How to Make the Most of a 24-Hour Stopover in Seattle
Are you planning to take a cruise out of Seattle? Do you want to make the most of a whirlwind stopover in Seattle? If you’re only here for a day before setting sail, you may assume you don’t have time to do anything other than check in to your hotel, cram down a free continental breakfast, and pack up for the next leg of the trip. But with some foresight and the right resources, you can maximize your brief time in the city! Here’s how to enjoy yourself before moving onto your final destination (or after you return to port).
Book centrally located accommodations
Once your travel plans are confirmed, it’s time to search for and select a place to stay before you board your cruise. If you’re flying into Seattle, you’ll be arriving at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which is located in the town of SeaTac (just under 15 miles south of downtown). The SeaTac area offers no shortage of convenient, affordable hotel options, and many of them offer shuttle pickup and drop-off service to and from Sea-Tac Airport. SeaTac hotels also offer complimentary shuttle service to the nearby light rail station, where you can catch a quick train ride into downtown Seattle.
Sample our celebrated cuisine
The Pacific Northwest has truly become a foodie mecca. While eating your way through Seattle would be a formidable task requiring more than 24 hours, many of our city’s most notable contributions can be found at Pike Place Market. No matter what, your culinary marathon should include the regional essentials: fresh seafood and handmade street food-style bites. A curated tour led by a local guide is your best bet when time is limited and your appetite is big. Show Me Seattle’s Pike Place Market Tour gives you a taste of authentic Indian samosas, Mexican street tacos, award-winning clam chowder, smoked salmon, classic dining from legendary local restaurateur Tom Douglas, and so much more. This tour pulls out all the stops so you can check out all the must-try spots at the world-famous Pike Place Market.
Experience Seattle’s unique quirks
Washington is the second largest wine-producing state, following only in California’s footsteps. The state is home to 14 designated wine-growing regions (AVAs), and the Seattle area is smack dab in the middle of Western Washington’s sole AVA (Puget Sound). If you’re 21 or older, indulge in the Seattle Vice Tour and treat yourself not only to a sampling of local wine, but also to a whiskey tasting tour through downtown Copperworks Distilling and a one-of-a-kind walk through upscale cannabis growing operations.
Sightsee the efficient way
Seattle’s vices aren’t its only crowning glory — the city’s arts, culture, and sightseeing are just as spectacular. While you’re in the area, do yourself a favor: book a locally guided pre- or post-cruise tour and get a taste of as many as possible before or after your journey. Show Me Seattle leads the way through a few favorite landmarks, from breathtaking viewpoints to pop culture landmarks. Kerry Park, a must-see urban park in Lower Queen Anne, offers one of the best unobstructed skyline views around. See ferries and ships floating across Elliott Bay and, if visibility is good, snow-capped Mt. Rainier in the backdrop. Magnolia Bluff’s grassy picnic area is the perfect spot to gaze at the bay, islands, and partial skyline views from a northwest vantage point. You’ll also experience urban highlights including Seattle’s vibrant downtown, Stadium District (home of the Seahawks, Mariners, and Sounders), waterfront, and so much more.
Get a taste of many neighborhoods
Seattle is comprised of well over a dozen unique neighborhoods. Because each one varies from the next in terms of ambience, attractions, size, and so many more individual factors, you’ll get the best feel for the city by exploring as many as possible — and an efficient tour makes this possible before or after your cruise. At the south end of Seattle, you’ll pass by the massive and iconic CenturyLink Stadium and Safeco Field, but work your way north to Fremont and you’ll walk among residential bungalows, independent eateries, and eccentric canal-side shops. In between you’ll find everything from swanky skyscrapers to tech corporations. If you’re truly trying to make the most of your stopover, book a tour with Show Me Seattle to experience the city’s best in three hours or less.