Sky View Observatory - Columbia Center

Our first day in Seattle and I can think of no better way of getting the lay of the land than to spend some time enjoying the 360 degree views from the Sky View Observatory. We lucked out and had a beautiful sunny morning and had great views all around. The staff was amazing and very helpful pointing out the various sites and peaks. At 11am on a Friday we nearly had the place to ourselves, which was great and we never felt rushed. Two thumbs up and all the stars.

We went on a Sunday in the late fall when there were no crowds. It has amazing views of Seattle and the surrounding area. It is very casual and relaxing. There's a small cafe to get snacks and drinks. Definitely a relatively hidden gem in downtown Seattle.

Amazing observatory, great views. Not so expensive beer. This is the best spot to get 360 views of Seattle and even a glimpse at bellevue and Mt. Baker. You can see the Olympics and sun setting beyond them. You can see Mt. Rainier glow up at sunset. You can see bellevue with a backdrop of cascades. You can see baker on a clear day as well. It's a treat to be here during sunset time. Costs $25 per person. Slightly less if you book through Groupon but you need to call and reserve after purchase. Would definitely recommend during sunset time till the city lights come up. Will definitely be returning.

I feel like I could never get tired of going there because every day at sunset, it’s a completely unique experience. No two sunsets are ever the same, and the view is always breathtaking.😍😍😍 I love how atmospheric and aesthetic this place is. I’ve already been there 3 or 4 times, but I know I’ll keep going back again and again. It’s just that beautiful!🔥🔥🔥

View was great...much better than the Space Needle. However, the experience was below par. Where to go, how the elevator worked, and what to expect on the ride up was lacking. Once at the top there was nobody with the time to answer questions, most tables said reserved even though nobody was there and the bartender was not available, and then the wait for the ride down was quite a while. Also, if you are driving try to avoid the parking at Columbia Center as a 1.5 hour stay was $24! Overall, the view is worth it but don't expect anything else.

Loved this! Bought my Elite ticket on Groupon. This experience came with a souvenir & $10 voucher toward a Drink or food. I was 900 feet above sea level and the city views were amazing. The Sky View Observatory is located in the Columbia Center Tower on the 73rd floor.

Located on the 73rd floor of Columbia Centre, this observatory offers breathtaking 360-degree view of Mt. Rainier, the Cascade Mountains, Lumen Field, Alki beach pier, King Street Station, Mt. Baker, Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, the Space Needle, Great Wheel, Seattle city, Bellevue, the King County international airport, Bainbridge island, and what not! One can also pursue a berserk emergency van blaring some 900 feet down vanishing behind city towers. We visited in the late afternoon and caught some breathtaking views of the Puget Sound too. Entire floor was very spacious and offered plenty of chairs, couches and love seats. Observatory ambassadors (that’s the post) were really friendly and forthcoming. We missed hot coffee at the Cafe, though. Most importantly, there’s no limit to how much time you get to spend here. That is a privilege. This probably is the tallest public place offering views of galloping hours of Emerald City and around. Day and night hours are very disparate experiences here. A must go!

Went Friday night around 7pm and the staff kept saying how it was a bummer we missed sunset. I thought nighttime would be cool too, but the vibe of the observatory is completely off. The drinks were not good. The staff was unprofessional - talking loudly about how they couldn’t wait to go home and how it’s been so dead. There was no music and it was dead silent. There were lights on in the bar area so it was difficult to get any good pictures without a glare. Also, most notably, the lights were completely OFF leaving the elevator. The views were great with the lighting, but my friend tripped over a black stool which was poorly placed right in the middle of a walking area. He fell and broke the skin on his knee. I tripped after he did and the lady in front of us said she did the same when she walked in. I’d skip this tower altogether and opt for the Smith Tower nearby. The drinks and overall ambiance is way better and the staff is professional.

