This was actually my second time visiting the Smith Tower, but it was my boyfriend's first and since he's already been up the Space Needle, I wanted to show him that this historic spot also offers some seriously cool views of Seattle. What's even more impressive is that at one point, Smith Tower was actually the tallest skyscraper in the West! One thing I love about this place is how well they've preserved its old-school charm, especially the elevators. They still have an operator who manually controls the lift, and there's even a display of the original green Otis elevator motor in the lobby, the same kind that powered the elevators for over a century! The operator told us there's a tenant who lives above the observatory, which blew my mind. The rent was originally a whopping $17,000 a month, but the tenant apparently negotiated down to $14,000 since there's no A/C up there. Talk about living in style with a historic discount! Once you reach the top, there's a bar where you can grab a cocktail and enjoy the view. As you walk around the observatory deck, there are plaques pointing out different Seattle landmarks, so you can easily spot everything from Mt. Rainier to Lumen Field and Lake Washington. It makes the 360 deg view even more interactive and helps you appreciate just how much of the city you can see from up there. Pro tip: They don't open until noon, so if you're planning to go early, you'll end up waiting downstairs. Otherwise, grab a drink, take your time, and soak in one of the best vintage views Seattle has to offer. read more

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Totally worth checking out especially if you're looking for an observation deck with without the possible long wait of the space needle. There's a cool little museum here with some interesting facts about the cities history. The old elevator ride to the top was nice and the cocktail lounge on the top floor were the deck is offers a nice relaxing touch. We did this deck and the space needle, the plus I give Smith Tower is the view is a lot closer to the ocean so later in the day you can catch a nice view of the sun starting to set. read more

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Smith Tower is a great historical architectural building once being considered the tallest. Has a great historical walk through and you can ride an elevator to the observation deck. Great views at the top. Restaurant up top and two below. If you're looking to kill some time in Seattle this is reasonably priced. Walking distance from Public Market and some of the hotels in the area. Be watchful of your surroundings in the evening. read more

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This review is for the Elevated afternoon tea my family took me for Mother's Day. It's supposed to include a tour of the small museum of historical Seattle artifacts. Our reservations were scheduled for 4pm. But...let me start from the very beginning. My friends and I frequent high tea/afternoon tea spots all over WA, Canada, and several states we've been to together. So have my husband and adult daughters. So seeing that it was Smith Towers first time I was excited to try it. I told my family I was going to book it. My mistake was I didn't read the menu before booking it. I booked it, and 100.00 per person later after reading the menu I regretted it. Because when I finally reached someone to let them know I need to cancel my reservations they stated that there are no cancellations. So I said fine..however I informed them that I'm Highly allergic to most of the items on the menu, and two of my daughters are allergic to a couple. So finally Jenn reached out to me. She was supposed to talk to the chef about taking care of my party due to allergens. When I told my friends about elevated tea at smith towers, I told her the price, she was dumbfounded because she saw an ad for Mother's Day and it was only 55.00. I contacted Jenn about the prices, and she said it's because of the different fees they had including fareharbor fees. So I let it go and let's have a good Mother's Day. All that was fine that's why I even gave a one star. So the day we check in, we got on the elevator with a couple employees. We heard this man complaining to another employee stating that smith tower was supposed to be closed. His tag had Tour Guide on it, we took a quick tour of the museum but didnt have time Because our tea was supposed to be at that time. We figured after we dined we would tour the museum. Place was small, and cute, great views of Puget sound. Loved the little history we were able to see. I think the most disappointing part is actually the food. It was the worse afternoon tea we've ever had. Jenn did tell me it was their first time doing tea and they went to check out the Fairmont high tea. If they did then they missed the mark. The food was not good. I thank them for making sure everything was taken care of to remove anything we are allergic to but nothing was good except maybe the macarons. But one of the servers said they get the macarons from a certain company. I checked out the company and it's just a food service company. None of the desserts taste homemade and just frozen. Like the brownies they served us. Was still Slightly frozen. I think the tea, and the dessert in the mini cup were the tasty items on the menu. Everything was so small we were all still hungry. All the other afternoon tea places I frequent I'm so full that I have to take a whole plate home. Smith Tower Elevated tea...no! So we made the most of it, Just tried to have fun since it is Mother's Day. So we told our server older lady, we didnt get a chance to tour the museum. So she rushed us out and said hurry it closes at 6pm. So we had 30 mins left. So we went down as soon as we can only to find out the museum was already closed. Employee said they closed at 5pm. We told her our server said it closes at 6. So if our reservation was at 4pm( I still have the ticket to prove it) how do they expect us to dine and tour before 5pm! Overall it was a disappointment for 100.00 a pop. I just wanted the experience. I could've had my family take me to high tea at the pink chandelier for their special Mother's Day tea for only 55.00 per person, with an abundance of food. All my friends were glad I tried it first before they did. I will not be back. read more

