Visiting Seattle’s Space Needle at Sunset: My Experience & Tips

I’ve been to Seattle a couple of times before, but on this trip, I finally wanted to do the classic, see the Space Needle. Since it overlooks Elliott Bay, it’s also one of the best spots to catch a Seattle sunset. I imagined how stunning the skyline and bay would look as the sun went down, and the views did not disappoint.

During our one day in Seattle, we spent the evening at Seattle Center, home to both the Space Needle and the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum. My husband and I started with the Chihuly museum, wandering through the colorful glass displays, and then walked over to the Space Needle to watch the city light up at dusk. It was a memorable evening overall.

A girl posing at the Space Needle deck with the city skyline behind her — *Me at Space Needle observation deck*

Tickets

We booked this combo ticket for the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, which made the evening easy and seamless. Since the two attractions are right next to each other, it worked perfectly to enjoy Chihuly first and then head up the Space Needle in time for sunset.

If you’re planning to do the same, I’d recommend getting the combo ticket, as it’s cheaper than buying individual tickets. I was really impressed with the glass museum and it’s definitely worth visiting! You can also get tickets at the door, but there might be a wait to get in.

➡️ We purchased this Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combo Ticket

My Visit Experience

We took the monorail from Westlake Center in downtown Seattle and arrived at Seattle Center. After exploring Chihuly Garden and Glass, we walked right next door to the Space Needle. The two attractions are just steps apart, which makes it easy to see both on the same visit.

A walking ramp with information displays on the wall — *The ramp to the elevators*

Information display about Space Needle's history — *Information display about the Space Needle’s history*

Past the ticketing area, the walkway to the elevator was lined with displays about the Space Needle’s construction, along with photos of celebrities who visited in its early years.

People waiting near the elevator at the Space Needle — *Line to ride the Elevator up the Space Needle*

Since we went on a Thursday evening around 5 p.m., the line for the elevator was short and moved quickly. On weekends and holidays, waits can stretch to an hour. The glass elevator itself was part of the fun, giving us sweeping views of the city as it ascended 600 feet.

At the top, we explored both levels. The outdoor deck on the upper level offered incredible 360-degree views of the skyline, Elliott Bay, and even a faint outline of Mount Rainier. The deck is fully enclosed with glass panels that block the wind, and the glass benches make for a playful photo spot against the city backdrop.

Seattle skyline seen from top of the Space Needle — *Seattle skyline seen from the top of the Space Needle (can you spot Mount Rainier in the back?)*

The lower level features the revolving glass floor. It was fun to step on, but for me, the real highlight was the upper deck views.

*Revolving glass floor at Space Needle’s lower level*

We found a spot to relax and stayed through sunset. The café counter made it easy to grab a snack while waiting; they had pies, ice cream, and drinks.

As the sky turned shades of orange and pink, the city and bay glowed in sunset hues. Watching the skyline light up as the sun disappeared behind the water was one of the most memorable parts of our trip.

Beautiful sunset over the bay seen from Space Needle — *Beautiful sunset over the bay seen from the Space Needle*

When it was time to head back, we caught the monorail to Pike Place Market for dinner. There’s also the Loupe Lounge restaurant on the lower level, though at $150+ per person, it felt a bit too pricey!

*Seattle skyline and Mount Rainier at sunset seen from Space Needle*

Tips from Our Visit

Book ahead – Tickets sell out during busy seasons, especially for popular sunset slots.
Arrive early – Give yourself at least an hour before sunset to get through security and find a good spot on the deck.
Weekdays are better – We went on a Thursday evening and hardly waited; weekends and holidays can mean more time waiting in line for the elevators.
Dress in layers – The outdoor deck can be chilly, especially in cooler months.
Stay a little longer – The best views often come right after sunset, when the city lights sparkle against the darkening sky.
Consider the combo ticket – Pairing the Space Needle with Chihuly Garden and Glass saves some money, and the two are right next to each other.

A girl posing against a glass wall with the bay and sunset behind her — *Me enjoying the sunset views at Space Needle*

Final Takeaways

Seeing the Space Needle at sunset was worth it for the sweeping views of the skyline, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier in the distance. The only other views that came close were on the Seattle harbor cruise, another must-do.

Pairing it with the Chihuly Garden and Glass made for an easy and memorable evening. I recommend booking this Space Needle + Chihuly Glass combo ticket in advance for some time and money savings.