. If we are not too busy, we will not group people up to… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - The Seattle Great Wheel

    The blue, clear skies made visibility ideal as we could see The Space Needle, Mount Rainier, and the skyline of Seattle.

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    Wings Over Washington

    Wings Over Washington

    4.1
    (284 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    How thrilling! I liked the reasonable price, the great location at Miners Landing, the short time…read morecommitment and the realistic flight over the state of Washington. I paid for my ticket at a nearby ticket booth. There was a short line at the door, a short pre-show presentation in a separate room and then I was seated and strapped into a seat in a relatively small four row (?) theater. At first, I was concerned that I couldn't see the full screen from my seat. Then my seat lifted as the experience began for a breathtaking view. I was flying behind an eagle over many of the various natural highlights of Washington with a couple of scary and fun close encounters with other flying objects. I also experienced the mist of a waterfall and the smell of a field of flowers. It was a great experience!

    Visiting from Orlando Florida, I enjoyed Wings Over Washington. The visuals, motion, and wind…read moreeffects made it feel like you were truly flying across the state. One thing that seemed to be missing during our ride was the scent effects, which would have added even more to the 4D experience. As a visitor, I also wish they would call out the locations shown during show maybe in pre-show or throughout the ride. Washington has some incredible scenery, and knowing where I was "flying" would have had me adding places to my must-visit list. Still a fun attraction and definitely worth experiencing while visiting Seattle.

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    Posters and Carvings
    Tukwila Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant

    Tukwila Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant

    3.5
    (314 reviews)
    10.7 mi

    I honestly can't recommend this place enough. I was completely blown away…read more From the moment we walked in, the level of professionalism and cleanliness stood out, especially for a kids' arcade and activity center. Everything felt well run and thoughtfully managed. One thing that really impressed me as a parent was the staff member monitoring the entrance and exit. He was incredibly attentive. He recognized us, noticed our child, and was clearly keeping track of who was coming and going. Of course, you should always watch your own kids, but having someone that alert adds a huge layer of peace of mind. We used a Groupon, and if you have ever used one, you know it can sometimes be a hassle, but not here. The process was seamless. A staff member radioed ahead for us, and by the time we got to the snack counter, they already knew what to do. No waiting, no confusion. We were set up immediately and on our way. That level of coordination was impressive. Every game we tried was working perfectly, including VR games, which is rare in most arcades. Even smaller details, like all the basketballs being available at the Papa Shot machines, did not go unnoticed. The kids' drop ride was a huge hit with my daughter, and the claw machines, which guarantee a prize, were a fun bonus, especially as a way to end the visit on a high note. The prize center was also well balanced, with reasonable ticket costs and fun options. They had some great games too, like rhythm games and classics, that made it enjoyable for both kids and adults. The real surprise was the food. We ordered pizza expecting typical arcade food, but it exceeded expectations by a mile. It was soft, fresh, and genuinely delicious, easily better than what you would find at places like Chuck E. Cheese. The entire dining area was spotless, which is almost unheard of in venues like this. Tables were clean. Floors were clean. Everything felt cared for. The service continued to impress throughout. Our food came out quickly, and when we finished, the staff handled all the cleanup. We actually went out of our way to find cash just to leave a tip because the service deserved it. We originally came for the full experience, including batting cages, laser tag, go karts, and mini golf, but honestly, even before doing any of that, I can confidently say this place is incredibly well run. Based on everything we experienced, I have no doubt the rest will be just as great. If you are a parent looking for a fun, safe, and well managed place for your kids that you will actually enjoy too, this is it.

