A Taste of Seattle Pre/Post Alaska Cruise Ideas (3-Days)
Out to make waves, the Port of Seattle is introducing Seattle as the Gateway to Alaska combined with pre and post cruise options. Tastebud tempting cuisine, award-winning wines and delicious locally home-roasted coffee are all part of the experience! Seattle’s urban energy is contagious. It’s a place where art meets nature, a city in motion, ever-changing and bustling with a mix of breath-taking sights to keep you entertained.
DAY 1
Arrive Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Transfer to downtown Seattle. There are numerous options for private and shared transfers or public transportation from Sea-Tac to downtown. From Limousines to Link Light Rail there is an option for every budget. For more information: https://www.portseattle.org/page/transportation-tofrom-sea-tac-airport
Check-in to:
The Edgewater Hotel Pier 67 Alaska Way Seattle WA 98121
The Edgewater Hotel is laden with a rich musical past and surrounded by breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains, Elliott Bay and the sparkling city. Consistently named one of the best hotels in 1 Seattle, our unique location on Pier 67 means you’re just a short walk to everything you want to do in our evergreen city. Relax in luxurious waterfront or cityside accommodations. Offering award-winning Pacific Northwest cuisine and breathtaking views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains, Six Seven features seasonally inspired and expertly prepared dishes, crafted with the freshest organic and naturally raised ingredients.
A short distance away is Seattle Center, the city’s 74-acre, (28-hectare), urban playground. Highlights include:
Space Needle ***** 400 Broad Street Seattle, WA 98109 www.spaceneedle.com
Built in 1962, the Space Needle served as the symbol for the World's Fair. It stands a towering 605 feet (nearly 185 meters) above ground, with spectacular views in every direction. From the snow-capped Cascade Mountains to the east, to the majestic Olympic Mountains in the west, there is inspiration aplenty from this perch.
Walk next door to see
Chihuly Gardens & Glass ***** 305 Harrison Street Seattle, WA 98109 www.chihulygardenandglass.com
Providing a look at the inspiration and influences that form the career of artist Dale Chihuly, the Exhibition includes eight Galleries, the centerpiece Glasshouse and a lush Garden. Offering a comprehensive collection of Dale Chihuly’s significant series of work, the artworks demonstrate how he pushed the boundaries of glass as an art medium in concept, execution and presentation.
Time-permitting visit:
MoPOP – Museum of Popular Culture ***** 325 5th Ave N Seattle, WA 98109 www.mopop.org
A fusion of textures and myriad colors, MO Pop’s exterior conveys all the energy and fluidity of music. The interior houses permanent exhibits of Seattle’s music history and traveling exhibits designed to offer experiences that inspire and connect communities.
Another great attraction at Seattle Center is
Pacific Science Center ***** 200 Second Ave N Seattle WA 98109 www.pacsci.org
Pacific Science Center ignites curiosity in everyone and fuels the passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. Offering highly-engaging interactive experiences. people of all ages and levels of science sophistication find their time here entertaining, enriching, and memorable. People are inspired to ask questions, develop hypotheses, conduct experiments, and evaluate evidence in all aspects of their lives.
Seattle Center is also home to Collections Café, Seattle Center Armory with a broad selection of eateries and the Seattle Children’s Museum, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Intiman Theater and the new Amazon Climate Pledge Arena, home of the NHL expansion team the Seattle Kraken.
The Seattle Center is located just north of downtown Seattle and is conveniently connected via the
2 Seattle Center Monorail Seattle Center Monorail is the nation’s first full-scale commercial monorail system and a beloved Seattle landmark. The Monorail provides a fun, quick, and convenient link between downtown Seattle and Seattle Center. The .9-mile, (1.4 km) trip is 90 seconds. Stations are conveniently located at: - 5th & Pine Street downtown - Base of the Space Needle
Evening – enjoy dinner at 67 in The Edgewater Hotel.
Overnight: The Edgewater Hotel, Seattle
DAY 2 Unlike many American cities, Seattle is very compact and walkable so put on your walking shows and get ready to explore the cultural and historical roots of Seattle and experience some truly unique tours. First stop –
Pike Place Market 85 Pike Street Seattle, WA 98101 www.pikeplacemarket.org
Pike Place Market, a national historic district, is a vibrant neighborhood housing the city’s beloved public market – home to farmers, artisans and small businesses. Insider Tip: Go early, watch the market come to life, avoid the crowds and take a walking and tasting tour of the market. Experience the sights, sounds and flavors of this historic 100+ year-old landmark. Meet the Market’s lively characters and hear their memorable stories. See fish fly, cheese being made, the “oldest” Starbucks store and off-beat attractions like the Gum Wall and Rachel the Pig. Companies offering Pike Place Market Tours - Savor Seattle Food Tours, www.savorseattletours.com - Show Me Seattle Tours, www.showmeseattle.com
Walk down the Pike Street Hill Climb to: Seattle’s Waterfront, overlooking Elliott Bay the waterfront offers unique attractions, restaurants, seafood bars and shops.
