A Visit to the Space Needle | June 2022

 

Standing 602 feet, the Seattle Space Needle is an icon. 

The Space Needle is celebrating 60 years! The World's Fair in 1962 is when the Space Needle had its big debut. In 2018, it got a facelift. They added the world's first glass floor where visitors can look down below to the street and even watch the Space Needle elevator go up and down. What a new, unique view of this famous structure! They also added glass benches where you can lean back. My family and I visited then, right before the glass floor was done. You can see that post right here! 

My husband proposed to me at the top of the Space Needle. Since we just celebrated our 15th anniversary, I thought it would be fun to visit again. Since we are experiencing June Gloom, or "Juneuary", some are calling it, the day was a grey and rainy one. That didn't stop people from coming! We had already purchased tickets online for a particular time slot, so we went anyway. The views at the top weren't the best because of the rain, and I felt bad for the first time visitors. But nobody seemed too bothered by the weather. It helps that the Space Needle is such a fun place to be. 

Once you come out of the elevator, you arrive on the top observation floor. That's where the glass benches are, which are uncovered. You can go down a staircase, called the Oculus, to the second observation floor, called the Loupe, and that's where you'll find the cool rotating glass floor. 

I was a little afraid at first, but then we all just stepped on it and looked down. Wow! The view and feeling was something I'd never experienced. Such a neat perspective on the Space Needle. Another thing I like is before you enter the elevator to go up, they take your photo. Those photos are included in the price of the ticket. You can download them later using the barcode on your ticket. You receive one pose with five Seattle backgrounds. 

Waiting in line to get our photo taken and go on up to the top.

The Oculus is a grand wood, steel, and glass staircase, connecting the two observation floors. 

Standing on the world's first and only rotating glass floor. 

A grey view of Elliot Bay, Queen Anne, Belltown, West Seattle, and the waterfront. See the cruise ships to the left? 

Visitors stand on the glass floor and look at the view below. 

My son, gazing at the Seattle skyline while standing on the glass floor. 

A view of part of downtown, Belltown, and the waterfront. 

So many new buildings since our last visit in 2018! This is the spot on the observation deck for the most direct view of the skyline. 

On the Loupe, where the glass floor is, you'll find the Loupe Lounge. This is a 21+ experience and you must make a reservation. Back in the day, this is where Sky City, the restaurant was. We ate there a couple of times. 

My other son, gazing at the view below, while enjoying his lollipop from the giftshop below.  

A fun Space Needle souvenir my son picked out in the giftshop. 

 

A giant screen showing photos from visitor's experiences.

Me sitting on the glass floor. So fun! 

After going up on the Space Needle, we were ready for some dinner. We headed to the Seattle Center Armory and had dinner at the Skillet Counter. 

We had some Skillet Punch, a fruity rum drink. 

My husband and I shared the Blackened Salmon Sammy with a side salad. The salmon was cooked perfectly and served with a spicy lemon aioli. So good! 

After eating, we went back outside and walked around the Seattle Center fountain, which our kids love. It's kind of our happy place. We have enough memories of the Space Needle and Seattle Center to last a lifetime!