With our 10 a.m. time slot to visit the Space Needle booked, we found ourselves with about an hour to spare. Luckily, the Seattle Center Monorail started running at 9, so we took advantage of the opportunity and hopped aboard for a quick and scenic round-trip ride to the downtown area and back.
The Monorail, originally built for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, still carries the retro charm of its era. The Alweg rail cars feature a sleek design reminiscent of a 1950s diner, complete with that nostalgic, space-age aesthetic that was all the rage at the time. Riding it feels like stepping back into a stylish slice of mid-century history.
In my experience, monorails often feel underwhelming, and this ride was no exception. While the retro design makes for some great photo ops, the journey itself was short, with not much to see along the way. Overall, it felt more like a novelty than a worthwhile activity, and honestly, a bit of a letdown in terms of both time and money.
Alright! 10 a.m. rolled around, and it was time to get serious! Standing at 184 meters tall, the Space Needle is another creation from the 1962 World’s Fair, but unlike the monorail, it has truly earned its status as a world-famous landmark. Sleek, futuristic, and instantly recognizable, it’s easily one of Seattle’s most iconic and enduring tourist attractions.
