Seattle Observation Decks: Book Tickets Now

Two ways to see Seattle from above: 73 floors up at Sky View Observatory, or on a 1914 skyscraper’s 35th floor.

Skip the Line: Sky View Observatory Admission Tickets

From $28.30

Sky View Observatory: enjoy the views

From $28.35

Smith Tower Observatory: Entry Ticket + Self-Guided Tour

From $26.25

Seattle is easier to understand from above. Sky View Observatory looks out over the whole city, the water and the mountains from 902 feet. Smith Tower’s observatory shows you downtown from a historic 35th-floor deck in Pioneer Square.

Book your tickets online and pick the view, or the day, that suits you best.

Which Seattle Observation Decks Should I Visit?

Sky View Observatory: 902 feet above downtown

Sky View Observatory is on the 73rd floor of Columbia Center, a 76-story tower finished in 1985. At 902 feet, it is the tallest public viewing area in the Pacific Northwest. The view runs a full 360 degrees and covers Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, the Cascades, the Olympic Mountains, Elliott Bay, Bellevue and the Space Needle.

It is a good first stop in the city, because you can see where everything else on your list sits before you head down to it.

Smith Tower Observatory: history on the 35th floor

Smith Tower opened in 1914 and was the tallest building on the West Coast for almost 50 years. Its observatory takes up the 35th floor and mixes the view with a bit of the building’s past. The Chinese Room has a carved ceiling and furniture that have been there since opening year, and an open-air deck lets you step outside and look over Pioneer Square and Elliott Bay.

The ride up is an experience too, since the building still uses historic elevators.

Seeing Mount Rainier and the Olympics from above Seattle

What you see depends mostly on the weather. On a clear day, Mount Rainier stands out to the south, the Olympic Mountains line the western horizon, and the Cascades and Mount Baker show up in the east and north. Elliott Bay and the Space Needle are easy to pick out from either deck.

When clouds sit low over the city, the mountains can disappear completely, so checking the forecast before you choose a date is worth the thirty seconds.

Good to Know Before Visiting Seattle Observation Decks

Sky View Observatory is on the 73rd floor of Columbia Center in downtown Seattle, about 902 feet above the street.

Smith Tower's observatory is on the 35th floor in Pioneer Square, and you reach it in the building's historic elevators.

Clear days give the best views of Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains, so check the forecast before you choose your date.

Smith Tower has an open-air deck, so dress for the weather on the day.

Smith Tower's observatory also has historical artifacts to look at alongside the views, plus a speakeasy-style bar.

Both observation decks are downtown and a short distance apart, so you can plan to see both in the same day.

Time of day changes the view, so pick a slot that suits what you most want to see or photograph.

Check the time and entrance details on your booking before you head out, since each deck has its own.

Seattle Observation Decks - Gallery

Seattle's Top 5 Picks

Seattle Aquarium

A Pier 59 waterfront aquarium focused on Puget Sound marine life, with a 400,000-gallon Underwater Dome at its center.

Sky View Observatory

A 360-degree viewing floor 902 feet up on the 73rd floor of Columbia Center, with Mount Rainier and the Space Needle in sight.

Woodland Park Zoo

A 92-acre zoo in Phinney Ridge known for habitat-style exhibits, from grizzly bears on the Northern Trail to giraffes on the African Savanna.

Smith Tower

A 1914 Pioneer Square skyscraper with a 35th-floor observatory, an open-air deck and the carved Chinese Room.

National Nordic Museum

A Ballard museum, in a purpose-built building that opened in 2018, devoted to the heritage of the five Nordic countries and Nordic Americans.

FAQs about Seattle Observation Decks

What observation decks can I visit in Seattle?

Sky View Observatory on the 73rd floor of Columbia Center and the Smith Tower observatory on the 35th floor are two downtown options.

How high is Sky View Observatory?

It sits on the 73rd floor at about 902 feet, making it the tallest public viewing area in the Pacific Northwest.

What can you see from Sky View Observatory?

The 360-degree view covers Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, the Cascades, the Olympic Mountains, Elliott Bay, Bellevue and the Space Needle.

Where is Sky View Observatory?

It is inside Columbia Center in downtown Seattle, between Fourth and Fifth Avenues.

Which floor is the Smith Tower observatory on?

It is on the 35th floor and includes an open-air deck as well as the indoor Chinese Room.

When was Smith Tower built?

Smith Tower opened in 1914 and stayed the tallest building on the West Coast for almost 50 years.

What is the Chinese Room at Smith Tower?

It is a room on the 35th floor with a carved ceiling and carved furniture that have been part of the tower since it opened.

Which Seattle observation deck is higher?

Sky View Observatory is much higher, at 902 feet on the 73rd floor compared with the Smith Tower's 35th floor.

When is the best time to visit an observation deck in Seattle?

A clear day gives you the best chance of seeing Mount Rainier and the surrounding mountains, so check the forecast first.

Can I visit both observation decks in one day?

Yes, both are downtown and a short distance apart, so many visitors can fit both into a single day.

Can I book Seattle observation deck tickets online in advance?

Yes, you can book online ahead of your visit and plan the rest of your day around it.