Space Needle & Seattle Observation Deck Tickets Compared
Seattle's skyline views split three ways — the Space Needle (often paired with Chihuly), the taller Sky View Observatory downtown, and a harbor cruise from water level — with the CityPASS bundling the lot.
Available
4 options
Avg. rating
4.8 - 3,740 reviews
From
$29 USD
Cancellation
Free up to 24h before
Space Needle & Observation Decks: what to know before booking
Seattle's skyline views split three ways — the Space Needle (often paired with Chihuly), the taller Sky View Observatory downtown, and a harbor cruise from water level — with the CityPASS bundling the lot.
- Availability
- 4 ticket options compared
- Starting price
- Tickets currently start around $29 USD before checkout fees.
- Rating signal
- Compared options average 4.8 stars across 3,740 traveler reviews.
- Location
- Space Needle: 400 Broad St, Seattle Center; Sky View Observatory: 700 4th Ave, downtown
- Best time
- Late afternoon into sunset for the best light; clear days reveal Mount Rainier
- Ticket note
- Timed-entry; the CityPASS is valid for 9 consecutive days from first use
Space Needle & Observation Decks in Seattle
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Everything you should know before you book
The Space Needle is the icon — a 520-foot deck with rotating glass floor and open-air views over Puget Sound, the Cascades, and on a clear day Mount Rainier. Most visitors pair it with Chihuly Garden and Glass next door, where Dale Chihuly's blown-glass installations sit at the Needle's base. For the highest view in the city, the Sky View Observatory on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center actually tops the Needle by 350 feet.
Buy timed entry and go at golden hour. Both decks sell date- and time-stamped tickets, and the last hour before sunset is the most photogenic and the busiest, so book ahead. If you plan to hit the Needle, the Aquarium, the Harbor Cruise, and more, the Seattle CityPASS bundles several of these at a meaningful discount on one booking.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy the Space Needle and Chihuly combo?
Yes for most first-timers — the two sit side by side at Seattle Center, and the combined ticket is cheaper than buying each separately.
Which is higher, the Space Needle or Sky View Observatory?
The Sky View Observatory on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center is the taller public viewpoint; the Space Needle is the more famous landmark with its rotating glass floor.
Is the Seattle CityPASS worth it?
If you plan to visit three or more of the top attractions — the Needle, Aquarium, Harbor Cruise, and others — the CityPASS usually pays for itself and lets you skip separate ticket lines.