Smith Tower

This was my first time at the Smith Tower and wow was it a place that left me in a state of Awe! I booked online for 9:30pm slot but arrived 30 minutes early and was allowed to start my tour early I was greeted with such kindness and enthusiasm that really set a welcoming tone for the experince. I was given a golden ticket souvenir (I don't know if they normal give those out or it was because it was the anniversary of the Smith Tower being built) I thought that was pretty neat. The first floor had some cool historical pieces that I found very informative to a person whom has little knowledge of the significance of the Tower. I really enjoyed being able to interact with the old typewriters, flip through pages in the books they had on display, watch some of the video they had broadcasting, and even open the drawers on the vintage desks ! That was really cool! Went up stairs to the second floor where the elevators were there was a few more rooms to explore with some more things to look at I wish I had spent more time looking at those! The elevator ride was really great the guy whom was in the elevator was very informative about alot of things in the Smith tower! It was fascinating knowing that the elevator itself is made out of a metal combination of brass and copper and that design change was a more recent development. The elevator design was very much giving Great Gasby lol!! Then reaching the top was the best part of the experince, my gosh! The view was sooo breath taking and beautiful you got to see the entirety of seatle and the sunset illuminating the sky really added to the beauty of the view! They also had placards identifying different towers and places I really found that to be super cool and very informative! After taking pictures I was greeted by a very sweet host whom was very welcoming! He gave me recommendations on seeting and sat me where I could watch the sunset further, he was very informative as well! Then I was given recommendations by this woman whom was very kind and informative and provided great recommendations! All in all I really enjoyed my time and would recommend comming here on a day when there aren't too many clouds in the sky for an even more immersive experince. I will say I wish they would add more to the Smith Tower to make it feel even more immersive almost like a museum with multiple floors going more indepth on the time periods But all in all I had a fantastic evening there 😊🌿✨️

歴史ある高層建築で、街の発展をずっと見守ってきたような存在だったよ。中に入ると当時の雰囲気を感じられるクラシックな造りで、今の高層ビルとは違う味わいがあるのが面白いところ。上まで上がると街全体を見渡せて、海や山まで感じられる景色が広がっていてすごく気持ちいい。観光としても満足度が高いし、その街の歴史や空気感をゆっくり味わいたい人には特におすすめできるスポットだったよ。

I hate to be a Karen but I think this place needs it. Given the current rating of 4.6, I thought this place would be good. To my surprise, I would not recommend. The wait time is insane. It is reservation only and we still had to wait 20 min. To be seated. Everything took so long. Order drinks, getting the drinks, and paying the bill took hours. Not to mention the bald bartender being on his phone while mixing drinks in front of the entire bar. Another note, the drinks are definitely not worth the price. Definitely mid tier. Find a different bar, because the only thing good about this place is the view from one side of the building.

A great way to see Seattle from above! The building tells the story of its history, it’s such a cool experience walking through till you get to the elevator that takes you to the observation floor. So glad we were told to take in the views from Smith Tower

lawyer.traveler.dreamer for more footage of our experience. Treat yourself to a solo date with a view at the Smith Tower! This isn't just a skyscraper; it's a piece of history. Built back in 1914, Seattle’s first skyscraper and one of the oldest in the U.S. still holds all its charm with vintage elevators and stunning art-deco interiors. Head up to the Observatory Bar, and you'll understand why this building, once the tallest west of the Mississippi, is so special. The 360° view makes sunset feel like pure magic! Order a cocktail and a small bite, sink into that golden-hour glow, and toast to a century of Seattle skyline stories. This is a must-do for anyone looking for a unique and memorable Seattle experience. 🥂💫

I recently had the pleasure of exploring historic Seattle’s Smith Tower on a solo visit and it was an absolute joy. Spencer, my tour guide for the hour, made the experience feel truly personal and his attention and warmth are what made it so memorable for me. Even though he's new to the role, his enthusiasm for the tower and its stories was infectious and brought each detail to life. The “nickel tour” was full of little-known facts that surprised and delighted me, deepening my appreciation for Seattle’s history. Experiencing these discoveries with Spencer’s personal touch made the tour feel unique and unforgettable. I left feeling entertained, grateful, and would wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Seattle. A factoid that escaped me growing up typing on a Smith-Corona: this very typewriter company helped finance the construction of Seattle’s Smith Tower.

We had a wonderful experience visiting the Smith Tower in Seattle, and a big part of that was thanks to our tour guide Spencer. Spencer was incredibly knowledgeable about the building’s history and shared fascinating stories about Seattle’s early days, the tower’s construction, and the cultural significance behind many of the details inside the building. He explained everything in a way that was engaging, clear, and full of personality. What made the experience special was how passionate he was about the history — you could really feel that he enjoyed sharing it with visitors. He was also very friendly and welcoming, happy to answer questions and make sure everyone in the group felt included. If you’re planning to visit Smith Tower, I highly recommend joining a tour with Spencer. He truly brings the history of this iconic Seattle landmark to life!

Book Your Afternoon Tea Early: You definitely need to make a reservation at least a week in advance for the afternoon tea. I missed out because I didn't realize this, so make sure to check their website well ahead of time. Budget Your Time: If you do secure a spot for tea, plan to stay for at least two hours. The service is relaxed, and it takes a little time for the food to be prepared and served. Dress for the Weather: Even in the middle of summer, the observation deck can be incredibly windy and chilly. Be sure to bring a jacket so you can comfortably walk around and explore while you wait. While it was a unique experience to visit such an iconic landmark, the visual restrictions and the booking requirements mean it’s a spot that requires a bit more planning to truly enjoy.