sightseeing tours from seattle

Sightseeing Tours

Want to get your bearings before exploring the city or hoping to get an insider’s perspective during your trip whether you’re a history buff looking to learn how settlers got all the way to this corner of the country, an adventure enthusiast itching for an outdoor activity, or a photographer wanting to capture aerial images of the iconic skyline, there’s a seattle sightseeing tour for you..

sightseeing tours from seattle

Underground Tour Courtesy of Underground Tour

While the Great Seattle Fire in 1889 wasn’t a happy occasion, it did give Seattle the opportunity to rebuild—which was a fortunate thing, given that the original downtown was prone to flooding due to its proximity to Elliott Bay. As the city rebuilt everything above previous street levels, an entire underground world was born. Today, you can explore its passageways in Pioneer Square on Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour or Beneath the Streets . Both tours offer a healthy dose of history and a walk below ground.

sightseeing tours from seattle

Courtesy Argosy Cruises

Water World

Water is a huge part of Seattle’s story, and what better way to explore its marine history than by going to the source itself? Argosy Cruises has five tour options, including its signature Harbor Cruise. This one-hour trip follows the shoreline of Elliott Bay, getting a closer look at the container ships, cruise ships, and harbor seals that ply the Puget Sound waters. Sailing Seattle puts you on a high-performance racing yacht for a relaxing, wind-in-your-hair journey. Waterways Cruises and Events focuses on dining cruises aboard its 105-foot-long yacht, like the Sunday Supper Cruise that takes a spin around Lake Union and Lake Washington while guests enjoy a buffet stocked with sockeye salmon and apple crisp.

Urban Landscapes

A red bus moves along the street under the ornate Chinatown Gate in Seattle.

City Sightseeing Tours

Once you shed your sea legs, there’s plenty to see back on land. Because Seattle is a forward-thinking city, it’s only appropriate to explore on Segways, two-wheeled transportation devices that make it easy for you to zip from the waterfront to Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market to Seattle Center, under the guidance of Seattle Segway Tours . Or go at your own pace with City Sightseeing Seattle , a hop-on/hop-off open-top bus that circles around to 16 of the city’s top sites and attractions. If you want to get a little farther out of town, Tours Northwest can whisk you away in a mini-coach to Mount Rainier, in addition to three-hour tours around the city. With longtime tour operator Show Me Seattle , see the city in a small group, or taste your way through Pike Place Market. Cruise passengers, take note: There are special offerings for you from all the shuttle bus companies.

sightseeing tours from seattle

Kenmore Air Courtesy of Kenmore Air

Take Flight

Make like a bird and embark on a scenic “flightseeing” tour for a whole different perspective of Seattle. For a floatplane experience you can’t get just anywhere, Kenmore Air and Seattle Seaplanes both offer 20-minute tours spent soaring past the sports stadiums, famed houseboat communities, and the distinct towers of downtown before landing gently back on Lake Union. Swap the water rudders for a giant propeller and take in the scenery via helicopter with Seattle HeliTours , which offers three routes leaving from Auburn Municipal Airport, and Georgetown-based Atomic Helicopters , with four itineraries covering the city, Snoqualmie Falls, Lake Washington, and marinas of Puget Sound. For an intimate, luxurious experience, book a semi-private or private hot air balloon ride with Seattle Ballooning to get a birds-eye view of downtown Seattle and Mt. Rainier, topped off with a champagne toast at the end of the flight.

Human Powered

It’s great to explore by boat, shuttle, and plane, but sometimes you just want to keep it simple. Get around on your own two feet with the Seattle Free Walking Tours , which cover four topics: Pike Place Market, historic Seattle, and the city’s highlights. As the name implies, there are no high ticket prices here—pay what you feel it’s worth. Those with a particular interest in design will want to check out the walking tours from Seattle Architecture Foundation . With these, you can take a deeper dive into specific subjects like art deco and design details. Combine your history tour with a sweat session from Seattle Bicycle Tours , which has plenty of options for both guided tours on electric or standard bicycles. Keep the human-powered transportation theme going by getting out on the water with Alki Kayak Tours , offering paddles during the day, at sunset, and during every full moon. The particularly adventurous can take an overnight camping trip to Blake Island, where you can explore the forest trails and beaches after paddling across the Puget Sound for a perfect Northwest day.

Tour Partners

Seattle’s Tall Ship

Seattle’s Tall Ship

  • Address Pier 66, Bell Harbor Marina, 2203 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121
  • Phone (360) 209-2109

San Juan Excursions, Inc.

San Juan Excursions, Inc.

  • Address 40 Spring St, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
  • Phone (360) 378-6636

Kenmore Air

Kenmore Air

  • Address 950 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
  • Phone (425) 486-1257

Underground Tour, Bill Speidel’s

Underground Tour, Bill Speidel’s

  • Address 614 First Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
  • Phone (206) 682-4646

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The 7 Best Seattle Tours

Explore the Emerald City's natural beauty and urban offerings with these guided excursions.

Best Seattle Tours

Courtesy of Argosy Cruises

See Seattle's top sights from the water with a tour from Argosy Cruises.

Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

Idyllically situated in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a mecca for foodies, tech experts and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're here to see its city-based attractions like the Olympic Sculpture Park or its natural wonders like Mount Si , the best way to experience it all is with a guided tour. Browse through these 7 top Seattle tours, identified by U.S. News using both expert opinions and traveler sentiment, to help you plan your ideal getaway.

Argosy Cruises – Harbor Cruise

Sail through Seattle's Elliott Bay with Argosy Cruises. The one-hour narrated boat tour takes passengers through Puget Sound, by the shipping port and offers city skyline views. The vessel sports a full-service bar with snacks and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Tour-goers report seeing lots of wildlife and fantastic views. They also enjoy their friendly and informative guides. Seating is first-come, first-served, and boarding begins 20 minutes ahead of departure time. Tickets start at $33 for adults and $20 for kids ages 4 to 12; children 3 and younger ride for free. Tours run multiple times daily during peak summer months; there is an abbreviated schedule in the winter. The company also conducts wine cruises, as well as cruises of Lake Washington, among other sailings.

[ View & Book Tickets .]

Tours Northwest – Mt Rainier Tour

A trip to Mount Rainier is a must when visiting Seattle, but if you don't want to navigate to the peak yourself, consider this daytrip with Tours Northwest. You'll ride in an air-conditioned coach bus through incredible scenery en route to the mountain. At the park, you'll have the opportunity to hike as much or as little as you want to see waterfalls, meadows and old-growth forests. Tourgoers rave about their guides' knowledge of the park and its trails. They also relish the beautiful scenery and the frequent stops for photo-ops and exploration. Tours operate May through October. Each tour begins at 7:30 a.m. and lasts about 10 hours. Tickets for adults cost approximately $140 and tickets for children 7 to 12 cost approximately $120. Park fees are included, but you will need to pay for lunch. Tours Northwest also provides tours of Seattle and the Boeing facility.