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The Boozy Afternoon Tea experience ($100 per person) was extremely disappointing. * our server took over 20 minutes to refill our empty water cups. * other than the plate of biscuits, our server did not remove any of the plates while we were there. * our tea pots, and the tea that went with our alcoholic drinks got bitter. Most places that serve high tea provide a way to time the tea steeping and a spot to place the tea infusers afterwards. * the bruschetta/bread was stale and chewy rather than crunchy. * all but one of the savory bites were seafood, which my friend couldn't eat. There should be an option with alternatives to just seafood. Given the price of $100 per person, it's unreasonable to provide such poor quality food and bad service. read more

Smith Tower - Dirty dishes left on our table the entire time. - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Cool place to visit and catch up on some history with some cool interactive activities I got my tickets on line Price is $20 pp Very reasonable On the top there is a cool restaurant and bar The restaurant/bar is free to go to but reservations are recommended We came We saw We learned On to the next adventure read more

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Such a good historic building definitely a great date night idea the elevator was a very cool experience and one I'll never forget and 35th floors ! read more

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Mary G at the Smith Tower made the evening perfect! She was able to transfer my reservation to the correct date after I made it for the wrong date, and she ensured that my entire party was seated together, despite the fact that we bought our tickets separately. Will definitely be going back to The Velvet Noelle in the future!! read more

Such a cool building with robust history you can learn about. The elevator conductors are also so knowledgable and cool. Also AMAZING views. Went on a Thursday in April and it was just us up until we were ready to leave when a small group joined us. Pretty cool place and beat the space needle. read more

This was a fascinating place. The antique communication equipment was well displayed and the information included was so interesting!

This place was amazing. It's something that I've always wanted to do. It's only $18, which is a good price for what you actually get to do. Once you buy your ticket, you go through two walk through interactive showrooms. It's two levels, you get to open doors, type on type writers, listen to music, that sort of thing. All of which made it really cool to actually take time to learn and not just shuffle people up to the top. The elevator is where I got nervous because I'm personally afraid of them. But the lady taking us up there was so patient and kind when it came to that and gave probably the best customer service in that field I've ever received. The top has really nice views as well as a restaurant. We didn't stop to have anything in there, but it sure looked beautiful, and we thought, "Maybe next time." I 100% recommend this place to anyone and everyone, tourist or not. read more

Smith Tower - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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My boyfriend and I came here upon a friend's recommendation. I'm so glad we did! They provide a discount for healthcare workers. It's a historic observatory and gives another beautiful view of Seattle. There is a restaurant at the top as well. We were crunched for time as we had a tour scheduled after, but if we return to Seattle, we'd love to check out! read more

Ever been up in the Space Needle? Well, Smith Tower is the next best thing, if not better. Known for being the first skyscraper ever built in Seattle and the tallest building west of the Mississippi River back in 1914, Smith Tower is a historic site indeed and beautiful, nonetheless. Skip the crowded Space Needle and enjoy the view of Seattle from Smith Tower. It's just as magnificent and you get more of an experience and better bang for your buck. Check in at the front desk and browse the small gift area as it is the only one. Then listen to a quick spiel about the museum and a few safety items. The staff were awesome and knowledgeable about Smith Tower! I suggest taking your time while walking through the museum and also getting in on the fun. Meaning, pick a pamphlet of a real-life Seattleite and enjoy an interactive experience, while learning about the rich history of Seattle and the Smith Tower. The architecture is stunning with beautiful marble all around and even bronze plated elevators. The ride up was speedy and exhilarating. There are 38 floors, but the observation deck is on the 35th. No complaints here, as the view is quite high and viewed from an open-air deck. No matter how afraid of heights I am, I always like to push my limits and the view was indeed worth it. There is also a small restaurant and bar at the top if you want to enjoy some small bites and a cocktail. The view is spectacular, so stay a while and soak it in. read more

