Status Complete Location Seattle, Washington Country United States Height 53 m Cost 20 million USD Construction started 17 April 2012 | Type Ferris wheel Town or city Seattle Owner Great Western Pacific Opened 29 June 2012 Phone +1 206-623-8607 | |
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Address 1301 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101, USA Hours Open today · 10AM–12AMSaturday10AM–12AMSunday10AM–10PMMonday11AM–10PMTuesday11AM–10PMWednesday11AM–10PMThursday11AM–10PMFriday11AM–12AMSuggest an edit Similar Brighton Wheel, Big O, Mickey's Fun Wheel, Colossus, Delhi Eye Profiles | ||
The Seattle Great Wheel is a giant Ferris wheel at Pier 57 on Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington. With an overall height of 175 feet (53.3 m), it was the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast of the United States when it opened on June 29, 2012.
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Seattle great wheel washington usa
Opening day
The inauguration ceremony and opening to the public was on June 29, 2012. Participants in the ceremony, which took place at 2:30 p.m., included a presentation of colors by the US Coast Guard, a speech by Seattle mayor Michael McGinn, and entertainment by the University of Washington cheerleaders, spirit team, and marching band.
Approximately 200 people lined up for the first ride on the wheel. Tickets cost $13 per person, with discounts for children and seniors. One luxury VIP gondola with red leather seats and a glass floor is available and costs $50 per person.
Construction and design
Seattle was the third city in North America to offer a wheel of this design, following the Niagara SkyWheel at Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls, Canada, which is also 175 feet (53.3 m) tall, and the larger Myrtle Beach SkyWheel in South Carolina, which is 187 feet (57.0 m) tall. The Seattle wheel is the only one of the three to be built over water.
The Seattle Great Wheel has 42 climate-controlled gondolas, each able to carry up to eight passengers (except the "VIP" gondola, seating four), giving a maximum capacity of over 300. The 12-minute ride extends 40 feet (12.2 m) out over Elliott Bay.