Customized Tours – Olympic National Park Tour

Olympic National Park encompasses nearly 1 million acres and features a variety of ecosystems, including temperate rainforests, mountains and coastline. Customized Tours' daylong outing of the park aims to see each of these ecosystems. The tour begins with pickup from select Seattle hotels before hopping on a ferry ride across the Puget Sound to explore the park. Travelers agree that the park is incredible and the long day (about 12 hours) is worth it. They also advise wearing comfortable shoes; you'll be chauffeured in a bus to different locations, but you will still do a lot of walking. Tickets start at $170 for adults and $145 for children 11 and younger. Pickups start around 7:30 a.m. Tours run Monday, Wednesday and Friday from April through October. The company operates several other Seattle outings, including city tours and trips to Mount Rainier.

[View & Book Tickets: Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 .]

Beneath the Streets

Learn about the formation of Seattle and its original neighborhood, Pioneer Square, on this one-hour Beneath the Streets tour. Expert guides will lead you through underground passageways dating back to the 1890s, sharing historic information, along with stories of the Klondike Gold Rush, the city's architecture and the Coast Salish tribes who originally inhabited the area. Tourgoers describe the experience as full of interesting information and praise their well-educated guides. Tours, limited to 16 people, leave every 30 minutes between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Though tours run daily, there is limited availability on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets cost approximately $25 for adults, $22 for college students and teens, and $15 for children ages 7 to 12. The company also operates an adults-only red-light district tour.

Eat Seattle – Food Tour of Pike Place

Taste your way through Seattle's famous Pike Place Market with a chef leading the way. Guides will share insider tips about where area chefs shop and explain the history of the market. Along the way, you could sample chowder, chocolate, pasta and more. Tour-takers say the guides are wonderful and the food is delicious. Many commented the samples are enough for lunch. The two-hour tours depart several times daily, typically between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets cost about $50 per person. Abbreviated, hourlong tours of the market are also available on select days.

Puget Sound Express – Seattle Whale Watching Tours

A variety of wildlife species call Seattle home, including several different types of whales. The Puget Sound Express offers a half-day whale-watching tour that gives visitors the opportunity to see orcas, humpback whales, otters, sea lions and more in the San Juan Islands. The company's speedy boats reach the islands in about an hour and feature indoor seating with large windows, outdoor viewing decks and a cafe serving fresh blueberry buckle. Plus, the Puget Sound Express guarantees you will see whales on your tour or your next trip is free. Tourgoers rave about the courteous crew and all the wildlife spotted thanks to the crew's attentiveness and knowledge of the area. Tours last four to five hours and leave daily from April through October. Exact departure times vary by season. Ticket prices start at $135 for adults and $95 for children 2 to 10, while children younger than 2 ride for free. The company also offers bird-watching and multi-day wildlife cruises.

Shutter Tours – Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle City Tour

Travelers enjoy this comprehensive tour because it offers a balance of gorgeous natural scenery and a great overview of the city's top sights. During the four-hour excursion, tourgoers start with a lesson in Seattle history, exploring the Pioneer Square area – the hub of the Klondike Gold Rush. Travelers are then transported to the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls in the Cascade foothills. Next, the tour continues to the famous Fremont Troll and then the Ballard Locks. Finally, it concludes at Kerry Park , a popular spot to snap photos of the Seattle skyline. Reviewers recommend booking this tour your first day in Seattle to get your bearings. Tickets cost approximately $70 for adults, $65 for seniors, and $55 for children 12 and younger. Tours run daily at 10 a.m. Shutter Tours also operates a tour to Mount Rainier and a Tulip Festival tour every April.

You may also be interested in:

  • The Best Seattle Boat Tours
  • The Best Whale Watching in Seattle
  • The Best Things to Do in Seattle
  • The Best Hotels in Seattle
  • The Best Day Trips from Seattle

Tags: Tours , Vacations , Seattle , Travel , Pacific Northwest Vacations , Washington State Vacations , US Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

  • # 1 South Island, New Zealand
  • # 4 Bora Bora

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THE 10 BEST Seattle City Tours

City tours in seattle.

  • Sightseeing Tours
  • Walking Tours
  • Cultural Tours
  • Up to 1 hour
  • 1 to 4 hours
  • 4 hours to 1 day
  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • Likely to Sell Out
  • Special Offers

sightseeing tours from seattle

  • The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

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1. 3 Hour Seattle City Tour

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2. Seattle Grand 4-Hour City Tour

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3. Seattle Sightseeing City Tour with Hotel Pick-up

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4. Canada Vancouver Day Trip from Seattle USA

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5. Small Group Seattle Full Day Tour W/ All Major Attractions

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6. Private 2.5-Hour Seattle City Tour

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7. Pre-Cruise Tour: Transportation & Seattle City Tour

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8. 3 Hours San Juan Island Seaplane Tour from Seattle

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9. Gourmet Comfort Food Restaurant Tour

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10. The Seattle Coffee Tour

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11. Seattle Full-day City Tour

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12. The Best of Seattle and Majestic Snoqualmie Waterfalls

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13. CitySightseeing Seattle Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras

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14. Half Day Private Woodinville Wine Tour from Seattle

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15. Vancouver to Seattle Seaplane Flight

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16. Bite-Sized Seattle History & Food Tour

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17. Emerald City Bicycle Tour

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18. Seattle City Tour 3-Hours (Private Tour)

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19. Yellowstone National Park 6-Day Tour from Vancouver (Chn&Eng)

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20. Scenic Seattle Panoramic Tour

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21. Seattle Private City Highlights Tour

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22. The Bavarian Village of Leavenworth: Day Trip from Seattle

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23. Private Tour of Seattle: Highlights of the Pacific Northwest

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24. Discover the magic of Seattle (all inclusive 3 hour tour)

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25. 2-day Seattle Tour from Vancouver(Chinese&English)

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26. Seattle Shore Excursion: Private City Tour

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27. Day Private Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tour from Seattle

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28. Seattle Amtrak Coast Starlight SF 8 Day Tour from Vancouver

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29. Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park 2-Day Tour from Seattle

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30. Space Needle Park Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

What travelers are saying.

WML-GLT

  • Kristina H 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Worthwhile Experience We had a great time on this tour. Sam was awesome, super friendly and accommodating. He taught us all about the art of coffee and the city of Seattle. It was a great mix of coffee and pastries, I highly recommend. Read more Review of: The Seattle Coffee Tour Written April 28, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

ZHENZHEN W

  • Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour
  • Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour
  • Seattle Grand 4-Hour City Tour
  • 3 Hour Seattle City Tour
  • Seattle Locks Cruise - One-Way Tour
  • Shutter Tours - Day Tours
  • Seattle Wine Tours
  • Seattle Free Walking Tours
  • Totally Seattle Tours
  • Atomic Helicopters
  • Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront
  • Hola Seattle
  • Tours Northwest
  • Customized Tours
  • Seattle's Best Tours
  • Stalking Seattle, A Music History Sightseeing Tour

Top Tours in Seattle, WA

Seattle tours.

