Columbia Center

Columbia Center is Seattle’s tallest building, and its Sky View Observatory on the 73rd floor gives you a 360-degree view from above downtown. Look for the Space Needle, Puget Sound, Lake Washington and the Olympic and Cascade mountains; on a clear evening, the sunset over the water is a highlight. The observatory has a bar serving coffee and a limited selection of alcoholic drinks, plus places to sit and information about the tower. It’s a quieter alternative to the Space Needle’s observation deck.

Views from the 73rd floor

Sky View Observatory sits on the 73rd floor of Columbia Center, Seattle’s tallest building. From here, the city spreads out in every direction. Look for the Space Needle, the waterfront, Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges beyond.

The open view makes the time of day part of the visit. Near sunset, you can watch the light shift over the water and mountains, then see the city after dark. The observation area has seating, and information panels and images offer details about the tower and its surroundings.

Getting to the observatory

The public observatory is reached from Columbia Center at 701 5th Ave. The trip to the upper floors involves separate elevator rides, and the lift to the top is quick. The observation level has a coffee bar and a limited selection of alcoholic drinks.

Online booking is a practical option, with discounts noted for some tickets. If you’re driving, paid parking is available nearby, including a lot opposite the main entrance; finding street parking can be difficult. The viewpoint is less crowded than the Space Needle’s observation deck, but it does not have an outdoor deck.