People easily recognize photos of some cities around the world because of that iconic structure that everyone knows. Think the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Arch in St. Louis. For Seattle that recognizable structure is the Space Needle. It is a architectural wonder like no other. If you visit Seattle, you have to get a photo of it.
The Space Needle was built in 1962 for the Seattle World’s Fair. After the fair it became an important part of what is known as the Seattle Center. The buildings of the Seattle Center have changed over the last 58 years, and the Space Needle is no exception. In 2018 a major renovation updated the revolving restaurant and the observation deck.
For most tourist a visit to the Space Needle is a must do activity. The views from the observation deck can be absolutely amazing on a clear day. The revolving restaurant has not always received the best reviews for its food, but sitting and watching the world slowly turn around you is definitely a fun experience. We took our kids there for breakfast a few times when they were younger.
Taking pictures from the Space Needle can be pretty awesome. but taking pictures of the Space Needle is just as important. The question is, where is the best spot? Let’s start at the Seattle Center.
Taking a picture at the Seattle Center seems an obvious location. The question becomes where do you stand? There’s no best choice here. It is a bit challenging to get a complete picture as there are other buildings and structures around. One just has to walk around the grounds to determine the best position. Check out these photos taken on the grounds of the Seattle Center.
On New Year’s Eve 2018 we attended a concert at the center so we stayed for the traditional fireworks show. For Seattle the Space Needle is the celebration location for the arrival of the new year. The Needle is lit up in various colors especially the signature color of the sponsor, T-Mobile, which is pink. We wandered around to different locations trying to find the best spot to see the show and taking pictures along the way. We ended up on the rooftop plaza of the Fisher Pavilion. Before the fireworks show there is a lazer show so it is an entertaining event.
One unusual photo I captured was from inside the Chihuly Garden and Glass. I was not anticipating this, but when I saw it from inside the building, I had to take the photo. Unfortunately a visit to the Chihuly exhibit is not cheap, but it is a beautiful place to visit. The glass pieces are truly remarkable.
So where else is a good spot to take a photo? I think one of the best and clearest shots are those taken from the water. The skyline from Puget Sound offers great photo possibilities. Photos from the sound reveal how far away the Space Needle is from the downtown core of the city.
Taking a photo from the water is not as expensive or as difficult as one might think. Yes, there are rather expensive trips that tourists can take. Argosy Cruises has boat trips that includes a meal as well as their popular ride out to Blake Island for a salmon dinner and Native American entertainment. However, a ferry ride across the sound is an inexpensive and easy way to get out on Puget Sound. Two ferries leave from downtown Seattle, one to Bremerton and one to Bainbridge Island. Walking on is fairly inexpensive. Visitors get a great trip across the sound, and they can check out either location. (I think there’s more to see within walking distance on Bainbridge Island.) More importantly they can get that picture of the Space Needle either going or returning.
If you want to stay on land, there are various other locations I have used to get a photo. The first option can give the perception that it is taken from across Puget Sound. West Seattle juts out to the south and there are a variety of places from there which provides an excellent photo.
Another viewpoint is Volunteer Park on Capital Hill. Photographers will find a good view of the Space Needle over the retention pond. Photographers can take a particularly interesting photo by centering the Needle inside the art work Black Sun. One can also see the Space Needle from the top of the water tank. The biggest problem with this location is the Space Needle will appear small in your photo as it is a distance from the park.
On a walk around Lake Union I discovered a number of locations which yielded good photos of the Space Needle. The South Lake Union area in particular offers a number of interesting sites for a view of the Needle.
For many people the ideal location to take this iconic photo is Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill. The park is a small park with great views overlooking Seattle. Since it is not far from the Seattle Center, the Needle does not appear too small in photos.
Desiring to have a photo from Kerry Park for this post I made my way there at 4:00 in the morning in late June. Imagine my surprise when I discovered about eight people there at that time of morning. I got ready to take my photos and got my next surprise. Where was the Space Needle? I expected the Needleto have lights on it. I often see it that way, and the news will often mention various colors used for different times of the year such as the Seahawks’ colors in the fall. But it wasn’t lit up at all. There were dim lights going up the center of the Needle and then a blinking red light at the top of the antenna. It seems my plans for a night shot centering on the Space Needle wouldn’t happen.
As I waited, the cloud cover seemed to become thicker than I anticipated. The spots of blue sky disappeared over Seattle. Things were not looking good. The time for the sunrise came and went. I saw no sun. I saw no light rays. The clouds grew brighter, and I could see the Space Needle easier, but it wasn’t the opportunity I had anticipated. Fortunately there is a sculpture, Changing Form, at the park which people use to help frame the Space Needle, and that does add more interest to a photo. I was able to use that, but my journey had not yielded the hoped-for photo.
That’s the thing about photography, you can plan, but you can never be sure of what you will get. Travel is like that as well. There can be a lot of surprises. That perfect shot you were hoping for may not happen. The site you have anticipated seeing may be under renovation or even closed. There may be a global pandemic that will keep you from going anywhere. That’s life, and that’s traveling. However, when it all works, it’s really worth it. So keep looking ahead. That perfect moment may still be in your future.
So do you have a favorite spot from which you have taken a photo of the Space Needle? Be sure to share your experiences in the comment section below, and if you haven’t already, subscribe to my blog. I’d love to have you.
My mom and I went to the Seattle worlds fair in 1962. I don’t remember much but we drove up from California then. In 2020 I visited Seattle for a few days and took some photos around the space needle. I left for Vietnam after a week in San Francisco right before covid and have been here since. I wish I had some memorabilia from the visit my mom and I had then. We used to drive lots of places but always slept in the car until we got to the destination. I have no real property or possessions any longer. If it’s not with me or in a small Rubbermaid container at my ex wife’s it’s gone forever.
I don’t have anything from the World’s Fair either. My Aunt and Uncle lived on Seattle, and I remember she had a collection of glasses from the fair. It was always on display.