Frequently Asked Questions - Press

What is The Loupe?
The Loupe is the world’s first and only revolving glass floor. Located 500 feet above the ground, the glass floor offers visitors thrilling views of the city below and never-before-seen views of the structure. For the first time in the Space Needle’s 57 year history, the 500-foot level’s new, glass floor allows visitors to see the tower’s elevators glide up and down the structure as well as watch the mechanical apparatus that drives the floor’s rotation.

From the outside looking up, can you see into the glass floor?
From inside, visitors can see through the glass floor, but due to a special fritted pattern (similar to window advertisements or bus wrap graphics), you cannot see inside from the outside. From the outside, views will appear opaque, which also keeps the Space Needle’s exterior profile in line with Landmarks Preservation Board standards.

How much does an admissions ticket cost? 
Tickets prices vary based on the time of day and the season with additional discounts for youth, seniors, and King County residents. Visit www.spaceneedle.com for more ticket information. All admissions tickets include:

• Access to the Space Needle’s 520-foot indoor and open-air observation level.
• Access to The Loupe—the world’s first and only revolving glass floor—located on the 500-foot observation level.
• Access to digital experiences including Stratos VR, a new virtual reality bungee jump experience.
• Complimentary professional photos including a sliverscreen Welcome Photo, Skyhigh Selfies, Zoomie and more.

How is the Space Needle’s glass kept clean?
To maintain flawless views for each visitor, the Space Needle has a full-time glasskeeper team that cleans and maintains more than 20,000 square feet of glass throughout the day.

How do you keep the rain from interfering with the view?
Our new glasskeeper team is hard at work coating three to four glass panels each week with a water repellent that helps water to bead up and roll off of the glass. Along with our special glass cleaning solution, the repellent keeps our views flawless for each guest.

Is the glass safe?
The Space Needle worked with lead engineers and experts to design and install more than 176 tons of glass material. The glass used for the Space Needle’s new revolving glass floor, glass barriers, and glass benches was designed like reinforced concrete. Each section was custom-designed with multiple redundant layers of structural glass fused together with a high-strength interlayer giving the glass composite a strength capacity up to five times the design loads used for code requirements. The Loupe, the world’s first revolving glass floor, weighs 37 tons and has a total of 10 layers of structural glass. The very top layer of the glass floor is a “scuff” layer that is made to keep the glass clean from shoe marks. This layer will be replaced on a regular schedule for visual clarity and can be easily replaced if damage occurs without compromising the floor’s structural integrity.

How many people visit the Space Needle each year?
Approximately 1.3 million people visit the Space Needle every year.

How much did the renovation, Century Project, cost?
Funded by the privately owned Space Needle, the renovation cost $100 million.

Why did the Space Needle launch this massive renovation?
The Space Needle’s remodel focused on the preservation and renovation of the 56-year-old landmark. By updating the tower’s design and physical systems, Seattle’s most iconic tower has ensured its long-term relevancy for the next 50 years. Privately funded, the ambitious project heightens the tower’s new multi-level observation deck experience.

What are Skyrisers? Why the new names?
Skyrisers seemed the fitting name for the tilted open-air benches affixed to the open-air glass walls on top of the Space Needle. The Loupe, the world’s first revolving glass floor, not only travels in a “loop” or rotation, but also opens up the view to the mechanics in the new turntable, which seemed like a giant loupe magnifier typically used by watchmakers. Atmos, formally known as the Space Needle’s top house, is a multi-level observation deck experience. The Atmos includes the 520-foot open-air observation deck and The Loupe, located on the 500-foot level. The Space Needle’s new names are inspired by the atmosphere, colors, and views of the Pacific Northwest.

Is there still a rotating restaurant? 
SkyCity Restaurant closed in September 2017 as part of the Space Needle’s historic renovation project. Guests can still enjoy a premium dining experience at the Loupe Lounge, open seasonally. Other dining options include Atmos Cafe and Sunset Wine bar on the Observation Deck, and two walk-up cocktail bars on the Loupe level.