Act Like a Tourist: Our Favorite Seattle Spots to Visit (and Revisit)

Explore Seattle’s Waterfront by Air, Land and Sea
Ok, so you’ve already hit up Pike Place Market. What else is there to do downtown? Well, for starters, head to the Seattle Aquarium ($15.95-$22.95/ticket; under 3 Free). Everyone loves the enormous touch tank and don’t forget to check out the fancy new home for the harbor seals (cute as ever). Earn your merit badge for “thriftiness” and buy the Argosy Harbor Cruise pass while you’re at the Aquarium ($25-$40/ticket for Aquarium entrance and cruise). On your one-hour narrated cruise, you’ll see the highlights of the city skyline, outrageous views of the Olympics and Cascades and learn fabulous facts about Seattle’s maritime history.

Once you’ve had your fill of Puget Sound, check out the city from a totally different perspective: take a ride on Seattle’s Great Wheel ($8.50-$13/ticket). Standing over 175 feet tall, this is the largest Ferris wheel on the west coast. Each (fully-enclosed) gondola can fit up to eight people, so bring the whole gang and enjoy the beautiful bird’s eye view of Seattle and the Sound.

When you’re ready to plant your feet on firm ground, walk up to the Olympic Sculpture Park (free), for an entirely different point of view. Your kiddos will especially love the giant eyeball benches at the south end of the park, hiding behind the giant rusted red steel walls of the Wake exhibit and finding the cool bugs and plants in the Neukom Vivarium greenhouse.

photo: Chelsea K. via Yelp