As someone who used to live in Seattle, I can confirm that taking a guided tour is one of the best ways to experience Seattle, especially if you’re limited on time. (I did several tours during my years living in Seattle and I always walked away excited to have learned more about the city I called home). The fact is, Seattle has so much culture, history, and so much to offer in terms of food, coffee, and outdoor activities. Trying to go at it alone can be intimidating, and if you really want to understand the city and what makes Seattle so great, I would argue that there’s no better way than to hire a local guide who can provide local insights. So whether it’s your first visit to Seattle or your tenth, these are my favorite tours of the city.
Best Food & Drink Tours in Seattle
Best Pike Place Market Food Tours
Pike Place Market is huge and overwhelming, and truthfully… you’ll get a lot more from Pike Place Market with a local showing you around. Not only will you get local insight, but you’ll also get to taste incredible food from local artisans.
- Chef Guided Food Tour of Pike Place Market
- Insider’s Breakfast & Culture Tour at Pike Place Market
- Food Tasting & Arts Tour of Pike Place Market
- Bite-Sized Seattle History & Food Tour
These tours are ideal for foodies, first-time visitors, and anyone who loves local markets.
Don’t miss…
- Everything You Need to Know When Visiting Pike Place Market
- The Ultimate Guide to the Seattle Food Scene
- The Best Dessert Places in Seattle
Best Coffee Culture Tours
If you didn’t know, Seattle is the birthplace of Starbucks so the coffee culture is truly something else (and goes far beyond Starbucks). On these coffee tours, you’ll learn about the craft that makes Seattle a coffee capital.
These tours are ideal for coffee lovers and caffeine enthusiasts.
Don’t miss…
Best Sightseeing Tours in Seattle
If you’re interested in learning more about the city of Seattle, there are several great, local-led tours to join. Discover Seattle’s neighborhoods, street art, and quirky facts on a Seattle sightseeing tour.
- Seattle Space Needle, Pike Place Market, & Gas Works Park 1-Day Tour
- 3-Hour Show Me the Best of Seattle Tour
- Seattle City & Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour
- Seattle City Highlights Tour
These tours are best for history-buffs, first-time visitors, solo travelers, and families.
Don’t miss…
Best Water & Harbor Tours in Seattle
One of my favorite things about Seattle is its proximity to the water. And what better way to see the city from afar than on a boat? If you’re interested in learning about Seattle’s maritime history or spend time out on the water, I highly recommend booking a harbor cruise.
- Seattle Sailing Harbor Tour
- Seattle’s Original Guided Harbor Cruise
- Seattle Locks Cruise
- Evening Sunset Sail Tour
These tours are best for couples, romantics, and boat lovers.
Best Nature & Adventure Tours in Seattle
I previously mentioned that one of my favorite things about Seattle is the surrounding nature and number of outdoor activities. It really makes Seattle one of the most unique cities in the country. If you’re traveling to Seattle, I highly recommend checking out the following tours…
- Bainbridge Island Electric Bike Tour
- Hike the Gorgeous Trails in Washington
- Seattle’s Electric City Bike Tour
- Emerald City Bicycle Tour
These tours are ideal for solo travelers, outdoor-lovers, work-out enthusiasts and adventure-seekers.
Don’t miss…
Best Cultural & History Tours in Seattle
One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to learn about the history of the place that I’m visiting. And trust me when I tell you, Seattle has a dark, interesting past. If you’re interested in learning more, check out the following tours…
- Beneath the Streets Underground History Tour
- Scandals, Ghosts, & Oddities at Pike Place Market
- Henry-Arts Tour – Art, Pubs, History
These tours are ideal for history buffs, art-lovers, and culture seekers.