What a great view! Located at the Columbia Center in Downtown Seattle on the 73rd floor, it offers the best 360° views of the Pacific Northwest. You can purchase tickets online up to 1 hour before they close. This is highly recommended. They have a few different packages that includes drinks and merch. The ride up is pretty interesting and it is much faster than you'd expect. There's a lot of information on building and the beautiful scenery. The views are amazing, you can see all of Seattle, Puget Sound, and the cute little Space Needle. I felt really safe even being so high up, I never felt scared even being right up next to the windows. It can be scary at other highrises. Definitely fun spot. We had a short time here but was able to walk through everything quickly. They have a cafe on site with alcoholic drinks. Definitely recommended!

Hear me out: the best and highest view of Seattle isn't from the Space Needle, but from the Sky View Observatory. Not only is it significantly higher (at 902 feet, compared to the Needle's 605 feet), but it offers a panoramic, 360-degree view of the entire city, the Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier, and yes, the iconic Space Needle itself. Seeing the Needle from this vantage point feels more special than standing on it--it's like admiring a city's crown jewel from the perfect angle. Plus, the Sky View Deck is less crowded, more affordable, and gives you a real sense of Seattle's skyline and natural beauty. If you're all about the views, this spot is unbeatable!

We came here for the first time 5 years ago, so we had to come again on our return visit to Seattle. I've been to both the Space Needle and the Sky View Observatory. While the Space Needle is iconic, I much prefer to come to Sky View over the Space Needle. A lot less crowded, higher up, better price, and they have a small cafe at the top. Gorgeous 360 views of Seattle and beyond. We bought standard tickets and came on a Sunday afternoon. Absolutely no line and very minimal people at the top. We were able to get a table right at the window and enjoy our time without feeling rushed. That being said, we were initially going to buy the Elite Experience pass - the night before had full availability, but the morning of, they got rid of all availability. When we got there, there was not a single person using the reserved tables for the whole two hours we were there (despite the tickets being gone). So with that knowledge, I'd stick with the standard ticket. Cafe is nice with some good cocktails and a few food options. Still a wonderful time at Sky View (and would still return on our next trip), but definitely miss some of the perks they had when we came five years ago - miss all the board games, the video on the way up in the elevator, and the photo op at the beginning. It seems that they definitely took a hit from COVID, and it hasn't gone quite back to being the same.

While visiting Seattle the weather happen to be clear skies with a bit of sun . Which made it a perfect day to visit the Sky view observatory which is an observatory overlooking all of Seattle on the 79th floor . There is a counter for drinks (alcohol and non-alcohol ) with seating and history (information about Seattle ) on the walls . I purchased my ticket on-line but they are also available for purchase inside the observatory. It was a great opportunity to unwind with a beautiful view .

The best spot to see Seattle from above! It's cheaper and higher than the Space Needle, offering a stunning 360 view of the entire city. Bonus points for the bar, you can sip your drink while taking in the breathtaking sights. A must-do for first timers and locals alike!

Nearest public parking was a couple blocks away at $12 for 2 hrs. Standard Experience: $23.10 per person w/ valid military ID $19.95 per youth ages 5-13 There's also designated times to choose from upon arrival. 73rd flr. All indoors. 360 degree view of WA. Stunning! Highest tower in the U.S. Elevation is over 900 ft. Read about history of WA. For example, Mt Rainier Elevation: 14,441 ft Sky View Cafe. Bar seating ages 21 & older. Restrooms on site. Complimentary ice water. We personally enjoyed our time visiting this attraction.

Gorgeous view of the Seattle skyline, the tallest building of them all (even more than the Space Needle!). We purchased tickets ($25 each for adults) to come at sunset during summer (around 8:30 PM) to get a view of the city in daylight, as the sun set, and at night time with all the city lights on. The ride operator was really fun to talk to, the workers are very chatty and warm. One even offered to take a photo for my boyfriend and I at the end since he commented that he wasn't sure if we got one together the entire duration of the experience! Once you get to the top, you get a glorious view of Mt Rainier, the Space Needle, Pike Place, and even downtown Bellevue! I really enjoyed this experience, Seattle has such a beautiful downtown. There are lots of informational panels everywhere detailing the mountains and building history of Washington. Lots of people who mean business bring professional cameras to take photos here, but nothing beats viewing it with your own two eyes.