  • Sightseeing Tours
  • Walking Tours
  • Cultural Tours
  • Up to 1 hour
  • 1 to 4 hours
  • 4 hours to 1 day
  • 5.0 of 5 bubbles
  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • Likely to Sell Out
  • Special Offers
  • The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

sightseeing tours from seattle

1. Seattle Harbor Cruise

sightseeing tours from seattle

2. Viator Exclusive Day-Tour From Seattle to Mt. Rainier

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3. Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours

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4. Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour

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5. Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour

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6. Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combination Ticket

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7. Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour

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8. Forest Hike to Gorgeous Twin and Snoqualmie Falls

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9. Exclusive Leavenworth tour from Seattle

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10. 3 Hour Seattle City Tour

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11. Same Day Round Trip from Seattle to Victoria

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12. Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Day Tour

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13. Evening Colors Sunset Sail Tour in Seattle

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14. Pike Place Market Tasting Tour

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15. Seattle Grand 4-Hour City Tour

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16. Touring and Hiking in Mt. Rainier National Park

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17. Seattle Space Needle Observation Deck Admission Ticket

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18. Early-Bird Tasting Tour of Pike Place Market

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19. Whale Watching & Wildlife Tour, Seattle Pier 69

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20. Olympic National Park Day Tour from Seattle

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21. Seattle Locks Cruise

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22. Half Day Private Woodinville Wine Tour from Seattle

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23. Small Group Mount Rainier National Park Day Tour from Seattle

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24. Seattle Sightseeing City Tour with Hotel Pick-up

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25. Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle Winery Tour

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26. One Hour Sightseeing Cruise!

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27. Mt. Rainier Day Tour from Seattle

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28. Boeing Factory Tour with Guided Transport from Seattle

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29. Viator Exclusive Tour- Olympic National Park Tour from Seattle

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30. Canada Vancouver Day Trip from Seattle USA

What travellers are saying.

Zitatravel

  • Laura L 1 contribution 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Friends, food and fun! We had a great time. Lots of history and behind the scenes! The samples were awesome! Our guide had a great personality and knowledge of Pike Place Market. Would do this tour again! Read more Review of: Pike Place Market Tasting Tour Written 28 April 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

KeyWestTravelinGirl

  • Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour
  • Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours
  • Viator Exclusive Tour - Mt. Rainier Day Trip from Seattle
  • Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour
  • Forest Hike to Gorgeous Twin and Snoqualmie Falls
  • Shutter Tours - Day Tours
  • Evergreen Escapes
  • Savor Seattle
  • Show Me Seattle Food Tours
  • Eat Seattle
  • The Boys of 1936 Tour
  • Seattle Free Walking Tours
  • Totally Seattle Tours
  • Seattle Wine Tours
  • Sailing Seattle
  • Hot Tub Boats
  • Emerald City Pirates
  • Upbeat Sailing
  • Seattle Mountain Bike Tours
  • Atomic Helicopters
  • Segway Tours of Seattle
  • Spot Tail Guides

Let's Roam Explorer

The Top 21 Excursions and Tours in Seattle

Headed to the Emerald City sometime soon? We’ve compiled a list of the top tours in Seattle. Try one of our picks!

sightseeing tours from seattle

Located in Washington state in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is famous for many things—its iconic skyline, magnificent scenery, eclectic culture, and, of course, the tech industry and Starbucks. The Emerald City is young and vibrant, smack dab in the middle of pristine nature. You can easily fill your time bouncing between world-class museums, stunning parkland, and welcoming coffee shops and never get bored.

Just a warning: You may go broke! Seattle is an expensive city, so budget your trip wisely.

Planning any type of travel can be taxing, so to help you get started with your itinerary, we’ve put together a list of the top excursions and tours in Seattle. This has been created based on the experience of our own in-house travel experts along with TripAdvisor and Google Map reviews.

Enjoy a scavenger hunt in Seatown!

One of the most popular ways to see a new city or rediscover a favorite destination is on a tour, and Let’s Roam offers some of the most unique excursions available! Our Seattle Scavenger Hunt Tours will have you and your travel companions testing your smarts with questions about the attractions you visit. Earn points, take pics, and see who comes out on top!

21 Tours in Seattle

Below you’ll find a list of some of our favorite tours of Seattle including everything from bus tours to wine tastings. These tours can give you a great taste of Seattle and we are sure that they will leave you wanting more!

Seattle City Tours

Here at Let’s Roam, we absolutely adore exploring new cities, and although it’s great to be able to simply wander around on your own, sometimes guided sightseeing tours can help get a much better understanding of a city and what makes it so special. From walking tours to bus tours, these trips are usually well worth the money and can be the perfect introduction to a city, especially if you’re a bit short on time.

1. Three-Hour City Tour

During this sightseeing bus tour brought to you by Show Me Seattle , you can see many of the most popular attractions that Seattle has to offer! Highlights of the tour include Pike Place Market, the first Starbucks, Chinatown, the Seattle Center (home of the iconic Space Needle), Queen Anne Viewpoint, and Ballard Locks. 

The “buses” are roughly the size of minivans so don’t worry about being one sightseeing tour with a huge group of people. Show Me Seattle also offers a food tour and private tours that are perfect for bigger groups as they can work around your schedule.

2. Beneath the Streets Tour

This fascinating Beneath the Streets Tours lets you look deep below the streets of present-day Seattle to see Pioneer Square, the original neighborhood. As you walk through the underground passageway on this one-hour tour, you’ll step back in time to the late 19th century. 

During the tour, you learn the history of Seattle’s early years as well as stories about The Klondike Gold Rush. Tours are limited to 16 people, and departures are a bit limited on Tuesday and Wednesday, so be sure to check their website for the most up-to-date information. 

If you want to learn a bit more about Seattle’s dark underbelly, you can also join their after-hours red-light district tour where you can learn about the city’s history with gambling, prostitution, and drinking. These evening tours are only available on weekends and last approximately 75 minutes. 

3. Seattle By the Sound Scavenger Hunt Tour

Here at Lets Roam, we love hunting nearly as much as we love roaming and one of our favorite ways to explore Seattle is by doing a Seattle by the Sound Scavenger Hunt ! This hunt takes you along the Seattle waterfront where you can test your knowledge with trivia associated with Belltown and Pike Place. 

Have you ever wondered how far a fish can be thrown or what Washington State’s greatest wheel is? Here’s your chance to find out! 

During the hunt, you’ll learn more about Seattle’s storied buildings, epic sculptures, and sprawling green spaces, and have a great time doing it! While the tour normally takes about an hour and a half to two hours, it can be done as fast or as slow as you want, giving you plenty of time to stop and grab a coffee or beer along the way.

4. Food Tour of Pike Place

This food tour led by Eat Seattle lets you taste your way around Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s most well-known landmarks. Led by a professional chef, some of the tastings include things like chocolate, pasta, chowder, and more. 

The tastings are pretty generous and you can usually skip lunch after doing this tour. If you’re a bit short on time but love the idea of doing a food tour, check their schedule as they occasionally offer abbreviated hour-long tours.

5. Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle City Tour

What happens when you combine a Seattle city tour with an excursion to Snoqualmie Falls? One heck of a day! Organized by Shutter Tours , this four-hour trip takes you to many of the top attractions in Seattle such as Pioneer Square. 

After you’ve explored the city, you’ll head out to see the Cascade Foothills and the breathtaking Snoqualmie Falls before circling back to see the Fremont Troll and the Ballard Locks. The tour finishes at Kerry Park where you can get some great photos of the Seattle skyline. 

