Seattle is a fantastic city to visit. From professional sports teams to outdoor activities, the city has something to offer everyone.
But what if you don’t have a ton of time to see everything or you are simply staying near the cruise port without easy access to a car? There’s still tons of stuff to keep you busy within an extremely short walk. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ideas for visitors to see in and around the pier area. Everything on our list is within walking distance and sure to make your time in Seattle memorable.
1. Seattle Aquarium
Located right on the waterfront at Pier 59 (appropriate for an aquarium), the Seattle Aquarium attracts close to a million visitors each year. Most of the exhibits focus on native fish and marine animals in the Pacific Northwest. The stars of the show are the aquarium’s playful otters, who are a hit with kids.
Website: http://www.seattleaquarium.org/
Walking distance from Pier 66: 7 minutes (0.4 miles)
2. Original Starbucks
What is now a global empire with 20,000 locations started as a single coffeehouse. Get your tall, low-fat, chai tea latte with no whip cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon at the place that started the coffee culture. Don’t be surprised that the original doesn’t look the same as other Starbucks locations. It’s kept the original motif on the outside due to its historic significance.
Walking distance from Pier 66: 9 minutes (0.4 miles)
3. Olympic Sculpture Park
If you’re looking for something free to see, then this might be just the ticket. The Olympic Sculpture Park is Seattle’s largest downtown green space, at more than nine acres. Today the park is home to nearly 20 pieces of sculpture. Most of the works are in abstract form, situated along a Z-shaped path that zig-zags down to the waterfront.
Website: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/olympic-sculpture-park
Walking distance from Pier 66: 13 minutes (0.6 miles)
4. Seattle Great Wheel
One of the newest additions to the city is the Great Wheel, a 175′ ferris wheel that opened in 2012. Take in the city sites from the wheel, jutting out into the bay on a pier, providing views of the city rivaled only by the Space Needle. It costs $13 per adult (kids are $8.50) for three revolutions on the wheel, which takes about 15 minutes.
Website: http://seattlegreatwheel.com/
Walking distance from Pier 66: 10 minutes (0.5 miles)
5. EMP Museum
EMP is Seattle’s most significant cultural institution for music and the arts. Housed in a Frank O. Gehry designed building, the museum covers everything from Seattle musicians like Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix to cinema to science fiction and much more. Exhibits change frequently, and there is something for everyone. Tickets cost $22 per person.
Website: http://www.empmuseum.org/
Walking distance from Pier 66: 21 minutes (0.9 miles)
6. Pike Place Market
Sure it’s the most touristy place in the city, but what’s a trip to the Emerald City without a stop at Pike Place Market? As a 9-acre market, you’ll find anything you’d want when it comes to food. Fresh local produce, specialty foods, and local bakeries all come together to give visitors a real taste of Seattle. Of course, don’t miss the fishmongers throwing the daily catch at the Pike Place Fish Market — the highlight you’ve see on nearly any travel show about the city.
Website: http://pikeplacemarket.org/
Walking distance from Pier 66: 9 minutes (0.4 miles)
7. Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
Well before the Space Needle was an attraction in Seattle, there was Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. Located on the waterfront right by the cruise port, the shop has been in operation since 1899. The place is part store and part museum. You’ll find the perfect souvenirs for everyone back home like badger skulls and bigfoot actions figures, but you’ll also find the strange and mysterious, including shrunken heads and Sylvester, the mummy from the 1800’s that’s on display.
Website: http://yeoldecuriosityshop.com/
Walking distance from Pier 66: 12 minutes (0.6 miles)
8. Space Needle
A trip to Seattle isn’t complete without the classic picture in front of the Space Needle. Built in 1962 for the World’s Fair, the 605′ tower was once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River. Today it’s the most iconic landmark for Seattle. An elevator gives a ride to the top, where the Space Needle offers breathtaking views of downtown and the bay.
Website: http://www.spaceneedle.com/home/
Walking distance from Pier 66: 21 minutes (0.9 miles)
9. The Gum Wall
File it under something that’s a unique symbol of Seattle’s original counter culture… and a little gross. The Gum Wall is exactly what it sounds like — a wall that’s been covered with chewed bubble gum. The wall goes for 50 feet, and has been named one of the top 5 germiest tourist attractions in the world. City officials cleaned the wall in late 2015, but new gum was added almost immediately. Whether or not used chewing gum is your thing, you’d be hard pressed to say this landmark isn’t unique.
Walking distance from Pier 66: 11 minutes (0.5 miles)
Have something else you’d recommend? Let us know in the comments below.
More on Cruising From Seattle
Getting to the Port of Seattle — Transportation options from airports and the Seattle area to the cruise port. Everything you need to know to get to the port and start your vacation.
Seattle Cruise Parking — Parking at the port? We’ve got you covered with all your parking options, including costs and discounts.
Dropping Off at the Port — Dropping off passengers? Not sure where to go once you get to the port? We have turn-by-turn directions to find your cruise terminal.
Seattle Cruise Hotels — Getting in late? Leaving early? Simply need a place to rest your head? We’ve rounded up the options for places to stay near the port.
