Columbia Center

Building Seattle's tallest skyscraper with observation deck

Seattle’s tallest skyscraper, Columbia Center houses offices and the Sky View Observatory; visitors ascend for panoramic city and Puget Sound vistas and to access downtown museums and Pioneer Square nearby.

Main image

Columbia Center is a major skyscraper in downtown Seattle, Washington, and the tallest building in both Seattle and the state. The tower rises to 76 storeys and is a prominent landmark on the city’s skyline.

The building contains office floors, retail spaces at ground level and a public observation space near the top, which provides broad views across Seattle, Puget Sound and the surrounding mountain ranges on clear days. Its height and central location make it a primary vantage point for panoramic views of the city.

Completed in the mid-1980s, the tower remains a commercial office centre and a visible element of Seattle’s urban core. It stands in the downtown business district, close to transit links and the city’s main waterfront amenities.

  • Height and floors: The tower is the tallest building in Seattle and Washington state, with 76 storeys and an observation level near the top
  • Completion and use: Completed in the mid-1980s, it anchors Seattle's central business district and contains offices and retail spaces

What to See #

  • Sky View Observatory: A public observation level near the top floors provides panoramic views across downtown Seattle and the surrounding waterways and mountains
Columbia Center
701 S. 11th Street / 701 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
+1 206-625-3000
47.6045, -122.3305
Google Maps Apple Maps
https://skycviewobservatory.com/
Sky View Observatory daily 10:00am-7:00pm (hours may vary seasonally)
Observation deck (Sky View Observatory) adult approx. $20-25 (varies)

How to Get to Columbia Center #

Columbia Center is in downtown Seattle at 701 Fifth Avenue. The nearest Link light rail stations are University Street and Westlake; numerous bus routes and streetcar lines also serve the area. Street parking is limited-public transit is recommended.

Tips for Visiting Columbia Center #

  • Book Sky View Observatory tickets in advance-views are best on clear days and evenings for sunset panoramas of Seattle.
  • Take the elevator up during late afternoon to see the city under changing light; the observatory offers informative displays about the skyline.
  • Combine a visit with the Columbia Center coffee shop or nearby public plazas in downtown Seattle.

Best Time to Visit Columbia Center #

Late summer and early autumn often provide the clearest views of Seattle and surrounding mountains.

Summer
June-August · 12-25°C
Longest days and generally clearer skies, though occasional marine layer can persist in mornings.
Autumn
September-October · 8-18°C
Crisper air and clearer visibility for skyline and mountain views.
Winter-Spring
November-May · 2-12°C
Cloudier and wetter; visibility to Mount Rainier and Elliott Bay can be less reliable.

Weather & Climate near Columbia Center #

Climate

Columbia Center's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (995 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 30 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
-10°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

5°
Feels Like Cold
5°C
Temperature
2° – 8°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

136 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

6°
Feels Like Cold
6°C
Temperature
3° – 10°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

106 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.1h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

8°
Feels Like Cold
8°C
Temperature
4° – 12°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

105 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
5° – 15°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

73 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
13.5h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
8° – 18°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

47 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
14.9h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° – 21°
80%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.6
UV Index
Very High
15.7h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. The driest month with just 24 mm.

90 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
13° – 24°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.8
UV Index
Very High
15.3h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

19°
Feels Like Mild
19°C
Temperature
13° – 24°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
14.1h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° – 21°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
12.4h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
7° – 16°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

84 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.7h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (146 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

7°
Feels Like Cold
7°C
Temperature
4° – 10°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

146 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.2h daylight

December

December is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (160 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

5°
Feels Like Cold
5°C
Temperature
2° – 7°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

160 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.3h daylight

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