Are the Amazon Spheres in Seattle Worth Visiting? (2024)
Seattle is known for being a bustling tech hub in the Pacific Northwest region. And if you’re walking around downtown, it’s hard to miss the striking Amazon Spheres that starkly contrast the urban cityscape. Depending on how much time you have in the city, you may be wondering if the Amazon Spheres in Seattle are worth visiting. To help you out, I’ll be sharing my experience exploring the Amazon Spheres, explaining what you can expect, and providing you with all the info you need to decide if they should make it onto your Seattle itinerary!
Are the Amazon Spheres in Seattle Worth Visiting? (2024)
Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed my time wandering through the Amazon Spheres in Seattle and think they are worth visiting for a few different reasons.
First, it’s free to enter. Unlike most museums and tourist attractions *ahem the Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibit*, exploring the Amazon Spheres doesn’t cost you a cent. This is pretty rare as Seattle is not the most affordable city and there aren’t exactly a lot of things to do in Seattle that are free. In my books, this is a major plus for anyone trying to save a few dollars or traveling on a budget.
On top of this, the Amazon Spheres are centrally located! As I mentioned in the beginning, they’re smack in the middle of downtown Seattle and pretty impossible to miss. And for those who don’t mind getting some steps in for the day, you can easily walk from the crowd-favorite Pike Place Market to the Amazon Spheres, and then to the iconic Seattle Space Needle. This route would take you about 30 minutes to complete.
Finally, the Amazon Spheres offer a welcomed respite from the hustle and bustle of city life in Seattle. Often, when I’m in major cities like Paris, Milan, Barcelona, and even the little principality of Monaco, I get a bit overwhelmed by all the commotion. So for anyone who relates and desires a break from all the noise, the Spheres function as a mini nature oasis, even if only for a few fleeting moments! Thus, it’s for these reasons that I believe the Amazon Spheres in Seattle are well worth visiting.
What Is the Purpose of the Amazon Spheres?
As I mentioned in the previous section, it’s fairly common for large cities to not have a lot of accessible green spaces. Therefore, the purpose of the Amazon Spheres is to rectify this situation by providing a healthy working space that allows Amazon employees and visitors to reconnect with nature.
Plus, research proves that when plants and natural light are introduced into our working environment, mental fatigue decreases and productivity increases. So if you think about it, Amazon is just doing smart business. They built the Spheres with the intent of providing a beautiful and relaxing space that would help its employees work more efficiently.
What Is Inside the Amazon Spheres?
Inside the Amazon Spheres, you’ll find four levels packed with a wide array of lush plants, ferns, trees, and flora from around the world. According to the official website, there are, “40,000 plants from the cloud forest regions of over 30 countries!” They even have a couple of water streams running through some areas and little aquariums with a variety of fish!
But, the piece de resistance of the space is the living wall. This is a 4,000-square-foot wall composed of 25,000 intricately woven plants! Seriously, I have no clue how everything looks immaculate, but the plant caretakers do quite an impressive job.
With regards to actual spaces for working, they have everything. You’ll find intimate workspaces, conference rooms, and an abundance of tables and chairs in an open seating plan. And, if employees or visitors get hungry, they do have light refreshments and small snacks available. It’s not substantial enough to fill you up for lunch or dinner, but it’s great if you need a quick bite to eat.
Also, something that might surprise you is the temperature inside the Amazon Spheres. Despite the architectural design that you would think would leave the space exposed to seasonal weather changes, the Spheres are kept a balmy 72°F year-round, with 60% humidity. This not only provides the plants with an ideal environment to thrive but also makes the space a wonderful tropical escape during the brutally cold winter months Seattle normally experiences. So, if you combine everything, it all comes together to create one massive, flourishing, botanical garden in the heart of the city!
When to Visit the Amazon Spheres in Seattle
Earlier, I described reasons why the Amazon Spheres in Seattle were worth visiting. What I didn’t explain was why they aren’t worth visiting…Truthfully, I couldn’t come up with a reason not to go. 😂 But, there’s a pretty big reason why you wouldn’t be able to visit. This reason is that the Spheres are only open to the public on the first and third Saturday of every month from 10 AM – 6 PM. So, if your travel dates don’t coincide with these dates, then you might be out of luck.
Furthermore, you’ll need to make a reservation to visit because they limit the number of visitors allowed at a time. Reservations are available 15 days prior to the day you want to visit at 10 AM PST. My advice, make a calendar note to reserve your time slot exactly 15 days out from when you want to go. This way, you’ll maximize your chances of being able to go.
🌿 NOTE: Only groups of up to 4 people are allowed per reservation. So if you have a group of 7 people, you’ll need to make 2 separate reservations. Also, they require you to bring your government ID to check in.
How Long Does It Take to Visit Amazon Spheres?
