Best things to do in
Seattle
1. Pike Place Market
Included with Friends Pass
Pike Place Market is one of Seattle’s most iconic and beloved landmarks, welcoming more than ten million visitors each year, making it one of the most visited public markets in the United States. Opened in nineteen hundred and seven, the Market remains a living, working community of farmers, craftspeople, fishmongers, and small businesses, offering an authentic, sensory-rich experience that blends history, culture, food, and personality. Visitors are drawn to its world-famous fish toss, vibrant flower stalls, hidden passageways, and the feeling that every corner tells a story—both historic and contemporary. Its popularity lies in this rare combination of authenticity and energy: Pike Place Market is not a museum, but a thriving ecosystem where locals and travelers intersect daily. To help guests truly experience it beyond the surface, West Coast Tour Partners offers two immersive guided tours designed for different travel styles. The Market Experience is a ninety-minute, in-depth exploration ideal for cruise ship passengers on a tight timeline, delivering the Market’s highlights, stories, and flavors in a perfectly paced format. For those wanting to go deeper, Market to Glass – Cocktails and Stories from the Market is a three-hour, hands-on journey through Pike Place that combines guided storytelling, tastings, a cocktail class, and curated samples—transforming the Market from a must-see attraction into a must-experience adventure.
2. Seattle Underground Tour
Included with Friends Pass
Beneath Seattle’s modern streets lies a hidden underground city—remnants of the original town that was buried after the Great Fire of eighteen eighty nine. When Seattle rebuilt, the streets were raised to prevent flooding, leaving storefronts, sidewalks, and passageways sealed below ground. Today, this forgotten layer of the city offers a fascinating glimpse into early Seattle life, filled with stories of ambition, resilience, and reinvention that helped shape the city above.
Descend below modern Seattle and explore the buried city left behind after the Great Fire. Beneath the Streets reveals hidden storefronts, underground passageways, and fascinating early Seattle history you can’t experience above ground
3. Ride Seattle's
Great Wheel
Included with Friends Pass
The Seattle Great Wheel is one of the city’s most iconic waterfront attractions, rising nearly two hundred feet above Elliott Bay. Located on Pier fifty seven, it offers smooth, climate-controlled rides with sweeping views of the skyline, Puget Sound, and—on clear days—Mount Rainier. Day or night, the Great Wheel delivers a classic Seattle moment and unforgettable photo opportunities right on the waterfront.
Soar above Elliott Bay on Seattle’s iconic Great Wheel. Day or night, this smooth ride delivers incredible waterfront and skyline views—tickets included with Friends Pass.
4. Explore the New Waterfront Park
ScooTours Waterfront Route + Shuttle Access Included with Friends Pass
Seattle’s waterfront is where the city meets the sea, stretching along Elliott Bay with cruise ship terminals, historic piers, and some of the most stunning views in the Pacific Northwest. From watching ships arrive and depart to exploring attractions like the Seattle Aquarium and the Great Wheel, the waterfront blends maritime energy with walkable parks, scenic overlooks, and lively public spaces. Add in waterfront dining, fresh seafood, local bars, and easy access to downtown, and the Seattle Waterfront becomes an essential stop for visitors looking to experience the city’s rhythm, flavor, and beauty all in one place.
Seattle’s transformed waterfront is finally complete—and it’s best explored up close. Cruise the promenade, piers, and scenic overlooks with ScooTours, or relax and hop off using our convenient shuttle service.