Seattle - Washington State - page 103

play virtual-reality soccer or play tic-tac-toe with a robot, and dozens of other
fun hands-on exhibits addressing the biological sciences, physics, and chemistry.
The August Bubble Festival is always a big hit. There's a planetarium for learn-
ing about the skies (plus laser shows for the fun of it), and an IMAX theater. Be
sure to check the schedule for special exhibits when you're in town.
200 Second Ave. N., Seattle Center. & 206/443-2001. www.pacsci.org. Admission $9 adults, $6.50 ages 3-13
and seniors, free for children under 3. IMAX $7.50-$8.50 adults, $6.50-$7.50 ages 3-13 and seniors, free for
children under 3. Laser show $5-$7.50. Various discounted combination tickets available. Mid-June to Labor
Day daily 10am-6pm; Labor Day to mid-June Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun and holidays 10am-6pm. Closed
Thanksgiving and Christmas. Bus: 1, 2, 3, 4, 13, 15, 16, or 18. Monorail: To Seattle Center.
The Space Needle From a distance it resembles a flying saucer on top of
a tripod, and when it was built for the 1962 World's Fair, the 605-foot-tall Space
Needle was meant to suggest future architectural trends. Today the Space Needle
is the quintessential symbol of Seattle, and at 520 feet above ground level, the
Space Needle Alternatives
If you don't want to deal with the crowds at the Space Needle but still
want an elevated downtown view, you have some alternatives. One is
the big, black Bank of America Tower ( & 206/386-5151 ) at the corner
of Fifth Avenue and Columbia Street. At 943 feet, this is the tallest
building in Seattle (twice as tall as the Space Needle), and has more
stories (76, to be exact) than any other building west of the Mississippi.
Up on the 73rd floor, you'll find an observation deck with views that
dwarf those from the Space Needle. Admission is only $5 for adults
and $3 for seniors and children. It's open Monday through Friday from
8:30am to 4:30pm.
Not far from the Bank of America Tower, you'll find the Smith
Tower, 506 Second Ave. ( & 206/622-4004; www.chineseroom.com/
observation.html). Opened in 1914, this was Seattle's first skyscraper
and, for 50 years, was the tallest building west of Chicago. Although
Smith Tower has only 42 stories, it still offers excellent views from its
35th-floor observation deck, which surrounds the ornate Chinese
Room, a banquet hall with a carved ceiling. A lavish lobby and original
manual elevators all make this a fun and historic place to take in the
Seattle skyline. April 16 to October 31, the observation deck is open
daily from 11am to 6pm; November 1 to April 15, it's open Saturday
and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for sen-
iors and students, and $4 for children ages 6 to 12.
If you've ever seen a photo of the Space Needle framed by Mount
Rainier and the high-rises of downtown Seattle, it was probably taken
from Kerry Viewpoint on Queen Anne Hill. If you want to take your
own drop-dead photo of the Seattle skyline from this elevated per-
spective, head north from Seattle Center on Queen Anne Avenue
North and turn left on West Highland Drive. When you reach the park,
you'll immediately recognize the view.
Another great panorama is from the water tower in Volunteer Park
on Capitol Hill at East Prospect Street and 14th Avenue East. See p. 114.