Sky View Observatory

Awesome experience, totally worth the price. The elevator ride just to get to the view is super efficient, never been in a faster elevator!
And the view is awesome! There’s a complete panoramic window to see all of Seattle and its surroundings from the 73^rd story. It also contains information about visible sights and tips for taking photos.
If you get hungry, there’s a snack bar available, and there’s no time limit to watch the city action. Highly recommend!

The best views from downtown Seattle, hands down. Nearly twice the size of the Space Needle, at about half the price. The only knock is that everything’s done behind glass, so just be prepared for a little glare. You can easily bypass this inconvenience by getting as close to the glass as you can to take pictures.
The woman behind the desk was very friendly and even helped me cheerfully when I told her the wi-​fi wasn’t quite working. Yes, I was that guy who asked about the wi-​fi. Needed to back up my photos, brah. The experience will run you about $ 14, which isn’t bad, considering admission to the Space Needle is more expensive, and you don’t typically have to wait for a timeslot at the Columbia Tower.
If you’re feeling cheap, there’s a outlook from the Starbucks on the 40^th floor, which won’t give you as great a view, but at least you can sit down, relax, and look out the window for a glance at the water and the rest of downtown.
Obnoxious requests aside, you really do want to back up you photos right away, because the pictures you get on a clear day, or even a semi-​cloudy day will be pretty amazing. I was surprised at how few people were in there on a relatively nice Friday afternoon, but I won’t complain, and for now, I’ll keep it as my «hidden gem» of downtown Seattle.

This place is awesome. Purchase the Groupon deal if you’re thinking of going here! When you step out of the elevator, it doesn’t seem like much, but when you walk to the windows, the view is incredible! Didn’t know what to expect since we never looked at pictures so when we got there, we were in complete awe. It really makes you admire the city of Seattle even more.
My cousin and I went about thirty minutes before sunset so we got the best of both night and day. We spent a good hour just admiring the view.

From the moment the elevators open, the views are just breathtaking. As you look from Bellevue to Mt Rainier to Safeco Field to Elliott Bay to the Space Needle… this is a stunning 360 degree view of Seattle.
I went on a Friday morning and there were just a handful of people. There’s a little café if you need something to snack on or have a beverage (only soda and water, sorry guys, no alcohol). A lot of trivia on the wall including why the 520 is a floating bridge to the fact that you’re standing in the tallest sky scraper in Seattle.
A good way to spend 30 minutes, allowing you to take in the majestic beauty of Seattle and the surrounding mountains. It was a bright and sunny day out which gave us a fantastic view!
Floors 1 – 3 in the building have are several eateries if you’re looking for a quick lunch. There are several restaurants outside the building as well.
Once you’ve gone to the Space Needle, you should come here as well!

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.

This is probably a better option that the Space Needle if you could only choose one, as it is cheaper and higher up — making for a better and clearer view of Seattle on a good day. On the flip side, the Space Needle does have an outdoors deck if you’re into that sort of thing. The Sky View Observatory is on the south end of downtown and gives you a 360 degree view of Seattle and the surrounding bay and mountains. Be sure to come here around sunset on a clear day (if you’re lucky) for some great photo opportunities.

This view is spectacular!
We went on a somewhat cloudy day, and still, this didn’t hinder the experience. Can’t wait to come back on a clear, blue day. Supposedly, you’d be able to see Mount Rainer. Chomping at the bit to get that pic.
You won’t feel cold and uncomfortable, because it’s completely enclosed. But if you’re OCD, bring some wipes, for the windows that tiny fingers or oily foreheads have decided to grace with their greasy touches.
There are tables (not to sit on; we saw some kids sit and break one, walking away laughing. Ugh, hooligans!) to put your cameras on, with the view toward the North End. Southend, however, does not have a table. Bring a tripod if you wanna time-​lapse.
Also, there’s a coffee shop up there, but tbh, I didn’t pay much attention to whether it was a lucky local company, or your standard SBs.
Bring your friends and fam. It’s breathtaking

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.