If you love this experience with Shutter Tours, you can always join them for their Mount Rainier Tour. 

6. Seattle Brewery Tour

Seattle, and the entire Pacific Northwest, is famous for its delicious, high-quality craft beers and a Seattle brewery tour is the perfect way to increase your hoppy-ness factor! During this brewery waking tour , you’ll get to visit three different craft breweries where you can taste distinctive beer styles as part of a four-beer flight and learn a lot about the history behind Seattle’s beer scene. Best of all, you’ll discover the things that you need to look out for when beer tasting and you get to take home a souvenir beer tasting glass to remember the tour as well as a souvenir bottle opener. 

There is a multitude of beer tours to choose from including tours going through Old Ballard, Central Ballard, East Ballard, Fishermen’s Terminal, and Georgetown. Tour departure times vary but with frequent departure times throughout the day, you’re sure to find one that suits you perfectly!

7. Sleepless in Seattle Bar Crawl

If you love the idea of doing a pub crawl but would prefer doing it at your own pace, why not try a Sleepless in Seattle Bar Crawl ? This exciting activity will have you racing your friends to complete wacky challenges at some of Seattle’s most trendy bars. Since you can pause the game whenever you want, you can spend a little bit of time talking to that good-looking stranger over by the bar before heading off to the next spot (wink, wink). Just don’t leave your friends waiting for you for too long!

Boat and Kayak Tours

From Puget Sound to Lake Washington, Seattle is surrounded by water. One of the best ways to see this side of the city is on a boat or kayak tour. From wildlife watching excursions to romantic dinner cruises, there are many options to choose from whether you’re traveling as a family, couple, group of friends, or solo travelers!

Wildlife can be seen both near and far on many of the boat tours so make sure to bring some binoculars with you if you can. This helps enhance the overall experience and lets you get a closer look at birds soaring overhead.

8. Elliott Bay Sea Kayak Tour

Run by the team at Alki Kayak Tours , this two-hour tour of Elliott Bay and the Duwamish River is a great way to experience the natural beauty of the Seattle area. While you’re paddling, you’ll be blessed with sweeping views of the Seattle skyline and the Olympic Mountains. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to spot California sea lions, bald eagles, harbor seals, and osprey. 

During the tour, the guide will tell you about the history of Seattle and the unique ecosystems of Puget Sound. Tours are run daily and all participants must be at least 18 years old. 

If you’d like a different kayaking experience, Alki Kayak Tours also offers trips to the Alki Point Lighthouse and sunset tours.

9. Harbor Cruise

This one-hour narrated boat tour by Argosy Cruises gives passengers a closer look at the Puget Sound, offering fantastic skyline views along the way. There is a full-service bar on board with snacks and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The staff are helpful and very informative and can help you spot the abundant wildlife found in the bay. 

Tours run frequently throughout the day during the high season with few departures during the winter months. Make sure to get to the departure point at least 20 minutes before the boat is scheduled to leave and keep in mind that seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you need some adult time, they also offer wine cruises as well as cruises along Lake Washington. 

10. Seattle Dinner Cruise

On the two-and-a-half-hour yacht cruise operated by Waterways Cruises , you’ll be welcomed with a glass of bubbly before being seated at a private table where you’ll be served a three-course dinner. Throughout the tour, you’ll hear about Seattle’s sparkling city skyline and its beautiful lakes. The service is top-notch and the food is delicious, making this the perfect activity for a romantic evening or a special occasion. 

Dinner cruises are offered from May to October (weather dependent). Tickets can be a bit expensive, so if you want to save a few bucks, you can opt for one of the Waterway Cruises brunch, sunset, or wine cruises. They also offer themed cruises throughout the year, and you can find a full schedule on their website.

11. Seattle Whale Watching Tours

Puget Sound Express gives you the chance to see some of the Seattle area’s diverse range of wildlife on these half-day tours. Some of the wildlife you may spot as you cruise through the San Juan Islands includes humpback whales, orcas, sea lions, otters, and more.

It takes about an hour to get to the islands and during that time, you can gaze out of the large windows, grab a coffee or some snacks at the onboard cafe, or hang out on one of the outdoor viewing decks. While it’s hard to guarantee what animals you’ll see on a cruise, Puget Sound Express promises that you’ll spot whales during the tour or they will give you your next trip for free. 

Tours leave daily from April until October. Since the departure times vary throughout the year, it’s a good idea to check the schedule on their website. 

If you simply can’t get enough of the wildlife adventure, they also offer bird-watching cruises as well as multi-day wildlife cruises.

12. Seattle to San Juan Island Whale-Watching

This is another solid choice for whale-watching excursions, especially if you want to spend a bit more time out on the water. Clipper Vacations offers full-day whale watching adventures on board a high-speed catamaran. 

The trip begins with the voyage to the San Juan Islands, where you can loom for whales with the help of the onboard naturalist. Afterward, the boat will dock in the island town of Friday Harbor and you can spend two hours wandering around this picture-perfect little town. 

The ticket prices for this longer excursion aren’t much higher than the half-day tours on other operators so make sure to shop around a bit before confirming a tour with a particular provider. The tour leaves from Pier 69 in Downtown Seattle from May until October. 

It’s a good idea to schedule a whale watching tour for the beginning of the trip because they also offer a free trip if no whales are seen during your voyage. Clipper Vacations also offers overnight cruises. 

13. Locks Cruise

Run by Argosy Cruises , the Locks Cruise consists of a two-hour narrated tour where you can get a first-hand view of how the Ballard Locks work. Watch as boats are either lowered or raised as they make their way into and out of Puget Sound.

The tour starts in Downtown Seattle from where you’re transported by bus to the starting point of the cruise. The tour then finishes at AGC Marina and they offer a bus service to get back to Pier 55 as part of their Boat & Cruise Excursion. Departure times vary throughout the year, and you can check their website for more details. 

Like many of the other cruise operators on this list, Argosy Cruises also offers harbor tours, wine cruises, and history cruises so if you loved your experience with them, there are plenty more options to choose from.

14. Lake Union Hot Tub Boats 

If you want to try a really unique way to see Seattle, Lake Union Hot Tub Boats may be just the thing you’re looking for! The company offers the “world’s first electric-propelled wood-fired hot tub boats”. The boats hold up to six people and are filled with fresh water, making it a little bit like taking a bath with your nearest and dearest while floating around in the lake and checking out the view of the Seattle skyline. 

The water is kept warm thanks to a wood-burning stove, and everything is as environmentally-friendly as possible. You can rent the hot tub boat for two hours or more 

Seattle is surrounded by some of the country’s most breathtaking scenery. While this accessibility to nature is without a doubt the reason why many Seattle-ites choose to live there, it’s also easy to get out into the natural landscapes as a tourist! 

There are plenty of day trips that you can do to Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. Although a day tour isn’t nearly enough time to see everything that these amazing parks have to offer (you would need months for that!), they can still give you a taste of the pristine landscape lying just outside Seattle’s doorstep.

