Are you stopping in Seattle for a layover? Are you getting off a cruise ship and have some time before your flight leaves? If you are anything like me, you want to get the most out of your vacation, but struggle to find family friendly activities within a busy city. If you only have one day in Seattle and you are looking for kid-friendly attractions, this article is for you.
When our cruise to Alaska on the Norwegian Bliss docked in the port of Seattle, we only had a day to pack in as many fun things in Seattle as we could see before hopping on a plane back to Florida. There are plenty of kid-friendly attractions in Seattle.
Related: Why did we choose the Norwegian Bliss for our Alaskan Cruise adventure?
Attractions Near Pier Cruise Terminal
If you are disembarking a cruise ship at the Bell Street Pier Cruise terminal, there are several tourist attractions within a short walk.
Pike Place Market
Sure it’s the most touristy place in the city, but what’s a trip to the Emerald City without a stop at the iconic Pike Place Market? As a 9-acre market, you’ll find anything you’d want when it comes to food. Fresh local produce, specialty foods, and local bakeries all come together to give visitors a real taste of Seattle. Of course, don’t miss the fishmongers throwing the daily catch at the Pike Place Fish Market — the highlight you’ve see on nearly any travel show about the city.
Did you know the original Starbucks is also located near the Pike’s Place Market. Opened in 1971, the Starbucks franchise began on these cobblestone streets. Why not grab a cup of coffee and take in the history!
Ever heard of the famous Gum Wall? Started in the 1990’s this piece of art is not one of the top attractions in Seattle.
Website: http://pikeplacemarket.org/
Walking distance from Pier: 9 minutes (0.4 miles)
Olde Curiosity Shop
Well before the Space Needle was an attraction in Seattle, there was the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop. Located on the waterfront right by the cruise port, the shop has been in operation since 1899. The place is part store and part museum. You’ll find the perfect souvenirs for everyone back home like badger skulls and Bigfoot actions figures. There is the strange and mysterious as well. This includes shrunken heads and Sylvester, the mummy from the 1800’s on display.
Website: http://yeoldecuriosityshop.com/
Walking distance from Pier: 12 minutes (0.6 miles)
Space Needle
A trip to Seattle isn’t complete without the classic picture in front of the Space Needle. Built in 1962 for the World’s Fair, the 605′ tower was once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River. Today, the iconic space needle is a landmark for Seattle. An elevator gives a ride to the top, where the Space Needle offers breathtaking views of downtown and the bay.
Though this is within walking distance of the cruise pier (because we did walk to it), it is quite a journey all uphill! If you are exhausted from your trip of have any type of luggage you need to haul with you, I recommend grabbing an Uber or a taxi so you can fit much more into your one day in Seattle.
Website: http://www.spaceneedle.com/home/
Walking distance from Pier: 21 minutes (0.9 miles)
Seattle Great Wheel
One of the newest additions to the waterfront park area of Seattle is the Great Wheel, a 175′ ferris wheel that opened in 2012. Take in the city sites from the wheel, jutting out into the bay on a pier, providing views of the city rivaled only by the Space Needle. It costs $13 per adult (kids are $8.50) for three revolutions on the wheel, which takes about 15 minutes.
Website: http://seattlegreatwheel.com/
Walking distance from Pier: 10 minutes (0.5 miles)
Related article: 45 Fun Things to Do in Seattle
The Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium features a stunning 40-foot, 55,000-lb. viewing window into a 120,000-gallon aquarium filled with salmon, colorful rockfish, vibrant sea anemones, other native Washington marine life and interactive divers. Other exhibits include two pools filled with sea anemones and sunflower sea star, a pacific coral reef exhibit, marine mammals and an underwater dome, the aquarium’s largest exhibit.
Website: seattleaquarium.or
Walking distance from Pier: 25 minutes (1.2 miles)
Wings Over Washington
A new multi-sensory flying ride has been built at Pier 57 on Seattle’s waterfront. This state-of-the-art “flying theater” transports guests through an aerial adventure high over Washington state. This 20-minute film features views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic National Forest and San Juan Islands, the Cascade Mountains, and Snoqualmie Falls, the Tieton River, and the wonders of the Walla Walla Valley Balloon Stampede. Nearby the theatre, take a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel or enjoy a family meal at The Crab Pot or Fisherman’s Restaurant.
Website: wingsoverwa.com
Walking distance from Pier: 10 minutes (0.5 miles)
Olympic Sculpture Park
Add the Olympic Sculpture park to your day trip of Seattle. This nine acre park is an offshoot of the Seattle Art Museum. Within walking distance of the cruise port, it is Seattle’s largest green space. The park is free to the public and open 365 days a year.
Take in view of stunning sculptures, Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Ranier.
Website: https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/olympic-sculpture-park
Walking distance from the pier: 22 minutes (1.1 miles)
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Listed on TripAdvisor as a highlight of Seattle, spend several hours at Chihuly Garden and Glass witnessing the fantastic artistic creations of Dale Chihuly. The epic Glasshouse is a 4500 square foot, 40-foot tall, glass and steel structure host one of one of Chihuly’s largest suspended sculptures.