Come with me to the Skyview Observatory on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center at 902 feet in the sky! Yes we were higher than the Space Needle! Stunning views of Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Elliott Bay, and the Olympic Mountains. Delicious nibbles & cocktails. My favorite was the Magnolia Mule with Rachel's Ginger Beer. The best ginger beer ever & it's local! Iconic! I learned so much & had an amazing time! "Highly" recommend. Ani approved.

Yesss!!! I truly enjoy this place it's not just a regular tourist spot it's a place you can really enjoy a nice time eating and the best views! If I lived here I can see visiting a few times a month ... provided they discounted the rate for locals because while I do think it's priced right for tourists ... locals may find the admitting fee steep, even for the views.

Excellent views all around! If you are afraid of heights then don't go near the floor to ceiling windows. But on a clear day you can see gorgeous views of Seattle and its harbor as well as nearby mountains. What a treat! There's a bar here as well so you can order drinks and snacks. Will come back next time around sunset to capture more gorgeous views.

I might be wrong but I think this is the tallest building in the city and for that the best spot to get an overview. It is a very modern building with a food court downstairs. You buy the tickets there on screens and then take the elevator up.

We enjoyed our visit to the Sky View Observatory. We went on a Friday morning and there was no wait and no crowds. We went up in an elevator and were able to see some beautiful views. I suggest going on a clear, sunny day, for better views. All of the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful. I don't know that I would visit again. I feel like seeing it once was enough but would like to see the views on a clear, sunny day.

This place was INCREDIBLE. The view was absolutely AMAZING!! Highly, highly recommend. It's about 300 feet higher than the Space Needle. It's cool to get the Needle IN your pictures from this vantage point. I only wish it was sunny and clear when we were up there. Oh well, I suppose that's Washington for you... lol

It's all about the views! The Sky View Observatory is located on the 73rd floor and 902 feet up in the Columbia Center. The tallest public viewing area in the entire Pacific Northwest (taller than the Space Needle). I would compare this to being inside a super tall buiding with no cubicals. If you are afraid of heights and not a fan of the open air of the Space Needle this is a great option. We did both and personal opinion is the Sky View Observatory had some of my favorite views.

Highly recommend coming on a clear day to see Rainier. The price is a little steep, but the view is really lovely and it's the best in Seattle as the tallest building. There's 360 degree visibility. There are reserved tables but there's no need for that. They have some drinks and small snacks up there too if you'd like. The staff are friendly.

The view was great! Sunset at the observatory was spectacular! Drinks were on the sweeter side, frizzy and fun. Parking was a breeze as we parked at the garage and took the elevators up to the lobby.

The "Elite Experience" is completely misrepresented when you buy the tickets. What a disappointment! The views are great, yes. But opt for the cheapest ticket because nothing else is worth it. When we were there it wasn't very busy, so the ability to use the reserved tables wasn't needed and no one was checking anyway. The "complimentary elite beverage" was an Italian soda. We never got our free "specialty retail item", though other reviews seem to say it's a sticker. There is no gift shop. There is one small shelf with a selection of 5 items - two of which are stickers. Then when I was checking out the bartender still tried to charge me even though my total was less than the $45 worth of vouchers included in my "elite" tickets. And the line for the bar, which is also the cafe, was ridiculous since there was one bartender working. Save your money and skip it.

