Name: The Seattle Great Wheel
Address: 1301 Alaskan Wy, Seattle, WA 98101
Telephone: (206) 623-8607
Rating: 4.5

Giant Ferris wheel offering climate-controlled gondolas & a bird's-eye view of the city's landmarks.

Space Needle

Provided by Google

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The Seattle Great Wheel can carry up to 300 passengers at a time, offering breathtaking views of the city and Elliott Bay.

Passenger Capacity

The wheel's foundation is built upon a massive 550 tons of concrete, ensuring its stability and strength.

Concrete Foundation

The Seattle Great Wheel operates year-round, allowing visitors to enjoy the views regardless of the weather. Its enclosed gondolas and covered waiting area provide protection from the elements.

Open All Year

The wheel is adorned with thousands of LED lights, capable of creating dazzling light shows for special events, holidays, and even sporting events, showcasing the colors of local teams.

Spectacular Light Shows

Perched right on the water, the Seattle Great Wheel offers a unique perspective of the city and its waterfront, providing stunning views of Elliott Bay and the surrounding landscape.

Unique Perspective

The Seattle Great Wheel

The Seattle Great Wheel, a prominent fixture on Pier 57's Miners Landing, distinguishes itself through its unique over-water placement, extending 40 feet beyond the pier's edge. This positioning offers unparalleled panoramic views of Elliott Bay, the Seattle skyline, and the Olympic Mountains. Unlike many observation wheels, the Great Wheel features fully enclosed gondolas, ensuring year-round operation regardless of Seattle's often-unpredictable weather. Each gondola is climate-controlled, providing a comfortable experience for passengers. A notable feature is the VIP gondola, boasting leather seats, a glass floor, and a champagne toast, elevating the experience to a luxurious level. The wheel's vibrant LED lighting system allows for dynamic light shows, often synchronized with music or themed for special events, transforming the waterfront into a dazzling spectacle at night. Interestingly, the wheel's construction involved shipping components from multiple countries, highlighting the global effort behind its creation.

Introduction

When the Seattle Great Wheel opened in June 2012, it stood as the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast of the United States, reaching an overall height of 175 feet (53.3 meters). This distinction made it a prominent feature on Seattle's Pier 57, offering unique views over Elliott Bay. It was only the third wheel of its kind in North America at the time. What set the Seattle Great Wheel apart from the other two was its construction directly over the water, extending approximately 40 feet over Elliott Bay.

The wheel features 42 climate-controlled gondolas, each designed to seat up to eight passengers, providing a maximum capacity of 332 riders. Among these, one VIP gondola stands out with its red leather seats, glass floor, and a capacity of four. A complete ride consists of three revolutions and lasts about 12 minutes. The views include the Seattle skyline, the Space Needle, and the surrounding Puget Sound. The enhanced lighting for holidays, sporting events, and special occasions adds to the visual appeal, casting a glow on the water and cityscape.

West Coast's Tallest Ferris Wheel

For an enhanced visit to the Seattle Great Wheel, consider the VIP gondola experience. This exclusive option features a single, specially designed cabin, number 42, equipped with four leather bucket seats for a more comfortable and luxurious ride. The VIP gondola also includes a glass floor, offering unique views directly beneath you as you rotate above the Seattle waterfront. A built-in stereo system allows you to enjoy your choice of music during the ride, further personalizing the experience.

The VIP package extends beyond the ride itself. It includes a champagne toast at the Fisherman’s Restaurant, adding a celebratory touch to your visit. You'll also receive a souvenir t-shirt as a memento of your experience, along with photo booth photos to capture the moment. Priority boarding is another perk, allowing you to bypass the regular line and board the VIP gondola more quickly.

Tickets for the VIP experience are priced at $50 per person. Note that the VIP gondola is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's advisable to plan your visit accordingly to secure this upgrade. This option is particularly suited for special occasions, date nights, or anyone seeking a more exclusive and memorable experience on the Seattle Great Wheel.

VIP Gondola Experience

The Seattle Great Wheel, located on Pier 57, distinguishes itself as the only Ferris wheel of its kind in North America built over water, extending nearly 40 feet over Elliott Bay. This unique positioning provides riders with the sensation of floating above the bay, offering unparalleled views of the Seattle skyline, Puget Sound, and surrounding mountains.

Constructing the foundation for the Great Wheel over Elliott Bay presented unique engineering challenges. GeoEngineers collaborated with Manson Construction, employing existing subsurface explorations and a comprehensive test-pile program to expedite the project. This approach allowed for pile installation to commence swiftly, meeting the owner's needs and the tight schedule for the summer 2012 opening.

Geotechnical Engineer Lyle Stone worked closely with the contractor, structural designer, and owner to develop piling designs and installation recommendations tailored to the overwater conditions. During construction, Stone calculated pile capacities as the piles were installed, finalizing design recommendations as the foundation took shape. The success of the project hinged on the collaborative relationship between the engineers, contractor, and owner, who understood the risks and embraced the flexibility required for overwater construction. The result is a sturdy foundation that supports the 175-foot-tall Seattle Great Wheel, a prominent feature of Seattle's waterfront.

Elliott Bay Overwater Construction

The Seattle Great Wheel dazzles with its nightly LED light shows, a spectacle featuring over 500,000 lights. These displays occur every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, while during the week, the wheel's ring beam is typically illuminated. Special themed light shows are presented for holidays and game days, adding a unique visual element to these occasions. Beyond the standard displays, custom light shows can be "ordered" for events like weddings, gender reveals, or other special occasions. These custom shows can be programmed with specific patterns, letters, colors, and designs. Those interested in arranging a personalized light show can contact The Seattle Great Wheel via email. The LED lights have the ability to swirl, flash, and create various patterns, including team colors for local sports teams like the Mariners and Seahawks. Even when there isn't a specific show, the wheel is always illuminated at night, enhancing the Pier 57 waterfront.

The Seattle Great Wheel

Did You Know?

Passenger Capacity

Concrete Foundation

Open All Year

Spectacular Light Shows

Highlights from Reviews

Location