Last updated on December 20, 2023.

Columbia Center, located in downtown Seattle, is the city’s tallest building. It opened in 1985 and is 76 stories tall. The building is mostly used for office space, but there is retail space on the ground floors and an observation deck on the 73rd floor.

Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington
Columbia Center
Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington
Columbia Center

 

Sky View Observatory

We visited the Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center on a rainy day. After taking the elevator up to the 73rd floor, we entered the observation deck. General admission starts at US$30 (as of November 2023) with other experiences available.

Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington
Sky View Observatory

A model of the building as well as details about its history and construction were present, as was information about landmarks and mountains that could be spotted from the tower on a clear day.

Mountains you can see from Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington
Mountains you can see from Sky View Observatory
Seattle's stadiums at Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s stadiums
Model of the building at Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington
Model of the building

Because of the weather, visibility was quite low, but we were able to spot several Seattle landmarks, such as the Space Needle, International District, and St. James Cathedral (see below).

The view from Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington
The view
Looking down from Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington
Looking down
Space Needle from Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington
Space Needle
from Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington
International District

 

St. James Cathedral

Just a few blocks east of Columbia Center is St. James Cathedral, one of Seattle’s most beautiful churches. This Catholic church was built in 1907. It once featured a large dome that collapsed in 1916 and was never rebuilt.

St. James Cathedral from Columbia Center in Seattle, Washington
St. James Cathedral
St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Washington
St. James Cathedral

Of particular interest on the exterior are the stained glass windows and doors. Inside, the relics of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, who worshipped at the cathedral during her time in Seattle, are sealed under the altar.

Stained glass window at St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Washington
Stained glass window
Doors at St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Washington
Doors
St. James Cathedral in Seattle, Washington
St. James Cathedral

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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