I been a resident in seattle area for decades and I have never been to the Columbia tower observatory, but been to the space needle and smith tower so I was excited to try the tallest observatory in seattle. If you drive there is a garage between 4th and 5 th street on Columbia well marked, I told the light rail and got off at pioneer station which was 4 blocks about to the building. I bought tickets in advance but no need plenty on space on the 73rd floor , entrance is on 5th but ignore the sign there is an elevator to your right not well marked that you have to go down to 1st floor then to an express elevator (exclusively) to the sky and your escorted in and out of elevator. The 73rd floor dwarfs the smith tower as you can see the below you, the sky has an enclosed 360 view of the city huge windows to lookout and lots of window seating with tables , a full bar and good service. I'm glad I did it, tickets come in 3 levels but now that I did it next time I'll think I got for the basic which still comes with a free drink and vouchers for food .The drinks was fantastic price the Bloody Mary I had was good value and good volume could drink more of those, they said they have a retail store none was on the 73rd floor maybe in the atrium at street level. Now the Columbia tower has a private member only restaurant in another part of the building , so I wonder why that this place has less food and I do mean less food than AMC theatre. If you can cooked a pizza you can do chicken tenders, popcorn,fries sliders something more than pizza please. So I would definitely do it again but maybe eat before going and get drinks only, btw the ice mocha came in a heavy duty glass that was a nice touch

This observatory is located on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center. We came in the evening on a rainy day so there were not that many people around. This was our favorite view of Seattle compared to Kerry Park and the Space Needle. They are different views, but still this was my favorite. We spent about 2 hours here. There are 3 options for tickets: General admission (standard) which includes the Stunning 360-Degree Views; upgraded experience (combination) which includes the Stunning 360-Degree Views, Priority Lane for Entry and Exit, and $5 Voucher that can be used at the Sky View Café or gift shop; lastly the experience the best (all-inclusive) which includes all the above, $10 Voucher that can be used at the Sky View Café or gift shop and reserved Window Seating. We purchased the combination ticket, but since it was a rainy day there wasn't much benefit to it. There weren't people waiting to enter or exit. However, we did use our $5 vouchers at the bar. Since it was near St. Patrick's day, they had some speciality cocktails. I had the four leaf clover-skyy raspberry vodka, peach snaps, pineapple juice, and green food coloring. My husband ordered the tropical autumn-Captain Morgan dark rum, special mix of pineapple and orange juice with almond milk infused with cinnamon. The drinks tasted nice. We sat by the window and enjoyed the views with our drinks. I highly recommend going up to the 73rd floor to see the views, but probably the general admission ticket is sufficient.

We took a city tour with Royal Caribbean that took us here. It was really neat to see the city. We say the space needle without the needle due to maintenance which was oddly neat. Great views. Quiet place. Clean.

This is a great place with stunning views all over the city. I came in 30m right before sunset but the clouds didn't help. Anyways it was still breath taking views from all over. They have a bar with some bites to eat as well. If you haven't been check it out! I got my ticket on their website and they have a combo that includes admission here and a ferry cruise!

Bought the "elite experience". - Was anything but! Drinks not great, food meh, reserved seating ok - and souvenir item is a sticker! $45 is a rip-off - stick to the basic package Views are great, do just buy that!

3pm on a Friday in the summer. Killing time before the baseball game. WOW. Amazing views of the entire city. Kicks the needle's butt. $25 tickets, beer, water, etc. up top. Can't beat it. Must see if you are a tourist, and would imagine that Seattle natives have all been at least once. Go.

Typical tourist skyline observatory. Not complaining--I really enjoy such attractions! There are great views around all sides including Mt. Rainier, Lake Washington, and downtown Seattle. Had great weather with mostly clear skies so the viewing distance was quite far. We went at an odd time in the early afternoon so it was empty and there was no line. I bet it is way busier at sunset..

Purchased a Groupon for this place and was cool to see the city skyline from downtown. Would go here again.

Can't beat the view, but the food was OK but forgettable. Beautiful, beautiful place with phenomenal views in a classic art deco building.

The Sky View Observatory is 100% worth it! An incredible view of Seattle with food and drinks at the top. Forget the Space Needle as it's more expensive and not as high up. Happy viewing!

Way less busy than the space needle, amazing views and their cocktails are so tasty! Would highly recommend the lavender sunset.

