Seattle Great Wheel Tours and Activities

Seattle Great Wheel which includes a bay or harbour, rides and a city
Seattle Great Wheel
Seattle Great Wheel showing cbd, rides and a coastal town
Seattle Great Wheel featuring rides, a fountain and a city
Seattle Great Wheel


Take in breathtaking views of Seattle as you are suspended above Puget Sound on one of the tallest Ferris wheels in North America.

The star attraction of Seattle’s waterfront precinct is this 175-foot (53-meter) Ferris wheel, among the tallest in the United States. The Seattle Great Wheel stands at the end of a pier in Elliott Bay and provides unrivaled views of Seattle and the Puget Sound. Enjoy three rotations as you take in the sights and experience the thrill of the height.

Regardless of the season, the wheel’s climate-controlled gondolas provide protection from the elements. A great family activity, the Ferris wheel caters to children of all ages and gondolas can carry up to eight passengers at one time, meaning even larger groups can travel together.

Despite being one of the most popular attractions in the city and generating long lines on weekends and holidays, a capacity of 300 people means that even on the busiest of days you can board the wheel soon enough. Bring a camera to capture the unparalleled views of Seattle’s downtown precinct, and of Bainbridge Island to the west.

Arrive at the Seattle Great Wheel at dusk to see the setting sun cast a golden glow over Seattle’s skyscrapers. An evening ride offers a beautiful view as the city’s lights weave a tapestry of color before you.

Equipped with a glass floor, this ride is not for those with vertigo, but is a fun experience for everyone else. You’ll be treated to a complimentary glass of champagne at a waterfront restaurant after the ride.

The Seattle Great Wheel is located on Pier 57, directly next to Seattle’s Waterfront Park. A city bus services the pier and some parking is available in the area for a fee. The wheel is open daily and you have to pay to ride. You can buy a ticket online or from local travel agents before arriving to avoid having to line up for the wheel’s ticket booth.

Plan a trip to see Seattle Great Wheel

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
Level Seattle Downtown - South Lake Union
1 Hotel Seattle
Lotte Hotel Seattle

Tours & day trips

See all 190 activities

Private & custom tours

See all 42 activities

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 40 activities

Cruises & boat tours

See all 18 activities

Classes & workshops

See all 9 activities

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Seattle Great Wheel

Executive Hotel Pacific

Executive Hotel Pacific

3 out of 5
400 Spring St, Seattle, WA
Executive Hotel Pacific
Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA

Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA

4 out of 5
1301 6th Avenue, Seattle, WA
Coast Seattle Downtown Hotel by APA
citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square

citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square

4 out of 5
60 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA
citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square
Hyatt Regency Seattle

Hyatt Regency Seattle

4 out of 5
808 Howell St, Seattle, WA
Hyatt Regency Seattle
The Paramount Hotel

The Paramount Hotel

3.5 out of 5
724 Pine St, Seattle, WA
The Paramount Hotel
The Belltown Inn

The Belltown Inn

2.5 out of 5
2301 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA
The Belltown Inn
Palihotel Seattle

Palihotel Seattle

4 out of 5
107 Pine St., Seattle, WA
Palihotel Seattle
Fairmont Olympic Hotel

Fairmont Olympic Hotel

5 out of 5
411 University St, Seattle, WA
Fairmont Olympic Hotel
Hotel Theodore

Hotel Theodore

4 out of 5
1531 7th Ave, Seattle, WA
Hotel Theodore
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Things to do near Seattle Great Wheel

At the Seattle Great Wheel, visitors can enjoy a thrilling ferris wheel ride that offers stunning views of the waterfront and city skyline. Nearby, the vibrant atmosphere invites you to explore shopping, theatre, and various entertainment options, making it a perfect spot for tourists seeking amusement and local experiences. Don't miss the chance to capture memorable moments while riding this iconic attraction!

Shopping

Discover the vibrant shopping scene near the Seattle Great Wheel! Pike Place Market, only 483m away, offers a unique public market experience. Westlake Center, located 805m away, is perfect for family entertainment. Nordstrom is also 805m away, providing a fantastic retail selection.

