Chihuly Garden and Glass, located next to the Space Needle at the Seattle Center, is a museum that showcases the work of glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. The exhibition includes eight galleries, a centerpiece Glasshouse, and a garden with displays of glass art among the plants.
Best and worst time to go to Chihuly Garden And Glass
Weekdays are usually the least crowded time to visit. The most crowded time is when the Seattle Center is hosting a special event, which happens frequently throughout the year.
Must see/do at Chihuly Garden And Glass
The centerpiece of the exhibition is the Glasshouse, a glass and steel structure that is 40 feet tall and covers 4,500 square feet. The installation in the Glasshouse is a suspended multicolor glass sculpture that's 100 feet long.
Admission to Chihuly Garden And Glass
The museum is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Regular admission (ages 13 to 64) is $20 at the door or $18 if you purchase a ticket online. Youth and senior discounts are available, as are discounts for groups of 15 or more. Children age 3 and under are free.
Parking and public transportation at Chihuly Garden And Glass
The Seattle Center is surrounded by paid parking lots, with limited paid street parking also available. The area is also served by many King County Metro buses.
Food at Chihuly Garden And Glass
The Collections Café at the museum offers original, fresh food with a Northwest flair. More food choices are available just a few steps from the museum at the Seattle Center Armory's food court.
Insider tip for visitors to Chihuly Garden And Glass
Arrive at the museum shortly before evening starts to set in so you can see the outdoor garden in both daylight and twilight. The garden lights up at night, giving you a really different feel than you get in daylight.
Author's bio: Carol Wiley is a freelance writer in Seattle. She offers services ranging from articles and blog posts to customer case studies and web content for businesses.
While the Space Needle no longer has its 1962 title of tallest building west of the Mississippi, its retro-futuristic "flying saucer" façade still holds court over Seattle. A 41-second elevator ride takes you 520 feet up to the indoor/outdoor observation deck, which offers 360-degree views of the downtown skyline, Elliott Bay, the Olympic and Cascade ranges, and Mount Rainier. There's also the revolving SkyCity Restaurant, and at ground level, the SpaceBase gift shop.
How to get to the Space Needle
From I-5, take the Mercer St./Seattle Center exit and turn left onto 5th Ave N, then right onto Broad Street. There's self-parking in nearby garages, and valet parking is offered for a fee. A monorail from downtown (5th Ave. & Pine St.) travels direct to the Space Needle.
Best and worst time to go to the Space Needle
While a sunny, clear day offers you a better view of the mammoth Mount Rainier, the Seattle skyline after dark can be just as captivating. Be sure to book your tickets and select a Launch Time in advance online to avoid the general admission line. Otherwise, a weekday morning is the best time to go to avoid long waits and crowded elevators.
Admission to the Space Needle
Tickets are approximately $20, but there's a discount for buying online in advance. Dining at the upscale SkyCity Restaurant includes free admission to the observation deck.
Must see/do at the Space Needle
The interactive kiosks on the observation deck are as good as a guided tour. Don't forget to take a photo in front of the green screen on the ground level before boarding the elevator — you'll be able to access that image on the kiosk and have it emailed to you for free.
Other places to visit near the Space Needle
The Needle is adjacent to a day's worth of activities in the Seattle Center, including the Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, the Experience Music Project, and the Pacific Science Center.
Insider tip for visitors to the Space Needle
Seattle's climate can be tricky, and any weather condition on the ground is amplified at 500 feet in the sky. If it's a slightly breezy day, bring a jacket, because it'll be much windier on the observation deck. The same goes for fog — try to wait until it clears for better visibility.
Author's bio: Amy Cassell is a Seattle-based writer and editor. She loves words, travel, music, and naps.
