Latest news with #TheLoupe
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Space Needle Official Addresses Crack in Glass Floor with Wild Football Analogy to Prove the Strength of the Glass
A Space Needle official told PEOPLE that the Seattle attraction is 'absolutely safe to visit' after a video circulated showing a crack in the observation deck's glass floor 'Our glass floor is so strong, you could invite the entire Seattle Seahawks' defense — and all of the offenses they would face in the course of a season — to take a group photo on the glass floor without breaking a sweat,' the official explains The deck's glass floor is about 500 feet above the groundThe 605-foot-tall Space Needle is still 'absolutely safe to visit' despite a video revealing a crack in the Seattle attraction's glass floor. Addressing a visitor's July 1 Instagram video showing the crack on the observation deck, a Space Needle official told PEOPLE that the crack is on a top layer similar to a screen protector on a phone. 'The viral video circulating is old footage that shows a crack in the scuff plate on our glass floor, The Loupe. Scuff plate is like a screen protector on your cellphone,' says Genny Boots, Space Needle's PR manager. 'It's a non-load-bearing, aesthetic protective layer that is meant to scuff, scratch, and even sometimes crack, all while keeping the 10 layers of structural glass clear for a breathtaking view 500-feet down,' Boots adds. 'We replace the scuff plate about twice a year.' The official compared the strength of the glass to the city's football team. 'Our glass floor is so strong, you could invite the entire Seattle Seahawks' defense — and all of the offenses they would face in the course of a season — to take a group photo on the glass floor without breaking a sweat,' Boots explains of the Space Needle, which opened in 1962. The Space Needle was built in 400 days and cost $4.5 billion to build. Safety of the structure is paramount. 'Our technicians and engineers check the building every day for safety, and our team of glasskeepers maintain all 176 tons of glass at the Space Needle so our guests enjoy the 360-degree views of downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier and the Puget Sound,' she explains. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The red aircraft warning beacon at the top is 605 feet off the ground, and there are 848 stairs from the ground to the observation deck. In May, as part of a years-long modernization project, the Space Needle launched Skyliner, a new floor-to-ceiling glass, double-deck outdoor elevator. Two more elevators will be modernized in 2027 and 2028. 'Construction like this at the Space Needle is like assembling a rocket in the sky,' Karen Olson, Space Needle's chief operating officer, said in a statement at the time. 'We are doing work on the Space Needle that has never been done before, at 500 feet in the air.' Read the original article on People
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
10 epic things to do in Seattle with kids for guaranteed family fun
Pike Place Market is a family-friendly farmer's market in the heart of Seattle – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi From museums that explore pop culture and pinball to a ride to the top of the towering Space Needle, there's something for everyone in Seattle — kids and adults alike. A Pacific Northwest panorama of evergreens, majestic mountains, Elliot Bay, and the Puget Sound makes it easy to enjoy fresh air fun while staying within the city limits. I first discovered Seattle when our family's cruise to Alaska departed from the busy port, and I was instantly smitten. My children and I return often, forever discovering new fun things to do in Seattle with kids, including iconic attractions, outdoor adventures, and more. Here are 10 of our favorites. Space Needle The Space Needle is a must-see for kids and adults alike – Photo courtesy of Space Needle Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle observation tower is an icon of the Seattle skyline. Located in the heart of City Center with numerous other main attractions, you can ride the lightning-fast elevator for impressive views of the cityscape, Olympic and Cascade mountains, and Puget Sound islands from your perch 520 feet above ground. Advertisement Just below the observation deck is The Loupe, the world's first revolving glass floor with a slow spin that makes you feel like you're a record on a turntable. Olympic Sculpture Park Olympic Sculpture Park is a low-stakes way to introduce kids to art – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi I introduced my children to the Olympic Sculpture Park along the waterfront when they were very young. Even if they don't appear interested, kids absorb color, form, and the ever-changing dialogue between art and the environment as they run and play outdoors. It's a low-stakes activity because it's free of charge. Works include Alexander Calder's immense "The Eagle," a 6-ton steel sculpture with soaring curves and spikes that somehow manages