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.