15 Amazing Things To Do In Space Needle Seattle

The outdoor sculpture walk at Seattle Center becomes an enchanting combination of art and nature with the Space Needle nearby. Some of the modern-day contemporary sculptures include a collection created by local and international artists that showcase various forms of artistic expression with eclectic styles and cultural subject matters.

The several sculptures are smartly stationed around the verdant gardens and walkways to create an open-air art gallery that allows an individual to be able to appreciate the natural beauty of the surroundings. One way to enjoy the arts informally is through the Outdoor Sculpture Walk, which allows a visitor to proceed at their own pace.

This walk enriches a host of attractions the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and MoPOP located in the area. It is one of the enriching things to be done around the Space Needle.

A visit to the Space Needle Gift Shop is another must-stop venue for anyone coming to see the prominent Seattle landmark. Located right at the base of the tower, it sells all kinds of unique souvenirs and mementos to catch the memory of visiting this place. There's merchandise of all kinds here: from T-shirts, mugs, and keychains with the Space Needle logo to local handmade articles and really niche products, such as scale models and artwork.

It's also a great place to see memorabilia dedicated to Seattle's culture and history, really making this a great place for visitors and locals alike. A gift shop comes out as one of the best things to do around the Space Needle, giving one the chance to take something back from Seattle. 

One of the events that Seattle is highly anticipated every year is the Space Needle New Year's Eve Celebration. Thousands of visitors flock to this event, which includes an amazing party accompanied by a great fireworks display to be shot off the top of the Space Needle to a specially prepared soundtrack of songs.

Beginning at midnight, the sky lights up with vivacious colors and patterns, really an eye-opening sight viewed from several vantage points within the city. In the event's recent years, it also added a light show of the newest generation where the Space Needle itself acts as a canvas for really cool visual effects.

With fireworks and music arranged to combine with the lights, there is an immersive effect on viewers. A lot of times, for people who can't get there in person, it is broadcast live so everybody can join in on the fun. 

Artists at Play Playground is a dynamic and artistic play space right next to the Space Needle at Seattle Center. It will have a beautiful playground with multiple imaginative creations and interactive play structures designed by artists and architects for kids to explore. The centerpiece is a 30-foot climbing tower with slides, accompanied by musical elements that allow children to experiment with sound and rhythm.

Artists at Play Playground not only provides kids with a great place to spend time but is also a visually stimulating space that adults can appreciate for its unique artistic twist on the traditional playground.

This makes it outstanding compared to most of the attractions within the area. Whether it's a kids' play area to run around or an artistic atmosphere to enjoy, the playground is surely one more delightful part of what to do around the Space Needle.

The Seattle Center Armory is at the foot of the Needle and offers a vibrant hub of food, performance, and arts activity. This 1939 facility has since been adapted to be a stimulating gathering place for both locals and visitors. The Armory has a food court that provides variations to suit all different tastes, so it would be a good place for a quick snack or informal dining.

The Armory hosts a myriad of events throughout the year, from cultural festivals to live performances and seasonal celebrations. There are also interactive exhibits and activities found here, making this spot very family-friendly. Seattle Center Armory is almost a district in itself, with its smorgasbord of attractions to see that makes the area a must-visit for any traveler. 

The International Fountain is one of the great attractions at Seattle Center and definitely on the list of stuff to do at the Space Needle. Conceived for a 1962 World's Fair, the fountain features a large, smooth dome with several water jets gushing streams of water in a choreographed way.

These displays are accompanied by music and together generate an enthralling water and light display that appeals to people of all ages. The International Fountain is a great place for taking things easy, picnicking, or simply enjoying the ambiance. This park is particularly family-friendly, as children love to splash in the inviting spray of water on hot summer days.

The fusion of art, engineering, and natural beauty in the fountain highlights Seattle Center, extending to all who visit an area, a unique and enjoyable experience. By day or by night, the International Fountain spills excitement upon your visit.

Rich in color and excitement, with all the wonder that a seven-acre interactive museum can bring, the Pacific Science Center lies on Seattle Center at the foot of the Space Needle. Fielding interactive exhibits from the hard-core physical to life sciences and into the far reaches of space research, there is not much this science museum does not cover.

Highlights run from the Tropical Butterfly House, featuring the living butterflies within a tropical, lush setting, to the Planetarium, with its amazing shows that take one on a journey through the wonders of the cosmos.

There are also two enormous IMAX theaters with some of the best educational and blockbuster movie entertainment for those larger-than-life cinematic moments. The Pacific Science Center is a location where a lot of life science demonstrations and educational programs are held.

The Museum of Pop Culture is a vigorous museum dedicated to the creativity and innovation of contemporary popular culture. Housed on the Seattle Center campus across from the Space Needle, MoPOP was designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry. 

It has interactive exhibitions, for example, the Sound Lab, where anyone can play instruments and record music, or Indie Game Revolution, revealing ingenuity in independent video game developers. MoPOP also houses the largest collection of iconic artifacts from films and television shows, containing original costumes and props.

