Anytime I tell someone who hasn’t been to Washington that I live in Seattle, their first question is always, “Do you like the Space Needle?”. My honest answer to this question is no. In my opinion, there are so many other things that are worth your time and your money if you are planning a trip to Seattle. In this blog I will dive deeper into why I don’t love the Space Needle and what I recommend doing with your time in Seattle.
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Cost Consideration:
The allure of the Space Needle is undeniable, but for anyone traveling on a budget the price might come as a shock. It is around $40 per adult to visit the top of the Space Needle. If this one factor is enough to make you walk away, don’t get too discouraged. Keep reading for tips on visiting the tallest building in Seattle for a fraction of the price of the Space Needle.
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Time Investment:
While the Space Needle promises a unique adventure, Seattle’s diverse activities offer so much more to explore. Even with over two years of living in Seattle I still find myself struggling with the fact that I haven’t seen everything, and I have no plans to move out of Seattle!
Planning a Trip to the Space Needle
I get it, we’re not all on the same budget or timeframe. If you are set on making your way to the top of the Space Needle, I have some tips for you too. The first thing you need to do is check on websites like Groupon or Tripadvisor for cheaper tickets. You’ll see a lot of tickets with the option to add in a visit to the Chihuli Glass Museum. I would 100% buy the tickets with access to Chihuili. When I was working as a whitewater guide in Leavenworth I would always ask people who were traveling to Washington what their favorite part of Seattle was, and they almost always mentioned the Chihuli Glass Museum. They mentioned it so much that I made a trip to the museum myself and spent hours admiring these glass sculptures.
Plan on visiting the Space Needle as early in the morning or as late in the evening as possible. You never really know what Seattle weather is going to offer. Clouds roll in quickly and unexpectedly sometimes, but the views of foggy Seattle are still beautiful. The ideal scenario is to be at the top of the Space Needle to watching the sunrise or sunset. Going during these times also frees up time for you to go to the Chihuli Glass Museum before or after your trip to the top of the Space Needle.
The Columbia Tower
You can try visiting the Columbia Tower as a cheaper way to get views of downtown Seattle and the Puget Sound. The Columbia Tower is actually taller than the Space Needle. The Space Needle is 605 feet tall, while the Colombia tower is 967 feet tall! It costs $20 for Washington residents and $30 for tourists to get to the top. You can purchase tickets to the Columbia tower here.
Parks in Seattle
An alternative to visiting the Space Needle is exploring one of Seattles public parks. The city of Seattle has done something very unique as far as their public parks go. Instead of clearing all of the trees and transforming these spaces into play grounds, most of the parks in Seattle feel like hiking trails. It is a great way to escape the hustle of downtown Seattle without having to go too far. My favorites are Discovery Park, Golden Gardens, and Warren G. Magnuson.
Pike Place Market
Visiting Pike Place Market is similar to the Space Needle in that it is an iconic Seattle landmark. Most people who travel to Seattle make a day out of visiting Pike Place. You can see the fish market, buy fresh produce, and wander around fun vintage stores. I also recommend going across the street, to the east, of Pike Place and getting a bite to eat. I enjoy Pike Place Chowder but there are so many options nearby.
Activities for Kids
If you’re visiting Seattle with kids, there are tons of different activities you can do. The Seattle Aquarium is open daily from 9:30 – 6:00 and is the perfect spot to explore with kids. The aquarium sits on the downtown waterfront, so make time to walk around before or after your trip. Another great spot to take kids is the Pacific Science Center. They have an Imax theater, planitarum, and unique exhibits that can make for a fun day with kids.
Day Trips From Seattle
If you have spent a few days in the city and are looking to make the most out of your vacation in Seattle, I would go on a day trip for a unique Washington adventure. It’s hard to say where exactly you should go due to the many appealing options surrounding Seattle. A few that I would recommend tryign out are:
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Make the drive to Deception Pass. If you have a rental vehicle and can make an hour and a half drive north of Seattle, go to Deception Pass. This state park is great for kids and adults with the many different outdoor activities available. More info on Deception Pass State Park here.
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Take the ferry to Bainbridge island. You can take a ferry from Seattle across the Puget Sound over to Bainbridge island. This quiet community is a beautiful area to spend a day. You can explore bakeries, downtown shops, and even find a few wineries that are worth a visit.
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Head to eastern Washington and explore Leavenworth. Leavenworth is the place to go for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers lookign to explore a unique town. Downtown Leavenworth is filled with food and shops. If you can make it out here in the winter you might even get to see the yearly Leavenworth Christmas magic. If you’re looking for hiking trails in Washington state, Leavenworth has plenty of those to offer as well. Visit Colchuck Lake and mark Washington states most renowned hiking trail off of your bucket list!
Conclusion
All in all, if you have the time and the money then I say go for it! The Space Needle can be very fun, but just make sure you weigh out your options and don’t end up thinking that the Space Needle is the only option for your Seattle vacation. The main point I am trying to get across in this article is that Seattle has so many iconic sights to see, so don’t stress if you don’t have the time or the money to visit the Space Needle.
For information on my favorite park to visit while you’re in Seattle, click here!