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My boyfriend and I recently flew to Seattle for the weekend. We were really only there one day, from Friday night to Sunday morning, so we tried to fit in as much fun and tourist stuff as possible. I found a deal on Groupon to visit Smith Tower and bought us each a ticket. This ended up being a really great experience all around. We enjoyed the self-guided tour with all the neat photos and items and history of the building, as well as the elevator ride in the original carts. The view was spectacular and the restaurant had a good selection of food and drinks and good service. We really enjoyed our time and I would recommend it to anyone visiting Seattle. I'd actually been in the tower once many years ago, but it was my boyfriend's first time in Seattle, and we equally enjoyed the experience. read more

I ordered my tickets via Groupon, but they said to never book it via Groupon 'cause they never get notified. I showed my proof of purchase and was able to go in. There's a mini museum where you can read fun facts and then you take the stairs and to the elevator. The elevator was pretty cool and vintage style. Once you reach the top, there are no areas to sit unless you're dining in. That sucked because I was tired from walking all day and wanted to sit down for a bit, but there were no seatings available. The view was nice, but once you're outside, it's like you're in a birdcage, it wasn't glass windows, it was railings. It was nice to visit and check out for the first time though! Tip(s): - Book via their website - No seating areas at the top except if you're dining in - They do have a restaurant at the top floor read more

Love smith tower. What a great place to get a drink and check out the city. Our server (Wanda) was amaizng and took care of us so much. Their Old Fashion was great along with the rest of their drinks. The food looks good but we didn't get any of it. Will def hit this place again. read more

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Great view! Met for bday drinks with some friends. They were out of a few things but that was fine. Drinks were still great. The gal that brought us our waters was visibly agitated we joined the party late and pulled an extra chair over. She didn't take any orders but the attitude made the vibe a little tense.. a downside considering the price and occasion. Otherwise, great service all around, gorgeous view! read more

Had a party of eight here for drinks and dinner and to watch the sunset. Turned out to be a spectacular evening. The atmosphere is unbelievable and I will definitely be back. It's also nice as there is a fence around the whole perimeter when you walk outside so you're not wanting to jump lol. Food was excellent as well as the drinks. The dish with the noodles apparently needed more sauce according to my friends. The chocolate ganache tart is truly a winner except for one serious thing. It's served chilled and I told the maitre d it's such a disservice to serve it that way. You need to give it like 15 or 20 seconds in the microwave to make the chocolate room temp and heat up the caramel underneath just a little bit and then it would be an absolute five-star winner. read more

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I always recommend tourists to come here instead of the Space Needle. Such great history and it's a beautiful building. The original Penny tiles, Prohibition exhibit, and manual elevator are so fun to experience. The views at the top are great and there's a beautiful bar with delicious cocktails when you get to the top! read more

So I have to be honest, visiting the Smith Tower was a back-up option for me and since I was in Seattle while everything else was closed, I ended up going. Why this was part of my back-up plan, I don't know. I'm shocked that more places/sites don't recommend coming here more. We came after 7pm on a Friday night and the website says you can buy "Straight Up By Night" tickets for $14 but I don't think this is correct info. The person I bought the tickets from in the lobby wouldn't even listen to me when I mentioned these tickets. She kind of yelled at me and told me I must pay $22 to enter. She was getting angry and eh, I don't like to fight so... Was it worth the price? Yes. The views are phenomenal. The sunset was really nice. The info along the way we rushed a bit (to get upstairs before the sun went away completely) but I'm sure it was really cool. Would I pay again to have this 360 degree experience? Yep. read more

