Visiting Chihuly Garden and the Space Needle in Seattle
When looking for things to do in Seattle, a visit to Chihuly Garden and Glass museum makes a great combination with a visit to the Space Needle observation tower. These two iconic attractions are located right next to each other so the logistics are easy. As an added plus, they are located along the route of the Seattle Center Monorail. So you can enjoy three classic Seattle experiences in one satisfying day.
The Glass House at Chihuly Garden in Seattle. All Photos by John O’Boyle / The Empty Nest Explorers
Why we like these Seattle attractions:
While you might want to write off these attractions as “touristy” - there is a reason why they are so popular with visitors. They are really fun to do!
The remarkable Chihuly Gardens and Glass museum showcases the intricate and eye-popping work of renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly in an enchanting garden setting. It’s wonderful for photographers; a colorful forest of seemingly impossible designs. A very modern and artistic attraction.
The Space Needle offers the good-old-fashioned fun of a World’s Fair style attraction, but updated for today’s savvy visitor. With towering views of the area (all the way to Mt. Rainier on a clear day!) and “the world’s first and only revolving glass floor”, it feels like a joyful throwback to nostalgic times with modern technical twists and comforts.
The Seattle Center Monorail is a historic elevated railway, providing fast and scenic transport between downtown and Seattle Center. It is relatively inexpensive, and popular with daily commuters as well as tourists. Like the Space Needle, it was originally built for the 1962 World's Fair. It definitely gives “exhibition” vibes to ride it - a city looking to shine by offering a scenic ride - so why not hop aboard!
What to see at Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum
Dale Chihuly is probably the best known glass artist in the world. He is from the Seattle area, having been born in Tacoma and studied Interior Design at University of Washington. So you can see why his work is exhibited here - truly a hometown hero.
The museum and garden opened in 2012, and is a 1.5 acre representation of Chichuly’s prodigious career. His works are installed in many public and private sites all over the world.
Some of Chihuly’s most iconic pieces are his famous “chandeliers”. These large, heavy sculptures, alive with undulating detail, suspend from above and seem to magically float. You’ll find versions of these chandeliers floating all over the premises, and specifically in the Chandelier Walkway and a dedicated room within the Galleries.
Chihuly Garden and Glass is divided into three main areas: the Garden, the Glasshouse, and the Interior Galleries.
An exhibit in The Garden at Chihuly Garden.
The Garden
The outdoor garden area is certainly unique and charming - almost a fairyland of imaginative organic glass forms “growing” among the real flora and greenery,
The Citron Icicle Tower is a favored photo spot for many visitors, as it stands against the backdrop of the Space Needle. Many such “towers” punctuate the garden setting. To me they have a cactus-like dessert quality.
“The idea of a Tower just came from looking at one of my Chandeliers and imagining what it would look like upside down.” - Dale Chihuly
The Glasshouse
This is the centerpiece of the museum that is said to have been inspired by the Crystal Palace in London. A large, glass and steel structure resembling a greenhouse, it features one of Chihuly’s largest suspended sculptures - an immense, floral-like garland in a dazzling array of reds, oranges, and yellows.
There is a good amount of seating here so it's a perfect spot to sit and admire the magnificent sculpture. (Sometimes the Glasshouse is rented out for private events so it is not always open, but just imagine what a party there must be like!)
The Interior Galleries
I found the indoor galleries to be even more spectacular than the garden in some ways.. The dramatic lighting in the galleries on these incredibly intricate and vibrant pieces, contrasted against dark black walls, adds to their breath-catching effect. The more you explore, the better it gets. (It is also cool inside if it happens to be a hot day, as it was when we were there.)
We spent a good deal of time walking through these rooms. When I look at the photos we took while visiting, we have a lot from the indoor galleries! The photographic opportunities were endless and just too compelling to resist.
An exhibit in the Interior Galleries at Chihuly Garden and Glass
Some highlights of the Galleries we liked:
The Persian Ceiling: It’s hard not to be impressed with this room. The ceiling is covered in hundreds of glass seaforms in mostly warm hues, and the light filtering through the colorful glass creates a kaleidoscope effect on the walls and on the visitors gazing upward. It’s a completely immersive installation that makes one feel calm and part of the natural world - even if it isn’t natural!!! (John currently has an image of this ceiling as his iPhone wallpaper and it always makes me smile to see it.)
The Ikebana and Float Boats: A gallery room is dedicated to two traditional wooden boats filled with glass spheres (floats) and floral forms (Ikebana). These pieces combine Chihuly’s love for the sea and Japanese floral art into an enticing display. It’s almost incomprehensible how many individual pieces fill the boats and the work that has gone into creating them - quite magnifique!