2 stars for the nice staff downstairs and at the bar. This is really just an office building they tried to capitalize on. I came to visit from Los Angeles and this is like a very subpar version of the Intercontinental in downtown LA. I paid $27.50 (with tax and processing fees) to ride a nice elevator up to the 73rd floor of an office building. It literally looks like my old work office in terms of carpet and overall structure. They even sell those office freebies your company probably gives out at events and career fairs (squeeze balls with a logo, corporate water bottles, pens, etc.). It took me like 15 minutes MAX (I was really pushing it) to walk through the whole floor. I grabbed a drink at the bar, and the bartenders were really sweet and friendly! Overall the views are nice but not $30 nice. It is indeed taller than the Space Needle. Other than that, this place is pretty dead and you'd do better befriending someone who works in this building to see it for free.

We went here on a Saturday night earlier this month (September) at 6:30pm and left at 8pm since the workers told us we could stay as long as we wanted. This place closes at 8pm, so we had no choice, but to leave because they were about to close. Anyways, this place is located on the 73rd floor and is currently in the tallest building on the West coast, so we knew we wanted to visit this place since the Skyview Observatory is on the 73rd floor of Columbia Center building! At this observation building, we were told we can spend as much time as we wanted here. We wanted to watch the sunset and try to get a view of the city when it was completely dark, but that wasn't possible on that day because they close at 8pm! I wasn't too happy about how early they close. This observation area also has a bar and area where you can buy food if you want to dine here with a nice view. They have a lot of areas to sit around this place and some tables too if you want to eat. The 360 views around this observation place was really nice and I thought it was cool seeing the roof of other tall buildings here and also got a better view of Mount Rainier since other buildings were not in my way. I'd recommend this place! It was a lot of fun taking pictures of the different views here and it was cool how you can dine and order food and drinks here too! I just wish this place would stay open until the sun fully sets and I also would like for them to install cameras on the wall to take a picture with the view for us. I know other observation places do that.

I have lived here my whole life and I haven't been here until now. This building is something special. Love the staff. I can stay up here for hrs!

My husband has been to Seattle multiple times and, for my first trip, he had planned to take me to the Space Needle. A local said to us, "The Space Needle is a tourist trap. Go to Columbia Center instead." I am so glad we were told about this observatory. My husband confirmed that the Columbia Center has better views than the Space Needle. We paid for general admission on a clear and sunny Saturday, and we were surprised to find that it was not crowded at all. I highly recommend!

It was an underwhelming experience. The staff members were great and friendly, but it was everything else that was a bit disappointing. In my opinion, the whole experience for $25 + tax was not worth it. You purchase your tickets at the kiosk (or online) and then directed to an elevator nearby. You're escorted into the elevator and lifted up to the 73rd floor. The 73rd floor consists of a bar/cafe with merchandise and the rest is open space for you to see Seattle from all sides of the building. From this height, the cars on the freeway looked liked toys from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood show. In terms of aesthetics of the 73rd floor, it's extremely dull and bare. There's not much to do except take photos and all could be done in less than 10 minutes.

Sky View Observatory was a great stop to get a unique birds eye view of Seattle. Between the more popular Space Needle, Sky View has cheaper tickets, is taller, and has no time limit. We went during Memorial Day weekend around 7pm and there wasn't a big crowd or line to get in. They offer tiered tickets, priced by extra feature that are included. Some extra features include a priority line, and access to reserved tables next to the windows on the top floor. After taking an elevator up the building, the doors open up to a 360 degree floor that you can freely walk around. There is a cafe that serves alcohol, and a few tables. The prices are fair for the unique and untimed experience. It was a great way to kill some time before dinner at night. Be sure to check what time the sun sets to get the best views and lighting. Unfortunately for us, the sun set late around 9pm, so we didn't get much city light views until closing.

Come on up for a drink, enjoy the space and revel in the amazing view. Drinks are not bad. Food and drinks are decently priced for the present age. My one request since this is a viewing tower where one comes to look out windows...Please, please locate a bottle of Windex and an old rag and wipe a window, for crying in the rain. The young sarcastic adults languishing behind the counter, there is something you can do! Wax on, wax off. Clean a window or 10 so that the rest of us who paid money to see out of the windows may do that.

