Beautiful at top! Skyler was so awesome and made us our very delicious drinks! Such a pleasure to be here among their company. Excellent atmosphere. 10/10. Will be back again. read more

Sky View Observatory - Elevated and full of joy! - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This place is a hidden gem! If you visit Seattle and you got your lady with you and you want to have a dope view of Seattle that's indoors, look no further! You will be pleasantly surprised. Highly recommend this place! read more

Usually I don't do these but this was my second visit and with eclectic group of friends I had too . And once again their staff knocked it out park .Mainly Schuyler or Skyler but wow . Very attentive to details and knowledgeable of his craft . He was making drinks I never even heard of and my friends who are often hard to please we're all smiles . The service was def top tier . Quality of service and drinks can't be match , this is def must stop for all tourists and even locals read more

A great experience all around with our guests from out of town.The atmosphere was welcoming.The servers knew their stuff and a shout out to Schuyler whom changed our minds about Gin. The drink was amazing and we now have a new weekly date night location. Thank you for such great service. read more

What a breathtaking 360 view of Seattle, including the Space Needle and the ferris wheel! Sky View Observatory is on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center so the highest view of the city. We were lucky to visit on a clear and sunny day. I would recommend to visit for the sunset. Golden Hour is the perfect hour, the warm orange and pink colors from the sky just color the buildings. Mount Rainier is also more visible right when the sun sets when the orange glow bounces off its peaks. NOTE: Groupon offers admission ticket deals. In November 2018, we got two admission tickets for only $33 total. read more

How can I keep updating my review but only give 5 stars? I wish I could give this place a 10-star. I said what I needed to say so I will offer updates since my last review. This place has been renovated! Yes! COMPLETE renovation of this observation deck. Renovation changes/updates: 1. the deck is BIGGER and BETTER!!! now you could even observe the lake union side of the city. you get to see the FULL view of downtown Seattle and also lake washington. 2. Prices went up. I think this is reasonable considering how much effort they put in to renovate this place. I would consider this deck STUNNING after its renovation. AND keep in mind, it is an observation deck! I didn't expect to see so many awesome new changed. Now regular admission ticket is $12.5 (was only $9) and student ticket is $9 (was $6). 3. a new beverage/snack stand. It has soft drink and candy bars priced from $2 to $5. Not clear if it is cash only. 4. Hours are 10am - 8pm. Not sure if it is consistent. I think they change business hours based on the season. 5. Make sure you always check in with the reception desk to let you upstairs after business hours. Also new sign in its lobby that says "sky view" makes it easy to navigate around this downtown building. read more

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Sky View Observatory is by far taller than Space Needle but doesn't mean it replaces the iconic landmark of Seattle. After riding up 2 separate elevators, you get an amazing treat to an almost 360 degrees view (almost because one portion is not reachable). However, unlike Space needle, there's no open air section so you don't feel the wind and the realism that you're thousands of feet above ground. There are detailed landmarks maps so you know what you're looking at. Like many others, we visited during sunset so we got to see both the daytime and night lights views. There's a nice little cafe on the observatory for drinks but definitely not cheap. Check Groupon for discounts! I wouldn't skip Space Needle for this but if you can squeeze it in to your schedule, by all means, check it out! read more

Sky View Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I really was debating between going up the space needle or here. Every time in Seattle, I stay closer to the Space Needle side and walk by it several times a day and wonder whether it's worth it and every time I think "meh". That's why I chose the Sky View Observatory and was quite impressed. One point of annoyance is that you have to enter the building from the north entrance which means that if you were walking up the hill to get there, you have yet another hill to climb and if you're a tourist (I did not see a single local up there so you probably are), those damn hills start adding up. Once you go up the elevator, pay the man your $15 and go in, the view is spectacular. Get yourself a nice glass of surprisingly reasonably priced wine from the cafe and walk around. You're allowed to photograph using a tripod as long as you're not a jerk about it and respect other people. There is a probably with the lobby lights reflecting from the glass however so if you have one of hose black cover things, bring it. After sunset, they actually do turn off some of the lights, but the exit signs and the other lights still show so you'll have to flag those as well. Overall, I thought it was worth the money since you get to see EVERYTHING from West Seattle to Lower Queen Anne, to Lake Union, to the stadium, to Bellevue. read more