Visitors are limited to 1 hour in the space since this is a pretty popular space to view. But, on average, you’ll take about half an hour to walk through all the floors and visit everything in the Amazon Spheres. Or, if you don’t bother reading any of the little informational signs and don’t spend a lot of time taking pictures, you can easily get through in about 20 minutes.
Location of Amazon Spheres
2111 7th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121 is the address of the Amazon Spheres. You can also view the location on Google Maps here. It’s about a 12-minute walk from the Pike Place Market and a 15-minute walk from the Seattle Space Needle.
5 Other Things to Do in Seattle
If you’re in the city for a few days and looking for other activities to fill out your Seattle itinerary, here are some other awesome activities to consider! These are in addition to visiting the wildly popular Space Needle, Chihuly Garden, and Glass Exhibit, and Museum of Pop Culture…
1. Take a Flavorful Food Tour
The key to my heart and what I wholeheartedly believe is the best way to immerse yourself in the local culture of a new city is through its food! And in Seattle, there’s such a wide range of different cuisines to taste, especially in the iconic Pike Place Market. Seriously, my friends and I sampled fresh mangoes, and they were straight-up heaven. They were almost on par with the mango I had in Tahiti…
Anyway, if you’re a foodie and looking to indulge in all kinds of delicious goodness while learning a bit about the history of the area as well, I highly recommend taking a food tour in Seattle!
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 2000+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 2 hours
This amazing Seattle food tour has 2000+ 5-star reviews and is well worth your money for everything you’ll get. Over 3 hours, you’ll stop by 9 vendors and sample the best products within the bustling Market! Not to mention, the food tour is led by a local chef who has expert knowledge about the history and background of the individual items you’ll be tasting.
And the tour is limited to 10 guests, which makes for a small group and personalized experience! So, if you’re looking for a lovely gastronomic experience through the city, it’s definitely worth checking out some of the Seattle Food Tours available!
“Amazing, well organized, detailed, informative, fun but most importantly DELICIOUS!! Our guide Sylas was exceptional and extremely personable and attentive to everyone in our group. I had a great time and would 100% recommend!“
– Line L. (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
2. Day Trip to Leavenworth
If you’re looking to take your Seattle staycation up a notch, I highly recommend taking a day trip to beautiful Leavenworth. The charming town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Washington and made it feel like I was right back in Europe. And with the little Bavarian town being only 2 hours away from Seattle, it’s an easy day trip with your car. Or, if you don’t have access to a car, you can enjoy a stress-free visit with an expert local tour guide!
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 245+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 8 – 9 hours
On this fantastic tour, you’ll be picked up directly from your hotel and transported to Leavenworth.
Along the way, you’ll take in the gorgeous scenery of the Pacific Northwest, do a bit of light hiking to Deception Falls, and acquaint yourself with the quaint town! Oh, and we can’t forget about the food… During your day trip, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy some classic Bavarian-style sausages, spätzle, Munich beer, and other tasty Leavenworth treats (at your own expense).
Also, it’s worth mentioning that everyone is dressed in traditional Bavarian clothing… so it is truly the full package. You get the culture, the history, AND the delicious food! 😉 Thus, if you’re looking to swap out the big city vibes for that distinct Bavarian atmosphere without stepping foot in Europe, Leavenworth is the place to go!
“What an amazing tour! Our tour guide Mehrdad had excellent communication skills prior to the tour beginning to the very end, was very informative, kind, and overall fun! Leavenworth itself is stunning, right out of a Hallmark movie. Definitely book this tour!”
– Naomi S. (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
3. Go Wine Tasting
For any wine lovers visiting Seattle, something that may interest you is a wine-tasting tour! Just 30 minutes away from Seattle is Woodinville, which is famous for its beautiful landscape, many wineries, and even better wines! 🍷
⭐️ RATING: 5 out 5 – taken by 110+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 7 hours
On this highly-rated wine tour, you’ll be picked up from your hotel in Seattle and visit an eclectic mix of 4 – 6 large and boutique local wineries, sampling 4-7 different wines at each winery. And on the way to the wineries, you’ll be treated to incredible views of Lake Washington as you pass over the floating bridge!
One thing to note is that unlike wine tours in France or wine-tasting tours in Spain, wine-tasting fees are not included on this tour! This may seem like a downside, but it means that each stop can be tailored to your preferences. For example, if you’re like me and a real lightweight when it comes to alcohol 🫠, you’ll be able to drink as much or as little as you’d like. So in a way, it ensures you get your money’s worth!
“Great tour of Seattle area wineries! Rudy was an awesome guide….very knowledgeable about the wineries and surrounding area. If you like drinking wine, this is the tour for you!”
– Deborah W. (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
4. Sail around the Nearby Waters
For those traveling on a budget and perhaps looking to explore Seattle by way of water, consider doing a relaxing cruise tour! This cruise tour has been in operation since 1949 and is a local and crowd-favorite way to explore Elliot Bay and the massive Seattle Harbor!
