Seattle Great Wheel, Ferris wheel at Pier 57, Seattle, United States.
The Seattle Great Wheel is a 175-foot-tall (53-meter) Ferris wheel at Pier 57 that rises above Elliott Bay, offering views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. The attraction features 42 climate-controlled gondolas, each able to carry up to eight passengers.
Construction began in April 2012, and the wheel opened two months later in June. Mayor Michael McGinn attended the ceremony that officially welcomed visitors to the attraction.
The wheel's 500,000 LED lights create nighttime displays during weekends and special events, becoming an integral part of Seattle's waterfront entertainment experience.
A ride lasts around 12 minutes and includes three full rotations while passengers sit inside the enclosed gondolas. The wheel is part of Pier 57 on the waterfront and can be visited in different weather conditions.
The wheel extends roughly 40 feet (12 meters) over the water of Elliott Bay, making it the only one of its design built over water in North America. On weekends and during special events, more than 500,000 LED lights illuminate in changing patterns.
Location: Seattle
Inception: April 17, 2012
Official opening: June 29, 2012
Website: https://seattlegreatwheel.com/index
GPS coordinates: 47.60614,-122.34253
Latest update: December 19, 2025 22:40
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