If you’re flying into Seattle before boarding your cruise, you’ve lucked into one of the better layover cities in the country. You’ll be glad to know that some of Seattle’s most interesting sights and experiences are just a short drive away from the cruise terminal.
If you’re looking for ways to kill some time and ease into vacation mode, these are the spots you should add to your list first.
1. Wander Around Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is an easy win if you want a quick taste of Seattle without dealing with too many tourist crowds.
If you go early enough, you can catch the local fishmongers in action. From there, you can explore some of the many underground shops, secondhand bookstores and food stalls, so come hungry. Beecher’s Handmade Cheese, Pike Place Chowder and Piroshky Piroshky are all a must!
2. Take In the Views from Kerry Park
If you want a simple but unforgettable moment in Seattle before boarding, Kerry Park has one of the best skyline views in the city.
On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the entire downtown skyline with Mount Rainier in the distance. It’s one of those calm, scenic pauses that will put you in the right frame of mind before you depart.
3. Enjoy Some Pop Culture at MoPOP
For something a little more playful, MoPOP is well worth a visit.
The colorful, curvy building, which was created by Frank Gehry, is a sight all on its own, and inside, you’ll find exhibits on everything from music legends, sci-fi worlds and fantasy lore to gaming culture and iconic movies.
4. Walk Through Chihuly Garden and Glass
For first-timers in Seattle, Chihuly Garden and Glass gives you a glimpse into the city’s creative side.
Dale Chihuly’s blown glass sculptures range from delicate creations all the way through to massive installations, but all of them are unbelievably detailed. As an added bonus, it’s right next to the famous Space Needle, so you can have two experiences in one.
5. Ride the Seattle Center Monorail
If you’re up for something quirky and quick, the Seattle Center Monorail can be a fun little detour between activities.
It was originally built for the World’s Fair in 1962, but it still travels between downtown and Seattle Center in about 2 minutes. The retro look and feel of the monorail is what makes it a hit with both kids and adults, plus you get to see more of Seattle without it eating away too much of your time.
6. Have a Quick Coffee Tasting
Seattle is known for its coffee, and there are several indie roasters and small tasting bars near the port that you can visit. Cedar & Spokes, Victrola Coffee Roasters and Storyville Coffee are just a few of them.
This is a fun way to try some new flavors, learn a bit more about the coffee-making process and enjoy a specialty pour you wouldn’t generally order.
7. Stroll Through the Olympic Sculpture Park
The Olympic Sculpture Park is a free, open-air space that’s set along the waterfront, so you won’t need to travel very far.
Here you will find large-scale contemporary sculptures, which are ideal for photos, and the views of Elliott Bay make this walk that much better. It’s a great way to stretch your legs before the next stage of your journey.
Fun Before You Sail
Seattle may be your departure point, but it’s also a city full of small surprises that make it that much easier to kill a bit of time. If you have a good several hours, try and squeeze in as many of these experiences as you can. Even if you only have an hour or two, the city has enough within easy reach that you can still get a feel for what makes it worth visiting.
