The 42-story Smith Tower (Yesler Way and 2nd Ave., 206/622-4004, www.smithtower.com [1]) was the tallest building west of the Mississippi when completed in 1914, and it remained Seattle’s [2] highest for several decades.
Now dwarfed by neighboring skyscrapers, it is still an interesting place, with elevator rides—run by some of the last elevator operators on the West Coast—to a 35th-floor outdoor observation deck (10 a.m.–sunset daily Apr.–Aug., 10 a.m.–7 p.m. daily Sept., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily Oct., 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sat.–Sun. Nov.–Mar., $7.50 adults, $6 seniors and students, $5 kids). Also on this floor is the ornately furnished Chinese Room, a popular place for meetings and wedding receptions.
Links:
[1] http://www.smithtower.com
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/washington/seattle