The observatory on the 34th floor was definitely a fun experience. You can tell these people that work there love their jobs and those who created the historical walkway before you get to the elevator to go up show they did their best to preserve the buildings history. I would've been cool to know if/how you can get to the 42nd floor since the highest you can go for the tour was the 34th floor. They also have paper and instructions on using one of the old type writers and it still works! Fun experience, would definitely recommend if you're in town just visiting or just moved and want to know more about the city. read more

Smith Tower - View of the Columbia Tower - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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A must visit for the first time Seattle traveler! My wife and I were blessed with the weather we got our visit to the top of the tower. The bar service and food options they have are great. We were also extremely fortunate to have met two of the coolest bartenders. Adam and Greg were extremely helpful in recommendations and were just cool to converse with while we drank and looked over the city of Seattle! read more

Smith Tower - Read the can, "Nuff Said" - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Beautiful views and interesting history. Came for a private event, and it was the perfect spot. read more

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Yes, it's a tourist trap. But it's a very cool view. Well worth the visit.

Very interesting to hear about the history of this fascinating building and the people who worked in it back in the day. In 1914, the tower was the tallest building in the United States outside of New York City as well as being Seattle's tallest for nearly fifty years. That's quite a feat! Well worth the stop, especially if you're looking for a view without the crowds of tourists across town at the Space Needle. This is just as cool and just as much fun. On a Friday afternoon, I didn't have much of a crowd at all. This made the looking through the ground floor exhibits quite leisurely and enjoyable. Up on the observation deck, a great view on this clear day. Captions around the outside point out the sights so that you know what you're looking at. That's helpful for someone like me who's not from around here. read more

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This is one of my new favorite tourist spots in Seattle. I never knew about it until I got a groupon. It is super romantic and fun to check out at night as the views are AMAZING and, the cost is less than the space needle. The staff is friendly and the service is good. I enjoyed the historical aspect and did I mention the breath-taking view of the city? It also has an amazing bar/lounge up on the highest floor. If you go late after 9 PM, you get a discount, but you lose out on the tour. There is a choice of doing a scavenger hunt. You get 10% off one item or even at the bar! I recommend this place to anyone who wants to see Seattle in its entirety. read more

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My wife purchased Groupon tickets ($15 for two tickets) for us to visit Smith Tower. We parked in the Butler Garage. Unfortunately, during our visit there was a Sounders game going on so our parking rate was $20 for all day. Discover was an accepted form of payment. There is a small gift shop and coffee bar at the entrance where tickets are purchased. Tours are self-guided which means one can take their leisurely time investigating and learning about the long colorful history of Smith Tower. The observatory deck, 42 stories up, is protected with a cage for the peoples safety. The views are amazing. I would suggest bringing/wearing a light jacket/sweatshirt to help ward against the wind chills. After our self-guided tour and observatory walk, my wife and I stopped into the Observatory bar for a couple beers. I had a Maritime IPA and my wife had a Chuckanut Pilsner for $8 each. My were given complimentary rye chips due to the stout beer being out (my wife's first beer choice). Overall, we both had an outstanding date day. The history was interesting. The views brilliant. The lounge classy. The service impeccable. I would suggest that everybody do this tour at least once in their lifetimes. read more

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Smith Tower is absolutely worth doing at least once! You walk up to the counter, let them know you're here for the Observatory Deck, you pay, and they call you an elevator. It's gorgeous upstairs and I particularly enjoyed the Wishing Chair and the little boxes that showcase what the space originally looked like. The space actually reminded me a bit of the movie 'Rose Red'. We really enjoyed our experience as it was very low key, and we adore history - so a quick jaunt in and out definitely made our night! read more

So cool! I stumbled upon this beautiful historic building while researching places to visit while spending some time in Seattle, and I'm so glad I did! The blog I was reading recommended this as a different option to see the city that is cheaper and easier to get into than the space needle. I called ahead to check the wait time to get to the top and we headed over on a late Saturday afternoon. I believe it was about $20 a person to get to the top, where they have an observation deck and lounge. There is a walkway with historic information about the building and what it was used for over the years. Then, you make your way to the elevator. I believe the elevator was from 1904 and is gold with all of the historic charm. The observation deck is over 30 stories high and has little informative signs to help you figure out what you are seeing. The view is gorgeous! The lounge/bar area includes a food and drink menu that is a little pricey, but not more than expected for a somewhat touristy spot. The drinks were delicious and service was excellent. I definitely recommend checking out the Smith Tower read more

