Jaunted

The ride to the top, as the elevator attendant will tell you, is a mere 41-seconds. Once you arrive, step out onto the observation deck and take in the 360 degree views of Seattle. And...that's pretty much it.

We walked around a couple of times but then sought refuge inside as it was raining. (Seattle!) We skipped ordering drinks or snacks from the cafe and instead we parked it at a table and people-watched. We particularly liked watching the schmoopies who take pictures of themselves and make out, and the 'fraidy cats, who hover close to the interior wall of the observation deck.

Sadly, like most tourist attractions, the Space Needle wants you to spend money here and they aren't shy about this. So before you ride up in the elevator, a cameraman asks if you would like to take a picture in front of a Seattle backdrop. He'll even digitally insert a large Starbucks coffee cup into your arms. Um...no, thanks. Then the elevator on the way down stops at the ground floor which is conveniently, the souvenir shop.

Anything you could ever want the space needle plastered on, you can buy here for outrageous prices. Space Needle golf tees for over $1 a piece? Get 'em here. Space Needle pepper grinders for $100+? Buy it for Mom here. Space Needle-Shaped Pasta for $6.95? Ooh...actually. No, no, no we won't do it.

We understand that souvenir sales are a way to recoup maintenance costs and make a profit and blah, blah, blah but in your face "BUY STUFF HERE" marketing really turns us off on the experience. Then again, we couldn't imagine visiting Seattle and not going to the top of the Space Needle.

Getting there: The Seattle Monorail runs directly to the Space Needle from the Westlake Center Mall. Just enter the building and take the escalators up to the top. A round-trip fare is $4 for adults, $1.50 for kids age 5-12 and $2.00 for folks 65 and older.

Related Stories:
· Getting Touristy at the Pike Place Market [Jaunted]
· Space Needle [Official Site]