re: Things to do in Seattle near the Space Needle?

The locals here now best, but FYI the area around the Space Needle what I remember had a lot of bums and not the best area. More boring downtown then anything. My memory isn't the best but I don't remember the view from the needle being overly amazing.

If you only have one day, I'd consider taking a boat out on the water to see the city from there over doing the space needle.

Pike Place was great and there's numerous other things to do in that general vicinity.