Seattle’s waterfront boasts breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound, and the city skyline along with several iconic attractions to enhance the experience. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, there’s nothing like spending the day exploring this area. Not sure where to go? Here’s some itinerary inspo to help you plan and make the most of your Seattle waterfront walking tour.
Seattle Aquarium
With its prime location along Seattle’s central waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium is the perfect place to start a day—or several days—of water-themed fun. From the moment you step inside, it’s clear that caring for, and conserving, the Puget Sound marine life and habitat is core to the Aquarium’s mission. On Pier 59, discover the Life on the Edge touch habitat and get a snapshot of life on a Pacific Coral Reef.
When you reach Pier 60, you’ll experience the Underwater Dome and see entertaining marine mammals and coastal birds. Be sure to check out the schedule of daily activities like feedings and expert presentations for additional opportunities to dive in and learn about Washington’s waters from the Aquarium.
Olympic Sculpture Park
The Olympic Sculpture Park, one of Seattle Art Museum’s (SAM) three iconic locations, is an award-winning nine-acre park on Seattle’s waterfront, offering monumental contemporary sculptures and walkways with breathtaking views of the Space Needle, Olympic Mountains, and Puget Sound. The park is Seattle’s largest downtown green space and is free and open to the public 365 days per year. Just one mile south is SAM’s flagship location, the Seattle Art Museum, located in the heart of downtown, blocks from the Pike Place Market. Seattle Art Museum offers an exciting roster of rotating exhibitions and visual art installations and is a great way to see and experience Seattle’s downtown and waterfront.
No visit to the Seattle waterfront is complete without enjoying a boat ride, either on the state’s ferry system or with a tour company. Here are three excellent walk-on sightseeing adventures that depart right from the waterfront.
Argosy Cruises
For over 70 years, Argosy Cruises has been the way to see Seattle and feel like a local. Whether you choose Seattle’s Original Harbor Cruise™, which travels along the city skyline, or the Locks Cruise, which takes you through three of Seattle’s neighborhoods and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, you’ll learn about Seattle’s history and explore the city in a unique way while on a comfortable, narrated tour boat. The Argosy Cruises Original Harbor Cruise™ is located RIGHT on the waterfront (and has been for years!) on Pier 55, and the Locks Cruise departs from Pier 54.
USS Turner Joy
Immerse yourself in maritime history with a USS Turner Joy U.S. Naval Destroyer Museum tour. The Turner Joy was built in Seattle, and its distinctive service included a role as a flagship for Destroyer Squadron 13 and Destroyer Division 131, with several tours in the Pacific. It is perhaps most remembered for her participation in the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which escalated the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. She also served as a bookend to that conflict by firing the last naval round of the War. To get there, depart from Colman Dock, the ferry terminal on the Seattle Waterfront, and enjoy a short ride on one of Seattle’s iconic ferry boats to Bremerton, Washington. Once there, it’s an easy walk to the USS Turner Joy.
FRS Clipper Wildlife and Whale Watching Tours
For those who’ve added whale watching to their bucket list, an adventure on an FRS Clipper Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour is for you. Experience the ONLY half-day Seattle whale-watching tour that departs directly from the Seattle waterfront on Pier 69. Enjoy a 3-6 hour (depending on sighting locations) adventure to the Salish Sea aboard the San Juan Clipper fast ferry as an expert naturalist helps you spot whales and other wildlife on this unforgettable nature excursion.
Seattle’s waterfront is THE place to have a quintessential Seattle experience; there’s so much to see and do. Whether you stroll through the Seattle Aquarium and Olympic Sculpture Park or head out on an Argosy Cruise, FRS Clipper Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour, or take a state ferry over to Bremerton’s USS Tuner Joy U.S. Naval Destroyer Museum, you’ll enjoy a variety of walkable sightseeing destinations and immersive experiences that offer something for everyone. So, plan a visit, take in the stunning views and rich maritime history, and share memories of this remarkable place.
