Space needle is worth it. There is a lot of history. I think it was built for the worlds fair, long ago. It was once a show of modern technology in the US. It takes 50 seconds to get to the top. If you have been to the stratosphere in Vegas, this will disappoint you. It is less than 500 ft tall, and the stratosphere is over 1000 ft tall. The food and gifts are expensive at the needle. It is in Seattle center, so there is much else to do. It is just one of the many attractions at the Seattle center. Overall, the Seattle center is an absolute must for any first time visitor