Smith Tower - Beautiful view of the puget sound! - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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What a fun and unique experience. While it's not the iconic Space Needle, the Smith Tower is packed with history. When you visit you get to see some of that history and learn about the buildings past. The speakeasy and observatory offers a unique experience, delicious food and drinks, all while being able to see the lights of the city from the observatory. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the history of the space, one interesting fact learned while spending time here; The Smith Tower was the only building, at the time, that contained no wood when it was constructed. With the exception of the frames holding the tiles in the ceiling of the speakeasy. I would highly suggest checking this place out if you are having a night out on the town or just want a place to enjoy the view! We will certainly be back. read more

I took a 6pm guided tour at the museum and it ended up being just me. The tour was good, but after it ended I was able to skip the wait and get a table at the observation deck level. They gave me a seat with a view, and the food was amazing. I'd highly recommend the whole experience! read more

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I'm so glad we did this instead of paying double the price to go up the Space Needle. The exhibits were interesting. The architecture was beautiful ans the view was phenomenal. Staff was fun and welcoming. Shoutout to the gentleman who sold us our tickets at the front desk and started us off. We had a great time! read more

Smith Tower - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I really liked visiting Smith Tower. I wanted to grab a drink in one of the most prolific bars in Seattle so I went to Smith Tower, not realizing that just for a drink at the bar at the top, that I had to pay a fee. It wasn't a big deal, just a tad surprising. But after looking at the views from the top, it was worth it. The drinks and apps were great and the view was even better. The bartender was super nice as well. I definitely want to go back. read more

This place has been on my docket for 5+ years, and so when were there in December, it was a high priority to go, regardless of the weather. And, I'm glad we made it happen. We intended to make it up during the "twilight hour" right before sunset, but didn't quite make it.... We were there for sunset and then at Night time as well. I was happy with the view, it obviously, is not as high up as the Space Needle. But, we did had good views of the Space Needle, and the new Big Wheel- at the waterfront. IT was a unique view to say the least. And like many other reviewers have mentioned previously, there is a rich, cultural history on the Smith Tower. They have a quaint little museum at the bottom with displays and artifacts that is interesting to walk through. And, the elevator was fascinating! According to WikiPedia, the Smith Tower is one of the last buildings on the West United States to employ that style of elevator with an operator. IT was fun, having that lil lift back into time, and our operator was very friendly and knowledgeable; perfect for the job. Also, the admission prices are a little bit cheaper, and probably less "touristy" and less people overall than the Seattle Space Needle. So, it is a good alternative/substitute if desired. To clarify, and especially considering the Smith Tower has existed longer than the Space Needle; I will state that they are independent of each other and have different pros and cons from each other overall. read more

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I am so, SO glad that I came to Smith Tower! I got the happy hour ticket which was $12 I believe, and allows you to tour the building before going up to the observation deck. The building is gorgeous and I loved the self-guided tour exhibits along the way. The elevator attendant was really funny and was socializing with everyone on the way up and when we left. I was nervous that they wouldn't have vegan options but I was pleasantly surprised they did! I got the veggie hummus appetizer and the tomato soup with a grilled cheese (which can be made vegan upon request) and both were delicious. They also had a vegan burger and vegan dessert option available. There were so many drink options, I got the birds eye view and an emerald city, and they were very good. When you're not eating, head out to the patio and enjoy the amazing city views. I was there at sunset and the view was gorgeous! This is a must if you're visiting Seattle! read more

Smith Tower - Vegan tomato soup and vegan grilled cheese - Observatories Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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It was a fantastic happy hour! The staff was super friendly and the key lime pie was only $8!!! It was a must go see and is a great option if people want to see the views of Seattle! read more

