Of course, Seattle's most famous architectural landmark is the Space Needle, which, when it was built for the 1962 World's Fair, was envisioned as the look of things to come. Now that the 21st century is upon us, the reality of 21st-century architecture is far stranger than was imagined. Frank Gehry's design for the building that now houses both the Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame is one of the city's most bizarre and controversial buildings, but it faces stiff competition from the skewed glass-cube architecture of the Seattle Central Library.
Space Needle Alternatives -- If you don't want to deal with the crowds at the Space Needle but still want an elevated downtown view, you have some alternatives. One is the big, black Columbia Center (tel. 206/386-5151), at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Columbia Street. At 943 feet, this is the tallest building in Seattle (twice as tall as the Space Needle), with more stories (76, to be exact) than any other building west of the Mississippi. Up on the 73rd floor, you find an observation deck with views that dwarf those from the Space Needle. Admission is only $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and children. It's open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Not far from the Bank of America Tower is the Smith Tower, 506 Second Ave. (tel. 206/622-4004; www.smithtower.com). Opened in 1914, this was Seattle's first skyscraper and, for 50 years, the tallest building west of Chicago. Although the Smith Tower has only 42 stories, it still offers excellent views from its 35th-floor observation deck, which surrounds the ornate Chinese Room, a banquet hall with a carved ceiling. A lavish lobby and original manual elevators make this a fun and historic place to take in the Seattle skyline. Deck hours vary with the time of year and scheduled events in the Chinese Room; check in advance to be sure it will be open when you want to visit. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, and $5 for children 6 to 12.
If you've ever seen a photo of the Space Needle framed by Mount Rainier and the high-rises of downtown Seattle, it was probably taken from Kerry Viewpoint, on Queen Anne Hill. If you want to take your own drop-dead gorgeous photo of the Seattle skyline from this elevated perspective, head north from Seattle Center on Queen Anne Avenue North, and turn left on West Highland Drive. When you reach the park, you'll immediately recognize the view.
Another great panorama is from the water tower in Volunteer Park, on Capitol Hill at East Prospect Street and 14th Avenue East.
