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Smith Tower

4.2 (228 reviews)
Closed 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM
Updated 3 weeks ago

Smith Tower Photos

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Jessilyn C.

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.

Dirty dishes left on our table the entire time.
Dee B.

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.

Ultima M.

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

Melissa N.

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 !

Josh K.

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.

06.12.22
Harlee S.

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.

Joel T.

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.

Nancy W.

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.

View of the Columbia Tower
Maibri N.

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 the can,  "Nuff Said"
Branson U.

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!

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4 months ago

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

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4 years ago

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

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Page 1 of 6

Ask the Community - Smith Tower

I would love to go with my bf but I am 19, I was wondering is there an age limit given the bar or can anyone enter?

Hello Joy, We are an all-ages venue. We would love to have you head our way.… Read more

How wheelchair accessible is it?

C H, Thank you for reaching out. The visitor's experience is most accessible. All aspects of the experience are accessible via wheelchair except the outdoor observation… Read more

View All 4 Questions

Review Highlights - Smith Tower

I know it's a Seattle must to see the Space Needle but if you have a chance definitely give this place a visit.

Mentioned in 91 reviews

Read more highlights

Sky View Observatory - Elevator entrance

Sky View Observatory

(555 reviews)

Downtown

We were able to purchase timed tickets earlier on the same day to access the observation deck and…read morelounge near sunset. We timed it for a half-hour prior to sunset and wish we'd made it an hour before since it was a wait at times to capture photos due to so many people. The views were incredible and very enjoyable to walk the entire outer deck perimeter and then go inside to the lounge. The interior space was exciting to see clear glass floors with views of the gears working to rotate the outer lounge. It was a disconcerting feeling to walk on the glass, but definitely a memorable experience. We easily wandered around the observatory for at least an hour. Would have liked to maybe grab a drink and sat for a while, but it was fairly crowded. There is also a restaurant space if visitors want a dining experience with a fantastic view.

If you're thinking about going to Sky. View or the Space Needle for the view, I highly recommend…read moreSky View. I (unfortunately) paid $24 for parking right in the Columbia Center although there is street parking and other lots near/around Columbia Center. When I came around 4:30pm on a weekday, the building was dead - the food court was all closed. After scanning your ticket, you get in the elevator that takes you to the 73rd floor. Everything is indoors and you get a 360 view of the PNW. It's great if you're able to catch the sunset on a cloud free day. If you get the cafe voucher, you can combine them together to spend on food, drinks, or souvenirs. The space is a little dated but the views are worth it. Overall, a better option for PNW views than the Space Needle however there's no outdoor area.

Port Ludlow Trails

Port Ludlow Trails

(2 reviews)

Short half-mile loop walk through a beautiful forest with rushing falls on the river. While the…read morefalls themselves are not spectacular like other waterfalls along Hood Canal, the walk gets five stars from me because it's so impeccably maintained by the community (presumably volunteers). There are lots of interesting signposts along the route and you can tell this place is lovingly looked after by the community. It's a pretty easy walk -- my parents are in their 70s and had zero problems. (There's a flight of stairs near the waterfall but other than that, it's an easy stroll.) To get to the walk, drive toward Port Ludlow but don't go all the way to the water's edge where all the touristy stuff is -- instead, turn right on Breaker Lane where the RV park is, and then turn right again into the Port Ludlow & Associates building parking lot. (Put "Port Ludlow & Associates" into your Google maps for the best driving directions.) Drive all the way to the end of the parking lot and you'll find a little community patch of lawn with planted trees that leads up to the trailhead at the edge of the forest. Turn left at the trailhead sign (for a better walk experience) and follow the loop around to the falls. Again, don't expect any spectacular waterfalls, but this is a great easy "back to nature" walk that leaves you with a nice feeling because of how the community looks after it.

This is a cute lil trail. Not much to do around Port Ludlow so I'd highly recommend this based on…read morethe close to zero options you have! It's a loop trail so just keep walking. An easy half mile (?) and boots will be fine but white shoes are a no go :(

The Showbox - Getting ready! Mac Ayers concert Friday, March 24, 2023.

The Showbox

(432 reviews)

$$

Downtown

Came here again for the Drain concert and I loved it!!!! For the first time ever, staff served…read morewater bottles after the show? How accommodating and thoughtful! Pitcher goes crazy and I love the platforms of different levels because you can catch a breath at your own convenience. Staff works hard to ensure that everyone is safe from the line outside to the front of the stage. Extremely impressed by my experiences here...perhaps my favorite live entertainment venue ever!

Joined a friend to see Berlioz and it was both of our first times going to Showbox. I'm not sure…read morehow or if they rearrange this venue for shows, but the layout was really nice! There's a good amount of seating in the platform area and a large open floor in the middle. A lot of people also stand/dance on the same platform as there's a lot of leeway for you to move between areas. I never really do coat check because I'm paranoid about not having my things on me, but the one here is easy and reliable. The only real issue was the photo booth which only worked for the first half hour or so. I'm assuming it ran out of film or something because at some point, it just kept taking people's money without taking any photos, which was brought up to the staff. This isn't necessarily on Showbox since the photo booth is provided by a vendor, but I would've appreciated an "out of order" sign. If this happens to you, you can visit the vendor's website and call for a refund!

Smith Tower - observatories - Updated May 2026

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