Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass is located at the base of the Space Needle at the Seattle Center 

Spend two hours exploring this beautiful glass museum, with incredible creations from famed glass sculptor Dale Chihuly.

Stand in awe of Chihuly's magnificent glass creations. They are jaw-droppingly beautiful, both in their scale, composition and sense of drama. 

This world class exhibition consists of indoor galleries, a theater, cafe and gift shop. 

It's located at 305 Harrison Street at the Seattle Center. Check hours & tickets.

10 best things to see at Chihuly Garden and Glass

1. See the 20-foot sculpture in the Sealife Room.

The Sealife Room has a towering 20-foot sculpture with a tangle of clams, jellyfish and reeds, climbing their way to the ceiling.   

2. Be dazzled by the colorful Ikebana and Float Boats

These striking float boats were inspired by Dale Chihuly's time in Finland in the mid 1990's, where his glass floats were placed in wooden boats by the local teenagers.  

During Chihuly's childhood in Tacoma Washington, he discovered glass floats washed up from Japanese fisherman. The glass spheres in this installation are reminiscent of these floats, and can be seen at Chihuly Garden and Glass.

3. See the vivid colors of the sprawling Mille Fiori sculpture.

The Milli Fiori sculpture translates as a Thousand Flowers in Italian.  

It was inspired by memories from Chihuly's time in his mother's garden, and the vivid colors of her rhododendrons and azaleas.  The black plexiglass serves as the perfect backdrop to emphasize this explosion in color.  The glass formations are evocative of plants and flowers, yet take on their own mysterious form at Chihuly Garden and Glass.

4. Admire the amazing craftsmanship in the Northwest Room.

These glass baskets were inspired by Native Indian, handwoven baskets.  Chihuly emulated the imperfections of these baskets, by creating asymmetrical, disproportionate forms.

5. View a Glass Forest in neon lights.

Amongst Chihuly's most dazzling works is an illuminated Glass Forest, with plants masterfully sculpted from glass, infused with neon highlights.  It was done in the early 1970s.

6. Experience Chihuly's magnificent Chandeliers.

The chandeliers at Chihuly Garden and Glass, reflect Chihuly's love of the ocean in the Pacific Northwest.  The fluidity of the glass forms is similar to the swaying of a kelp forest.  

7. Look up at the Persian Ceiling.

The Persian Ceiling is magnificent, with giant, glass shells tossed together on a glass ceiling in an artful composition.  Haphazard yet beautiful. 

8. Stroll through the Macchia Forest.

The Macchia Forest at Chihuly Garden and Glass is drawn from nature, with oversized, primitive plants.

9. See the Space Needle through the Glasshouse roof.

Peer up through the decorative glass roof in the Glass House, to glimpse a unique perspective of the underside of the Seattle Space Needle.  The illuminated glass creations appear even more dramatic against the evening sky. This one piece sculpture, is 100-feet long.

10. Walk through the mysterious garden.

The 26,000 square foot garden takes on a mysterious quality during nightfall, with glass sculptures nestled in lush garden beds. The most striking sculpture is the yellow sun looming in-front of the glasshouse.

Know before you go

• Address: 305 Harrison Street.
• Hours and tickets: Check here.
• Cafe:  Check hours for Collections Cafe.
• Parking garages:  Mercer Street Garage (650 3rd Ave N, 98109) or 5th Avenue N Garage (516 Harrison Street, 98109).

Other fun things to do at the Seattle Center

The Chihuly Garden and Glass is located next to the Space Needle and the Museum of Pop Culture.  The Museum of Pop Culture has amazing memorabilia and exhibits from iconic music bands like Nirvana, ACDC and Jimmy Hendrix.  

The Pacific Science Center is great for kids, with a butterfly garden, science experiments and planetarium.  There's even a play area for toddlers.  The Seattle Childrens Museum is a great choice for kids under age 7, with imaginative play areas that will keep them entertained for hours. There's a food court above the Childrens Museum with a Starbucks, and the magnificent International Fountain outside for them to play in on a hot day.  The exceptional Artists at Play Playground is just outside the Museum of Pop Culture.