Sky View Observatory - beautiful view - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I will never go to the Space Needle again after coming to Sky View Observatory. We did the Space Needle the day before we came here and the difference was ASTOUNDING. First of all, this building (Columbia Tower) is way taller than the space needle. It is also cleaner, brighter, and less crowded. There is a beautiful full bar with a food menu at the top as well. At the Space Needle, we felt rushed with the crowds to go up, look around, and come back down. At Sky View, we felt relaxed and calm as we sipped cocktails and enjoyed the view. The views are unparalleled. This is a MUST while in Seattle! read more

"Elevating the pacific northwest experience." Prepared yourself for an ear popping journey to the 73rd floor of the tallest building in Washington State. The Columbia Tower houses numerous shops and restaurants making it one of best ways to experience, taste, and see Seattle. The observation deck is on an elevation of 902 feet and provides a 360 degree view of Seattle, Bellevue, and Puget Sound. The entrance fee is $14.25 for adults and there is no maximum time limit. There is a Sky View Cafe located in the observatory and they serve soups, sandwiches, drinks, and even wines. This is a hotspot for tourists and there are some available seating areas located throughout the deck. There are posted informational tidbits about the building and you can expect the crowds to fluctuate throughout the day. There will always be that constant sound of cameras attempting to auto-focus along with the "ooohs" and "aaahs" from the view. Disclosure: due to the higher elevation you may experience a slight building sway during heavy winds. read more

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I had a mixup with my reservation that was quickly resolved by Edgar in management. My parents will visit next month and I look forward to hearing how it went. read more

06.23.2014 Amazing 360 degree views and great information about Seattle and the area highlights!!! I know the Space Needle is popular but this is the better deal ($12.50 per adult) for seeing the aerial views of Seattle. It is on the 76th floor of the Columbia Tower and it's indoors! The murals and information on the walls are worth more than standing on the windy deck of the needle without anyone giving you information. This towers way over the space needle. Parking is a bit difficult and may require extra walking but it's worth it. Then you can walk around downtown for great eats! read more

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We came about sunset to check out the views! Everyone said to try to avoid the Space Needle so we hit up this spot instead. It's one of the tallest buildings in the city, so you truly get a good bird's eye view. The view is gorgeous. I love that they have neat facts on the walls for you to read and check out... But not on the side where you are looking out of so they're not blocking your view. You just have to see it for yourself. There's a 360 view - I enjoyed looking out and seeing EVERYTHING... Not crowded, and you can take your time looking at stuff. I think they're used to be a small cafe, but it's not in service currently. Good spot for a great view! read more

"High on style , low on profile" would be the perfect way to describe this observatory. While most tourists visiting Seattle throughout the year flock the space needle, in all probability this place is the "real deal" if you're looking to capture some beautiful views of downtown Seattle and the puget sound!! I was extremely fortunate to capture some breathtaking pictures on one such evening where I caught a glimpse of sunshine amidst a rainy storm.. There's also a bar upstairs that serves beer and alcohol for the thirsty :) ProTip : There's a groupon on most days of the year that lets you get in at close to 40% discount so I'd always check that before buying tickets None the less, a "must visit" place on my list of to-dos for anyone visiting Seattle read more

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If you're a tourist, I'm not saying skip the Space Needle because that's a must-visit, but if you want to see ALL of Seattle aim to drop by this observation deck! The facts speak for themselves - At 902 feet, the Skyview here is almost 400 feet higher than the Space Needle's observation deck and the tallest building in Seattle (by far!). At only $14.25, it's also much cheaper to go to compared to other city observation decks in America. It's great that the Space Needle's deck is outdoors, but the view is limited due to the protective structure around the top so you're not getting a full view of the city. All you're really getting from the Space Needle's outdoor deck is a breath of fresh air at 520 feet, not a great view and much larger crowds. You'll be glad you visited the Columbia Center because we certainly were! read more