15 Mt. Rainier Tour

One of the best things to do in Seattle is taking a day trip to Mount Rainier and Tours Northwest is waiting to take you there. The excursion begins with a drive through some spectacular scenery in an air-conditioned coach as you make your way to the mountain. 

Once you have arrived at Mount Rainier National Park, you’ll have plenty of time to do some of the park’s shorter hikes where you can see rushing waterfalls, idyllic meadows, and pristine old-growth forests. The tour guides are very experienced and can give fascinating information about the flora and fauna that call the park home and can help you choose the best trails to hit.

Tours last approximately ten hours and run from May until October. Even with the extended length of the trip, each full-day tour excursion should get you back in Seattle in time for dinner. Park fees are included in the total price so make sure to keep this in mind when you’re comparing the tour prices.

16. Olympic National Park Tour

With nearly one million acres of land and an enormous array of ecosystems, including mountains, coastline, and temperate rainforests, Olympic National Park is big… like really, really big. No trip to Seattle is complete without seeing this amazing natural attraction. This full-day excursion with Customized Tours helps you catch a glimpse of each of the different ecosystems. 

The 12-hour tour begins with a picturesque ferry ride across the Puget Sound before heading into the park which kind of turns it into a nature tour and boat trip in one! Although a bus takes you through the different sections of the park, there is still plenty of time to walk and it’s a good idea to wear comfortable shoes. The tour price includes pick-up from select Seattle hotels, and tours run from April through October. 

Customized Tours also operates their own Mount Rainier Tour so if this is something that you’re also interested in, you can ask your tour guide for more details.

17. Leavenworth Day Trip

While the Seattle area is known for many things, the one thing that people may not realize is that there is a quaint German village located just a short drive away! Operated by Oktay Tour , this Leavenworth day trip whisks you from the streets of Seattle to the charming streets of Bavaria in the blink of an eye. 

Each tour lasts around 8-9 hours, and you’ll pass by Snoqualmie Falls and Lake Washington before reaching Leavenworth. There, you’ll have a few hours to spend browsing through the shops, and checking out the local eateries. ‘

Wine Tasting Tours

Besides being lucky enough to be surrounded by epic scenery, Seattle also has more than its fair share of wineries. In fact, with more than 1,000 wineries located across Washington state, it’s the second-largest wine-producing region in the United States behind California.

During a wine tasting tour, you can try some of the best wines that are produced in the region. Most wine tours include transportation which means that you don’t have to worry about having a designated driver and everyone can join in on the fun! Plus, they tend to be small group tours, which means that you have plenty of time to get to know the other guests. You might even find some new friends!

18. Bon Vivant Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly wine tasting option, Bon Vivant offers guided tours of Washington’s largest (and smallest) wineries. Depending on availability, they usually include a wide range of wineries which gives you the chance to experience the intoxicating array of wine options that Washington can offer! 

The tour usually includes a stop for lunch, and it’s a good idea to budget around $20 per wine tasting and roughly $25 for a “progressive lunch” where you have one course at each of the wineries. Our stomachs are rumbling just thinking about it!

If you’re traveling as a group or simply know exactly the types of wineries you would like to try, you may want to consider a private tour. This customized wine tasting tour by Bon Vivant is perfectly designed with your group’s tastes in mind! 

Before the tour begins, the expert guide will ask about your preferences and create an itinerary that fits your palette. Keep in mind that the tour prices do not include the wine tasting themselves and these should be budgeted separately. 

19. Snoqualmie Falls & Seattle Winery Tour

If you can’t decide whether you want to spend a day exploring natural wonders or want to spend a day visiting wineries (although you could argue that wine is a natural wonder in its own right!) this six-hour tour lets you do both! 

The tour visits Snoqualmie Falls and two wineries and the price of the tour includes pick-up service at Sea-Tac Airport and many Seattle tours. You start the day with a drive through the Cascade Mountains before reaching the 268-foot-tall waterfall where you can get some great photos. Next, the tour heads to Woodinville which lies about 30 minutes away from Seattle. 

Note: There’s a quick stop at an artisanal candy shop, so you can stock up on tasty treats!

20. Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tasting Tour

If you love the idea of visiting the falls and wine tasting on the same day but you’re looking for something a bit fancier, you may want to check out this eight-hour tour Operated by Evergreen Escapes . The tour starts with a pickup in Seattle, where you’ll begin your journey through the Cascade Mountains. 

After spending time admiring this rush waterfall, you’ll head to Woodinville, where you’ll have a gourmet picnic lunch and stop at three top-notch wineries. Learn how to sip like a sommelier during a fun, and informative, wine tasting lesson and get the chance to meet the winemakers behind the magic. 

When all is said and done, you should be back in the city with plenty of time to freshen up before dinner.

21. Mount Rainier National Park and Yakima Valley Wine Tasting Tour

This twelve-hour excursion operated by Evergreen Escapes combines a 3.5-mile hiking experience in the famed Mount Rainier National Park combined with wine tasting in one of Seattle’s top wine-producing areas. The tour visits two wineries and includes coffee and pastries for breakfast, a family-style lunch, and plenty of snacks throughout the day. 

This tour is the perfect way to explore Mt. Rainier (and burn some calories) and try some of the excellent wines of the Yakima Valley. 

Ready to roam?

We hope that this list has left you inspired to pack your bags and visit Seattle! As you can see, the city has a ton of amazing things to do and there truly is something for everyone! First-time visitors simply can’t help but gaze in wonder at the national parks, be dazzled by the city skyline, and fall in love with this amazing city Repeat visitors just keep finding more incredible things to see and do.

As always, we would love to hear your feedback, so please let us know if there are any hidden gems that we may have missed! 

If you need more information on the city, make sure to check out our lists of “ The Best Things to Do in Seattle ” and “ The 22 Best Day Trips from Seattle .” We also recommend downloading our adventure app and purchasing tickets for one of our scavenger hunts ! Each experience is a great way to learn more about the city! 

Happy hunting!

Frequently Asked Questions

There are many tours in Seattle and the surrounding areas, and if you’re a wine lover, you can’t miss out on tours of Washington wineries . Try a tour by Bon Vivant or Evergreen Escapes.

If you’re looking for fun in the Emerald City, try any of the Let’s Roam scavenger hunt tours in Seattle . Exciting options include sightseeing , scoping out street art , and spending a night on a bar crawl .

Seattle’s proximity to Puget Sound makes it a prime location for whale-watching tours . Try the Seattle to San Juan Island Whale-Watching Tour from Clipper Vacations or the Puget Sound Express.

If you’re in Western Washington, reserve a day for at least one boat tour in Seattle ! We recommend the Elliott Bay Sea Kayak Tour, dinner on a Waterways Cruise, or a fun Lake Union Hot Tub Boat!

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Seattle Great Wheel

13 Seattle tours to explore the city like a local

See another side of Washington’s largest city on these Seattle tours of historic landmarks and hip neighborhoods

Annalise Mantz

What better way to get to know the Emerald City than by taking the best Seattle tours? These walking, biking and boating expeditions take you to some of the best Seattle attractions and even qualify as awesome things to do in Seattle in their own right. You can explore the factory where Boeing 747s are built, sip craft beers at some of the city’s coolest microbreweries and even walk through underground tunnels dating back to the 1890s. And if you wouldn’t consider your trip complete without a meal at one of the best Seattle restaurants , never fear: this list includes plenty of eating and drinking tours, too. What are you waiting for? The best Seattle tours await.