Nice view of the city from the tallest building in Seattle. Went here to view the city at sunset. Note that it is an office building and the view is from the 73 floor. There is parking located on-site for a fee. We bought our tickets (around $25) at the kiosks on site and were guided to an elevator with a video of a waterfall. We loaded in the elevator and went up to the 73 floor. Once up there you are able to walk around and view the city including the space needle. Personally, we did not like this experience as it felt very officey and you were not in the elements as you were in the Space Needle. You can tell this even from the ride up the elevator where it's just videos of the skyline and not the actual skyline. Also, it was very dark inside and that made it hard to read the information they had on the walls of the city.

PSA: Hire your own photographer!!! My fiancé planned the perfect proposal at the Sky View observatory it was the perfect moment until we got our photos back from the photographer. When he reserved the Sky View observatory he was told that there was an in-house photographer, so assuming they have an in-house photographer they would capture the special moment with good quality photos, but the photos are blurry, dark, and can't really see our faces. I was soaking in the moment too much that I forgot to ask to take photos on my iPhone and oh boy do I regret it. They even told my bf that they had a Nikon, so I assume their "professional" camera can have one decent photo. They should have told us "use our photographer at your own risk". Gorgeous spot, just hire a photographer or give them your iPhone. It's so disheartening to have something special so planned and the photographer couldn't even capture a once in a lifetime moment. If anyone can somehow save/edit the terrible photos their photographer took, please let me know.

After reading reviews, I had such high hopes for this place. We booked an entrance time for the evening to see the final disappearance of the sun and the city night come to life. That was exactly what happened. The timing was perfect. There was a football game happening in the stadium that could be seen, ferries traveling, the wheel lit up and in motion. It was incredible. The atmosphere what not at all what I expected. It was not crowed and very quiet. The windows were only half the length of the wall in most places, which really wouldn't be terrible if they had proper seating for it. There are various things to read and look at about the construction of the building and history of Seattle and the surrounding area. There is no comfortable seating available near a viewing area like shown online. Even if you reserve window seating. It's cafeteria style tables and chairs pushed up against the window, which is not ideal for seeing over the break in the window or for enjoying the amazing views this space has to offer. The cafe had very limited menu of only flatbreads and wraps. The bar had a standard array of beverages. We were hoping to get something to eat while up here, but they do not have anything allergen friendly. I wish I would have known this before. The staff downstairs was warm and welcoming. It was a very minimal wait to head up to the 73rd floor. Once up top, the staff seemed to hate their jobs and the paying customers. It wasn't even a customer service issue as much as it was a lack of manners and hospitality. For example, there were plenty of seats available in the reserved section and we were assigned to a large table on a side of the building I wasn't particularly interested in viewing. I requested to be sat at another side and was met with a stare from the employee. It wasn't offered or acknowledged. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this place for the price. It was like $80 for our entrance fee, reserved table, and $20 beverage credit ($10/person).

I love going to the observatories in different cities, but I don't love paying $40 a ticket. That was the main reason we didn't visit the Space Needle (or at least why we didn't go up). My fiancé found a solution to this when he found the SkyView Observatory. It was half the price for a ticket at $20. Then, I randomly decided to do a Groupon search for Seattle deals and I found it on there for $10! The only thing is that the Groupon isn't your ticket so you have to go and redeem it for a ticket, but I had no issues with the redemption, even with a same-day purchase. Once you get up there, it is not crowded at all (but maybe because it was a Friday late afternoon and also Valentine's Day. You have plenty of space to explore the 360 view. There's also a bar/cafe up there so you can sit and enjoy a drink, or even walk around with it. Another reason I like these non-main observatories is because you actually get a view of the main ones. I can't compare it to the Space Needle but SkyView is definitely worth a visit. Plus it's only about a 15-20 minute walk from Pike Place.

My partner and I bought the Groupons for the Elite tickets, well worth it! We met the marketing manager, who was helping to bartend at the time, and she was extremely kind and lovely. We loved the lemonades, and of course the view was gorgeous, better than the views from the Space Needle in my opinion. We visited in the afternoon, would love to come back to see the views at sunset!

