One of Seattle’s most distinguishing features is its
working waterfront. It is the core of Seattle’s thriving maritime
community and is chock full of the sights, shore-bird cries, and briny
air of a seaport metropolis. It’s the place to catch ferries to
Bainbridge Island or the Kitsap Peninsula, or view sea life at the
Seattle Aquarium. The piers are tourist central, replete with
restaurants and bars, import shops, and harbor tours. On the southern
end of the bay, acres of container yards border the city’s gritty but
fascinating industrial district.
Ferries Terminal
Seattle Aquarium
Ye Olde Curiosity ShopPier 54 206 682 5844 9am–9:30pm daily
Odyssey Maritime Discovery CenterBell St Pier 66 206 374 4000
www.ody.org
10am–3pm Tue–Thu, 10am–4pm Fri, 11am–5pm Sat Adm $7 adults, $5 seniors/ students
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One of the most famed summer events is Seafair,
a citywide festival that includes the famous tug boat races on Elliott
Bay. Neither sleek nor sluggish, these champions of the sea are
something to behold
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Catch your fresh seafood meal at Anthony's Pier 66 & Bell St Diner, 2201 Alaskan Way 206
448 6688, a respected Seattle institution. There’s a carry-out section
for fish ‘n’ chips or chowder, a seafood vendor, and an excellent indoor
restaurant with dockside seating.
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CityPass offers admission to multiple attractions such as Seattle Aquarium and Argosy Cruises: Adult $42, Child $29.
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For an unparalleled
cityscape, pack an extra roll of film and catch a Washington State Ferry
to Winslow, returning to Seattle at sunset.
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Top 10 SightsWaterfront Streetcar Children
love this delightful Old World mode of travel along the waterfront. Hop
aboard at any of nine stations between Myrtle Edwards Park and the
International District. They run every 20 minutes.
Washington State Ferries An
icon of the Pacific Northwest, these ferries provide a picturesque,
inexpensive cruise across Puget Sound, as well as transporting Seattle’s
commuters from neighboring shores. Seattle Aquarium The
waterfront’s most popular all-weather attraction is the world-class
Seattle Aquarium. Make a point to step inside the Aquarium’s glass-domed
room under 400,000 gallons of water for spectacular shark and octopus
views. Watch divers feed the fish in the Underwater Dome and the sharks
in the Coral Reef Exhibit. There are also talks and craft activities for
children.
Seattle Aquarium
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop Looking
for literature etched on rice grains, or other such unique objects?
Since 1899, this has been the place to find curios both from the distant
and recent past. It’s also a great source for coastal Native American
art.
Bell Harbor Marina This harbor provides moorage for pleasure boats, large and small. It’s adjacent to the port of Seattle’s cruise-ship terminal. Water Sports & Tours If
you’re feeling adventurous, strap on a paraglider and head up for a
breathtaking ride and aerial city view. Many boat cruises depart from
here. Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center Celebrating Seattle’s working waterfront, this institution
has hands-on exhibits for landlubbers and their kids. You can steer a
virtual tanker ship into harbor, try kayaking, spin a tanker’s propeller
with pedal power, or operate miniature canal locks. Myrtle Edwards Park Visit
this waterfront haven for fine views of Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and
the Olympic Mountains. A bike trail and pedestrian path winds along the
Elliott Bay coastline. The park also has a fishing pier. Cruise Ship Terminals Seattle’s
relative proximity to Alaska’s stunning Inside Passage, coupled with
modern trends in leisure travel, led the city to build two new terminals
to accommodate the thousands of passengers coming and going. You can
watch ships docking by the Bell Harbor Marina all summer long.
Container Yards Seattle’s
local economy depends heavily on a successful shipping industry and
marine activity predominates here. Constant tanker, tug boat, and rail
traffic represent the city’s financial well being.
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