The icon of Seattle, Space Needle has become one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It started in late 1950s with the World Fair planned to be held in Seattle in 1962, the city looked for a symbol which could grace the event and put Seattle onto the international map.

Early designer, Edwards E. Carlson looks to design a tower with a space-look staging the city to embark onto the 21st Century. Carlson faced major problems including the final tower designs, financing and land availability while working on the Space Needle.

The 605 feet tall Space Needle was eventually completed in December 1961, a mere four months before the World Fair was to be held. The tower is completed with a revolving restaurant and a viewing deck. And it had welcomed nearly 20,000 visitors a day during the World Fair in 1962.

Four decades has passed, Space Needle remains the number one tourist spot in Seattle. Millions visit it every year. The admission fees include a high speed elevator ride to the top of the tower and viewing at the observation deck. Telescopes are free for use at the observation deck.

Admission Fees: $15 - Adult, $7 - Child (4-13)
Hours: 9am – 11pm (Friday and Saturday until 12am instead of 11pm)

Tips:
Do look out for discount coupon from your hotels as Space Needle is the most popular attractions in Seattle and has lots of publicity.

Space Needle is located near the Monorail and Seattle Center House at 5th Avenue North and Broad Street, you can take the monorail to and from Downtown.

If you intend to have a meal while enjoying the beautiful view of the Seattle city, make a reservation at the SkyCity restaurant, Sky City is a buffet style revolving restaurant with 360 degrees view at the top of the Space Needle. Admission fees are waived if you dine at the SkyCity.

A small café is selling Starbucks coffee is also located at the top for your convenience if your find SkyCity a little too costly.

Website: www.spaceneedle.com

Ride the glass elevators up to the observation deck at the top of Seattle's most recognizable landmark. Observation decks both indoors and outdoors. Make sure you bring your camera. The views are amazing. It is well worth the price you pay for admission.

The Space Needle is probably the most widely recognized landmark of Seattle. If you're not from the area you probably at least know of the Space Needle.

The Needle is a structure erected for the 1962 World's Fair. It's main claim to fame is the observation deck, which gives one the opportunity to view 360 degrees of the Seattle and adjacent areas. Compared to The Empire State Building or Sears Tower, I didn't feel it was quite as impressive. I mean, you're high up, but just not AS high.

That said, the view is still beautiful. You'll be able to look out onto Elliot Bay and if the clouds let you, Mount Rainier can be seen. (On my visit I was unable to see the mountain's profile, though it was sunny, there were clouds and fog inland.)

It was a cool day, but up high the breeze made it much cooler. Indoors you can get snacks, coffee, tea, and cocoa. (I felt very overpriced, so I saved my $ for later in downtown.)

There is a restaurant up there as well, though I didn't eat there. If you do, and if you used the valet parking service, you will get your parking either free or at a discount (I can't remember).

Speaking of parking... this area in particular I found difficult to navigate and spent a good thirty minutes trying to find a parking lot that wasn't $10 or more (sometimes per hour). Then, the way the streets were set up I kept ending up where I couldn't turn around and would need to go a mile or more before being able to do so. (Later, a friend in the area heard my story and knew exactly the street/area I was in. Apparently it's widely known to locals that you cannot turn around - NO LEFT TURNS! - for long stretches.)

Finally, aggravated and fed up I just used the valet service at the Needle, which was $11 for the day. I was able to leave my car there all day as I toured around the city. So, take this one up if you plan to do more than the Needle.

Also, the Needle sits in the same area as the Experience Music Project, which I did not go into. But it's all walking distance.

Finally, if you plan on using the monorail that runs by the Needle, I recommend calling the facility ahead of time to see if it's running. My plan was to visit the Needle then hop on the monorail into downtown (like a 2 minute trip). First - it was tough to find. Signs seemed to direct me to the right... turns out you need to go left (I walked around looking for it for like 5 minutes). Once there, it looked dead, but there were no signs up. Turns out it wasn't running, but you'd only know it by asking the one person apparently working there - lurking.

We chose to eat at the revolving restaurant on top of the space needle and that was one of the best things about the trip. The food was great, prices were $25 and up for adults, and kids meals were around $12 and up, but worth it. It includes the ride to the top, just let them know when you arrive that you will be eating and they will let you go up. The view was clear that day, we could see the stunning waterfront and the "Emerald City" as they call it. Don't miss this 43-second ride to the top, even if you don't have time to eat.