There’s no doubt that the Space Needle is THE icon of Seattle.
And while getting a view from the top is great, nothing says “Seattle” like a photo with the Space Needle in the background.
In this guide, I’ll share all the best spots to view and photograph the Space Needle, plus a few low-key spots I’ve found while exploring Seattle that you won’t see mentioned anywhere else.
Top 8 Best Views of the Space Needle in Seattle
Kerry Park
In my opinion, Kerry Park has the best view of the Space Needle since it’s framed perfectly with Seattle’s skyline and Mount Rainier in the background. It’s the quintessential Seattle spot for taking a photo of the Space Needle.
The entire park is built with the view in mind. There is plenty of space to hang out along the overlook for as long as you like. Or if you just want to quickly visit to snap a photo of the view, you can easily find a spot to do just that. The choice is yours.
Read our full blog post: Kerry Park in Seattle: Complete Guide
Sculpture Park
Olympic Sculpture Park is located at the north end of Seattle’s Waterfront. It’s a multi-level park dotted with interesting sculptures, from smaller ones sitting on the ground to colossal pieces towering overhead.
Looming in the background of this tiered public park is the Space Needle. It’s best seen from the park’s lower level along the coastline. Looking up, you’ll spot the most iconic structure of the park, a bright red curvy steel sculpture named The Eagle, framed by the Space Needle in the background.
But there is a lot more to Sculpture Park than the Space Needle view. Walking through the lower level of the park along the Elliot Bay Trail is a popular activity in the evening for sunset. The trail is also used by cyclists and runners, giving it more of a local vibe rather than a tourist attraction.
Lake Union Park
Lake Union is the little lake right in the middle of Seattle. During the summer, the lake is a huge center of activity. From kayakers and boaters in the water, to seaplanes landing right in the middle of them.
On the south end of the lake is Lake Union Park. It’s a grassy area with paved paths crisscrossing over it. Many people hang out there along the lake’s shores, and it’s pretty common to find tech workers taking their lunch breaks there or just enjoying an evening walk.
While hanging out in Lake Union Park, you can turn around and look back toward the city to see the Space Needle pop up from behind the buildings. In my opinion, it’s an underrated spot to view the Space Needle from, since the park is legitimately a cool waterfront area to just walk around.
Gas Works Park
Gas Works Park sits on the site of the old Seattle Gas Light Company gasification plant on the north end of Lake Union. Old industrial remnants of the plant still exist amongst the park’s grassy hills. Some people call it “the strangest park in Seattle,” which is quite an achievement in a city full of strange things.
Gas Works Park has a more distant, expansive view of the Space Needle and Seattle’s Skyline, but it’s a spot that I recommend to everyone who visits the city because it’s a spot that’s unforgettable.
From the park, you can also watch boats and kayaks drift across the lake while seaplanes make their approach to land right above you. It’s always an exciting place.
Alki
Alki is a neighborhood on the shores of West Seattle. It’s quite far from the city’s core, but because of that, you get to see the Space Needle and Seattle’s Skyline from a different angle.
When most people think of Alki, they think of the area along Harbor Ave SW. It’s a street that runs along the waterfront and looks out over Elliot Bay towards downtown Seattle. Any spot along that street provides a fine view of Seattle and the Space Needle, which is evidenced by its numerous parks and sitting areas along its walking path.
But being right at sea level isn’t the best vantage point. So if you want an even better view of the Space Needle, you’ll have to head to higher ground. My favorite spot is Hamilton Viewpoint, located on the hillside just above Alki. From Hamilton Viewpoint’s elevated angle, the ferries float out over the bay, framed by the Space Needle and Seattle’s skyline in the background.
UpGarden P-Patch
The UpGarden P-Patch is a community garden hidden right in the middle of the city. It’s located on the roof of a parking structure, and you might even pass it without knowing that it’s there!
The coolest part about this garden is that it sits just across the street from Seattle Center, with prime views of the Space Needle. Even better, the park is decorated with cool things like a vintage camper trailer and a purple 1960s Ford Galaxie. Very Seattle.
Aloha Bench
The Space Needle lines up with 4th Ave N, so I was walking up that street one day when I stumbled upon this spot. It’s a little bench that somebody made and put there to let you sit a bit and enjoy the view. It’s definitely within the realm of a quirky thing you’d find in Seattle, and one of the reasons I love this city.
Seattle Center
The Space Needle is actually located in a civic center called Seattle Center. It’s home to places like the International Fountain, the Museum of Pop Culture, and the Monorail Station. With those places nearby, you don’t need to go far to get a cool picture of the Space Needle!
Some of my favorite photos of the Space Needle were taken right in Seattle Center. My favorite shot is where the monorail goes through MoPOP, with the Space Needle towering above in the background. It’s a quintessential shot of Seattle, combining three elements in one frame.
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Are You Following Our Seattle Blog Series?
We’re based in Seattle and have done so many awesome things in this city. To help fellow adventurers, we’ve put together guides to the best places we found. You can check them out by clicking the links below.
- Our Seattle travel guide: 29 Incredible Things to Do in Seattle
- Our Seattle hiking guide: 11 Incredible Hikes Near Seattle
- Best day trip from Seattle: 11 Awesome Things to Do on Bainbridge Island
- Best Space Needle photo spots: 8 Incredible Views of the Space Needle
- Best national park near Seattle: 12 Unique Things to Do in Mount Rainier
- Best winter weekend trip from Seattle: 8 Amazing Things to Do in Leavenworth in Winter
I hope you enjoyed our guide to the best views of the Space Needle! Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions 🐸
