Smith Tower
4.6(3.3K)google
Historic BuildingCity LandmarkPhoto Spot
Overview
Standing proudly as Seattle's very first skyscraper since its grand completion in 1914, the historic Smith Tower was once celebrated as the tallest building west of the Mississippi River for decades. This elegant neoclassical landmark features exquisite, historic copper-clad windows, ornate neoclassical stone carvings, and authentic manually operated brass Otis elevators that transport guests back in time. The crowning highlight is the 35th-floor observation deck and speakeasy cocktail bar, styled beautifully with historic Chinese furniture and providing sweeping, romantic panoramic views over Puget Sound and Pioneer Square.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-2 hours
Best TimeVisiting at dusk is highly recommended. Take the century-old historic Otis manual elevator up to the 35th floor, order a craft cocktail at the top-floor observatory speakeasy bar, and look down at the historic Pioneer Square night views.
Getting ThereSituated on the edge of Pioneer Square. Take the Link Light Rail and exit at Pioneer Square Station, then walk only 2 minutes from the 2nd Ave exit to reach Seattle's oldest iconic skyscraper.
Travel Tips
- As Seattle's first skyscraper, it still features historic, manually operated brass elevators leading up to a 360-degree observation deck.
- The top floor houses a Speakeasy-style Observatory Bar. It is highly recommended to visit around dusk for a cocktail and twilight views.
- The top-floor Observatory Bar has tight seating capacities and closes early for private events. Verify open hours on their live calendar online before heading over.
- Standard entry tickets automatically grant access to the ground-floor historical exhibits. Spend 15 minutes checking them out before riding the brass elevator.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- The elevator operators still manually control the rare, vintage brass lifts. Feel free to ask permission politely to take a close-up photo of their old-school handling.
Reviews
Positive
- As Seattle's historic first skyscraper, it still features original manually-operated Otis brass elevators with attendants in vintage uniforms.
- The top observation deck offers a 360-degree open-air view of Mt. Rainier and the Space Needle; it has shorter lines than the Space Needle.
- The 35th-floor Prohibition-era speakeasy bar has a fantastic ambiance, allowing you to sip craft cocktails while enjoying the city night views.
- The ground-floor museum showcases Seattle's early history and gold rush stories through engaging multimedia exhibits, which is surprisingly fun.
Heads up
- Ticket prices have steadily risen over the years; if you don't plan to buy expensive drinks at the bar, just looking at the view feels overpriced.
- The outdoor viewing ledge is narrow, and the heavy security wire mesh makes it highly difficult for photographers with DSLR cameras to get clean shots.
- As a century-old building, the restrooms on the upper floor are cramped and the accessibility features are outdated, making it tight for wheelchairs.
- Located at the edge of Pioneer Square, the neighborhood safety gets sketchy at night with many homeless around; late-night walking isn't recommended.