Visit the: Seattle Aquarium ***** 1483 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98101 www.seattleaquarium.org
Prioritizing marine animals native to the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle Aquarium is the region’s premier resource for hands-on experiences and conservation education, offering fun, exciting ways to discover more about amazing Puget Sound and the world’s oceans.
A walk across Waterfront Park leads to Pier 57 and
Miner’s Landing 1301 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98101 www.pier57seattle.com
Home of the:
Seattle Great Wheel www.seattlegreatwheel.com The Seattle Great Wheel is a giant Ferris Wheel perched at the edge of Elliott Bay. With an overall height of 175 feet (53.3 meters), it offers stunning views of downtown Seattle and Puget Sound. 3
and
Wings over Washington www.wingsoverwa.com
Experience an amazing journey as a “spirit eagle” sweeps you upward into flight across the State of Washington. Dive down the seaside cliffs through the morning mists of the Olympic Mountains and Mt. Rainier to the San Juan Islands then enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Cascade Mountains and Eastern Washington.
Continue south along the waterfront to
Argosy Cruises Pier 55 1101 Alaskan Way Seattle WA 98101 www.argosycruises.com
Tour from the water on one of our seven sightseeing cruises. Tours operate year-round, but departure locations and tour times vary by cruise and season. Harbor Cruise, Locks Cruises, Lakes Cruises, History cruises, Tillicum excursions, and the new Blake Island Fast Ferry. Harbor Tour: ***** During this 1-hour narrated cruise, you’ll see all of the beauty and history Seattle has to offer. From the skyline to the shipping port, there’s a view everyone will enjoy. Your experience includes: • Live narration with facts and history of Seattle’s past and present • Panoramic and up-close views of the Seattle skyline and shipping port • Views across the waters of Elliott Bay and Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains
A few blocks from the south end of Seattle’s walkable waterfront, in the Pioneer Square historic district, enjoy
Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour 614 First Avenue Seattle, WA 98104 www.undergroundtour.com
Seattle’s most unusual attraction – a humorous stroll through intriguing subterranean storefronts and sidewalks entombed when the city rebuilt on top of itself after the Great Fire of 1889. The 1.5 hour guided walking tour begins at Doc Maynard’s Public House then spills out into historic Pioneer Square, Seattle’s birthplace, before plunging underground for an exclusive time capsule view of the buried city.
Just 5 minutes away visit:
Smith Tower Observatory 506 2nd Avenue Seattle, WA 98104 www.smithtower.com
Once the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, the Smith Tower is home to the iconic world- famous Smith Tower Observatory with its historic Otis elevators, stunning 360-degree views and open- air viewing deck.
After strolling through nearby Occidental Park visit:
Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park Visitor Center and Museum 319 2nd Avenue S Seattle, WA 98104 www.nps.gov/klse/index.htm
Seattle flourished during and after the Klondike Gold Rush. Merchants supplied people from all over the
4 world passing through this port city on their way to a remarkable adventure to seek gold in Alaska. Today the park is your gateway to learn about the Klondike Gold Rush, explore the area’s public lands and engage with the local community.
On the way back to your hotel visit the:
Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center 700 4th Avenue, Suite 73 Seattle, WA 98104 www.skyviewobservatory.com
At 902 feet (275 meters), it offers the tallest public viewing area in the Pacific Northwest. The 360- degree panoramic view includes Mt. Rainier, Bellevue, the Cascade Mountains, Mt. Baker, Elliott Bay, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and the city of Seattle.
This evening enjoy dinner at:
Etta’s Restaurant 2020 Western Avenue Seattle WA 98121 www.ettasrestaurant.com or www.tomdouglas.com
Etta’s Seafood is the quintessential Seattle dining experience. Tom Douglas, Seattle-based chef and James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur has been cooking up Pacific Northwest cuisine since 1984. With numerous restaurants, a cooking school and a product line that includes rubs, sauces and mustards to enjoy seasonal foods inspired by the freshest Pacific Northwest ingredients. Tom is famous for his Dungeness Crab Cakes!