Incredible! Just speechless on the view you are able to get from the 360° views! We went towards the evening to catch sunset, sadly there wasn't one. But we were treated with some amazing night shots of the city!! I can only imagine the views during the day and when there is a beautiful sunset. I truly recommend this for any first time visitor of Seattle but I also will be returning the next time my wife and I visit.

My kids aged 5-13 love watching engineering and construction shows. For an adventure day, we went to Skyview observatory to be inside Seattle's tallest skyscraper and see the tops of other buildings. The staff were friendly and helpful as we took in the view and learned about Seattle engineering marvels. While not as famous as the Needle the engineering, smaller crowds and panoramic views made it worth the price and effort.

I have mixed feelings about this place, and here is why. Pros: - This place gives you an amazing view of entire Seattle and even Mt Rainier on a clear day - They do validate parking (don't forget to check with the cafe for validation) - This place is not so crowded, so you can enjoy the views and hangout as much time as you want Cons: - The management has no idea how to make use of this amazing place - it has all the potential to be like another One World Observatory, but the management just messed it up with walls, windows, and tinted glass - Despite having a lot of scope for window seating, they have a limited number of window-side tables and the staff will ask the guests to move to open tables while they are having food or drinks - Staff can be a little more polite and professional - The merchandise available here makes no sense at all Instead of feeling like an observation deck with excellent views, I just felt like it was some office space and since the management cannot find a tenant, they just decided to make it an observation deck. Such a shame for such an amazing viewpoint.

It's hard to find good weather day in winter in Seattle. Yesterday they had fog. Today, cloudy but no shower. I decided to try today and it turned out super lucky day. I read some comment to buy a ticket in advance to save money but again, to pay at cashier turned lucky to save more money. Nomally adult admission $22. Today they had some issue which doesn't bother me at all but discounted to $5.25 And I didn't buy all in ticket with some extra attraction but the photographer lady seemed very workholic, she took my pictures. 3 or 4 poses? I mean it's not free to print out but their concept was like if you like, why not? I have time, I will take pictures even you didn't apply it. I love that!

My partner and I had high hopes for our visit, but we were left underwhelmed and bit disappointed. Easy process with purchasing tickets online and no crowds on the weekdays. We went on a Sunday night and was not busy at all. I paid for the Elite experience which gets you a window table and a free $10 voucher (per person) towards food and drinks. We were informed when we got there (45 min drive from our location) that their electronic system was down so purchasing food/drinks/merchandise could not be done. She told us we could "possibly" get drinks. When we arrived they were handing out bite size flatbread pieces and chips. That's cute, but when you make the trip, pay to park, and plan to have a little more for dinner and come to enjoy a nice drink or two during sunset, I would expect more. They only would serve one drink of their choice. They seemed limited since they told me they did not have certain wines or Prosecco. They should of compensated people with another visit at no charge or full/partial refund. Thank goodness the sunset was beautiful because the windows were foggy and dirty in some areas and we were hangry. You'll have better experience at the Space Needle or roof top bar in my opinion!

Better than the Space Needle. We went on a Sunday afternoon and had lunch. The prices were reasonable, the views were amazing and we didn't feel rushed. It felt like an upscale bar but family friendly.

This is one of the best spot to observe Seattle at a bird's eye view. You could see as far as Bellevue skyline, Seattle Lake Washington, the stadiums, Alki Beach, Space Needle, Mount Rainier, and etc. Basically 360 degree of Seattle. The staff was super friendly especial Mitchell who assisted us check into an event organized by Cara from Yelp. The elevator ride took 70 seconds. On the way up there are beautiful photos playing on the elevator screen and once you are on top of the building there is a bar. There is nothing like taking in the views of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest with good company and a nice beverage.

