What To Do In Seattle Before Your Alaska Cruise

So, you have a cruise to Alaska coming up, and you have booked a flight into Seattle a couple of days early and now don't know what to do? I have tips! Keep reading.

PHOTO: I honestly can't remember who took this photo but will update when I find the OP because it was in my photos folder, and I love it.

In Seattle, you have a few choices that I will go over, but I want to say this. I lived in Seattle, twice, once for a year and the other time for about six months. I LOVE Seattle so much and there is a lot to do.

I'm going to give you advice to help you plan and not just go over all the things you can find in books or by Googling what to do in Seattle. I love a couple of super touristy things, even when I lived there, so I will start with those.

TOURISTY THINGS!

The Space Needle and Chihuly Gardens

If you haven't been to the Space Needle, I recommend going because it's super cool. If you don't want to drop a lot of money on food and drinks, you can skip eating at the top--but again--it's cool-and just take the tour up to the top, lean on the glass, and get your photos.

The Space Needle is conveniently located downtown, so you can get to it easily if you are staying there. I love the views from the top, but I also enjoy hanging out on the ground near it as it's just memorizing.

Chihuly Gardens is right next door, and you can get tickets to both and save some money if you want. Dale Chihuly is a glass-blowing artist, and his stuff is not only famous, but it's also gorgeous.

Pike Place Market

When I first went to Seattle in the early 90s with a friend from work to see a music festival, I was obsessed with Sleepless in Seattle, so I made him take me to the famous markets, and they didn't disappoint. Not only are there some great places to eat right there, overlooking the Puget Sound, you can do a little shopping and it's just really fun. When I lived there I went there to get seafood and veggies for the week and also flowers.

My advice is also to be aware of your surroundings in Seattle, especially in the touristy parts like Pike Place Market!

Museum of Flight

I haven't been in ages, but I love planes so I enjoyed it a lot.

The Museum of Pop Culture is awesome. We are going for sure when we are in Seattle this summer.

Seattle Aquarium is great and you can do that while you take in the sites at Pike Place.

If you are planning to go to the Seattle Aquarium and the Space Needle and other things, getting a CITY PASS is a great idea! You will save a ton of money. Learn more HERE

If you have teens of love FUNKO you can get up to Everett in about an hour by car or 1.5 by bus and check out FUNKO HQ The Funko HQ is at 2802 Wetmore Avenue, Everett, WA 98201

Okay, now, onto things that I just LOVE about Seattle

PROPER COFFEE SHOPS!

I did this illustration years ago, and it's the ORIGINAL STARBUCKS which I did go to when I first moved to Seattle in 2002, BUT if you want good, no GREAT coffee, you will skip Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Tully's and go to any and all SMALL coffee shops in town, all over really. There is no shortage of great coffee in Seattle. It's known for it for a reason. If you must see the original Starbucks, see it when you are at Pike Place Market.

Whale Watching Tours--this may fall on the side of touristy, but I love whales and have always been interested in them. The Orca Conservatory is over on Friday Harbor, and you can get there by taking a seaplane if you have a full day, or you can book a WHALE WATCHING TOUR.

Yes, your cruise line probably has whale tours, so this may not be for you, but we are doing it this summer because my husband has never seen an orca, and there are tons hanging out in the Salish Sea/Puget Sound area.

We are using THE PUGET SOUND EXPRESS when you are booking, chose EDMONDS, or you will have to spend half your day getting to where they leave from.

I love FREMONT, and the FREMONT Troll

is pretty cool, but I mostly love the main street there. There are many shops and places to grab a bite. It's colorful and eclectic, and I used to spend my Sundays there every weekend.

Things to see?

1. The quirky and unique shops

2. Cafes

3. The Center of the Universe Signpost

4. The Troll

Here is an inexpensive walking tour of Fremont

ELLIOT BAY

Elliott Bay is quintessential Seattle. You can go to the waterfront and just walk, enjoying the sites, there is a sculpture park, places to eat, parks, running trails, and a small beach.

LAKE UNION

If you are a film person and fell in love with Sam and Jonah in Sleepless in Seattle, you know that his houseboat was on Lake Union. You can even grab a boat tour to look at all the huge floating houses just like Sam's by checking out Argosy

A lot of cruisers stay at the Mediterranean Inn in Queen Anne, so I made this map to show you how close Lake Union is by car.

THAI FOOD--my favorite place on Queen Anne Hill looks to be gone, but there are many, many many great Thai places in town that will blow your socks off, so get some Thai food while there.

Bahn Thai

Cashew Thai

are the two I like the most now.

If you are into JAPANESE CULTURE check out this Instagram page for ideas

My sister came to visit and we spent a lot of time downtown in this area but I don't really know it all that well. It's super international and you can get authentic Japanese food there.