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Opened in 1914, Smith Tower is the oldest skyscraper in Seattle and has great views of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay. Took a tour of this tower recently. The entrance for the tour is on the corner of 2nd & Yesler Way in a space shared with Diva Espresso. The ground floor is where the gift shop is located which has an interesting selection of products. There is also a general store offering up convenience store goods as well as a deli counter offering salads and sandwiches. The tour starts up with a short introduction of the building by one of the staffers. Then you take a self guided tour of the first couple floors of the building. Afterwards, you take the elevator up to the 35th floor. On the 35th floor is where the observatory is located. Upon exiting the elevator, you walk into the Chinese Room which is also where the Smith Tower Temperance Cafe is located. This eatery offers cocktails and small plates to enjoy with the view.. Head outside to take a glimpse of the views offered by this building. The outside area is gated for your protection. Though it can get windy up there, so I would recommend bringing a jacket. In addition to the views of downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay, you can also see First Hill and the two stadiums (CenturyLink Field and Safeco Field) from here. It is a different view from what you will find at Kerry Park and the Space Needle since it is south of most of the downtown Seattle skyline. That said, the view northward is obstructed by downtown so this is not an observatory in which you can see everything from. This observatory is a nice alternative to the Space Needle since it has more of a historical bent to it and is not very crowded. I would recommend this spot as an addition to a visit to Kerry Park and/or Space Needle as it fills in the blanks of the skyline that you can't see from those spots. But I wouldn't visit this place on its own since the view is not as dramatic as the aforementioned locations. If you are looking for a low key spot to view the downtown Seattle skyline, Smith Tower is a good place. read more

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If you are looking for something to do that isn't part of the Seattle standard "tour" list, check out the Smith Tower. Your ticket gives you access to a small museum with interactive features along with your ride to the top of the building. Although not the tallest thing in the area anymore, there are still some GREAT views from the top. Plus a walkway around the entire outside. The old building has charm and beauty. You are greeted by beautiful ceiling, marble flooring and walls, gold trim, and a working furnace throughout the building that is powered by coal?! The bar at the top is in what they use to call the 'Chinese room' with it's own unique decor. I would only give it 2-3 stars for the food (too expensive for what you get and not what I consider quality), but the ambiance and drinks are great. Our group tried the charcuterie platter (not impressive....and for $25 dollars I prefer more than 1-2oz of standard 'block' cheese) and I ordered the pulled pork sandwich (ok but I wouldn't order again) and tomato soup (ehhh..ok but wouldn't order again). I would go back for their barrel aged old fashion, although at $14 each I might have to limit myself to just one or two. In my opinion, fully worth seeing/visiting if you are local or just visiting. If you want to spend more time at the top, stick to the liquid consumables (minus the soup) and go somewhere else for dinner. read more

Once you get to the top of this tower, you have a beautiful view of the city from several angles, as well as a quaint environment within which to sit down & enjoy a classic cocktail. The cocktails are on the pricey side (especially if you're changing Canadian funds to American). However, it's a cozy Lou Gehrig's that takes you back to the 1940s era and offers a beautiful view outside. I enjoyed walking outside to see the different views & make it feel more like a visceral experience. On the way up to the top, there is a museum with info on the past (including resident ghosts). The elevator to the top is cool. It's open with steel bars forming the door. You can imagine what it was like way back when. The downside is the neighborhood. I don't like this part of downtown Seattle; it's dodgy & feels unsafe. It's good to park nearby & walk straight to the tower. read more

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Loved this attraction in pioneer square! Having lived here for 7 years I had overlooked this spot and finally had a chance to check it out when visitors came into town. I absolutely loved the historical information posted on all of the walls in the lobby mixed with the air of mystery. I especially enjoyed the pamphlets with the roles visitors could assume of each of the major players in the success and downfall of the Smith Tower. The active engagement employed by the team who designed the experience here is so effective in creating a feeling of being transported in time. It is by far the coolest place I've visited in town. While it is no longer the tallest building west of the Mississippi, it is certainly the most interesting in my opinion! The Chinese themed lounge at the top of the observation area was neat and offered a great selection of prohibition era drinks. The 360 degree view of downtown was also pretty neat. read more

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