The Theater: This theater offers a series of short films about Chihuly’s process and his massive installations around the world. A great way to learn more about the artist and his work, if you like getting into the nitty-gritty of such things, and to get an appreciation for the labor involved in creating some of his enormous glass pieces.
Live Glass Demonstrations: At the Community Hot Shop, you can watch artists create glass art in real-time, working the molten glass from a furnace into finished beautiful objects.
The Bar: Chihuly is an avid collector of vintage items (accordions, clocks, cameras, inkwells and lots more), and The Bar at Chihuly Garden and Glass cleverly displays an array of his personal collections under glass tabletops. There is also a feature installation of 36 Chihuly drawings hanging at the bar, creating a uniquely art-centric drinking and noshing experience. Interesting cocktails and tasty bites are the order of the day..
The Persian Ceiling exhibit at Chihuly Garden in Seattle. John liked it so much he made it his phone background.
Practical tips for visiting Chihuly Garden and Glass:
Plan on spending 2 hours exploring the exhibits and the outdoor garden, as there is plenty to see. You may even need an additional hour to watch the glass blowing demonstrations and short films, if that interests you.
Since this ticket is a little expensive, you might want to think about a combination ticket for both Chihuly and Space Needle. More info for ticketing options is available further down this post.
When you enter the museum, check the times for free docent-led tours. There are multiple tours available throughout the day that are engaging and informative and docents can answer your questions.
A free audio tour is available. Bring your headphones and play individual tracks for each room as you move through the exhibits at your own pace.
Photography for personal use is allowed and encouraged, but keep your camera/phone at least 12 inches away from any glass sculpture. There is a strict no-tripod or selfie-stick rule.
Visiting the Space Needle in Seattle
Looking up at the iconic Space Needle.
Whenever we visit a new city, I’m always happy to find attractions that offer vistas and stunning views of the area. It just makes me feel tuned in and excited to explore. If you’ve read my posts before, you already know I’m a big fan of observation decks, aerial trams, and cable car gondola rides.
So, when we found ourselves in Seattle, of course, I wanted to visit the Space Needle!
The sky-scraping 605-feet-tall tower with its Jetson’s style saucer-shaped viewing deck casts its quirky shadow over the Chihuly site. How could one not want to see them both?
The history of the Space Needle is particularly appealing to me as a child of the Space Age, as well as a fan of World’s Fair history. The Space Needle was built as a cultural centerpiece for the 1962 World’s Fair, whose theme was “The Age of Space.”
Awesome.
But don’t think it's just an outdated relic of another time. It’s had lots of updates over the years and it is a sleek and first-class observation experience, with a focus on all-glass, unobstructed viewing.
In 2018, the Space Needle underwent a massive Century Project renovation, making the experience much more immersive with floor-to-ceiling glass. And in 2025, the Skyliner 1 elevator, the first all-glass, double decker, outdoor elevator to grace a tower in North America, was inaugurated.
Our son photographs the Seattle skyline from the top of the Space Needle.
Highlights of the Space Needle in Seattle
The Views: The tower's saucer-shaped top house offers visitors Seattle's only 360-degree indoor and outdoor panoramic views of downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges, Mount Baker, and the sparkling Elliott Bay.
The Loupe: The revolving glass floor. You can walk, sit, or even lay down on the glass while watching the city move 500 feet below your feet.
Upper Observation Deck: This deck features the popular Skyrisers - angled glass benches that allow you to lean back over the city for a floating sensation. And fun photos! Go ahead and lean back fully; the glass is designed to hold the weight of a truck, and the sensation of falling into the view is meant to give a thrill!
Skyliner 1 Elevator: The latest addition to the tower, a double-decker, floor-to-ceiling glass elevator offers 360-degree views downtown Seattle, Puget Sound, and Mount Rainier as it ascends 520 feet in about 41–50 seconds. Wheeee!
The Loupe Lounge: A high-end cocktail bar that sits on the Loupe level of the tower, which means it revolves! This is an expensive, 21+ exclusive cocktail and culinary experience. It requires a prepaid reservation, which includes VIP entry to the Space Needl
Give yourself 60-90 minutes to enjoy the Space Needle experience in full.
View from the glass floor of the Seattle Space Needle.
Visiting New York soon? Check out our posts on these popular observation decks of NYC:
How to get to Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Space Needle
The attractions are located on the edge of downtown Seattle. The GPS address for the Space Needle is 400 Broad St.
The Seattle Center Monorail: We think the best way to get there is via the Monorail. It departs every 10 minutes from Westlake Center (5th and Pine) and drops you off right at the base of the Needle. It costs about $4.00 for adults. Because it is an elevated railway, it offers a pleasant, scenic ride.
