Seattle City Tour

The Great Wheel was built by the Gigantic Wheel Company for the Winter Gardens Co. to rival the Blackpool Tower. It was also known as the Big Wheel, the Gigantic Wheel and locally as the Jolly Wheel. It was inspired by the Wheel built for the 1895 Japanese Exhibition at Earls Court. In 1893 Mr G.W.G Ferris, Head of Bridge Building Co, Pittsburgh U.S.A, had designed the first Wheel for the Chicago World Fair. The Blackpool Wheel was designed by Cecil Booth, inventor of the vacuum cleaner. Walter Bassett, a former Royal Navy Lieutenant was commissioned to erect the Wheel and work commenced in early 1896 on the site of a bowling green, miniature lake and gardens (the present location of the Olympia Buildings, Coronation Street). The solid axle, 40 feet in length and weighing over 30 tons was too large for the Railway Co. to handle and was hauled on a specially made carriage by a team of horses. The carriages were manufactured in Birmingham by Marshall Brown and Co.

With more than a century of history, Pike Place Market is the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the country and one of Seattle’s most popular draws. The market lures visitors and locals alike (we’re talking 10 million people per year) with its farm-fresh produce, butcher-paper clad bouquets, abundance of shops, restaurants, and bars—not to mention some of the best people-watching in the city. From wader-clad fishmongers slinging salmon to street buskers playing for passersby, there’s always something going on here.

The Space Needle is undoubtedly one of Seattle's (and America's) most iconic landmarks. Built for the 1962 World's Fair, it's a futuristic observation tower and the most prominent building in the Seattle skyline. Visitors can reach the top of the Space Needle by elevator for unparalleled views of the area. Though it would be easy to brush this off as a tourist attraction, architecture nerds and anyone with an affinity for views should definitely add this to their list. At 520 feet high, the observation deck boasts the best 360-degree view you'll find in the city.

This incredible exhibit features a comprehensive collection of Dale Chihuly's stunning glass art. The exhibition hall is a true work of art in itself, with eight galleries and three Drawing Walls, each showcasing a different series of Chihuly's work. From the ethereal Glass Forest to the vibrant Northwest Room, the stunning Sealife Room to the captivating Persian Ceiling, and so much more, each exhibit is a unique and magnificent expression of glass, color, and art. Don't believe us? Check out the pictures, but know that they simply can't do justice to the beauty and magic of the real thing. This is an art experience like no other, and one that is sure to leave you speechless. So what are you waiting for? Come see for yourself why the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit is a must-visit destination for art lovers and Seattle visitors alike.