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It was my boyfriend & I's first time going to Seattle, we went down for our Anniversary. We were deciding between viewing the space needle or this place and after searching online it was all leading to the observatory over the needle. We then decided that to get the best experience possible, we would buy the premium tickets which included the cafe/bar credits. Thinking that we would be able to share a couple of drinks together and enjoy the view.. but boy were we wrong!! The last elevator said 9pm but do to a long day of travelling and getting stuck at the border we were running a bit behind! We were thankfully still able to make it but just in the nick of time. We got there 2 mins before 9 which is still BEFORE 9.. but yet we were told that the last elevator had left already and that we're out of luck. We then explained our situation and the fact that we bought tickets already and that it was before 9.. the girls then let us in but I didn't like their attitude one bit. The elevator guy was super friendly and nice. We reached the top floor and this place was just so bright and it was quite impossible to take a nice photo without getting a reflection in your shot(s). It also wasn't the best place to take couple pictures with the view behind you at all.. which kinda sucked. On top of all that, the worse part is we go to the bar to use up our credits for some drinks. We tell the girl which 2 drinks we want and she informs me that they're out of the garnishes for drink #1, I said "ok no worries". But then as she is ringing us through, we notice that drink #1 had not been made yet. Her coworker/boss was standing beside her and I heard him mumble "they have 2 drinks". She didn't say anything or do anything and so I asked where my drink was? She then just quickly poured sprite into a cup with a splash of vodka.. Uhmm I ordered the "fruity sky" but got vodka and sprite??.. I felt slightly robbed. We paid well over $100 us for that experience and it wasn't even worth $20 in my opinion. The service was awful and rude and the experience wasn't even really an experience tbh. What a JOKE: I highly DONT RECOMMEND this place. read more

360 degree view of Seattle. If you can go early, it's not as crowded and you don't have to fight for a spot to take some scenic photos. read more

Sky View Observatory - Looking North towards the Space Needle - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Beautiful views! Please do not spend the extra cash on reserved seating. Me and my husband went in the midst of the summer at 6:30pm and it wasn't crowded at all. Very relaxing environment with a minimal amount of ppl :) read more

This is a little touristy, but I definitely recommend coming up to experience the views. We drank the Mount Rainer beer because it was only fitting! read more

Sky View Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The Sky View Observatory is located on the 73rd floor of Columbia Center. At nearly 1,000 feet it offers the tallest public viewing area in the Pacific Northwest. The 360 degree panoramic view includes Mt. Rainier, Bellevue, the Cascade Mountains, Mt. Baker, Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, the Space Needle and the city of Seattle. You can purchase your tickets in the lobby if you're using card. You have to take two sets of elevators to reach the observatory, but there are plenty of signs to guide you along the way. I loved the view. read more

I am so pleased we chose to pay the $14 to go here. The view was way better than the view from the Space Needle. I luckily went on a clear day and could clearly see The Cascades, Mt. Ranier, Mt. Baker, Bellevue, and CenturyLink Field. My only reason for not giving 5 stars is the moment we walked in the building, the man working at the desk made a "joke" to me, and the 5 men I was with, that was offensive to women. It made us all feel quite awkward and uncomfortable. read more

Sky View Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Sky View Observatory was recommended by a friend and I'm glad that recommendation was better than expected! This was my second time being in Seattle and the first time for my BF. Last time I was in Seattle was about 3.5 years ago and I went to the Space Needle. Being the first time then, I didn't know about the Sky View Observatory and I thought the Space Needle was amazing, but now I'm wrong! The Sky View Observatory has a WAY better view than the Space Needle and it's even higher and taller than it! It's on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center and you get a 360 degree of ALL Seattle and more! Tickets are around $15 per person AND you get a hand stamp to come back later anytime! They close at 11PM I believe. I couldn't take advantage of that because my flight was later that night, otherwise I would've came back for that night time view! Overall, coming from someone that went to both the Space Needle and the Sky View Observatory, I'd recommend going to the latter! And there's less people if you like to avoid the crowd. read more