    Be careful going to Family Fun Center. I used to really like this place, and hosted several…read morebirthday parties here. Over the years the technology they use doesn't seem to be keeping up, where things will glitch causing lots of time and effort to get the tickets earned reflected on your card. Luckily we took a picture of the ticket rings that were won at the claw machine prior to adding them onto the card, but even after that, it was still a big hassle where management seemed suspicious that we were trying to dupe them out of tickets that were earned properly. What was surprising is that they didn't even bring the staff member over that scanned the ticket rings initially to confirm she had added the tickets. After adjusting the tickets, my card account was still active on the board, so I went back and checked to make sure it was closed out properly to avoid any further ticket issues. I asked the original staff member if she remembers adding my tickets, and she said she did but we should be good now as this was a system glitch. I accepted the explanation and took that as issue closure. Later when we went to pick prizes, another "lead" employee approached me (wish I would've taken her name), and immediately accused me of being rude and aggressive towards the staff member that added my original tickets. As a lead, I would have expected her to ask me if there was any issues with the employee, instead of outright accusing the customer. I asked her to clarify what was taken as rude or threatening, as I never raised my voice or said anything out of line even though this issue took some time to resolve. She wouldn't give me any specifics but just warned me to not be rude. Instead of getting into any further back and forth with her, I decided to just pick a few prizes and leave. I found it very unprofessional for the lead to approach me in that manner, while the Manager Tabitha didn't step in, even being close by. If something was said that was perceived as rude, let's bring everyone together and hash it out. I can guarantee *God as my witness* that I never said anything offensive, threatening, or rude to any of the staff members. All I did was provide details and proof that there was a system glitch and the tickets that had previously been added were not on the card. At no point did I ever blame or fault anyone at FFC for this issue. Rich Yee, if you'd like to discuss this matter with me directly please reach out.

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    Tukwila Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant
    Love an empty arcade on a rainy day!
    Love an empty arcade on a rainy day!
    Tukwila Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle's Restaurant

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    Woodland Park Zoo

    Woodland Park Zoo

    4.1
    (1.1k reviews)
    4.3 mi

    The Woodland Park Zoo was such a wonderful integrative experience. We were visiting from Omaha and…read morewere lucky enough to be gifted tickets to visit the zoo here in Seattle. A short drive from my boyfriend's Aunt's house we got here when it opened which gave us ample time to check out the zoo before we flew out that day. One of the wonderful characteristics of this zoo that we loved was how easy it was to walk through the different areas. We certainly used the maps, the directional posts, and checked out our surroundings when we felt like we might be a little lost but it is certainly a lovely walkable zoo. Each pathway takes you though different exhibits and areas. We happened to be here on a field trip day so there were a bunch of groups out and about and several mom groups it seemed like as well. Some of the bigger exhibits had Zoo docents or staff near by to answer questions and help us to get closer to see some of the beautiful animals. We happened to get lucky on this visit because we got to see the Tiger, which apparently, doesn't come out much and we got to see baby lion cubs too! It got pretty loud in the area to see the cub but luckily one of the zoo staff kept the area from being too rowdy. Another great thing about this zoo was how sustainable and eco-friendly it is. We stepped into the cafeteria/concession area and we saw that there were no plastic bottles in sight. All drinks were in a can, even water! Love that!! We managed to make it through the whole zoo and left feeling as though it was one of the most integrative and interactive zoos we had been too. We loved walking through the different aviary exhibits where you're enclosed in it and walking through different birds. The Over head tunnels for the Tree Kangaroo and the red panda nearby. It was fun to walk through and be surrounded by part of the animal's exhibit rather than the exhibit be just a square space. Before we left we stopped at the giftshop to get something I could remember this visit by and I settled on the orange red panda tee. Ended up being the exact same shirt my sister got herself from this zoo several years ago!! Definitely check this zoo out when you're in Seattle! It's a gem!

    Woodland Park Zoo has become my family's favorite adventure destination. There are so many learning…read moreand exploring opportunities for the entire family. For families with little kiddos feeling overwhelmed about having to explore the entire zoo in one day it is not necessary, because Woodland Park Zoo hosts family friendly events throughout the year. We go so often my littles just pick up where they last left. The cleanliness, and stellar customer service of the zoo is consistent. The animals all appear to be happy and healthy within their habitats. Looking for a creative way to spend the day, I highly recommend Woodland Park Zoo!

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    Woodland Park Zoo
    Woodland Park Zoo
    Woodland Park Zoo

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    The Seattle Great Wheel - amusementparks - Updated August 2026

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