An email you’ll actually love

Best Seattle tours

Seattle Highlights Sightseeing Tour

1.  Seattle Highlights Sightseeing Tour

If you only have one day in the Emerald City, opt for this 90-minute minibus tour of all Seattle’s top attractions. Cruise past the city’s oldest buildings in Pioneer Square, peep the former home of Kurt Cobain and check out the abode featured  Sleepless in Seattle before stopping at scenic Kerry Park for a photo opp. $42

Seattle’s Coffee Crawl

2.  Seattle’s Coffee Crawl

It’s no wonder that the birthplace of Starbucks has a serious affinity for coffee. Still, Seattle’s caffeination options extend far beyond the green mermaid. Taste three of the city’s best single-origins and blends on this buzzworthy tour. Yes, it costs more than the average cup of Joe, but it’s well-worth the insider knowledge you’ll gain from Seattle baristas. $86.94

The Fremont District Tour

3.  The Fremont District Tour

You’re probably already familiar with this neighborhood’s most famous resident: the 18-foot troll statue hiding underneath the Aurora Bridge. He’s actually a fitting representative of this eclectic nabe whose motto is “De Libertas Quirkas,” or "the freedom to be peculiar" in Latin. This public art walk reveals all of Fremont’s quirks, from the many bohemian art galleries to the Fremont Rocket. $20.50

Taste of Pike Place Market Tour

4.  Taste of Pike Place Market Tour

With more than 80 restaurants and 200 owner-operated shops, Pike Place Market can be a bit overwhelming—albeit in a delicious way. This two-and-a-half hour tour takes you to only the best spots, so you can focus on food and drink you really can’t find anywhere else. The curated tasting lineup varies but often includes treats like creamy Italian gelato and Tom Douglas' signature salmon burger. $49.26

Boeing Tour From Seattle

5.  Boeing Tour From Seattle

Just 25 miles north of Seattle, the Boeing Everett Factory is the world’s largest building by volume. Visit the gargantuan factory floor to see 747, 777 and 787 Dreamliners being assembled. You’ll definitely have a new appreciation for your aircraft the next time you fly. $75

Seattle Underground History Tour

6.  Seattle Underground History Tour

After a fire destroyed 31 blocks in 1889, Seattleites rebuilt the city in brick and concrete, raising the street level several feet in the process. The former sidewalks created a series of underground pathways—some of which you can still walk, if you know where to find the entrance. Go below ground on this walking tour of those original passages to get some insight into what early Seattle must have been like. $19

East Ballard Brewery Tour

7.  East Ballard Brewery Tour

Over the past 30 years, several breweries—ranging from small neighborhood brewpubs to multi-state operations—have set up shop in Ballard. Have a beer (or three) at each of the breweries on this boozy tour: Lucky Envelope Brewing, Populuxe Brewing and Bad Jimmy’s Brewing. $60

Capitol Hill Neighborhood Tour

8.  Capitol Hill Neighborhood Tour

Locals lead these guided tours of hip Capitol Hill and will happily customize the itinerary to fit your interests. Love shopping? You can peruse the trendy boutiques lining Pike and Pine Streets. Prefer exploring nature? Check out wide open spaces of Volunteer Park. Whatever you want from your trip, you can find it here. $45.29

Amazon Headquarters Tour

9.  Amazon Headquarters Tour

Believe it or not, tours of Amazon’s corporate headquarters are free. You can explore the grounds of the largest private employer in Seattle (and second largest in the country) on a guided tour or with a free self-guided audio tour . Judging by how far in advance the guided tours have been booked, the latter might be your only option. Visitors won’t want to miss the Spheres, or geodesic domes filled with plants from the cloud forest regions of 30 countries, and the first-ever Amazon Go, a grab-and-go store that doesn’t require you to check out. Free

Seattle Locks Cruise

10.  Seattle Locks Cruise

Completed in 1917, the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (or as they're locally known, the Ballard Locks) link freshwater Lake Washington with the oceanic Puget Sound. It’s okay if you don’t understand the mechanics—you certainly will after transitioning from one body of water to the other onboard a sightseeing cruise. Experience the changing water levels, spot the ingenious fish ladder and take in stunning views of the skyline on this two-and-a-half-hour boat tour. $46.79

Diamonds and Gold: The Art Deco Skyscraper, Northwest Style

11.  Diamonds and Gold: The Art Deco Skyscraper, Northwest Style

The Seattle Architecture Foundation leads this deliciously nerdy architecture tour of some of the city’s Art Deco masterpieces. Gawk at the lush lobbies and ornate motifs of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Exchange Building, the Seattle Tower and other landmark buildings. $18 in advance, $25 on the day of

Seattle’s Premium Distillery Tour

12.  Seattle’s Premium Distillery Tour

Whiskey, gin, vodka—local Seattle distilleries are producing almost any spirit you can think of. Enjoy sip after sip of the hard stuff (including rare, single-barrel spirits) at three area distilleries on this small-group tasting tour. Since your tour guide is also the designated driver, you don’t have to worry about getting from stop to stop safely. $88.08

Bainbridge Island Bicycle Tour

13.  Bainbridge Island Bicycle Tour

Though Bainbridge Island is just a 30-minute ferry ride from Seattle, it couldn’t be more different from the bustling city. Admire the lush evergreens as you cycle an 18-mile route around the quiet, residential island. Before boarding the ferry for the ride back to the city, you’ll even get to nosh on snacks from a local café or bakery. $149

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Show Me Seattle

3 Hour Sightseeing Seattle Tour

Quick Details

  • Hour Glass Duration: 3 hours
  • Clock Start Time: 9am 10am 1:30pm 2pm available (depending on the season)
  • Bus Pick-Up Info: General Pick-up at Westlake Center or from most downtown Seattle hotels with Hotel Pick-up Option (Hotel pickups may be up to 40 minutes before tour start time)
  • Heart COVID Safety: Vehicles sanitized before all tours, driver/guides vaccinated

Explore the City’s Vibrant Culture on a Seattle Bus Tour

Seattle is a cultural mecca where technology, nature, and the arts intersect to produce a rich tapestry of experiences. We’ve curated the quintessential Seattle experience into a three-hour intimate city tour that explores the many forces that have shaped the city from past to present. Your friendly guide keeps you entertained and informed with stories, facts, favorite places, and so much more. Take this city sightseeing Seattle tour early on in your visit in order to benefit from all the information and recommendations!

Seattle City Tour Bus Itinerary

  • Chevron down 1. Downtown Area

The city tour begins in Seattle’s bustling downtown core, highlighting the Pike Place Market, Seattle Art Museum, Shopping District, and the world’s first Starbucks.

  • Chevron down 2. Pioneer Square & Stadium District

Seattle’s original downtown is now a 35-square-block historic district filled with turn-of-the-century Romanesque architecture, art galleries, and trendy restaurants, all of which border the sports stadiums for the Seahawks, Sounders, and Mariners.

