Hotels near Space Needle

The Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair, rises above the Seattle Christmas Market and is the classic way to see the city's lights in December. The observation level, around 160 metres up, has floor-to-ceiling glass and a rotating glass floor called The Loupe, with views over downtown, Elliott Bay and, on clear days, Mount Rainier.

In December the light fades early, so a late-afternoon visit gives you both daylight views and the city lights coming on. The tower is often decorated for the holidays, and the view down onto Seattle Center lets you pick out the market stalls and lights below.

Tickets are timed and priced by time of day; sunset slots are the most popular and sell out on weekends.

Pro Tip: Book a ticket for about 30 minutes before sunset, which falls around 4.20pm in mid-December. Head down afterwards to the Seattle Christmas Market for dinner from the stalls.