Over 600 feet high and built for Seattle's Worlds Fair, the city's icon offers visitors a fantastic view of Seattle and the surrounding landscape. When you are riding up to the top of the city's tallest structure it's like being "beemed up"... the view just keeps getting better and better.

What can you say about this thing? Built in 1962 for the Seattle Worlds Fair, this is what a lot of people think of when they hear "Seattle." The observation deck is 520 feet up, so the view is outstanding. And of course, you can buy Starbuck's coffee up there! There is a gift shop at the base selling anything you can imagine. I bought some baby stuff with the Space needle logo for my sister who is due to deliver any minute now. At the top, a guide will help you understand what you are looking at - I recommend following her, if only for a short while.

When most people try and name the most popular sight or the clear identifying feature of Seattle, they think of the Space Needle. It is an unusual sight, towering 520 feet above the Seattle Center complex. Left over from the 1962 World's Fair, it continues to thrill hundreds of thousands of guests each year with its very quick elevator ride to the top and the panoramic views of the surrounding area.

You can easily make out the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges and view the many hilly neighborhoods of Seattle below. The Space Needle has two restaurants that re both okay but rather expensive. Visiting the observation deck costs $11.