Overnight – The Edgewater Hotel - Seattle
DAY 3
This morning head north to experience:
Boeing Factory Tour 8415 Paine Field Blvd Mukilteo, WA 98275 www.boeingfutureofflight.com
Discover North America's only publicly available commercial jet assembly plant tour. The Boeing Tour is located in Mukilteo, Wash., 25 miles, (40 m), north of Seattle. Public tours of Boeing's Everett factory are available seven days a week. The Everett, Washington facility is home to the 747, 767 and 777 production lines and is the world's largest building by volume. Visitors will see airplanes being built for our worldwide base of airline customers. Actual tour time: 1.5 hours
• Children must be 4 ft., (122 cm), to go on the tour • No cell phones, cameras, or recording devices of any kind are allowed on the tour • Advance reservations are strongly suggested – this tour often sells out • If you book directly with Boeing you will need a car to get to the plant, there is no public transportation available
The following companies offer transportation from downtown Seattle, and guaranteed admission to the tour: • Show Me Seattle Tours, www.showmeseattle.com • Tours Northwest, www.toursnorthwest.com
Drive 30 minutes, 20 miles, (32 km) to the town of Woodinville, heart of Western Washington Wine Country.
5 Nestled in the beautiful Sammamish River valley, just 30 minutes from downtown Seattle, Woodinville Wine Country is home to over 100 wineries and tasting rooms, representing every appellation in Washington. This picturesque setting is where the fruit of eastern Washington meets the vintners, chefs and flavors of the Pacific Northwest. It’s a delicious crossroads of winemaking/tasting, microbrewing, distilling, fine dining and the people who pour their heart and soul into them. Woodinville Wine Country by the numbers: • 118 wineries and tasting rooms • 14 Microbreweries, distilleries and cideries • 30 Eateries Learn more at www.woodinvillewinecountry.com
Check-in to:
Willows Lodge 14580 NE 145th St Woodinville WA 98072 www.willowslodge.com
A landmark of Northwest hospitality in the heart of Woodinville Wine Country. Deeply comfortable rooms, award-winning restaurant and wine cellar, world-class spa, and the friendly attentive service that makes for a memorable visit. Comfortable not complicated.
Spend the afternoon exploring Woodinville. Withing walking distance of Willows Lodge are: • Chateau Ste. Michelle, www.ste-michelle.com • Columbia Winery, www.columbiawinery.com • Red Hook Brewery, www.redhook.com • Woodinville Whiskey, www.woodinvillewhiskeyco.com
After relaxing in The Fireside Lounge, take a short stroll to enjoy dinner at
The Barking Frog Offering contemporary American cuisine in an intimate upscale atmosphere, The Barking Frog is inspired by our relationships with local farmers, food artisans, and vintners to bring the best of the region to your table.
Overnight: Woodinville, Willows Lodge
DAY 4
Return to down Seattle, 45 minutes to board your cruise to Alaska or to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) for your flight home.
Additional nights are available, and needed, to enjoy and explore more of what Seattle and Western Washington have to offer. Here just a few suggestions:
- Seattle Neighborhoods o Ballard o Capitol Hill o Fremont o SODO & Georgetown o Chinatown International District o Lake Union & Lake Washington o Seattle Flightseeing
- Day Trips from Seattle o Bainbridge Island and the Kitsap Peninsula 6 o Mt. Rainier National Park o Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument o Whale and Wildlife Watching o Seattle Premium Outlets & Tulalip Cultural Center o Victoria Clipper to Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands
***** - indicates a SEATTLE CityPASS attraction
SEATTLE CityPASS – Save 45% Off 5 Top Attractions See the best of Seattle with one easy-to-use mobile ticket and enjoy 30 days of validity. Save $86.83 off the regular retail price SEATTLE CityPASS includes admission to the following: - Space Needle - Seattle Aquarium - Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour - Chihuly Garden & Glass OR Pacific Science Center - MoPOP OR Woodland Park Zoo www.citypass.com/seattle
Tips for creating or booking a Seattle City Stay:
Bonotel can provide your Seattle and Woodinville accommodations. Bonotel Exclusive Travel, 3773 Howard Hughes Parkway, #390N, Las Vegas NV 89168, Tel. +702.796.5454, [email protected], www.bonotel.com
There are numerous options in the region for FIT packages, Fly-Drives and Groups. Get the insider knowledge and expertise that will differentiate your product and provide the ultimate memorable experiences today's travelers are seeking.
For additional customized itinerary planning and development for Seattle, Washington State and the Pacific Northwest, please contact the Port of Seattle Patti Denny, [email protected].
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