Seattle, Washington

Situated on Puget Sound, an inlet of the Pacific ocean, and surrounded by mountains and rainforests, Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. Once a major logging town, then a gateway to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush, Seattle today is the home of major corporations like Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks and Boeing. With iconic landmarks like the Space Needle, artistic treasures like the Chihuly Gardens glass works, a hip cultural scene, the famous Pike Place farmers market, fresh seafood restaurants, and a wealth of outdoor activities, it’s hard not to fall in love with Seattle.

Destinations

Key sights to see

Waterfront

Overlooking Puget Sound, Seattle's Waterfront is teeming with breathtaking viewpoints, shops, galleries and restaurants, particularly seafood restaurants like Ivar's, a local legend, Elliott's Oyster House, and AQUA by El Gaucho. The most famous sights here are the Great Wheel at Pier 57, and Pike Place Market. Several ferries arrive and depart from the Waterfront area.

Pike Place Market

The Pike Place Market is the oldest continuously operated farmer's market in the United States (since 1907). It has a variety of shops, from fresh seafood and produce stands, to comic book and collectible shops. One of the most famous sights is the Fish Market, where fishmongers throw fish purchased by customers before wrapping it.

Space Needle

The icon of Seattle, and the Pacific Northwest, the Space Needle, is a tower constructed for the 1962 World's Fair. The observation deck, open-air outdoor deck, and lounge, which has a revolving glass floor, offer stunning views of Seattle and its various islands, Puget Sound, Lake Union, Mount Rainier, and the Cascade Mountains.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Chihuly Garden and Glass is a museum near the Space Needle showcasing the works of Dale Chihuly, a famous American sculptor known for his outstanding artistic works in the field of blown glass. The museum provides a look into Chihuly's inspiration and influences and showcases some of his most significant and spectacular glass creations.

Seattle Central Library

Designed by Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus, the Seattle Central Library, which opened in 2004, is considered a masterpiece of modern architecture. From Fifth Avenue, the glass exteriors of the library's multi-angled walls shine like diamonds. Inside, visitors can check out the Seattle Collection which showcases Seattle's colorful history.

Lake Union Park

Lake Union Park is home to a freshwater lake and the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI). Visitors can go kayaking, take a cruise or rent a boat, explore Gas Works Park, walk the six-mile Lake Union Loop, browse the houseboats, made famous by the movie Sleepless in Seattle, and take various seaplane tours.

Lake Washington

A large freshwater lake, Lake Washington borders the cities of Seattle on the west, Bellevue and Kirkland on the east, Renton on the south, and Kenmore on the north, and encloses Mercer Island. One of the famous sights in Seattle is the Interstate 90 floating bridge which connects northern Seattle with Mercer island.

Activities

Exciting and memorable things to do

Seattle City Tour

Spend the day visiting the key sights in Seattle including the Waterfront, Seattle Great Wheel, Pike Place Market, Seattle Central Library, Lake Washington Floating Bridge, Lake Union Park, Chihuly Garden and Glass museum, and finally the iconic Space Needle, in time for a spectacular view of the sunset and the lights coming up over Seattle.

Museum of Pop Culture

The Museum of Pop Culture is a non-profit dedicated to contemporary pop culture. Explore the museums many interactive exhibits and learn about famous musicians like Jimi Hendrix, the Seattle based band Nirvana, the art of fantasy, horror cinema, and video games, and science fiction literature and costumes from screen and stage.

Seattle Harbor Cruise

Enjoy the sights and sounds of Seattle from Elliot Bay and Seattle Harbor on this cruise. Learn about Seattle’s historic waterfront and one of the world’s largest shipping terminals. Take in majestic views of the city’s skyline with the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges and Mt. Rainier as a backdrop.

Seaplane tour of Seattle

Tour the Emerald City of Seattle from the air in a 20 minute, narrated, seaplane tour. See Lake Union’s famous houseboat communities, the beautiful University of Washington campus, magnificent lakeside and seaside estates, Seattle’s professional sports stadiums, and the dramatic downtown skyline and waterfront on bustling Elliott Bay.

Boeing Factory Tour, Everett

Visit the Boeing manufacturing facility and the Future of Flight Aviation Center in Everett, and see first hand how 747, 767, 777, 787, and Dreamliner aircrafts are manufactured on the actual assembly line. Then explore the interactive exhibits and displays in the Aviation Center Gallery and visit the educational Future of Flight Aviation Center museum.

Day trip to Mount Rainier National Park

Enjoy a scenic, narrated journey past lakes, waterfalls and historic towns to Mt Rainier National Park. Watch an introduction slideshow to the park at the visitor center, then take in spectacular views from Christine Falls, Narada Falls, and the aptly named Paradise, at 5,400 feet above sea level, among others.

Tour of San Juan Island

Enjoy a private guided tour of the most scenic viewpoints and points of interest on San Juan Island from Friday Harbor. Optional activities on this tour include a farm visit, oyster shucking, or kayaking. Lunch is included.

Orca Whale Watching, San Juan Islands

Tour the waterways surrounding the San Juan Islands, considered to be the best place in the world to observe Orca (Killer) Whales in the wild. Your naturalist guide will focus not only on showing our guests Orca Whales, but also Dalls Porpoise, Harbor Porpoise, Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Bald Eagles, and more.

Orcas Island Tour, San Juan Islands

Spend a half day enjoying a private driving tour of Orcas island with your naturalist guide. Highlights will include Moran State Park and a hike on Mount Constitution and other optional activities such as a hot springs soak at Doe Bay Resort or a visit to a local oyster farm. Lunch is included.

Tour of Olympic National Park

Spend a full day with your professional naturalist guide reveling in the majestic beauty of Olympic National Park. Explore trails leading to panoramic views at Hurricane Ridge, followed by a lakeside lunch at Lake Crescent Lodge. Then take in the mountain mist during an afternoon hike to Merymere Falls.

Guided Hiking in Olympic National Park

Meet your nature guide and select from a variety of hiking experiences including coastal beach hikes through old growth rainforest near Ruby beach, or the Hoh rainforest, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, or Enchanted Valley, a temperate rain forest with 4,000 foot high glacially-carved valley walls.