Seattle Great Wheel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seattle Great Wheel |
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Seattle Great Wheel in 2017
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| General information | |
| Type | Ferris wheel |
| Location | 1301 Alaskan Way Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 47°36′22″N 122°20′33″W / 47.6061°N 122.3425°W |
| Construction started | April 17, 2012 |
| Opened | June 29, 2012 |
| Cost | $20 million |
| Owner | Great Western Pacific |
| Height | 175 feet (53.3 m) |
| Design and construction | |
| Structural engineer | Chance Rides GeoEngineers, B&T Design and Engineering |
| Main contractor | Manson Construction Co. |
The Seattle Great Wheel is a giant Ferris wheel at Pier 57 on Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington. At an overall height of 175 feet (53.3 m), 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 (which is also 175 feet (53.3 m) tall), and the larger Myrtle Beach SkyWheel in South Carolina, which stands 187 feet (57.0 m) 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 (except the luxury VIP gondola, which had red leather seats and a glass floor, and seats four), giving a maximum capacity of 332. The 12-minute, three-revolution ride extends 40 feet (12.2 m) out over Elliott Bay.
Images for kids
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Seattle skyline and Great Wheel near twilight