I think this is probably one of the best iconic views of Seattle you can get. Although it’s downtown, you’re on the south end of downtown, so you can still get a perspective of the buildings of the city, with a clear unobstructed view to the Space Needle. In the background, you can see the glistening bay with the hills. If it’s raining, you can see patches of clouds with sporadic clearing. It’s beautiful. If you go around to the other side, you can see the mountains to the east.
This place has a café where you can just enjoy good coffee while waiting for the weather to change momentarily.
Price is reasonable for an observatory, at $ 15 for an adult.

Skip the Space Needle and come here instead! In addition to being much taller than the Space Needle, the view from the top of the Columbia Tower includes the Space Needle, Mt. Rainer (on a sunny day), and a view down into the Seahawks stadium. There are plenty of descriptions and helpful information printed on the walls so you know what you’re looking at. This place is so far up that you have to take two elevators to get to the top.
Pricing is $ 15 for adults and $ 9 for students, so if you’re a student don’t forget your ID. Tickets are bought at the top. Pictures we took turned out really well, even through the glass. There is street parking in addition to a private garage. We went on a Saturday morning and there was no line and no wait.

To those of us who work nearby, it’s hard to go about your day without seeing a gorgeous sunset, snow capped mountain, or puffy white clouds. Sometimes, I like to buy a ticket and come up here to get away from my office. For $ 14, I can look to the east to the mountain range or to the west and see the ferries move across the water. The view is breathtaking!
For out-​of-​towners, if you’re driving here, expect to pay for parking in a garage, outdoor lot, or street parking with time limits. If you’re taking the bus, it’s definitely easier to navigate. The signage throughout the building is fairly good. If you get lost, find a security guard at the 5^th Avenue entrance or swing by the Starbucks upstairs for directions.
For locals, catch a Groupon if you can. If not, at a minimum, you can buy your ticket on the ground floor. Depending on how many people are there, you may have to wait in line for the cashier at the top. I don’t like waiting so I buy tickets ahead of time.
Check the weather report before you come or scope it out from another building. It would be a shame to waste the money if there’s low visibility at the top.

Sky View Observatory is by far taller than Space Needle but doesn’t mean it replaces the iconic landmark of Seattle.
After riding up 2 separate elevators, you get an amazing treat to an almost 360 degrees view (almost because one portion is not reachable). However, unlike Space needle, there’s no open air section so you don’t feel the wind and the realism that you’re thousands of feet above ground.
There are detailed landmarks maps so you know what you’re looking at. Like many others, we visited during sunset so we got to see both the daytime and night lights views.
There’s a nice little café on the observatory for drinks but definitely not cheap.
Check Groupon for discounts! I wouldn’t skip Space Needle for this but if you can squeeze it in to your schedule, by all means, check it out!

Wow! What an amazing find! We were so lucky to have met someone during our trip who suggested we come here in lieu of the space needle! It’s actually taller and has way less of a crowd! The views are gorgeous and there are helpful gentleman at the bottom directing you where you need to go. There’s w ton of fun facts on the walls and seating to take it all in. On top of that, there’s a little café with coffee, snacks, and beer!

I’ve gone up to the Space Needle, and the Sky View TRUMPS it BY FAR.
There’s Groupons, so look for those first. I got two tickets for $ 18 or so. I believe they’re usually that price for a single person.
The view is spectacular. My advice is find out when sunset is that day in Seattle, and GET TO THE TOP around 30 minutes to an hour before that. Forget all your troubles and worries and just soak in all of Seattle’s beauty.
We also had some wine at the little café, and it was pretty horrible. I’d stay away from either of the red or white.
If you don’t want to pay to go to the sky view but still want a nice free view, go to the Starbucks on the 40^th floor. It’s obviously not as nice, but hey, it’s free.

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!