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 1,200+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 1 hour
During the 1-hour boat tour, you’ll get to listen to live commentary about the city’s historic waterfront, as well as admire the incredible Seattle skyline with the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges framing the city in the background. And with seating available in an enclosed lower deck as well as on the upper sun deck, this is a nice activity no matter what the Seattle weather is like! So, if you’re in the area and looking for a relatively inexpensive way to learn and experience some of Seattle, this is a great option!
“Awesome tour with an awesome tour guide! We enjoyed the snacks and beverages on board with good views and tons of history about Seattle.”
– Stephen N. (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
5. Chase Waterfalls
Last but certainly not least, connect with the part of Washington that contributes to its beloved nickname “The Evergreen State.” Just 35 minutes outside of Seattle is the booming Snoqualmie Falls, a massive waterfall that is surrounded by an abundance of lush greenery! And much like the Spheres, there’s zero entrance fee to visit this incredible waterfall. So if you have access to a car, definitely be sure to visit; and if you don’t, I recommend checking out this guided tour that stops by here. It even includes a bit of light hiking.
⭐️ RATING: 5 out of 5 – 220+ 5-star reviews! | ⏳ LENGTH OF TOUR: 4 hours
Ready to recenter yourself in the great outdoors with an early morning hiking excursion? During this lovely 4-hour tour, you’ll visit the impressive 268′ Snoqualmie Falls, which is nestled in the heart of the stunning Cascade Mountains. Afterward, you’ll embark on a small hike through the nearby verdant forest, finding yourself surrounded by trees well over a hundred feet tall. Thus, if you’re craving an escape from city life and want to explore the serene Cascade region, this is a wonderful activity!
“We loved this trip!! Jared our guide was so informative. Breath taking views and scenario, saw so much that we wouldn’t have been able to see on our own. Thoroughly recommend this trip.”
– JWIG (sEE MORE REVIEWS)
Where to Stay in Seattle
If you’re still planning your trip to Seattle, you’ll probably need a place to stay. Here are my recommendations on places to check out based on your budget!
Low-Cost Stay
- Green Tortoise Seattle — best hostel right next to Pike Place Market | ⭐️ 9 / 10
- Hotel Max — 3-star hotel, centrally located & includes gym | ⭐️ 8.2 / 10
Mid-Range Stay
- The Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel Seattle — 4-star hotel w/ spa | ⭐️ 8.6 / 10
- Hyatt Regency Seattle — fantastic 4-star hotel w/ lake views | ⭐️ 8.8 / 10
Fancy Stays
- Fairmont Olympic Hotel — luxury 4-star hotel w/ indoor pool & spa | ⭐️ 8.8 / 10
- Four Seasons Hotel Seattle — 5-star hotel w/ rooftop infinity pool | ⭐️ 9.4 / 10
Feel free to click these buttons to head to your favorite booking platform and see additional housing options there.
You can also just move around on the map below to explore other housing accommodations in Seattle!
Amazon Spheres Visit: FAQ
It costs you nothing to visit the Amazon Spheres! You just need to make a reservation, bring your government ID, and avoid bringing a bag larger than 12″ by 12″.
There are no tours of the Amazon Spheres available. If you choose to visit, it’ll just be you exploring on your own.
Yes, Amazon employees can bring guests into the spheres. They are allowed to bring a maximum of 6 people anytime the space is open. This is the only other way you can get to see the Spheres if you don’t work for Amazon.
Yes! Depending on when you visit, you may see some tech employees working in the space. As such, be respectful when you’re around them. You’ll also see some plant caretakers — feel free to ask them any questions!
The Amazon Spheres in Seattle were built in 2018. It took 5 years for them to build the mesmerizing space.
Since the Spheres are conveniently located in downtown Seattle, you’ll find tons of different restaurants near the Spheres. To name a few, there’s Ma’ono Fried Chicken, Shaker + Spear (chic $$$ seafood restaurant), and Willmott’s Ghost (serves pizza and other Italian food).
Wrap-Up: Are the Amazon Spheres in Seattle Worth Visiting (2024)
Ultimately, the Amazon Spheres are one of the most unique spaces to visit in all of Seattle. From the striking architecture and contemporary aesthetics to the lush greenery and warmth of the space, this space is unlike anywhere else in the city. So, if you happen to be in the city on the first or third Saturday of the month, I highly recommend adding the Spheres to your itinerary! Just be sure to be on top of making a reservation in advance.
And, if you aren’t able to go, there are still plenty of activities to make your time in Seattle worthwhile. As such, regardless if you go or not, I wish you the best time exploring Seattle!
Read More About the West Coast
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- 🏖️ San Diego: Keen on learning how to surf? There’s no better place than sunny San Diego. The city is home to everything from lots of beginner-friendly surf breaks to mouthwateringly delicious food!
