Seattle Great Wheel - Seattle WA

AAA Editor Notes

Seattle Great Wheel is at 1301 Alaskan Way, on the downtown waterfront at Pier 57. At 175 feet tall, Seattle's newest landmark is one of the largest observation wheels in the U.S. Located at the end of the pier and extending nearly 40 feet beyond the pier over Elliott Bay, it offers spectacular views of the downtown skyline and waterfront, Puget Sound and the distant Olympic Mountains.

The wheel's 41 eight-passenger enclosed gondolas are climate controlled. The ride lasts approximately 15 minutes and makes three full revolutions. A VIP gondola is tricked out with four leather bucket seats, mood lighting and a glass floor. On selected special occasion evenings (for example, Seattle Seahawks games), the wheel's LED light shows light up the waterfront sky.

More about Seattle, WA

Admission

$14; $12 (ages 65+); $9 (ages 4-11); free (ages 0-3, although a ticket is still required). VIP gondola $50 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the Pier 57 booth and do not expire until used; reservations are not accepted.

Location

Station: University Street

Parking

Metered lots are on Alaskan Way; pay lots are on Western Avenue.

Hours

Sun.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-midnight, July-Sept. Mon.-Thurs. 11-10, Fri. 11 a.m.-midnight, Sat. 10 a.m.-midnight, Sun. 10-10, rest of year. Closed Christmas. Phone ahead to confirm schedule. Allow 30 minutes minimum.