Seattle Great Wheel


The Seattle Great Wheel is a 53-meter Ferris wheel at Pier 57 on Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington, United States. At an overall height of, it was the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast of the United States when it opened in June 2012.

Opening day

The inauguration ceremony and opening to the public took place on June 29, 2012. Participants in the ceremony, which commenced at 2:30 p.m., included the U.S. Coast Guard with a presentation of colors, Seattle mayor Michael McGinn who delivered a speech, and the University of Washington cheerleaders, spirit team, and marching band who provided entertainment. Approximately 200 people lined up for the first ride on the wheel.

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, and the larger Myrtle Beach SkyWheel in South Carolina, which stands 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, giving a maximum capacity of 332. The 12-minute, three-revolution ride extends out over Elliott Bay.

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