The Spheres
4.6(3.6K)google
Art
Overview
Designed masterfully as an innovative, futuristic workplace and plant sanctuary right in the center of Amazon's downtown campus, The Spheres are three spectacular interlocking glass domes that redefine modern architecture. The striking structures feature an advanced geometric mesh steel skeleton enclosed in thousands of glass panels, sheltering a lush, multi-level indoor cloud forest with over forty thousand plants from global ecosystems. Featuring cascading living walls, high-altitude treehouses, and beautiful indoor waterfalls, it provides a profoundly inspiring oasis that blends cutting-edge technology with wild biodiversity.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1-1.5 hours
Best TimeVisiting on designated public open days (usually specific Saturdays each month, requiring online reservations in advance) during spring or summer is recommended. The indoor glass domes mimic a tropical rainforest under direct sunlight, displaying over 40,000 exotic plants.
Getting ThereLocated in the Amazon headquarters campus. Take the Link Light Rail to Westlake Station, exit toward 6th Ave, and walk north for about 7 minutes to reach this iconic tri-sphere glass structure.
Travel Tips
- These iconic glass domes form part of Amazon's headquarters, housing tens of thousands of tropical plants. They are primarily open only to employees.
- Public access requires booking well in advance for designated public weekend openings (typically select Saturdays) via their official reservation portal.
- Public access is highly restricted. You must reserve weeks in advance for designated public weekend openings (typically select Saturdays) online; walk-ins are never allowed.
- The climate inside is kept warm and humid for tropical plants. Wear layers so you can easily strip down and avoid overheating once you step inside.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- Strict security checkpoints are at the entrance. Large backpacks, professional tripods, selfie sticks, and outside food or drinks are banned—travel light.
Reviews
Positive
- The futuristic architectural design features three massive glass domes that beautifully blend modern technology with a lush tropical rainforest environment.
- The interior is immaculately maintained, filled with rare exotic plants from around the world, cozy seating areas, and a lovely cafe.
- The staff members are incredibly friendly, and they even handed out free cans of ice-cold water to visitors waiting in line on hot days.
- Experiencing such a peaceful, oxygen-rich ecological oasis in the heart of downtown Seattle for free is absolutely wonderful.
Heads up
- Public access is extremely restricted, opening only on the first and third Saturday of each month; otherwise, it is strictly reserved for Amazon employees.
- Snatching a reservation online is incredibly difficult, and without planning weeks or months in advance, you can only look at it from the outside.
- The interior humidity is kept around 60%, making it feel quite muggy and stuffy inside, which can be very uncomfortable if you wear heavy clothes.
- The space inside is much smaller than expected, and there is no bag check, making it awkward to squeeze past others on the narrow walkways with a backpack.