to capture the delicacy of an origami bird. When little legs need a rest, they can sit on a series of granite "Eye Benches," surrealist eyeballs that double as surprisingly comfortable benches. Advertisement Chihuly Garden and Glass Chihuly's glass works have loads of kid appeal – Photo courtesy of Greg Balkin / State of Washington Tourism Dale Chihuly has been expanding the boundaries of glass as an artistic medium for decades. His imaginative glass sculptures and installations are on display indoors and outdoors at Chihuly Garden and Glass. Chihuly's bold interplay of whimsy and luminous color is a winning combination for many children. Glassblowing demonstrations throughout the day are captivating, and young visitors can touch real tools and materials used in the glassblowing process at the hands-on Curiosity Station. Seattle Pinball Museum The Seattle Pinball Museum offers retro fun for kids – Photo courtesy of Alabastro Photography/Visit Seattle Families can spend hours enjoying unlimited play for one price on dozens of vintage and modern pinball machines at the Seattle Pinball Museum in the International District. My kids love the machine's low-tech flippers and retro arcade setting. Order a soda in a vintage glass bottle to complete the throwback experience. Advertisement Museum of Pop Culture The Museum of Pop Culture pays tribute to Seattle's seminal role in pop culture – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi If you're traveling with a tough-to-please teenager, the Museum of Pop Culture is an oasis of cool that should appease even the moodiest. The Frank Gehry-designed building is a testament to rebel architecture at its finest, wrapped in shimmering sheet metal that resembles a smashed electric guitar. Permanent and temporary exhibits explore the influence of pop culture in music, film, fashion, sports, and gaming. Seattle's role in music, particularly grunge and alternative rock, is evident in the Guitar Gallery, an homage to the instrument and the musicians who play it. Glimpse the guitar of hometown rocker Jimi Hendrix and clothing worn by Washington-born Kurt Cobain. The Sound Lab lets kids create music with real instruments, while the Next Gen Gamers exhibit tests their skills as they play trailblazing video games. Pike Place Market The Gum Wall at Pike Place Market is quirky fun thing to do with kids in Seattle – Photo courtesy of Alabastro Photography / Visit Seattle Since 1907, Pike Place Market has supplied farm-fresh produce and boat-to-table seafood to generations of Seattleites and hungry tourists. Hundreds of farmers, fishermen, and artisans sell their goods in the heart of downtown. Watch the fishmongers throw fish into the waiting arms of customers — an entertaining and unusual market ritual. If you're visiting in summer, sample yellow-hued Rainier cherries, a Washington treat. More than a marketplace, it's a community center. Public art, including the Instagram-favorite Gum Wall, adds quirky eye candy. Kids particularly enjoy exploring the Magic Market Shop (the third oldest magic shop in the country) and eating mac and cheese from Beecher's while watching cheese get made. Advertisement Seattle Aquarium The Seattle Aquarium has interactive exhibits with a conservation message – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi The Seattle Aquarium combines dazzling sea life with a conservation message. Over 10,000 animals live here — from seahorses to a Giant Pacific Octopus — with an emphasis on those from the Pacific Northwest. Interactive touch tanks, a hands-on play space, and a crawl-through coral reef encourage kids to become stewards of the sea while having a ball. Seattle Great Wheel The Seattle Great Wheel has views for days – Photo courtesy of Rachael Jones/Visit Seattle Hop in a climate-controlled pod and take a sky-high ride on the enormous Seattle Great Wheel on Pier 57. On a clear day, this 175-foot Ferris wheel presents stunning vistas of the skyline and Mount Rainier. At night, it's illuminated with a half-million LED lights. A ride lasts for approximately 15 minutes. When you've landed back down to earth, take a spin on a painted pony at the carousel just a few steps away. Golden Gardens Park Seattle's Golden Gardens Park's sandy beach and tide pools are fun for kids – Photo courtesy of Rachael Jones/Visit Seattle If your family craves an afternoon at the beach, Golden Gardens Park in the Ballard neighborhood is a jackpot. This one-mile stretch of soft sand along the Puget Sound is perfect for Frisbee and beach volleyball, while the clear, cold water may tempt the brave to go for a summertime swim. At low tide, rocky sections at either end are a great place to view tide pools teeming with sea creatures, including anemones and starfish. Pacific Science Center Seattle's Pacific Science Center is a great place for curious kids – Photo courtesy of Rachael Jones/Visit Seattle Over the years, I've taken my kids to numerous science museums. As they grew older, they were often bored, as many catered to young children. Advertisement