Recreation

T-Mobile Park, located 1.6km from the Seattle Great Wheel, offers a vibrant atmosphere with its sports events, perfect for energizing your spirit. Showbox SoDo, also 1.6km away, provides an entertaining music scene, while West Seattle Golf Course, 4.8km out, invites you to enjoy outdoor relaxation on the greens.

Adventure

At the UW Waterfront Activities Center, located 6.4km from the Seattle Great Wheel, enjoy exhilarating water sports amid vibrant outdoor settings. Camp Long, also 6.4km away, invites you to embrace nature with its adventurous outdoor activities. For skiing enthusiasts, Mini Mountain, 12.9km away, offers indoor skiing fun for the whole family.

Nightlife

In Seattle, the Paramount Theatre offers a romantic atmosphere with captivating performances, while The Crocodile features a lively city vibe perfect for dancing. For a more relaxed experience, the Sky View Observatory provides stunning views and entertainment, all within a short walk from the Great Wheel.

Find the best attractions near Seattle Great Wheel

During your visit to the Seattle Great Wheel, you can explore various attractions including urban parks and art museums, perfect for those seeking culture and family-friendly activities. Don't miss the iconic Seattle Ferris Wheel for stunning views, and consider visiting nearby museums to enrich your city experience. Whether it's the tall Seattle Great Wheel or other local points of interest, there's plenty to enjoy in this vibrant area.

  • Space Needle: Experience breathtaking 360-degree views of Seattle and beyond from this iconic observation tower. Standing 1.6km from the Seattle Great Wheel, the Space Needle embodies modern architecture and offers a unique glimpse into the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
  • Seattle Waterfront: Just 322m away, the Seattle Waterfront invites you to enjoy scenic views of Puget Sound. Stroll along the promenade, relax on the beach, and soak in the lively harbour vibes that make this area a popular spot for both locals and visitors.
  • Seattle Center: Located 1.6km from the Seattle Great Wheel, this urban park is perfect for families and outdoor enthusiasts. With its beautiful green spaces and cultural attractions, Seattle Center offers a dynamic blend of city life and recreational activities.

Best time to go to Seattle Great Wheel

Visitor numbers around Seattle Great Wheel is generally unchanged in popularity throughout the year. The best time to visit Seattle Great Wheel can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Seattle Great Wheel falls in August, when visitor numbers are slightly high and weather is sunny with no rain. The coolest average temperature around Seattle Great Wheel falls in December, visitor numbers are slightly low and weather is mostly cloudy with light rain.

calendar iconCalendar Monthtemperature iconTemperaturerain iconPrecipitationmostly cloudy iconCloudinessoccupation rate iconOccupancyprice iconPricing
January40.3°F (4.6°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
February40.5°F (4.7°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
March43.9°F (6.6°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage
April48.6°F (9.2°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageAverage
May55.8°F (13.2°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
June61.0°F (16.1°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
July67.1°F (19.5°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
August67.5°F (19.7°C)No Rain (Dry)SunnySlightly HighSlightly High
September61.3°F (16.3°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageAverage
October52.7°F (11.5°C)Light RainMostly SunnySlightly LowAverage
November44.2°F (6.8°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowAverage
December39.2°F (4.0°C)Light RainMostly CloudySlightly LowSlightly Low

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for Seattle Great Wheel

To save money during your visit to the Seattle Great Wheel, consider exploring nearby free attractions like the Seattle Waterfront, Pike Place Market, and Seattle Center. Travel during the off-peak months of December to February for lower accommodation prices, and aim for a Monday check-in to save even more. Use Expedia's search tool to find budget-friendly hotels and consider booking a package deal that combines your hotel, flights, and activities. Don't forget to look for loyalty rewards and eco-certified options for additional savings!

  • The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay around Seattle Great Wheel are December to February, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to June to August, where prices are slightly higher.
  • The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay around Seattle Great Wheel is Monday. The most expensive day to stay around Seattle Great Wheel is Saturday.
  • Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Expedia’s search tool enables you to set your budget, choose your desired location, and more. You can arrange your results to display prices from lowest to highest, making it easy to find the most affordable hotels first. Additionally, you have the option to refine your choices by hotel type—if you select the "Eco-certified" filter, you'll discover sustainable and environmentally friendly hotels that are available for booking.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can save money by combining your hotel stay near the Seattle Great Wheel with your flights and activities through an Expedia package.