SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO IN SEATTLE
Staying In Seattle
No visit to Washington state is complete without two things: A whale-watching tour with San Juan Safaris and a visit to Seattle. The city of Seattle and its surroundings are filled with arts, culture, history, shopping, outdoor recreational opportunities and more. The following list highlights some of the best of Seattle for all ages and interests.
Argosy Cruises For 60 years, Argosy Cruises has been celebrating the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest, departing from the historic downtown Seattle waterfront, South Lake Union and Kirkland City Dock. Argosy operates nine vessels: private and public cruises such as the Lakes, Locks and Harbor cruises and hosts countless private events and community activities, including the Christmas Ship™ Festival, Jazz Brunch Cruise Series, Murder Mystery Series and other themed and holiday events.
Seattle Aquarium See magical moon jellies, playful otters, incredible octopus, flashy fish and other amazing sea creatures in award-winning exhibits. Explore the aquatic world of the Pacific Northwest – walk through the underwater dome surrounded by 400,000 gallons of water and sea life.
The Burke Museum Dinosaurs, fossils, indigenous masks, Asian cultural costumes, bugs and birds! Get the inside story on Washington state natural history and Northwest Native American culture. Check out state-of-the-art exhibits on subjects ranging from fossils to wildlife photography.
Chihuly Glass and Gardens Chihuly Garden and Glass provides a look at the inspiration and influences that inform the career of artist Dale Chihuly. The Exhibition Hall contains eight galleries and three Drawing Walls, offering visitors a comprehensive look at Chihuly's significant series of work; the Glasshouse presents a suspended 1,400-piece, 100-foot-long sculpture; and the Garden is a backdrop for four monumental sculptures and other installations. Located next to the Seattle Needle in the Seattle Center.
The Children's Museum Bringing to life the joy of discovery for children and their families through fun, creative, hands-on explorations of the world around them. Located in the heart of the city on the 11-acre campus of the Seattle Center.
Ride the Ducks of Seattle You haven't seen Seattle until you've seen it from a Duck! Travelers and local Seattleites of all ages love to Ride the Ducks! Hilarious Coast Guard-certified maritime captains will take you on a musical tour of the Emerald City. Amphibious World War II vehicles will show you Seattle from both land and water featuring downtown Seattle, Pike Place Market, historic Pioneer Square, then, SPLASH into the lake for a party on wheels that floats!
Emerald Downs: The premier thoroughbred racing venue in the Pacific Northwest. A 167-acre facility located midway between Seattle and Tacoma in the Auburn Valley. Emerald Downs features a state-of-the-art, six-level stadium with a commanding view of the entire one-mile racing oval.
Experience Music Project EMP is a one-of-a-kind music museum combining interactive and interpretive exhibits to tell the story of the creative, innovative and rebellious expression that defines American popular music. Featuring a world-class collection of artifacts, unique architecture by Frank O. Gehry, state-of-the-art technology, and exciting interactive presentations, EMP will encourage visitors of all ages and backgrounds to experience the power and joy of music in its many forms.
Museum of Flight In the steel and glass Great Gallery, the history of aviation soars past, with dozens of full-size aircraft flying in formation six stories above. Sit in the cockpit of a real SR-71 Blackbird or F/A-18 Hornet. Board America's first presidential jet – Air Force One. From hands-on kid's workshops, to fly-ins, to interaction with the people who made aviation history, The Museum of Flight has something to offer every member of your family or group.
The Museum of History & Industry MOHAI features award-winning exhibits and programs that bring over 150 years of Pacific Northwest history to life. Set in a park on the shores of Lake Washington in Seattle's Montlake neighborhood, MOHAI is minutes from downtown and Eastside suburbs on State Route 520. Ample free parking on site, plus access to the Washington Park Arboretum.
Pacific Northwest Ballet September to June: Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the largest and most highly regarded ballet companies in the United States, was founded in 1972. The Company of 51 dancers presents more than 100 performances each year of full-length and mixed repertory ballets at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall and on tour. The Company has toured to Europe, Australia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Canada and throughout the United States.
Pike Place Market The Pike Place Market is the oldest continually operating farmers market in the United States, it is a place where farmers, craftspeople and artists display their goods. It is a free-form funhouse of sights, smells, sounds and characters. You'll see street performers, craftsmen, local artists, florists and farmers. Salmon fly through the air, and vegetable and flower displays are turned into works of art.
T-Mobile Park: Home of Mariners Baseball. Tour one of the premier ballparks in America. Tours include areas of the ballpark that are not normally open to the public: press box, luxury suites, field, visitors clubhouse and much more.