Special exhibitions, live performances, and educational programming are offered continually, making the museum a vibrant cultural hub. Every art lover must include MoPOP in their places to visit list, for this place gives different insights into the world of popular culture.

In the Seattle Center campus, right next to the Space Needle, is Chihuly Garden and Glass: a magical art exhibition of glass artist Dale Chihuly. Chihuly Museum comprises an enormous collection of highly artistic glass sculptures, large installations, and other different kinds of pieces.

The main pieces in this exhibit include the Glasshouse, featuring an impressive chandelier; and the Garden, where colorful glass sculptures are set with naturalistic backdrops. The exhibition contains many galleries and installations that give a broad insight into Chihuly's ingenuity in glass art.

From striking visuals to an immersive environment, Chihuly Garden and Glass is sure to enthrall art lovers and Seattle visitors alike. The combination of indoor and outdoor displays provides a unique and captivating experience, making it a must-visit attraction for art lovers and visitors to Seattle.

Among the many things to do at the Space Needle, one of the core focuses of its redesign is in the form of interactive exhibits. These exhibits make the experience of visiting this Seattle icon more engaging and interactive. Interactive displays provide a wealth of information on the tower's history, architecture, and construction.

Touchscreens and multi-media presentations take visitors through an in-depth understanding of the landmark and its importance in the Seattle skyline. Multiple spots of interest around the Pacific Science Center and MoPOP themselves are available with interactive exhibits around the Space Needle area.

These make for hands-on experiences whereby a tourist will want to explore and learn. From the engineering marvels of the Space Needle itself to more general scientific and cultural themes, interactive exhibits make your visit dynamic and guarantee a memorable, enriching experience.

VR at the Space Needle provides an immersive experience with the ability to wander in virtual worlds and interact with digital environments allowing for a unique view of landmarks and surroundings. VR experiences include simulations such as flying over Seattle or examining historical moments related to the construction of the Space Needle.

This is state-of-the-art technology, adding a whole other dimension to the traditional visit, engagingly offering a new way to experience the Space Needle's history and views. It's an attraction in and of itself of all the things to do at the Space Needle and beautifully marries modern technology with this iconic landmark.

If you're a fan of technology or just looking for something new when it comes to exploring Seattle, this VR experience takes things up a notch for an unforgettable and thoroughly engrossing element of your visit to the Space Needle.

More intriguing activities around the Space Needle are those one can have with the Seattle Center Monorail. The historic people mover offers fast and picturesque service between Seattle Center and downtown Seattle. This monorail was launched by the 1962 World's Fair and its sleek futuristic trains ride gracefully along an elevated track, offering panoramic views of the city to travelers in transit.

This isn't just for transiting from one point of interest to another. It's an experience in itself, especially convenient for Seattle Center with major destinations the Space Needle, MoPOP, and Chihuly Garden and Glass. It can be a great way to visit the city. Due to its central location and unique design, this can be a fun way to tour the area around the Space Needle.

SkyCity Restaurant, located at the very top of the Space Needle, is a fancy place to eat for those seeking something a little more out of the ordinary, offering breathtaking 360 views of Seattle from above.

About the offerings on the plate, Executive Chef Spencer gives much of the management of the menu to seasonal, fresh flavors derived through locally sourced ingredients. SkyCity's dining experience goes beyond food; it's the whole package for the senses. And each meal is never complete without a panoramic view, as the revolving floor promises one.

SkyCity further complements the experience with a broad wine list and a variety of craft cocktails. This fine dining option is a marriage of world-class cuisine paired with one of Seattle's most iconic views, definitely serving as a centerpiece of what to do at the Space Needle.

Loupe, a stand-out feature among the types of things to do at the Space Needle, stands as the world's first and only revolving glass floor. Site-located 520 feet in the air, this avant-garde installation showcases the city of Seattle from a vantage point both breathtaking and singular. Rotating slowly, the Loupe gives a view in a constant state of flux and allows tours to view the cityscape from all directions.

This extra dimension of the visit offers that additional thrill, combining the latest technology with Space Needle design at its best. Safety and resiliency are engineered into the floor for a safe and highly memorable experience. The Loupe is as much a display piece as it is an interactive piece, making the visitors' tour experience more enriching as they tour the Space Needle a must-see in Seattle.

Visible from almost every perspective within this iconic Seattle landmark, the Space Needle Observation Deck provides guests with an unparalleled vantage point from which to take in the city and surroundings. Perched 520 feet above ground, the observation deck provides breathtaking views of Seattle's beautiful vistas of Elliott Bay, a busy downtown skyline, and majestic Mount Rainier off in the distance.

This deck has floor-to-ceiling glass windows, ensuring that each view is unobstructed, so visitors can see the cityscape from every single angle. Beyond the static views, the Observation Deck features The Loupe, the world's only revolving glass floor, which lets visitors look straight down at the ground below for an added dimension of excitement.