Best Day Trips from Seattle
If you’re going to be in Seattle for a decent amount of time and want to venture outside of the city, there are some incredible day trips nearby. From trips to Canada to German-inspired villages, here are some of my favorite day trips from Seattle…
- Guided Day Trip to Vancouver
- Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle
- Woodinville Wine & Snoqualmie Falls Day Tour
- Mr. Rainier National Park Day Tour from Seattle
These tours are ideal for solo-travelers, bucket-list travelers, and adventurers.
Don’t miss…
- A Local’s Guide to Bainbridge Island, Washington
- From Seattle: A Day Trip to Deception Pass State Park + Hiking Oyster Dome
- From Seattle: Day Trip to Woodinville for Wine Tasting
- The Best Day Trip from Seattle: Lena Lake, Hama Hama, Oyster, & Bainbridge Island
- From Seattle: How to Spend 24-Hours in Leavenworth, Washington
Tips for Booking Tours in Seattle
Here are my best tips for booking tours in Seattle to ensure that you get the tour you want at the best price…
- Book in advance for summer/high season (July, August, and September are usually the busiest months in Seattle)
- If you’re looking to save money, choose small groups; if you don’t have a tight budget, consider a private experience
- Consider time of year (for example, whale watching is best in the fall and winter)
- Search for tours on both Viator and Get Your Guide for best price
FAQ
Q: “What types of things are Seattle known for?”
- A: Seattle is mainly known for their coffee culture, breweries, seafood, Pike Place Market, music scene, and outdoor activities; just to name a few.
Q: “Are Pike Place Market tours worth it?”
- A: Absolutely! I’ve visited Pike Place Market several times on my own and once I finally did a tour I got so much more out of the market and got to try places I hadn’t noticed or heard of before. (Read more about Pike Place Market here).
Q: “What is the most popular Seattle day trip?”
- A: I’m not sure what the most popular day trip is, but my favorite day trip from Seattle is to Woodinville to taste Washington wines! (Read more about day tripping to Woodinville here).
Q: “Do I need to book Seattle tours in advance?”
- A: It depends on what type of tour and when you’re visiting. In the summer months – yes, I would absolutely book in advance. Otherwise, you could probably get away with booking a few weeks out.
Washington Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Washington
TRAVELING TO/THROUGH WASHINGTON
- For car rentals in Washington, I recommend Discover Cars
- To book a flight to Washington, I recommend this booking platform or Skyscanner to compare options
ACCOMODATION IN WASHINGTON
- For booking hotels in Washington, I recommend using this booking platform
TOURS IN WASHINGTON
- For tours and activities in Washington, I recommend using Get Your Guide or Viator
WHAT TO BRING TO WASHINGTON
- Don’t forget a Washington guide book to help plan your travels
- I recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste
- Washington can be rainy at times, I recommend traveling with an umbrella, rain boots, and a raincoat just in case
- This is my favorite luggage for traveling
- This is my go-to travel backpack
I hope that this post helps you discover Seattle in ways you never imagined! It’s a truly incredible city and I can’t say enough good things about the city. If you have any questions about Seattle or tours in Seattle, let me know in a comment below!
For more on Seattle, don’t miss…
For a more visual look at Seattle, head to my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching #ppinwashington or the “Washington highlight; alternatively, head to my TikTok and look for my “Washington” highlight
Pin Me!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase through my link, at no cost to you. Passports and Preemies is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees.
Founded by Kylee, a NICU nurse with nine years of experience, including seven years as a travel nurse; Passports and Preemies was created in 2017 and is now the go-to travel and lifestyle channel for nurses who crave adventure beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a staff nurse looking for your next getaway or a travel nurse navigating life on the road, this space is designed to help you maximize your time off, explore the world, and prevent nurse burnout.
On Passports and Preemies, you’ll find everything from travel nursing insights – how to get started, land the best assignments, and thrive on the road – to expert travel tips, destination guides, and real-talk about balancing nursing with a life well-traveled. Passports and Preemies also includes Beyond the Bedside – group trips for nurses around the world; as well as the podcast, Passports and Preemies Talks.
