The Space Needle’s New Glass Deck: Should You Take the Kids?

Even if you’ve been to the top of the Space Needle before, it’s time for another trip. Seattle’s quintessential landmark underwent a $100 million renovation a few years ago, and it now features the world’s first and only revolving glass floor.

There are now two levels of observation decks: the glass floor at 500 feet, and glass walls and glass benches around an open-air deck at 520 feet. All that glass — 20,000 square feet of it — means that the Space Needle’s spectacular view is now even better.

My family and I went to check out the renovations, find out the fun stuff for kids and press our faces against all that glass.

All that glass

The last time I visited the Space Needle was years ago, pre-renovation and pre-kids. I remember it as claustrophobic and somewhat anti-climatic after a long wait in line.

This time, stepping off the elevators was an instant “Wow!” Everything is bright and open now, with clear lines of sight, thanks to all the added glass.

The star here is the 360-degree, panoramic view of Seattle, Puget Sound and beyond. To enhance the view, new glass barriers that tilt outward replaced wire caging on the outdoor observation deck. (The Space Needle’s original design had low glass walls; the wire caging was a later addition.) Inside, floor-to-ceiling glass has replaced low pony walls.

There are 24 new glass benches that also tilt out. When you sit down for a selfie, you’re leaning out 520 feet above the city below. "It is very scary, but you get used to it," we heard a woman reassure a little girl. "I was also scared, but I didn’t fall," she said.

There’s a small gap between each of the glass panels, and my 7-year-old liked to freak out mom by playing this game: What-body-part-can-I-fit-through-the-hole?

There’s a small gap between each of the glass panels, and my 7-year-old liked to freak out mom by playing the game: What-body-part-can-I-fit-through-the-hole?

Ride the Loupe

The observation deck used to be just the Space Needle’s upper level. Now, the two levels are connected by a circular staircase, and you’re welcome to go up and down as much as you like. The lower level, formerly Skycity Restaurant, now features a revolving glass floor called the Loupe. The 37-ton floor makes one revolution every 45 minutes. (A total of 176 tons of glass were used in the renovation.)

Through the glass, you can see the 12 motors turning the floor, watch the elevators and their counterweights coming up and going down… and see all the rust spots on the 56-year-old structure. There are 10 layers of glass on that floor, so hypothetically, even if one layer cracks, there are 9 more layers underneath to catch you. I wouldn’t want to be that person in the stilettos, though.

A full-time crew circles the Loupe with a floor-scrubbing machine. There are shoe scuffs and dirt, which you’d expect, but sunscreen and lipstick too because people pose for pictures laying down. I even heard this admonishment from a parent: "Addison, don’t lick!"

That spectacular view

Looking through the glass, I scanned the skyline looking for that familiar Space Needle profile, then realized, "Oops, I’m on it." We spotted my son’s elementary school and the bridge to our neighborhood. Looking down from that viewpoint, you can plan out your entire Seattle itinerary: Perhaps tour the rest of Seattle Center, head to the Olympic Sculpture Park, then Pike Place Market, and then a ferry ride?

Even though the air was a bit hazy during our visit, everyone was in a good mood. Phones and cameras recorded the experience, and strangers helped each other take group shots. People come from all over the world for this view — almost 60 million visitors have gone up the Space Needle since it opened in 1962. The Space Needle is great for sightseeing tourists, and it’s an even richer experience for Seattle-native children. It’s all the sights you know well and love, from a new perspective.

Snacks in space

The rotating restaurant you might remember from a pre-renovation visit is gone. Families can buy pricey snacks and beverages at the Atmos Café. On our visit, we saw a foreign visitor try to pay for a bag of popcorn with a $5 bill; the cashier shook her head and flashed 10 fingers: $9.81 was the total. For grown-ups only there’s the swanky spot called The Loupe Lounge.

Even with all the glass and the enhanced, sky-high sights, not everyone was impressed. The teens at the next table over were busy ignoring the $100 million view for — what else? — their phones.

Tips for families

• Make sure the kids snag a spot in the front of the elevator by the window for the 43-second trip.
• We recommend buying tickets online for a specific time slot if you’re going on a sunny summer day. You won’t get the King County resident discount if that applies to you, but you may save yourself a lot of waiting. Once you go up, you can stay as long as you like. Most people average about 60 minutes for a visit.
• The cost of a Space Needle visit makes it a splurge, for sure, but a fun and illuminating special outing, perhaps for when grandparents or relatives are in town.
• Wheelchairs are allowed on the observation decks, but strollers need to be checked.
• Kids ages 4 and under are free.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2018, when the Space Needle first unveiled its glassy updates, and just updated in 2022 for a new crop of kids to go for a visit.