Seattle Great Wheel, Seattle (must see)
The Seattle Great Wheel is a prominent Ferris wheel located on Pier 57 in downtown Seattle, Washington. Since its opening in 2012, it has become one of the city's most recognizable attractions and a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.
The Great Wheel stands at an impressive height of 175 feet, making it one of the tallest Ferris wheels on the West Coast of the United States. It features 42 fully enclosed gondolas, each capable of accommodating up to eight passengers. The gondolas are equipped with large windows, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding cityscape, Elliott Bay, and the majestic Olympic Mountains in the distance.
Riding the Seattle Great Wheel offers visitors a unique and memorable experience. As the wheel ascends, riders are treated to stunning vistas of the Seattle skyline, including landmarks such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the downtown waterfront. The captivating views extend both during the day and at night when the city lights create a magical ambiance.
The Great Wheel operates year-round, allowing visitors to enjoy the ride in any season. Whether it's basking in the warm summer sun or taking in the crisp winter air, the wheel offers an enchanting perspective on the beauty of Seattle. Additionally, special events such as fireworks displays or holiday-themed lighting add to the excitement and make each visit even more memorable.
Why You Should Visit:
Great activity to enjoy, rain or shine! You can enjoy a beverage while riding, alongside the beautiful views and a moment of calm in the middle of the busy city.
The Great Wheel stands at an impressive height of 175 feet, making it one of the tallest Ferris wheels on the West Coast of the United States. It features 42 fully enclosed gondolas, each capable of accommodating up to eight passengers. The gondolas are equipped with large windows, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding cityscape, Elliott Bay, and the majestic Olympic Mountains in the distance.
Riding the Seattle Great Wheel offers visitors a unique and memorable experience. As the wheel ascends, riders are treated to stunning vistas of the Seattle skyline, including landmarks such as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the downtown waterfront. The captivating views extend both during the day and at night when the city lights create a magical ambiance.
The Great Wheel operates year-round, allowing visitors to enjoy the ride in any season. Whether it's basking in the warm summer sun or taking in the crisp winter air, the wheel offers an enchanting perspective on the beauty of Seattle. Additionally, special events such as fireworks displays or holiday-themed lighting add to the excitement and make each visit even more memorable.
Why You Should Visit:
Great activity to enjoy, rain or shine! You can enjoy a beverage while riding, alongside the beautiful views and a moment of calm in the middle of the busy city.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Seattle. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Seattle Great Wheel on Map
Sight Name: Seattle Great Wheel
Sight Location: Seattle, USA (See walking tours in Seattle)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Seattle, USA (See walking tours in Seattle)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Seattle, Washington
Create Your Own Walk in Seattle
Creating your own self-guided walk in Seattle is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Seattle Introduction Walking Tour
Overlooking Puget Sound's Elliott Bay on the West Coast of the United States, the port city of Seattle is renowned for its surrounding waters, mountains, evergreen forests, and thousands of acres of parkland. The largest metropolitan area in today's Washington State had been inhabited by Native Americans for at least 4,000 years prior to the European pioneers. The first European to set... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
Fremont Neighborhood Walking Tour
Fremont is a vibrant neighborhood in Seattle, renowned for its quirky and artistic character. Among other things, this famous district is home to some of Seattle's most beloved and controversial sculptures.
One of its most iconic landmarks is the Fremont Troll, a massive sculpture of a troll lurking underneath the Aurora Bridge.
At the height of its counterculture days, Fremont renamed... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
One of its most iconic landmarks is the Fremont Troll, a massive sculpture of a troll lurking underneath the Aurora Bridge.
At the height of its counterculture days, Fremont renamed... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Pioneer Square District Walking Tour
Pioneer Square, the district where Seattle was founded in the mid-19th century, had gone through its boom and near-bust until a period of preservation managed to save it for a new life. Today, this is the most historic part of Seattle that holds a special place in the city's yesteryear and is home to several noteworthy landmarks and attractions.
One of the most prominent sites in the area... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
One of the most prominent sites in the area... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Seattle Center Walking Tour
Immediately north of Downtown Seattle, you will find the ever-popular Seattle Center. Developed for the 1962 World's Fair, this 30-hectare (74-acre) park and arts & entertainment center contains numerous landmarks. It is also where Seattle's biggest festivals, concerts, film screenings, and theatrical performances are held.
At the heart of this bustling area stands the iconic... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
At the heart of this bustling area stands the iconic... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Seattle Architecture Walking Tour
In terms of towering skyscrapers abuzz with commerce, upscale shopping & dining, and splendid theaters, Downtown Seattle resembles many American cities. At the same time, it is also unexpectedly pleasant with hills, outdoor sculptures, and peek-a-boo views of Elliot Bay's sparkling water. Still, the diverse architectural landscape of the city is distinctive primarily for its landmark... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Historical Religious Buildings Tour
Seattle, Washington, boasts a wealth of religious sites of various denominations – together reflecting the city's diverse spiritual heritage. Besides being purely centers of faith, these buildings are an important part of the city's historical heritage, some of them standing as architectural marvels, each with its unique story.
Trinity Parish Church, founded in 1865, is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Trinity Parish Church, founded in 1865, is... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Best Coffee Shops in Seattle
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15 Distinctively Seattle Things to Buy as Souvenirs
With the penchant for coffee they have in Seattle, no wonder they go sleepless. Other than that, the Emerald City is renowned for quite a few "distinctively Seattle" things that make it stand out from the crowd of other major urban U.S. destinations. Here are some tips as to which they are...