  • Chevron down 3. International District & Waterfront

Home to Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Cambodian, and Hmong communities, this neighborhood continues to play a role in Seattle’s multicultural identity. Seattle’s waterfront includes the aquarium, Ferris wheel, classic seafood restaurants, funky souvenir shops, historic piers, and ferry and water taxi terminals.

  • Chevron down 4. Seattle Center & Queen Anne View Point

The Seattle Center is a 72-acre urban park and is the site of the 1962 World’s Fair. It’s the home of the Space Needle, Paul Allen’s Experience Music Project, Dale Chihuly’s Garden and Glass exhibition, and the Pacific Science Center.

Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill provides a dramatic panoramic photo opportunity of Seattle’s skyline. You also view the spectacular architecture and aesthetic in one of the city’s more exclusive, old-money neighborhoods.

  • Chevron down 5. Ballard Locks & Fremont Neighborhood

Opened in 1917, the lock system and ship canal connects the fresh water of lakes Union and Washington with the salt water of the Pacific in Puget Sound. It’s a popular destination for watching boats navigating between the two waterways. It also features a fish ladder for observing the seasonal migration of salmon.

Fremont neighborhood, famous for its outdoor art and nude bicyclists in the Summer Solstice parade, is also a microcosm of the challenges Seattle faces as it grapples with growth. This once-quirky bohemian artist colony is now transforming into a high-tech powerhouse with offices for Google, Tableau, and Adobe while remaining true to its artsy roots.

Related Tours

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Pike Place Market Food & Culture Tour

Join us on an intimate guided food tour of the world-famous Pike Place Market as we explore the back alleys, narrow corridors, and tiny storefronts in search of our favorite places.

  • Private Tour

Epic Seattle Private Tour

An unforgettable Seattle experience – Seattle Sightseeing + Pike Place Market + The Space Needle and Chihuly Garden & Glass all in one tour.  City Highlights and Seattle’s most famous landmarks make for a truly Epic day! Private guide, transportation and all attraction tickets included.  

2 Hour Highlights of Seattle Tour

Includes all the iconic photo ops you’re hoping to see!

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SEATTLE'S BEST TOURS

Best sightseeing tour in seattle, wa.

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At Seattle’s Best Tours our mission is to provide safe, fun, and unforgettable experiences through superior customer service that creates memories and smiles to last a lifetime.

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Seattle Sightseeing Tour

Adults $79 Military Discount $69

From the Space Needle to Pikes Place Market, this tour is a fantastic way to see the Seattle Metro Area! Basically you will spend 3 hours having fun, learning and laughing on the best tour in Seattle.

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Seattle's Best Sightseeing Tour

In 1985, Seattle’s Best Tours guide and owner, Earl, entered the United States Air Force and was stationed in Tacoma Washington. Earl was told he would be based in McChord Air Force base in Washington, so for two days he thought he would be based in Washington D.C. What a surprise when he found himself in Washington State! Following his service in the Air Force, Earl was accepted by the Cornish College of the Arts, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Acting in 2000. Today, Earl performs professionally doing live theatre, television commercials, corporate videos and voice-over work. Earl masterfully combines his hospitality and acting experience and Seattle’s Best Tours is the beneficiary.

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DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT! TAKE THEIRS! ★★★★★

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A very entertaining 4 hours. We did not realise that Seattle was such an interesting city. We highly recommend this tour.

We had so much fun during the tour! Learned a lot about the area and lots of fun facts too! Highly recommended and trust me when I say, you won’t be disappointed.

Earl presents a wonderful tour - overall it is absolutely worth the time and money. He is excellent as well. Don't miss this one.

Very entertaining tour by a local who clearly knows the area. I highly recommend Earl and his tour! Especially enjoyed the locks in spite of the rain.

Tour was informative, educational, and entertaining!! We learned a lot and had lots of fun! Earl offered some great tips on where to eat and what else to see in Seattle.

The guide was very interesting and colorful. A good mix of historical knowledge but also a good sense of humor. No doubt, he has a talent of stand up comic and historian. Great ride!!!

One of the best tours I have been on. Earl has a great personality and made the tour extremely fun and informative.

This was the best tour I have ever taken. Informative and fun. It was a comfortable ride and I saw so many things I would not have seen otherwise.

This was the best city tour I've ever been on. Earl was fabulous - friendly, funny, extremely knowledgeable about everything in Seattle. I highly recommend this tour.

Excellent tour and would recommend to anyone. Tour guide Earl was outstanding and very knowledgeable about the city.

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“Earl is the Pimpest tour guide in Seattle” – Craig Robinson aka Darryl from The Office

  • Entertainment

12 things to do around the Seattle area this weekend

Welcome to the weekend! From our new guide to Seattle’s Vietnamese cuisine to where to admire spring flowers during May, here’s our latest on local things to do.

Eats and drinks

  • Explore Seattle’s vibrant Vietnamese food scene with these Top 10 dishes picked by our food team. You can also check out the city’s buzziest Vietnamese restaurant debut in recent memory or this tried-and-true 25-year-old gem . (For something you may not tasted before, our critic recommends a secret menu item .)
  • Head to Bellevue for a delicious (and entertaining) meal. From a blowtorched cheesy beef stew that’s drawing long lines to a freshly griddled Turkish pide, these Eastside spots both play on an open-kitchen concept.
  • Be the star of your next picnic or barbecue with this bright, flavorful and quick-to-make corn salad from our recipe writer.

Outdoors and travel

  • Try one of these five Seattle-area outings to admire late spring flowers, from rhododendrons to peonies.
  • Go on an adventure to find some of the best big trees in Western Washington. Not all of them stand at the end of hiking trails, but these areas are worthy of pilgrimages to see the cedar, spruce, firs and more.

Movies and TV

  • Heading to the theaters? Check out what our reviewers thought of Bill Skarsgård’s “Boy Kills World,” the steamy love triangle “Challengers” featuring Zendaya, the bloody horror movie “Abigail” and other recent releases .

Performance arts

  • “Fat Ham” at Seattle Rep , running through May 12, is a must-see, our reviewer says. The tragicomic, Pulitzer Prize-winning play isn’t a typical re-imagining of Shakespeare. It’s witty, raunchy — and also opens up some raw, honest truths.
  • Two concerts inspired by nature play at Benaroya Hall this week. Northwest Symphony Orchestra teams up with Washington Trails Association to celebrate the state’s landscapes on Friday, while Seattle Symphony performs “Antarctic Symphony” tonight, Saturday and Sunday.
  • The new book “Truly, Madly, Deeply” by Alexandria Bellefleur is an enemies-to-lovers story that takes place in Seattle.
  • Here are four new cozy mysteries and eerie thrillers to get lost in. They’ll take you trudging around a peculiar forest or second-guessing a trip to an isolated, historic castle.
  • Seattle author and illustrator Haley Weaver’s new memoir explores her unlikely friendship with her own anxiety.
  • If you haven’t yet explored our guide to Seattle’s books scene, check out local, independent bookstores, book groups and more here .

