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FAQS

We can’t wait to welcome you to the reimagined Smith Tower visitor experience. To help plan for your visit, answers to frequently asked questions are below. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us at info@smithtower.com or 206.624.0414.

Tickets & Experience

 

Tickets can be purchased online or at Smith Tower. We are not able to exchange, refund, or credit purchased tickets. Our historic Otis elevators have a limited capacity of seven people per ride including the operator.

 

Reservations are not available for the Observatory. All seating and access to the 35th floor is based on availability. As a courtesy to all guests, please ensure your entire group has arrived before you ankle up to the Observatory, as incomplete parties will not be admitted to the 35th floor.

Absolutely! Smith Tower is the ideal venue for gatherings and celebrations of all kinds. Groups of 15 – 40 guests should check out our Group Reservation options for day and evening. If you have more than 40 guests, contact our Event Management Team at 206.624.0795 to plan your event.

Yes, but please plan to keep it with you as we’re not able to provide storage.

Yes, but please plan to keep it with you as we’re not able to provide storage.

Due to unforeseen circumstances with our elevator, the Smith Tower Visitor Experience currently requires all guests be able to climb three flights of stairs to access the Observatory. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause in planning your visit and will update our website as soon as the elevator is fully operational.

The duration of your visit is entirely up to you as the exhibits are self-guided so you can spend as much or as little time as you like taking it all in. Depending on visitor volume, there may be wait times to ride the elevator to the Observatory.

The Smith Tower visitor experience is for all ages.

If you left something behind after visiting Smith Tower, please report your item to lost and found.

Restrooms are available on both level 1 and level 34 of the Smith Tower visitor experience.

Directions & Parking

Smith Tower is conveniently located in the heart of Pioneer Square with easy access from I-5, I-405 and I-90 as well as all forms of public transportation. 

Pioneer Square offers an abundance of street parking and garage options. For your convenience, we recommend the Butler Garage ($12 for 3 hours*). Enter promo code vofeusyz on the checkout page for a discounted rate.

*Pricing is subject to change

 

Yes. Follow these steps below.

  1. Go to ParkWhiz: Find and Book Parking Anywhere
  2. Find the Butler Garage (located at 114 James St, Seattle, WA 98104)
  3. Input reservation time details
  4. Enter payment details
  5. Click “Add Promo Code” and enter promo code: vofevsyz

Food & Beverage

Outside food and beverages are not allowed.

The Smith Tower Visitor Experience is open daily. Please refer to the tickets & hours page for the most current hours of operation. The last elevator ride-up each evening is always one hour prior to closing.

Please visit the Observatory Bar page to view our current menus.

Yes, we offer vegetarian, gluten-sensitive, and vegan items.

Gift Cards & Loyalty Program

Think Smith Tower is the Bee’s Knees? We are thrilled to offer gift cards so you can share an original Seattle experience with your family and friends. Gift cards can be purchased online or in person at the Observatory Check-In or Observatory Bar. You can check your gift card balance at the same link listed above.
Gift Cards are valid on in-person ticket purchases, retail, and food and beverage.

In honor of our bootlegging roots, we offer a Rum Runner’s Membership so our frequent guests can enjoy exclusive benefits all year long. Check out our RUM RUNNER MEMBERSHIP for your all access pass.

Accounting

Please reach out to us at info@smithtower.com, and provide the date you visited, time of day and any additional information to assist with providing more information about your bill, and a member of our team will reach out to you.

Policies

We love your furry friends, but we can only allow service animals.

Smoking or vaping is not permitted anywhere inside of Smith Tower or on the Observatory deck.

Events

Some of our favorite legends of Smith Tower are romances, engagements, and weddings that happen high above Seattle. Please request more information from our sales and events team.

Both the Observatory and The Lookout are available for private events year-round. Please contact our Event Management Team at info@smithtower.com or 206.624.0795 for more information about available dates, times and rates.
Rental fees for the Observatory and The Lookout vary based on event specifics. Please contact our Event Management Team at info@smithtower.com or 206.624.0795 for more information about available dates, times and rates.
Yes, there is complimentary Wi-Fi available in both the Observatory and The Lookout.
 
The Event Management Team will provide a primary contact throughout planning your event as well as onsite during the event.
Catering is provided by the Smith Tower culinary team, featuring a menu of locally-inspired favorites.
All food and beverage items will be provided by Smith Tower. Specialty alcohol requests can be ordered on a case-by-case basis through the Event Management Team.
The Event Management Team will take care of all the details.
Vendors can unload using the loading dock in the back of the building (between Second and Third Avenue off of Yesler Way and James Street).
Dropping off decorations can typically be arranged a couple of hours prior to your event through the Event Management Team.
Inquire about valet service options that would be available for an additional charge. If guests will be taking care of parking on their own, there are a number of parking garages within a block of Smith Tower, as well as ample street parking. We recommend DowntownSeattleParking.com for tips on parking locations and rates.
Yes, if your event is held in the Observatory your guests will have exclusive access to the observation deck. For events held in The Lookout, your guests will have access to the adjacent deck. Please note that beverages are not permitted on the observation deck. Smoking is not allowed anywhere in the building.

Museum Closure

Please enter at 506 2nd Ave, between the two (2) gold doors. You will be instructed by a greeter to our temporary box office.

Yes, our guest experience team will be able to refund the difference of your purchased ticket once you’re at the observatory

Since your tickets were purchased outside our ticketing platform, you will need to contact the third party directly

Yes, talking tours are still available with a ticket upgrade of $10
 

Start on the 2nd Floor to walk through the history of the building, learn more about the architecture, to visiting the event venue and present day, and ending at the observatory level 35.

Our group tickets are for 10 – 14 guests. If you are looking to book a group of 15+ guests, please contact info@smithtower.com.
The museum is closed through February 2025.
Yes, on the 2nd and 35th Floor, we will have exhibits open for guests
  • F&B Credit is only applied Monday through Thursday between the hours of 3pm – 6pm.
  • Each guest that purchased a ticket, they must spend at least $20, before taxes, to receive the $10 credit.
  • For guests who purchased tickets through a third-party, a 10% off their entire F&B order.
  •  
Yes, it is scheduled to open Spring 2025.

Didn't Find an Answer?

Contact us at info@smithtower.com or 206.624.0414

  • 506 Second Avenue
  • Seattle, Washington 98104
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© 2025 Smith Tower. Smith Tower is proudly owned by Smith Tower Investments, LLC and managed by Unico Properties LLC. Hospitality Experiences managed by Columbia Hospitality.