The city of Seattle is a young, hip, fun place to live. However, it is not really a “tourist town” like Vegas or San Diego. Visitors who fall in love with Seattle are the kind of people who want to experience beautiful vistas from a chic coffee shop. Or, they might be the type of people who enjoy rugged outdoor adventures. And the rest of the people are just passing through, taking snapshots of all the things on a checklist.
To get the most out of a pre- or post-cruise trip, visitors who are in town for a day or longer may want to check out the:
- Seattle CityPass
- Go Seattle Card.
Downtown Seattle
The following attractions are all near Downtown Seattle hotels and cruise ship terminals (pier 91 or 66). Several of the sights require entrance fees, however, they are often covered by one of the city passes. The main downtown area has free bus service.
The Pike Place Market
The Market is a cool Seattle hangout, though it is mobbed with tourists in summer. Half of the experience is about people-watching, and the other half is about food. Buy ripe fruit, local cheese, smoked salmon, or crab-legs and make a picnic in the park or a hotel room, just like budget travelers in Paris.
The Seattle Waterfront
Below "The Market" is the waterfront. It’s a bit touristy, but it’s a beautiful stroll. Snag a great meal of fish and chips at Ivar’s and eat outside by the water or in the heated glass room. Then, throw the leftovers to flying seagulls.
Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium is a good introduction to the water life of the Pacific Northwest. The critters here are the same as, or similar to, those in the waters of British Columbia and southern Alaska. It’s a chance to touch starfish and sea anemones, or just laugh at the crazy sea otters and swirling seals. Kids love this place. (CityPass)
Seattle Art Museum
SAM is short on European paintings, but sometimes this museum has good traveling exhibits from other museums. Here are highlights of the permanent collection:
- Northwest Native American art
- African artifacts
- Cool contemporary art (exploding cars, dog-tag sculpture). Actually, the best contemporary work of art in Seattle is still Frank Gehry’s EMP building at the Seattle Center.
- Go Seattle Card covers Seattle Art Museum
The Seattle Center
Everything at the Seattle Center is within walking distance of most downtown hotels, though people can take the Monorail (nothing special) for a few bucks or use a Go Seattle Card. Both CityPass and Go Seattle cover the Space Needle, EMP, and Pacific Science Center (all at Seattle Center).
The Space Needle
This is as worthwhile as the Eiffel Tower, and that means the view is better when looking at it. It’s worth going up if the weather is good or it’s covered by the pass, however, the restaurant is overpriced.
Experience Music Project
Former hippie music freaks and younger wannabe musicians will love the EMP. It’s worth going to this museum just to see the trippy Frank Gehry architecture. There is also a small sci-fi museum. Warning: Granny won’t understand any of it.
Pacific Science Center
This is not the most fabulous science museum, but it’s a cool place for kids, and it’s definitely worth visiting if a pass covers it. Here are the highlights:
- Tropical Butterfly House: The Science Center imports 500 tropical butterflies weekly, from butterfly farmers in Latin America and the Philippines. This indoor habitat is kept toasty and humid, so it’s a good place to warm up. Watch butterflies emerging from cocoons.
- Insect Village: Big robotic insects and live insects.
- Animated dinosaurs.
Argosy Seattle Lakes Tour
This is a bit outside of the main downtown area, but it’s worthwhile. People will never understand Seattle unless they see it from the water. This 2-hour cruise explores Lake Union (Sleepless in Seattle houseboat) and Lake Washington, over by Bill Gates' underground mansion. (Go Seattle Card)
Each of these passes covers other things, but the attractions listed here are near cruise hotels. Seattle CityPass is good for travelers with a bit of time, and a one or two day Go Seattle Card might be suitable for most cruisers.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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