Stroll through the garden with unique plants chosen to compliment Chihuly’s works of art. Finish your visit at The Bar with a creative cocktail and food as well as 25 pieces of art from Dale Chihuly’s personal collection.
This is located next to the Space Needle at the Seattle Center.
Website: https://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/
Walking distance from Bell Street cruise terminal: 19 min (0.8 mi)
Museum of Pop Culture
One of the best places to spend a few hours during your one day in Seattle is the Museum of Pop Culture. A non-profit museum, the Museum of Pop Culture offered timed ticketing. Check out a rotating list of exhibits to include the Visual History Of Hip Hop, Indie Game Revolution, and the Infinite Worlds of Science Fiction.
Kids will revel in the sound lab where hands on interaction allow visitors to explore electric guitars, drums, mixing consoles, and more.
Website: https://www.mopop.org/
Walking Distance from the pier: 32 minutes (1.5 miles)
Pacific Science Center
If you a full day in Seattle, I recommend the Pacific Science Center. Located about 30 minutes from the SEATAC airport but only about a 17 minute walk from the Bell Street Cruise Terminal, the Pacific Science Center is one of the top things to do in Seattle area.
It is recommended you have at least 4 hours to really get the most out of the interactive exhibits and education programs offered at the Pacific Science Center. Two new experiences, Adventures with Sound and Tropical Odyssey, are going on this summer!
General admission includes unlimited Planetarium and daytime laser shows.
Attractions You Can See Using Public Transportation
If you have enough time and you want to see some really great attractions, many will require taking public transportation to get to them. Add the following amazing attractions to your one day Seattle itinerary by grabbing a taxi, tram, or light rail.
Smith Tower Observatory
Once Seattle’s tallest building, Smith Tower, built in 1914 and restored in 1999, offers 360 degree views of the city, sound and mountains from its 35th floor observation deck. The deck is reached via the human-operated elevators. The top floor observatory was renovated in August 2016 and now features the Temperance Café and Bar, themed to the building’s 1920s speakeasy roots. Unico Properties, building owner, contracted internationally-recognized museum planning and design firm Gallagher & Associates to research and develop the new exhibits and features, and Seattle’s Columbia Hospitality to oversee visitor programs, private event sales and day-to-day visitor operations.
Website: smithtower.com
Distance from SEATAC airport: 27 min (13.3 mi)
Distance from Cruise Port: 16 min (4.0 mi)
Woodland Park Zoo
Often ranked among the top zoos in the country, Woodland Park is famed for pioneering immersive, naturalistic exhibits for both animals and zoo visitors. The new Banyan Wilds is a state-of-the-art exhibit for Malayan tigers, sloth bears, Asian small-clawed otters and tropical birds. Award-winning exhibits include Humboldt penguins, Jaguar Cove, Northern Trail, Tropical Rain Forest, Trail of Vines and African Savanna.
Use an Uber, taxi, bus or even the link light rail to get to the Woodland Park Zoo located in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood of Seattle.
Website: https://www.zoo.org/
Distance from SEATAC airport: 32 min (17.8 mi)
Distance from cruise port: 15 min (4.5 mi)
Kerry Park
Located less than a mile from the Seattle Center and the Museum of Pop Culture is the public park, Kerry Park. If you are looking for a postcard perfect picture of the Seattle skyline, this is the park to visit. You can view Elliott Bay with the backdrop of Mount Rainier. In addition, you can see the Space Needle in the same snapshot!
Website: https://www.seattle.gov/parks/allparks/kerry-park
Distance from SEATAC airport: 33 min (16.0 mi)
Distance from the cruise port: 12 min (2.4 mi)
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Located nine blocks from Starbucks’ original coffee shop in the Capitol Hill neighborhood is the Starbuck Reserve Roastery. This immersive experience is not only about coffee but also cocktails and food. Their menu boasts coffee flights but also events such as “Coffee Chemistry” and the “Art of the Espresso Martini” to name a few.
Website: https://www.starbucksreserve.com/en-us
Distance from SEATAC airport: 24 min (15.1 mi)
Distance from the cruise port: 16 min (3.8 mi)
Can You See Mount Rainier In One Day?
Check out the Mount Rainier National Park while in Seattle for the Day. Take a day tour from the airport or cruise port from Seattle to the Nisqually Entrance in the Southwest corner of the park.
Located about 2.5 hours from Seattle, Mount Rainier National Park is a must see if you have the extra time in the city. Without transportation while visiting Seattle, the best option to see Mount Rainier National Park is through a tour company or private guide. There are several tours available and highly recommend through TripAdvisor or Viator.
In summary…
If you have one day in Seattle, this Seattle itinerary is one you should refer back to. Whether you will be in the downtown area, West Seattle, or the Southside, there is a host of great things to do in this bustling city.
Have you been to Seattle? What was your favorite attraction?
Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation or reduced fare from any of the locations discussed in this review. I paid full price to stay and go to all attractions reviewed. The opinions presented in this review are honest and real.
This post includes affiliate links and ads. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a commission and/or points/incentives should you click on a link and make a purchase or sign up for a free service. This blog is independently owned and the reviews of any product and/or travel destination here are my opinion.
Pin For Later:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/102105116544089378/[blog_subscription_form]
