Seattle Before an Alaskan Cruise: What We Did in Two Days

Before our Alaskan cruise, we spent two full days in Seattle, and I’m really glad we did.

Pike Place Market 

We booked a tour at Pike Place Market, and I definitely think it was worth it.  There are many to choose from depending on your interests.

Even though Pike Place is easy enough to wander on your own, the guide pointed out details and history we would have completely missed otherwise. It made the market feel much more interesting than just a quick walk-through.

If you’re going to do it, I recommend doing it first; it helps you get a lay of the land.

Space Needle + Chihuly Garden and Glass

We did the combo ticket for the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass.  Both attractions are located just steps apart. The Space Needle also sells a Priority Boarding add-on, which is the skip-the-line option. In my opinion, the extra cost for priority boarding is worth considering. When we went in July, the line was very long, and you don’t know how long it is until you get in.

View from top of Needle

The view from the top was absolutely worth it. I especially liked going up early in the trip because once you see the city from above, everything makes more sense geographically.

Chihuly was also worth doing. Even if you are not especially into glass art, it’s beautifully done and very different from a typical museum stop.

Pier 57: Wings Over Washington + the Great Wheel

At Miners Landing on Seattle’s Pier 57, we did the Wings Over Washington flying theater experience and the Seattle Great Wheel.

Wings Over Washington is basically a high-tech immersive flying ride, and it was really well done. The Great Wheel is also worth doing if you like seeing the waterfront from above. It’s 175 feet tall and extends out over Elliott Bay, so it feels more dramatic than a typical Ferris wheel.

Alki Beach + ferry back

We also Ubered to Alki Beach and then took the ferry back so we could see the city skyline from the water.

Alki has a completely different feel from downtown Seattle, beachy, open, and much calmer. One thing to know is that the main beach strip and the water taxi area are not close together, so if you want to maximize your time, using Uber on that side makes sense.

Ballard Locks

We also Ubered to the Ballard Locks, officially the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, to watch the salmon in the fish ladder viewing area.

The fish ladder has an underwater viewing gallery, and depending on the season, you can see Chinook, Sockeye, and Coho salmon making their way through. The viewing room is open daily, and timing matters because salmon runs are seasonal.

Trying king crab for the first time

I also tried Alaskan king crab for the first time at Ivar’s. The food was delicious and I loved the waterfront location.