Walking: If you are staying downtown (near Pike Place Market), it is a pleasant 20-minute walk through the Belltown neighborhood to get to the Needle.
Rideshare: Use "Space Needle" as your destination. There is a designated drop-off zone near the valet entrance.
Parking: The 5th Ave N Garage is the official parking for the Seattle Center, and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Depending how long you stay, the cost ranges between $6 to $30. There is also street parking further north toward the Queen Anne neighborhood.
View of an exhibit at Chihuly Garden and Glass
Restaurants near Chihuly Garden and the Space Needle ⬇️
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price | Distance | The Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bar at Chihuly | NW Bites / Cocktails | $$ | 0 min (On-site) | Artistic and immersive; dine under Chihuly drawings. |
| The Armory Hall | Global Food Court | $ | 2 min walk | Casual and fast. Great for groups and picky eaters. |
| Tilikum Place Cafe | European Bistro | $$ | 5 min walk | Cozy local favorite. Famous for savory Dutch Babies. |
| Dick's Drive-In | Burgers & Shakes | $ | 8 min walk | A Seattle legend. No-frills, fast, and very cheap. |
| Toulouse Petit | Cajun / Creole | $$$ | 10 min walk | Stunning interior. Known for one of the city's best brunches. |
| The 5 Point Cafe | Classic Diner | $ | 8 min walk | Historic, divey, and eccentric. Seattle history in a booth. |
Ticketing information for Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Space Needle
Links to the official sites to buy tickets for these attraction:
It’s always best to book popular site tickets in advance, especially if you are going in summer or high traffic holiday seasons.
I do think both these attractions are pretty expensive. So the best value really is the combination ticket if you want to see them both.
Seattle CityPASS may offer some value, if you are planning to take advantage of some of the other attractions it covers, along with Chihuly and Space Needle. As we always recommend, it is always best to look at the CityPASS website and do the math, to see if it will help you with costs.
Ticket Prices for Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Space Needle
| Ticket Type | Adult (13-64) | Senior (65+) | Youth (5-12) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space Needle | $49.00 | $44.00 | $44.00 |
| Chihuly Garden* | $42.50 | $37.50 | $37.50 |
| Combo Ticket Best Value | $69.00 | $64.00 | $64.00 |
| Seattle CityPASS | $129.00 | $129.00 | $99.00 |
*Chihuly pricing reflects peak rates. Prices subject to change in 2026.
Note - This blog post contains affiliate links. If we recommend a product, activity, or hotel, we might receive a small commission if you buy or book from these links. This is done at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we have personally used or have thoroughly researched.
Know Before You Go: Frequently Asked Questions about visiting Chihuly Garden and the Space Needle
Are Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Space Needle budget friendly?
Not really. These are great, first-class experiences, but unfortunately, it’s not a cheap date. Your best deal is the combo ticket for both attractions. It saves you about 20% on what the cost would be buying the two tickets separately.
Is the experience wheelchair accessible?
Both attractions are 100% ADA compliant.
Space Needle: Elevators provide access to both the revolving glass floor and the upper observation deck.
Chihuly Garden and Glass: The entire exhibition is on a single level with no stairs. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for free at the coat check on a first-come, first-served basis.
What are the photo policies?
Space Needle: Taking personal photos and videos are highly encouraged! With 360° of viewing on two levels and a rotating glass floor, taking photos is an expected part of the experience. Tripods are generally permitted as long as you are courteous and don't block walkways. Professional photography or commercial shoots require prior approval from the PR department.
Chihuly Garden and Glass: There is a strict "No Tripod/No Selfie Stick" policy inside the galleries. Handheld photography for personal use is encouraged, but keep your camera/phone at least 12 inches away from any glass sculpture.
Is there a "Re-Entry" policy?
No. Tickets for both the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass are for single entry only. Once you scan your ticket and exit the secure area, you cannot go back in without purchasing a new ticket. Plan your time accordingly.
Empty Nest Explorers’ final word:
Overall, we highly recommend making a day of visiting Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Space Needle while in Seattle, if your budget permits. They are both memorable experiences!
Click below to save the location of Chihuly Garden and the Space Needle in your Google Maps ⬇️
Explore the Neighborhood
The Space Needle and Chihuly Garden are located at 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109.
Explore the area to find nearby parking or save the location for your trip.
This post was written and researched by Debbie of The Empty Nest Explorers
Some well-reviewed Seattle Tours:
Note - This blog post contains affiliate links. If we recommend a product, activity, or hotel, we might receive a small commission if you buy or book from these links. This is done at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we have personally used or have thoroughly researched.
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