Most Read Entertainment Stories

  • K-pop star Jay of ENHYPEN talks about WA roots, Fate Plus world tour
  • Long-lost Klimt painting sells for $37 million at auction
  • HGTV's 'Ugliest House in America' has some thoughts on WA homes
  • Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after his return to New York from upstate prison
  • Kidnapping of California woman that police called a hoax gets new attention with Netflix documentary

The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.

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COMMENTS

  1. Sightseeing Tours

    Once you shed your sea legs, there's plenty to see back on land. Because Seattle is a forward-thinking city, it's only appropriate to explore on Segways, two-wheeled transportation devices that make it easy for you to zip from the waterfront to Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market to Seattle Center, under the guidance of Seattle Segway Tours.Or go at your own pace with City Sightseeing ...

  2. THE TOP 10 Seattle Tours & Excursions (UPDATED 2024)

    Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours. 1,950. Experience the food and culture at one of Seattle's most famous landmarks, Pike Place Market, on this 2-hour, chef-guided food tour. See where chef's shop and locals hang out. Enjoy diverse tastings at nearly a dozen different stops — places like Beecher's 'World's Best' Mac ...

  3. THE 10 BEST Seattle Tours & Excursions for 2024 (with Prices)

    Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass Combination Ticket. 468. Skyscrapers & Towers. 3 hours. Visit two Seattle attractions in one day with an admission ticket that provides entrance to the Space Needle, and Chihuly…. Free cancellation. Recommended by 91% of travelers. from. $66.

  4. The 7 Best Seattle Tours

    Tours, limited to 16 people, leave every 30 minutes between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Though tours run daily, there is limited availability on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets cost approximately $25 ...

  5. THE 10 BEST Seattle Sightseeing Tours

    3. Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour. 493. Adventure Tours. 4 hours. Discover the main attractions of Seattle including Snoqualmie Falls on this guided half-day tour. First, see the city, passing…. Free cancellation. Recommended by 99% of travelers.

  6. THE 10 BEST Seattle City Tours (Updated 2024)

    Day Private Snoqualmie Falls & Woodinville Wine Tour from Seattle. 4WD Tours. 6 hours. Embark on this Private Snoqualmie Falls and Woodinville Wine Tour and indulge your senses in the heart of USA's renowned…. from. $480. per adult. 28. Seattle Amtrak Coast Starlight SF 8 Day Tour from Vancouver.

  7. THE TOP 10 Seattle Sightseeing Tours (UPDATED 2024)

    Mt. St. Helens National Monument from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Tour. 113. Visit the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument on this guided, full-day, small-group tour from Seattle. Travel just a few miles from the crater to see the steaming volcano.

  8. THE 10 BEST Seattle Tours & Excursions (from £4)

    2. Viator Exclusive Day-Tour From Seattle to Mt. Rainier. 700. Full-day Tours. 10-12 hours. Free cancellation. Recommended by 96% of travellers. 3. Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market- 2 Hours.

  9. The BEST Seattle Tours and Things to Do in 2024

    8. Seattle: Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour. Stroll through Seattle's buzzing Pike Place Market with a local chef and discover the exciting culinary scene of the Pacific Northwest. Make 9 stops to try a wide variety of light bites from local vendors, whilst learning more about the stories behind the food.

  10. The Top 21 Excursions and Tours in Seattle

    1. Three-Hour City Tour. During this sightseeing bus tour brought to you by Show Me Seattle, you can see many of the most popular attractions that Seattle has to offer! Highlights of the tour include Pike Place Market, the first Starbucks, Chinatown, the Seattle Center (home of the iconic Space Needle), Queen Anne Viewpoint, and Ballard Locks.

  11. 13 Best Seattle Tours to See Attractions and Sights

    5. Boeing Tour From Seattle. Just 25 miles north of Seattle, the Boeing Everett Factory is the world's largest building by volume. Visit the gargantuan factory floor to see 747, 777 and 787 ...

  12. THE TOP 10 Seattle Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (w/Prices)

    Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour. 1,373. Seattle is famous for its bustling waterfront, numerous green spaces, and historic neighborhoods. Ideal for first-time visitors, this sightseeing tour provides an overview of top attractions such as Pioneer Square, the Space Needle, and Pike Place market.

  13. City Sightseeing Seattle Bus Tour

    Duration: 3 hours. Clock. Start Time: 9am 10am 1:30pm 2pm available (depending on the season) Bus. Pick-Up Info: General Pick-up at Westlake Center or from most downtown Seattle hotels with Hotel Pick-up Option (Hotel pickups may be up to 40 minutes before tour start time) Heart.

  14. Seattle: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

    Scenic Seattle Panoramic bus tour is only included within the All About Seattle Tickets, this is a live guided tour that departs 10:30am and 2pm. Meeting Point: City Sightseeing Bus Stop 1, Space Needle (Broad Street). This is not a hop-on hop-off bus tour, however there will be designated photo stops where you are able to get off the bus.

  15. CitySightseeing Seattle Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras

    Visit top sights and neighborhoods with 1- or 2-day tickets for a hop-on hop-off Seattle bus tour. Without the hassle and expense of parking in some of the city's busiest areas, you can simply enjoy the view from the double-decker, open-top bus, hopping off to visit the Space Needle, Chinatown, Pike Place Market, waterfront piers, and more, while listening to interesting facts and background ...

  16. See It All

    Gray Line 3 hours live guided Scenic Seattle Tour - The local's picks. Time to stroll around at Gas Works Park, Ballard Locks and Kerry Ann Vista Point at Queen Ann. City Sightseeing 70 minutes Must See Seattle Hop On Hop Off Tour. Hop On Hop Off ticket is valid for either 1 day or 2 days. The 1 day pass is valid for 24 hours from time of boarding.

  17. Gray Line Seattle

    Must See Seattle Hop-On, Hop-Off Sightseeing. From $59.00. Learn More.

  18. Seattle's Best Tours

    Seattle Sightseeing Tour. Adults $79 Military Discount $69. From the Space Needle to Pikes Place Market, this tour is a fantastic way to see the Seattle Metro Area! Basically you will spend 3 hours having fun, learning and laughing on the best tour in Seattle. Book Now.

  19. Seattle Half-Day City Tour 2024

    Seattle is famous for its bustling waterfront, numerous green spaces, and historic neighborhoods. Ideal for first-time visitors, this sightseeing tour provides an overview of top attractions such as Pioneer Square, the Space Needle, and Pike Place market. Sit back and relax while your guide provides historical and cultural background for each destination, and enjoy stops to walk and take photos.

  20. Seattle Hop-On Hop-Off

    Welcome to Seattle! The largest city in the Pacific Northwest, sightseeing can be a daunting task. But with the City Sightseeing Seattle hop-on hop-off tour, we make it easy for you to get a feel for the city and see its popular landmarks.Start your day with a Starbucks coffee (after all, this coffee company has its roots here) before hopping on the bus at the closest stop.

  21. 12 things to do around the Seattle area this weekend

    Performance arts "Fat Ham" at Seattle Rep, running through May 12, is a must-see, our reviewer says.The tragicomic, Pulitzer Prize-winning play isn't a typical re-imagining of Shakespeare ...