SeatacSeatac Connection
Things to do in Seattle

Sky View Observatory

The 73rd-floor observatory at the top of Columbia Center downtown, the tallest public viewing area in the Pacific Northwest, with a café and bar.

Get a ride therePlan a Seattle trip with itTickets and tours

The useful answer

Should this fit your day?

Best for
Anyone who wants the highest view in the city, looking down on the Space Needle, with a drink to go with it.
Time to protect
Plan on about an hour: the atrium, the elevator, then as long as you like at the top.
Cruise-day fit
Columbia Center is downtown, about a mile from Pier 66 and up a steep hill from the waterfront. Rolling luggage isn't allowed, so go the day before a sailing or once your bags are with the ship or your hotel.
From the terminals
Pier 66 is the closer terminal, a short ride away. Pier 91 is farther north, so plan a ride and a bigger buffer.
Before a flight
Downtown is on the way south toward SEA, which helps on a flight day. Remember the last elevator goes up an hour before closing, and set your leave time around your flight, not the view.

Sky View or Smith Tower?

Seattle's two downtown observatories are only a few blocks apart, and they feel very different.

  1. Sky View Observatory

    73 floors up in Columbia Center: the highest view around, looking down on the Space Needle and out to the mountains, with a café and bar.

  2. Smith Tower

    35 floors up in a 1914 landmark in Pioneer Square: an open-air deck closer to the streets, history exhibits on the way up and a speakeasy-style bar.

Short on time? Pick one: Sky View for the big picture, Smith Tower for the history.

Read the Smith Tower guide →

What to know before you go

  1. 01

    Use the main entrance on 4th Avenue just south of Columbia Street. Tickets are sold at the desk and kiosks in the first-floor atrium, or online ahead of time.

  2. 02

    An elevator takes you up 73 floors in about 80 seconds. Once you're up you can stay as long as you like, but there's no re-entry.

  3. 03

    Small bags and backpacks are fine. Rolling luggage isn't allowed and there are no lockers, so cruise bags need another plan.

  4. 04

    On a clear day you can see Mount Rainier, the Cascades, the Olympics, Mount Baker, Elliott Bay, Bellevue and the Space Needle below you. Staff tell you what visibility is like before you go up. There are no refunds, but you can reschedule for free.

  5. 05

    The Sky View Café & Bar serves coffee, snacks, local beer and wine and cocktails. It's cashless, and there's no outside food or drink.

  6. 06

    The building's doors lock and the last elevator goes up an hour before the observatory closes. Under-18s need to be with an adult.

Check the official site for current hours, tickets and holiday closures before you go.

Tours and activities

Tours and tickets for Sky View Observatory

Well-reviewed tours and tickets, with current prices. Check a date to see open start times, then book with Viator.

Tours are sold and run through Viator; booking opens viator.com in a new tab, and Viator confirms the final price and time. Seatac may earn a commission.

Book tickets and tours

Pick a ticket time that leaves room for the ride back. Timed entry, guided tours and city passes all work; check the live price and times for your date.

  • Tickets and tours

    Sky View Observatory admission

    Standard admission to the 73rd-floor observatory at Columbia Center. Pick your date.

    See times and tickets

  • Tours and activities

    Seattle tours and tickets

    Guided tours, attraction tickets and day trips around Seattle, including options near Sky View Observatory.

    See tours and tickets

Opens a booking partner in a new tab; Seatac Connection may earn a commission. You can also buy direct on the Sky View Observatory visitor page.

Get a ride there

Drop-off: Sky View Observatory, Columbia Center, Columbia Center

Starting from

Your fare is worked out for the exact trip on the next step, before you pay. Want the car to wait while you visit? Book by the hour.

Cruise day: Sky View Observatory between the ship and your flight

Off the ship with a few hours before your flight? Book the ride from the pier and the ride on to the airport now, so each driver knows where you are going.

  1. Step 1

    Ride from the pier

    Pier 66 is the closer terminal, a short ride away. Pier 91 is farther north, so plan a ride and a bigger buffer.

    From Pier 66From Pier 91

  2. Step 2

    Visit Sky View Observatory

    Plan on about an hour: the atrium, the elevator, then as long as you like at the top.

    Tickets and tours

  3. Step 3

    Ride on to Seatac Airport

    Downtown is on the way south toward SEA, which helps on a flight day. Remember the last elevator goes up an hour before closing, and set your leave time around your flight, not the view.

    Sky View Observatory to the airport

Big bags

  • Pier 66: Same-day bag storage is available. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.
  • Pier 91: Same-day bag storage in the Crew Center, north of the Ground Transportation Center. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.

Stored bags mean a stop back at the pier before the airport. To keep them with you instead, book a car by the hour and the driver waits with your luggage.

Planning the whole cruise trip? Keep Sky View Observatory on it with the rides around it.

Plan the whole cruise trip

Not sure which pier? Find your ship and pier or compare Pier 66 and Pier 91.

Compare another stop