Seattle Art Museum See art from every corner of the world at the Seattle Art Museum, the region's premier art museum. With an impressive collection of more than 21,000 objects, from Old Master paintings to African masks to contemporary Northwest Art, SAM offers exciting artistic experiences for visitors of all ages.
SeattleAttractions.com Whether you are planning a Washington state vacation or a Seattle day trip, this city guide will help you find attractions to delight and entertain the entire family. From historic tours to outdoor recreation, sports, arts and culture, sensational places to stay and captivating streets to walk, this site offers something for everyone. San Juan Safaris is a member of the Seattle Attractions Council.
Seattle Brewery Tours To fully experience what each brewery has to offer, let us guide you on a tour of Seattle breweries. Road Dog's Seattle Brewery Tour will guide you to the best breweries in Seattle. The tour will get you inside access to the great breweries in the Pacific Northwest. Washington state boasts more than 80 breweries, many of them are located within a few miles of downtown Seattle.
Seattle Center The Seattle Center grounds are home to several large seasonal events like the Folk Life Festival, Bumbershoot and The Bite of Seattle. Also on the grounds, are the Pacific Science Center, Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Boeing IMAX Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Children's Museum, Seattle Children's Theatre and more!
Seattle Premium Outlets Find impressive savings at Adidas, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azria, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Coach, DKNY, Guess, J.Crew, Joe's Jeans, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Restoration Hardware, Tommy Hilfiger and more. North of Seattle.
Shutter Tours™ Shutter Tours has created a unique and fun Seattle sightseeing tour. Educating you about Seattle along with photography "mini lessons" to help you become a better travel photographer. Skilled guides teach lessons in composition designed to help you "see" better and take better photos, without all the technical jargon. A Seattle city tour that also includes some out-of-the-way surprises that you might ordinarily miss on your visit to the Emerald City.
The Space Needle Your adventure begins with a 41-second journey skyward in one of three glass elevators. At the 520-foot Observation Deck, you will discover indoor and outdoor viewing and scenery that is absolutely breathtaking. Hungry from all the sightseeing? Visit SkyCafe, situated on the Observation Deck.
Underground Tour - Pioneer Square Seattle. History with humor. Walk below Pioneer Square sidewalks, past abandoned 1890's storefronts, with exceptional tour guides telling tales of Seattle's frontier past. Learn how our Founding Fathers' squabbling led to Seattle's complicated street system, and how the solutions to our plumbing problems affected the town's elevation.
VisitSeattle.org Your one stop for things to do, food and drink, and lodging in Seattle. Current event listings keep you in the know for what’s hot and happening in Seattle right now.
Woodland Park Zoo Woodland Park Zoo is hailed as one of the finest zoos in the world for its award-winning naturalistic exhibits. More than 300 animal species from around the world and 1,000 plant species are displayed in the 92-acre botanical garden.
A Moore Hotel - Seattle's premiere hostel!
Alderbrook Resort and Spa - Outside of Seattle but, WONDERFUL
Bed & Breakfast Association of Seattle Seattle
Best Western Edmonds Harbor Inn Edmonds
Best Western Evergreen Inn & Suites Federal Way
Best Western Executive Inn Seattle
Best Western Loyal Inn Seattle
Best Western Navigator Inn & Suites - North of Seattle, on your way to Anacortes, where you catch the ferry to San Juan Island Everett
Best Western Pioneer Square Hotel Seattle
Best Western River's Edge Seattle
Cave B Inn & Spa - At SageCliffe Outside of Seattle, but WONDERFUL
City Hostel Seattle - Cheap Sleep
The Gateway Hotel - SeaTac, WA
Courtyard by Marriott - Downtown Seattle Lake Union Across from Kenmore Air where the Whale Plane Package departs I did not have good experiences here.
Courtyard by Marriott Seattle Kirkland
Courtyard Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square
Doubletree Guest Suites Seattle
Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle - Prepare yourself to be wowed.
Green Tortoise by the Market Hostel
Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center
Holiday Inn Seattle Sea-Tac Int'l Airport
Hotel Andra - Comtemporary, beautiful rooms, some with suites. Convenient to Jazz Alley and Pacific Norwest Ballet. Lola, the Greek inspired restaurant is on the street level. Wonderful food both dinner and breakfast. Reviewed by Colleen Johansen June 2010
Hotel Deca - Contemporary, great furnishings and appointments. In the University District. Starbucks on the lobby level. Great, warm front desk staff. Very helpful.