If you are cruising July-Sept you can see movies in the park at the Seattle Center. It's super fun and everyone in Seattle comes out since the weather is perfect. You can find out more HERE

BUMBERSHOOT MUSIC FESTIVAL is amazing. I mean, really, it's so cool. It gets crowded and sells out. If you are cruising when it's on, you may want to fly in a few days early.

Some other areas that I love are

DISCOVERY PARK is one of my favorite lazy day afternoons.

MAGNOLIA is a cute little neighborhood just north and west of the city.

CAPITOL HILL has heaps of fun places to eat and hang out. It's diverse, with a lot of gay clubs and healthy food stores.

My favorite place in the entire world is on the bridge on the 90 going from Seattle to the eastside because you are on Lake Washington, you can see Mt Rainier (most days) and the backdrop of the houses & buildings as you approach the east is a view that will take your breath away.

The EASTSIDE of the area on the other side of Lake Washington. (note there are tolls on the bridges)

Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland

REDMOND: If you like to ride your bike surrounded by tall green trees, you must take a trip over Lake Washington and explore Redmond. I love it. Also, for you tech-nerds, Microsoft is there, and Digipen School for animation.

KIRKLAND has some of the biggest and most beautiful homes you can see, just because the backdrop is simply stunning and there are many fantastic places to eat. I love driving around Kirkland, just looking at everything.

BELLEVUE has a lush downtown park, a waterfall, an art museum (Bellevue Arts Museum), botanical gardens, and more.

MT. RAINIER is about 70 miles southeast of the city and has hiking in the summer. It's still one of my favorite places in the area. You will need a car to get there. You don't have to hike, you can just get close and enjoy the view. She is an active volcano so don't be worried when you see the volcano signs on the road on the way down there.

QUESTIONS I am always asked

Do I need to rent a car in Seattle? Yes and no. You don't have to have a car. You can get a shuttle or towncar/Uber or Lyft into the city from the airport and just hang out. You can get a metro pass as well. If you want to explore the east side, you can take the bus, but then you will have less time than if you just rent a car or a ZipCar--you need an account, but it's a great way to get around the city especially if you don't need for the full day.

Where should I stay if I am cruising out of Seattle?

This is up to you. Many people who cruise on Carnival stay at the Mediterranean Inn or the Maxwell. Both are near the Space Needle. I also love the Hyatt Regency downtown, as it's within walking distance of everything.

Be mindful that the closer you are to Belltown and Pike Place Market, the more "stuff" happens. Don't act like a tourist. Ladies, wear your purse across your body. Walk with a purpose-especially at night.

CARNIVAL and ROYAL CARIBBEAN LEAVE FROM PIER 91---always check with your specific sailing, but Pier 91 is at the top of the city, about 20 minutes from downtown, so staying in Seattle for a couple of days is a great idea if you have time.

Should I stay at SeaTac?

You can, but honestly, there isn't much to do down there, but if you come in at night the night before your cruise, you can just stay there. The Crowne Plaza and Hilton are both across the sky bridge. MOST hotels at the airport do NOT have a shuttle to the cruise port, so definitely check when you are booking.

How do I get to my hotel from SeaTac?

You have to check with your specific place, but many of them have shuttles or will organize for about $65. A town car will run you about $65-100 each way. On the way back, Carnival has a service for about $48 per person, and other options are town cars, Uber, Lyft, or a taxi.

Many Seattle hotels have shuttles to the Pier for about $10 per person, so check with your hotel.

What do I do with my luggage if I have a late flight?

You can use PORT VALET if your cruise has it; it's free, but, please take note that many times the cruise line will cancel. As well, this is ONLY FOR CHECKING YOUR BAG ON YOUR FLIGHT. If you have a carry-on, you can not use it.

You can UseBounce to store your luggage during the day

WEATHER

It changes constantly in Seattle. It doesn't downpour like they show in movies too often. It's not like New York or Atlanta in that way, but it's drizzly and cloudy a lot, and there are many days with a lot of sunshine but you may wake up to overcast and go to sleep that way too giving the impression that it's a lot more depressing than it is. I love Seattle. It remains one of my favorite cities in the world. I find it happy with people who love to be outdoors, drink coffee, enjoy good music, and everything else. It's much easier to spend time outside than in Los Angeles. People are active all year round in Seattle.

Add Seattle to your phone's app and check it constantly to get an idea before you cruise, especially the week before. What you pack for Alaska will work for Seattle.

I hope that you found this helpful.

I love Seattle and even just enjoy walking around the city, remembering where I worked when I did PR for Edelman briefly, and hanging out without a big plan.

Please share with other travelers and in social media groups.

XO Steph