Sky View Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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5 stars simply for the fact that they offer high rise views for literally a fraction of the price of the Space Needle. It costs $25 + tax for the most basic ticket, I don't believe the more expensive tickets are worth it honestly. You can order them online and reserve a time. It's in the highest building of downtown Seattle with 360 degree views, along with a cafe that serves alcohol and food. If you want to be negative, yes this is basically just an office building that's charging people for views... but for the price, I don't mind. This place may not have the history or the architecture of the Space Needle, but if you're on a budget, especially with a family or group of friends, it's worth it. Plus, this building is even higher with a perfect view of the pier and water. Was able to enjoy a nice cold beer during sunset, which I suggest that time to go. We were there maybe for over an hour or so, no one ever told us we had to leave. Service from everyone, like the elevator attendant and the cafe server was very exceptional. read more

Seattle has arguably one of the best cityscapes in the country, and so it is understandable why so many visitors to the city look for great vantage points to drink in the scenery. While there are overlooks more well known, the Sky View Observatory is certainly one of the best places to relax and enjoy the views of the Pacific Northwest. The observatory is located at the top of the Columbia Center Tower, the highest point in the city. You reach it after a fun, informative ride up the elevator, with short presentations flashing across the surrounding LED screens. The observatory itself is a complete floor of the building, and gives you the farthest, most uninterrupted views of the city and its environs. You can look out over the skyscrapers of downtown, see the waters of the Sound, the surrounding lake neighborhoods, and on a clear day you get a gorgeous view of Mount Rainier. No review of the observatory can escape drawing distinctions between it and the more famous observation platforms atop the Space Needle. But there are certainly some things to consider which should for sure make you think of coming here instead of the more famous landmark, or at the very least, visiting this spot as well. While you will not find the same sort of bells and whistles, there is nevertheless a spectacular view which I think is, in many ways, better than the more famous view from the Space Needle, and offers a few more benefits, besides. The larger amount of floor space means that even fairly sizeable crowds will not be nearly as crammed together, jostling for room. Instead, you have space to spread out and take your time. The crowds are also far smaller, and you can easily get in without waiting in long lines for tickets or your turn to ride up the elevator. The small café up top offers very nice small plates and sandwiches, plus there if s a full bar that offers beer, wine, and cocktails. There are also some rotating art exhibits, and various informative kiosks you can check out. But perhaps the biggest sell Skyview has over its competitor is the price point, with a ticket running you around $20. Or to put it another way, only about a third the price of a ticket for the Space Needle! There are a couple drawbacks to the observatory, however. Firstly in regards to appearance, architecture, and flare. Quite frankly, a fancy, aesthetically innovative sort of observation deck this place is not. Secondly, the prices at the café I found to be a little high, though not nosebleed expensive. Lastly, and perhaps the biggest drawback for me, is that they are not open nearly as late as the Space Needle. I would greatly have loved to come back here later in the evening or at night, and spent some time, perhaps over a drink or two, seeing the city all lit up. In fact, the first time we arrived they had already conducted their final elevator ride of the day and had to return another time, so it might help if you planned on coming not too close to closing time. All in all, though, I think there is far more reason for visitors to stop here than not. One of the best views on the west coast awaits you at the top, and it is for sure on the list of places I will recommend to anyone I know looking to do a bit of sightseeing in the Emerald City. read more

$9.75 with a student discount is a great deal! With the space needle partly under construction, this spot is probably the winner because of the price. I almost thing this building is TOO high up. It's also difficult to take pictures at night because of the glass and reflections. read more

