Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS…
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Observation deck
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Lunch in the SkyCity Restaurant
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Joint-ticket offers
PRACTICALITIES
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MAP
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400 Broad St
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adult/child $19/12
10am-11pm Mon-Thu, 9.30am-11:30pm Fri & Sat, 9.30am-11pm Sun
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Seattle Center
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Some History
The Space Needle (originally called 'The Space Cage') was designed by Victor Stein-
brueck and John Graham Jr, reportedly based on the napkin scribblings of World's Fair
organizer Eddie Carlson. Looking like a cross between a flying saucer and an hour-
glass, and belonging to an architectural subgenre commonly referred to as Googie (fu-
turistic, space age and curvaceous), the Needle was constructed in less than a year and
proved to be an instant hit; 2.3 million people paid $1 to ascend it during the World's
Fair, which ran for six months between April and October 1962. The lofty revolving
dome originally housed two restaurants (they were amalgamated in 2000) and its roof
was initially painted a brilliant 'Galaxy Gold' (read: orange). After many color
changes, it was repainted in the same shade for its 50th anniversary in 2012. The struc-
ture has had two major refurbishments since the '60s: the first in 1982 when the
Skyline level was added, and the second in 2000 in a project that cost as much as the
original construction. The tradition of holding fantastical New Year's Eve firework dis-
plays at the Needle began in 1992.
Vital Statistics
