My one and only trip to Seattle, a family trip when I was only a child, was cut short long before I had the chance to discover much about this intriguing city.  A stomach bug took over our trip and we spent the bulk of our Emerald City visit inside our small hotel room.  Thankfully, only a few hours before the sickness swept through my family, we were able to visit the iconic Space Needle.

As a child, the Seattle Space Needle was certainly a thrill!  I recall being both terrified and excited to venture to the top of the structure on the eve of our arrival.  One of my favorite things about family travel is the obstacles that one can overcome when you participate as a group.  And one thing is for sure; my fear of heights was both challenged and overcome in Seattle.

Because I was a bit of a nerdy kid, I knew that the top of the Needle was 605 feet in the air, and that the Observation Deck stood at 520 feet.  At the time it was built in 1962, the Space Needle was the tallest building west of the Mississippi.  I heard that dropping a penny from this height could kill someone, so while walking beneath it, I frantically ran with my hands over my head.  Apparently I didn’t realize that my hands weren’t made of steel (or that this was a completely not true).  I also knew that the Space Needle was built with the ability to sway.  The facts state that it sways approximately one inch for every 10 mph of wind, with a safety maximum velocity of 200 mph.  I am pretty sure that the winds were about 199 mph on the day of my childhood visit, or so it seemed.

One of the surprisingly thrilling aspects of visiting the Space Needle is actually the elevators.  It takes just 43 seconds to reach the top!  If you and your little ones are not completely terrified by heights, I recommend a trip to the SkyCity Restaurant, perched at 500 feet.  The revolving restaurant has won numerous awards and accolades throughout the years featuring not only top-notch views, but incredible dining as well.

Today, your ticket to the top is not simply a quick up and down visit.  Guests can linger longer and enjoy the 360 degree views of Seattle’s skyline and bustling harbor with their own eyes or through complimentary telescopes.  Land markers and the innovative SkyQ kiosks show you the best of Seattle, in an interactive and fun user interface.

Tips:

•    Buy the Seattle CityPASS for added value & savings.
•    Dress warm- no matter what, it is chilly at the top.
•    Check out the Museum of Glass while you are in the area.  Ticket deals are available.

Observation Deck tickets: $19/adults; $12/child.  Tickets include complimentary digital photos.

Get spaced out with your own Seattle family vacation!

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