Sky View Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Best sunset view of all of Seattle!! This place is worth going one time but is over priced ($14+ per person). I wanted to go at sunset to see all of Seattle at dusk then to see the city lights turn on! It was such a beautiful site! :) On a clear day you can see all the mountain ranges and all of Seattle! The Observatory is located in the Columbia Center building. It's the tallest building west of Mississippi. The walls were covered in Seattle landscapes and a little bit of history about each. They also had a small cafe, seats, a model of the building and a short video of the making of the building. Definitely a tourist attraction but again, worth going just once! read more

Sky View Observatory - Seattle Sunset! - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

73 Floors up The building has another floor above this but that's for special members. 73 is open to the general public. Parking at Columbia Tower is super expensive, 1hr or less is about $9. Such a crapping parking structure... It was confusing how to exit. Traveling up the floors is confusing. You will need someone to badge you up, get off around half way and catch another elevator shaft to 73. It's confusing when no help is directing you where to go. Once you reach the 73rd floor you check in with reception 1) have a ticket or 2) purchase a ticket. Regular ticket is about $14 and you get a stamp and it's good for all day. The lounge is spacious and has couches and tables to sit at. There's a cafe to grab a small bite and beverages but nothing fancy. The view. Beautiful that it feels so surreal. Some breath taking views and like it a little better than the space needle observation deck. Love Seattle!!! I'm lucky to have lived there before :) read more

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This place definitely has a view. Paying the entrance fee lets you come back all day until they close. I didn't know that but once they told me I was sold. It is a little tough to get to but they have pretty clear instructions on how to get to the top on the tickets. I wanted to catch the sunset so I went in an hour early and waited around for the sun to set, and I must tell you the view is amazing. They offer a 360 degree view of the city and there's plenty of space to sit and lounge around . I'll post a few of the photos I got from this viewpoint. This is a great spot if you're in Seattle and I recommend you check this out instead of the space needle . There is a cafe up at the top but unfortunately it was closed when we got there. Please check out my photos as they speak for themselves. read more

Sky View Observatory - City view from the top ! - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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treat this place as an alternative and much higher view of Seattle, it was a Thursday morning for our visit and there was definitely no line and the place was almost empty. we went on a cloudy day so Mt. Rainier's view was a bust but regardless we enjoyed this adventure. we came back for sunset and had a nice view of the Puget Sound. tip on parking. i used the Spot Hero app where i found a $15 all day valet parking at the nearby Hotel Monaco. considering that parking averages $30 around this area, this was definitely a bargain. read more

Great 360° view of downtown Seattle and you pay a cheaper price than you would to go to the space needle! The adult rate is $14.75, but I was able to get the student discount at $9 which is awesome considering you can go in and out as long as you have the stamp they provide you with after paying. The view was beautiful! We came around 8:45pm so we got a nice view of downtown during sunset when there was just enough light to take a picture and at night when all of the city lights came out. You can get really nice pics if you get close to the window, but beware you might catch the glare of the exit signs and lights in your photos if you don't position yourself and the camera carefully . Luckily they had an Instagram poster frame that my brother and I used to block the reflection of the signs in the window. Doing too much? Maybe. But for the pics and Instagram, worth it! read more

Sky View Observatory - Great view of downtown Seattle during sunset! - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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When we have out of towners visit Seattle, we take them here. If you go on a weekday there's usually no line for the elevator. You can have a cocktail and watch the ferries go by. The friendly staff was also a bonus read more

Sky View Observatory - Rainier Peach made with Empress Gin - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This view is even better than the Space Needle, however it's not completely 360°. But you're up on the 73rd floor of the Columbia tower with views of most of Seattle and tons of water. It's breathtaking. The admission is only $14.75 per adult (there are discounts for seniors and i believe children are free). You take the elevator up to the 40th floor, and then switch elevators to go back up to the 73rd. (It's private access to 74th and 75th floors.) It's definitely worth checking out if you're in Seattle and if you want to save $10 pick this place over the Needle. (Or do both!) read more

