Washington State 2024 - The Space Needle

 Some cities that have hosted a world's fair have a symbol of it remaining afterwards. The Eiffel Tower, the Sunsphere in Knoxville, the Atomium in Brussels, the Geosphere in Montreal, originally the U.S pavilion at the fair. Some become institutions, Chicago's Field museum and the St. Louis Art Museum are 2 examples, buildings that where used for different purposes after the expositions closed. Seattle has the Space Needle, which has become an icon of the city, remaining from the world's fair in 1962. 

We boarded the monorail, also from the world's fair, built to ferry visitors from downtown to the fairgrounds and rode the short distance to the tower.  As you wind your way to the elevators which take you to the top of the structure displays on the walls provide visitors with a history of it's construction. From the 2 decks atop the tower one is afforded expansive views of the city and Puget Sound. We were told during our walking tour the day before that, despite the Needles 605 foot height, the sound is so deep that if placed in the water it would be completely submerged. Mt. Rainer appears as almost a spectral  vision through the perpetually gray, overcast skies. 

We strolled around the outside of the top deck, enjoying the human camaraderie as we took turns taking group photos of other guests giving them, as well as us, lasting photographic memories of their visit. In true capitalist fashion the descending elevator opens onto the floor of the expansive gift shop, tempting the visitor to purchase a momento of their experience. We succumbed to temptation.







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