73 Floors up
The building has another floor above this but that’s for special members. 73 is open to the general public. Parking at Columbia Tower is super expensive, 1hr or less is about $ 9. Such a crapping parking structure… It was confusing how to exit. Traveling up the floors is confusing. You will need someone to badge you up, get off around half way and catch another elevator shaft to 73. It’s confusing when no help is directing you where to go. Once you reach the 73^rd floor you check in with reception 1) have a ticket or 2) purchase a ticket. Regular ticket is about $ 14 and you get a stamp and it’s good for all day. The lounge is spacious and has couches and tables to sit at. There’s a café to grab a small bite and beverages but nothing fancy.
The view.
Beautiful that it feels so surreal. Some breath taking views and like it a little better than the space needle observation deck.
Love Seattle!!! I’m lucky to have lived there before :)

«Million Dollar view with a lot less hassle»
You can get amazing views in Seattle from primarily three different locations: the Space Needle is the more well known one, there is an older bldg in the Pioneer Square area that is called the Smith Tower Observation Deck. Although I didn’t get a chance to go to the Smith Tower, we were really impressed with the wrap around views of the Sky View Observatory in the Columbia Center on Fifth ave. Higher than the Space Needle and Smith Towers, it is housed in the tallest building in Seattle.
We were fortunate on the late afternoon that we decided to visit Mother Nature was kind and gave us the views that one would hope to see from an observation deck on the 73^rd floor.
The charge is less than the Space Needle and 300 feet higher. It’s also much less of a hassle to get to it and less crowded, even though the Space Needle is more iconic. What’s also nice is that your entry is good for the whole day. You go in the morning, do some other activities and come back at sunset to see some truly impressive views.
Although the Smith Tower I’m sure has it’s own charm but for our money, the views from the Sky View Observatory are first rate and a can’t miss if you are looking for that million dollar view in Seattle.
Take a look at the pictures posted on Unilocal showing the views from this place. If there ever was an observatory deck that showed why «a picture is worth a thousand words», this is it.

Wonderful place to see the entire city! We went at night, so it was pretty much empty, but it was nice to be able to walk around the entire observatory and take pictures. The building itself is over 300 feet taller than the Space Needle, so you can imagine just how amazing the view was from the top.
It does take two different elevators to get to the top (70+ floors up), which travel super super fast, so expect your ears to be popping while riding!
Small souvenirs are also available for purchase at the entrance/​exit.

I really was debating between going up the space needle or here. Every time in Seattle, I stay closer to the Space Needle side and walk by it several times a day and wonder whether it’s worth it and every time I think «meh». That’s why I chose the Sky View Observatory and was quite impressed.
One point of annoyance is that you have to enter the building from the north entrance which means that if you were walking up the hill to get there, you have yet another hill to climb and if you’re a tourist (I did not see a single local up there so you probably are), those damn hills start adding up.
Once you go up the elevator, pay the man your $ 15 and go in, the view is spectacular. Get yourself a nice glass of surprisingly reasonably priced wine from the café and walk around. You’re allowed to photograph using a tripod as long as you’re not a jerk about it and respect other people. There is a probably with the lobby lights reflecting from the glass however so if you have one of hose black cover things, bring it.
After sunset, they actually do turn off some of the lights, but the exit signs and the other lights still show so you’ll have to flag those as well.
Overall, I thought it was worth the money since you get to see EVERYTHING from West Seattle to Lower Queen Anne, to Lake Union, to the stadium, to Bellevue.

Best sunset view of all of Seattle! This place is worth going one time but is over priced ($ 14+ per person).
I wanted to go at sunset to see all of Seattle at dusk then to see the city lights turn on! It was such a beautiful site! :) On a clear day you can see all the mountain ranges and all of Seattle!
The Observatory is located in the Columbia Center building. It’s the tallest building west of Mississippi. The walls were covered in Seattle landscapes and a little bit of history about each. They also had a small café, seats, a model of the building and a short video of the making of the building.
Definitely a tourist attraction but again, worth going just once!

Wesentlich höher und eine bessere Sicht auf Seattle als auf der Space Needle. Dazu mit 12.50 USD günstiger. Klare Empfehlung

Wir waren auf Entdeckungstour in Seattle und das Columbia Center ist eine klasse Chance sich zu orientieren. Mehr zu unseren Erlebnisse der Reise unter