A Pre-Cruise Stay in Seattle

This is Alaska cruising season and most of these cruises embark from the city of Seattle or Vancouver.  Both are beautiful, exciting cities worthy of a pre-cruise stay. Today let’s take a closer look at cruising from Seattle, Washington and the places that shouldn’t be missed if you have the time to spend a day or two pre-cruise.

Pike Place Market: One of the oldest continuously operating farmer’s markets in the country, this place has been around a while! Hard to believe it came from such humble beginnings; eight farmers that gathered to sell their crops in August of 1907. Today the market is a great for site seeing, shopping, eating, and people watching with approximately 500 shops, restaurants, and vendor stalls spanning over nine acres. If you want to know a bit about the market’s history there are several companies that offer specialized in tours.

Space Needle: Built for the Seattle World’s Fair of 1962 which focused on what life might be like in the 21st century, the futuristic Space Needle is now an iconic Seattle landmark. The Space Needle stands 605 feet tall and aside from the amazing 360-degree panoramic view of the city, on a clear day visitors can take in a vista that includes Mount Rainier, Elliott Bay, and the Olympic and Cascade Mountain. The revolving Sky City Restaurant is a great place for lunch or dinner.

The Museum of Flight at Boeing Field: The Boeing Company, one the world's leading aircraft manufacturers, makes its home in Seattle and this museum is the place to find out more about the city's unique and fascinating history in aviation. Be sure to check out the Red Barn, Boeing's original airplane factory, which features exhibitions chronicling the history of flight. One of the most popular attractions is an older version of Air Force One, the American presidential airplane.

Olympic Sculpture Park:  A annex of the Seattle Art Museum, visitors can experience a variety of sculpture in an outdoor setting, while enjoying the incredible views and beauty of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. The park is dotted with approximately 20 modern art creations made of materials such as steel, wood, glass, bronze, and granite. Pack a picnic and relax on a bench or in the grass, surrounded by some spectacular pieces of art.

Washington State Ferries:  A trip to Seattle would not be complete if you didn’t have the chance to see it by water. Board the Bainbridge Island ferry at Pier 52 on the downtown Seattle waterfront for a fun, cheap sightseeing boat ride. Hop off at Bainbridge and walk into the little town of Winslow for lunch and some shopping. Back on the ferry, enjoy the spectacular urban skyline view as you approach downtown Seattle.