As a tourist visiting Seattle for the first time, of course I had to pack in the typical Seattle experiences. One of which being the Space Needle. But I read numerous "top things to do in Seattle" blogs, & kept coming across the Sky View Observatory, which boasted a view that included all of Seattle, & looked down on the Space Needle. After much back & forth, we decided to go the extra mile & visit Sky View Observatory (SVO) instead of the Space Needle (SN). Getting there: I found public transportation in seattle to be amazing, & using Google maps was a breeze to get from point A to B. There are directions to SVO on the website: "One block east of LINK Light Rail Pioneer Square Tunnel Station.  Main entrance located on 4th Avenue just south of Columbia Street". There's also a bus stop right outside the main entrance. We walked from Pike Place, which was about 15 mins. The building is one of the tallest on the skyline, a tall black shiny. building. If you have your back to the harbor & look at the skyline, it's to the right of the space needle. TICKETS: for discounts, check city pass or Groupon! tickets were easy to get by going directly to the SVO website & buying admission for a specific time. Unfortunately, the sun didn't set in July until around 9-9:30ish & the last ticket was for around 6pm, but I imagine if you can get a ticket for a time close to sunset, maybe in winter, it would be perfect. Both SVO & SN have bundled prices with Citypass, so you can buy discounted tickets for multiple attractions (ie the zoo, a harbor tour, aquarium, Chihuly Gardens, museums, etc). For even more options, SVO has 3 types of tickets: WA residents ($20), classic admission ($30), & elite ($38). Classic includes a $5 voucher that can be used at the cafe or gift shop, while elite includes a $10 voucher plus reserved window seating. I ended up finding a Groupon deal for SVO & bought elite tickets for $28/person. Classic was a couple dollars cheaper, but at $28/person for Elite, we were getting an extra $5 voucher per person plus reserved window seating, & I didn't want us to end up at the top with a subpar view. Groupon required us to buy tickets a day in advance though, while the SVO website allowed for same day purchases. CUSTOMER SERVICE: I bought tickets for July 4th but realized that we would be near Lake Union for the day. Without a car to get from the lake, back to downtown, back to the lake for fireworks would be tough. I called SVO & left messages for whoever I could get a voicemail for, & eventually someone from group sales called me back an hour before we were supposed to arrive. She said it was perfectly fine to move our reservation to the next day. She said she'd change it in their system & also email me a new set of tickets to use for the next day. Though she didn't send me the new tickets, when we came back the next day I explained the situation to the ticketing person & mentioned who I spoke to, they were perfectly reasonable & accommodating, which was a great relief. We scanned the QR code for the tix downstairs & got on a staffed elevator. On the ride up the girl answered questions & provided information on the sights. She was super friendly, talkative, bubbly, knowledgeable, & engaging. The Sky View Cafe: the cafe is on the 73rd floor, which is almost the very top. You can walk the circumference of the floor, which has windows all around & guides/infographics to provide an idea of what you're looking at, which I thought was wise & added to the experience. Surprisingly though, the cafe was empty. On Wednesday July 5th at 4pm, there were probably 3 other groups seated at tables in the cafe. The tables against the window had signs saying reserved for elite ticket members only, but no one was checking, & there were plenty of tables. Someone in front of us in line bought classic tickets - I knew because she mentioned a $5 voucher for each of them, then went to sit at a window table. Had I known no one would be checking tables & it would be an empty cafe, I'd have purchased the classic tickets. Oh well. We didn't end up staying long since our flight home was approaching fast, but it was a great experience & I'm glad we picked SVO over the SN. The views were spectacular & it was nice that it wasn't super crowded. It was nice & cool, great way to beat the heat.

Yeah, I also recommend coming here rather than going to the Space Needle. But then again, that's your life. If you have the time and money, go to both. When you're up at the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center, which is the building that Sky View is located in, you realize that you did a good job listening to reviewers like me (haha just kidding). But seriously, you can see everything (Space Needle, the Waterfront, all the stadiums) from a bird's eye view. You can even see Mt. Rainier! Ever hear the phrase, "Don't get jealous. Get motivated"? That's what it was all about as I looked down at all of Downtown Seattle. Hard work and dedication. And of course, I was in awe of God's creation. DEFINITELY worth stopping by when in Seattle.