Seattle’s iconic Space Needle has dominated the city’s skyline and fascinated visitors for well over half a century. The needle, resembling a flying saucer perched on a pedestal, was built to be a centerpiece of the 1962 World’s Fair. Construction was completed in just 400 days, and it was designed to withstand the largest earthquakes recorded at the time.
The 605-foot needle has now undergone a $100 million renovation to create a 21st-century attraction to enhance the visitor experience. There are now even more reasons to visit this stunning landmark, and here are five of them.
- Observation Deck and Skyrisers
At the 520-foot level of the Space Needle is the open-air observation deck. The original half wall and wire caging have been replaced by new outward-tilting floor to ceiling glass panels. You now get an unobstructed 360-degree view of the city, the Puget Sound, Olympic Mountains, and all of the beautiful surrounding scenery.
Fixed to alternate glass panels are cantilevered glass benches called Skyrisers which are tilted backward and give you the feeling of hanging out over the landscape below. The Skyrisers provide the opportunity to take selfies that make you appear to be floating in mid-air.
- The Loupe
The first and only rotating glass floor in the world is located at the 500-foot level of the needle and is named for the magnifying glass used by watchmakers and jewelers. It has replaced the solid floor of the original rotating restaurant. From this deck, you can look down the structure of the needle and beyond, at ground level, to the expanse of the Seattle Center urban park.
You can also see the mechanism of the rotating floor which is driven by 12 motors and 48 rollers. The floor can rotate in either direction and complete a rotation in times varying from 20 minutes to 90 minutes. Initially, it is set to complete one rotation in a clockwise direction every 45 minutes.
- The Oculus Stairs
Connecting the two levels are the Oculus Stairs, two flights of half-moon open staircases constructed from glass, steel, and wood. At the foot of the stairs is a glass-floored oculus, or eye-shaped panel, giving you views down the steel superstructure of the needle and of the ascent and descent of the elevators and counterweights.
- The Atmos Cafe and Atmos Wine Bar
Take in the views while enjoying a snack, sandwich, or burger at the Atmos Cafe located on the observation deck level. You’ll also find hot and cold beverages and local wines and craft beers. The glass-floored Atmos Wine Bar situated on The Loupe serves wine and beer, savory bites, cheese boards, and charcuterie.
- Seattle Center Monorail
Enhance your space-age experience further by taking the monorail to the Space Needle from the Westlake Center. The monorail system was also built for the 1962 World’s Fair, and trains run approximately every 10 minutes.
A visit to the Space Needle is an unforgettable experience and one that you will cherish for a lifetime as you look back at the photographs.
Image via Tim Durkan | Licensed by CC BY 2.0
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