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Love this place for views of the city. It's even better now that they expanded the space! 360 degree views for cheap! I especially like the quality of the new interior since the recent remodel! It even looks like they are now setup for events, would make a great place for a corporate function! I would highly recommend this to anyone, especially those who are visiting the area. read more

Sky View Observatory - I guess Alaska doesn't exist anymore? - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

One of the best experiences I have ever had! Great place for a first date, amazing view! The staff is friendly and Casey ( the elevator person ) was funny as hell! Would highly recommend trying Edgar's flatbread and Lavender Sunset! read more

Best view of Seattle ever! From 76 floors high, admission for $9/person (student rate) was so worth! There's a little cafe up there that sells drinks and little pastries. It's almost a 360° view! Some seating and it's beautiful at night. They don't turn the lights on so that you can enjoy the night view of Seattle. On the 40th floor, they have a Starbucks you can drink at, and they also have gender separate, super clean restrooms too. Glad I came by! read more

The view here is amazing, and the prices are way cheaper than the Space Needle. Price for an adult is $14.75. Highly recommend the student discount ($9.95) if you are a student! They stamp your hand so that you can come back in later in case you wanted to leave for a bit. read more

Sky View Observatory - Look at this view - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Great views for miles on a clear day. They have a food and drinks available at the observatory as well as food available throughout the building. They also board games up there for you to really stay and enjoy your time. It is all enclosed and not open to air which makes it great to visit at any time/season. Side note: parking can be difficult to find and expensive if park at their garage. Recommend street parking. read more

The Sky View Observatory offers the best sky view that the city has to offer! I went here with Steve a couple of weeks ago. It was a gorgeous day and we had a great view in all four directions! There was a slight haze towards Mount Rainier which we hope would burn off but it didn't. You could still see the mountain though and it was beautiful! It looks like sometimes the rates to get up to the observatory may vary. When we went here it was $14 but someone else said in another review they paid $ 15. Maybe they were just rounding up. I am not too sure. Paying for the entrance fee allows you to come back all day long. So if you are going to be nearby the Columbia Tower you can see the view when it is daylight and also when it is at night. The observation area closes at 11 p.m. Getting tickets is a little confusing. I am pretty sure you can get them online but behind the reception desk as you come in there are two kiosk machines where you can get tickets. I'm not sure what was going on but both kiosks wanted us to "scan" our debit cards we were using as our method of payment. We couldn't figure it out and gave up. You can also pay for tickets at the observation floor in which you get a stamp to vouch that you have all day access here. I haven't been in a skyscraper quite this tall. The Columbia Tower has 76 floors and the observatory is on the 73rd. Because this building is so tall you go up so far in one elevator, about midway and then you have to switch to another elevator to go up the rest of the way. That part is confusing, especially if you haven't visited buildings like the Empire State Building which has a similar set up. Truth be told the best way to get to the Columbia Tower I would recommend coming in by bus or light rail. There are stops nearby and it is easy access to get to the tower from either transport option. You can also try to find a parking garage nearby but that may actually be more expensive than the mass transit. The Sky View Observatory is something that both locals and out of town tourists are bound to enjoy and worthy of return trips! read more

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Great views of Seattle! Would highly recommend coming here on clear days. I wouldn't waste the money if it's cloudy. The view would be best right before sunset and then hang out for a bit to see the skyline at night. read more

Sky View Observatory - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

As the tallest building in Seattle, Sky View provides the best view of the city! I personally opted for this spot rather than the Space Needle after hearing it was an overall better experience. It definitely did not disappoint as I was blown away by the stunning 180+ degree view of Seattle. Plus you get to enjoy it from a comfortable, enclosed, and roomy lounge. They also have the option of purchasing tickets in advance online to make things even easier. And students get a discount for only $9 a ticket. Just don't forget your student ID! read more

Sky View Observatory - Night view! - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington