The 7 Best Seattle Tours | Travel | US News

Note: Some tour providers on this list may have limited or ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.

Idyllically situated in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a mecca for foodies, tech experts and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re here to see its city-based attractions like the Olympic Sculpture Park or its natural wonders like Mount Si, the best way to experience it all is with a guided tour. Browse through these 7 top Seattle tours, identified by U.S. News using both expert opinions and traveler sentiment, to help you plan your ideal getaway.

Argosy Cruises – Harbor Cruise

Sail through Seattle’s Elliott Bay with Argosy Cruises. The one-hour narrated boat tour takes passengers through Puget Sound, by the shipping port and offers city skyline views. The vessel sports a full-service bar with snacks and alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Tour-goers report seeing lots of wildlife and fantastic views. They also enjoy their friendly and informative guides. Seating is first-come, first-served, and boarding begins 20 minutes ahead of departure time. Tickets start at $33 for adults and $20 for kids ages 4 to 12; children 3 and younger ride for free. Tours run multiple times daily during peak summer months; there is an abbreviated schedule in the winter. The company also conducts wine cruises, as well as cruises of Lake Washington, among other sailings.

Tours Northwest – Mt Rainier Tour

A trip to Mount Rainier is a must when visiting Seattle, but if you don’t want to navigate to the peak yourself, consider this daytrip with Tours Northwest. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned coach bus through incredible scenery en route to the mountain. At the park, you’ll have the opportunity to hike as much or as little as you want to see waterfalls, meadows and old-growth forests. Tourgoers rave about their guides’ knowledge of the park and its trails. They also relish the beautiful scenery and the frequent stops for photo-ops and exploration. Tours operate May through October. Each tour begins at 7:30 a.m. and lasts about 10 hours. Tickets for adults cost approximately $140 and tickets for children 7 to 12 cost approximately $120. Park fees are included, but you will need to pay for lunch. Tours Northwest also provides tours of Seattle and the Boeing facility.

Customized Tours – Olympic National Park Tour

Olympic National Park encompasses nearly 1 million acres and features a variety of ecosystems, including temperate rainforests, mountains and coastline. Customized Tours’ daylong outing of the park aims to see each of these ecosystems. The tour begins with pickup from select Seattle hotels before hopping on a ferry ride across the Puget Sound to explore the park. Travelers agree that the park is incredible and the long day (about 12 hours) is worth it. They also advise wearing comfortable shoes; you’ll be chauffeured in a bus to different locations, but you will still do a lot of walking. Tickets start at $170 for adults and $145 for children 11 and younger. Pickups start around 7:30 a.m. Tours run Monday, Wednesday and Friday from April through October. The company operates several other Seattle outings, including city tours and trips to Mount Rainier.

Learn about the formation of Seattle and its original neighborhood, Pioneer Square, on this one-hour Beneath the Streets tour. Expert guides will lead you through underground passageways dating back to the 1890s, sharing historic information, along with stories of the Klondike Gold Rush, the city’s architecture and the Coast Salish tribes who originally inhabited the area. Tourgoers describe the experience as full of interesting information and praise their well-educated guides. Tours, limited to 16 people, leave every 30 minutes between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Though tours run daily, there is limited availability on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets cost approximately $25 for adults, $22 for college students and teens, and $15 for children ages 7 to 12. The company also operates an adults-only red-light district tour.

Eat Seattle – Food Tour of Pike Place

Taste your way through Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market with a chef leading the way. Guides will share insider tips about where area chefs shop and explain the history of the market. Along the way, you could sample chowder, chocolate, pasta and more. Tour-takers say the guides are wonderful and the food is delicious. Many commented the samples are enough for lunch. The two-hour tours depart several times daily, typically between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets cost about $50 per person. Abbreviated, hourlong tours of the market are also available on select days.

Puget Sound Express – Seattle Whale Watching Tours

A variety of wildlife species call Seattle home, including several different types of whales. The Puget Sound Express offers a half-day whale-watching tour that gives visitors the opportunity to see orcas, humpback whales, otters, sea lions and more in the San Juan Islands. The company’s speedy boats reach the islands in about an hour and feature indoor seating with large windows, outdoor viewing decks and a cafe serving fresh blueberry buckle. Plus, the Puget Sound Express guarantees you will see whales on your tour or your next trip is free. Tourgoers rave about the courteous crew and all the wildlife spotted thanks to the crew’s attentiveness and knowledge of the area. Tours last four to five hours and leave daily from April through October. Exact departure times vary by season. Ticket prices start at $135 for adults and $95 for children 2 to 10, while children younger than 2 ride for free. The company also offers bird-watching and multi-day wildlife cruises.

Shutter Tours – Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle City Tour

Travelers enjoy this comprehensive tour because it offers a balance of gorgeous natural scenery and a great overview of the city’s top sights. During the four-hour excursion, tourgoers start with a lesson in Seattle history, exploring the Pioneer Square area – the hub of the Klondike Gold Rush. Travelers are then transported to the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls in the Cascade foothills. Next, the tour continues to the famous Fremont Troll and then the Ballard Locks. Finally, it concludes at Kerry Park, a popular spot to snap photos of the Seattle skyline. Reviewers recommend booking this tour your first day in Seattle to get your bearings. Tickets cost approximately $70 for adults, $65 for seniors, and $55 for children 12 and younger. Tours run daily at 10 a.m. Shutter Tours also operates a tour to Mount Rainier and a Tulip Festival tour every April.