Port of Seattle Holidays 2024 / 2025 | Visiting Seattle

Visiting Seattle

It’s the land of Cobain and Hendrix, and it gave us the coffee revolution we all know and enjoy. Suffice to say that Seattle is a creative hub that is unlike anywhere you can imagine. But it’s not just the creativity of this place that will catch your imagination and your eye. The views are out of this world too as Seattle is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, verdant forests, deep blue lakes and sensational seascapes.

The birthplace of grunge over 30 years ago, Seattle is still a hotbed for pioneering music, and there are plenty of venues for you to grab an audible slice of the next up and coming sound. Discover the laid-back vibe of this much-filmed city and soak up its Pacific Northwest hip atmosphere.

Enjoy premium wine tasting born from Washington State’s 1,000 vineyards and taste the freshest seafood imaginable in superb restaurants and hotels. Or even head beyond the city to find adventures in the three national parks – Mt Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades, or spot orca whales on trips out of Seattle or the San Juan Islands.

Try Seattle's coffee, enjoy the music and explore bucket list experiences from whale watching right through to hiking, lakes and mountains when you book a trip to Seattle and Washington State with us.

Top 5 Things to do in Seattle

The Space Needle - One of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and a treasured Seattle icon. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair the Space Needle is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2022. Experience tilting glass benches that lean out over the city, the world’s first and only revolving glass floor and unmatched views of Seattle and beyond.

MoPop (the Museum of Pop Culture) - A fusion of textures and myriad colors, MoPOP’s exterior conveys all the energy and fluidity of music. MoPoP offers an exciting collection of interactive exhibitions, rich pop culture content, unparalleled technology and a variety of unique spaces that inspire and connect communities.

Chihuly Garden and Glass - Provides a look at the inspiration and influences that define the career of glass artist Dale Chihuly, who pushes the boundaries of glass as an art medium in concept, execution, and presentation. The Exhibition includes eight Galleries, the centerpiece Glasshouse and a lush Garden.

Sky View Observatory – discover the beauty of Seattle from above. Located on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle it offers the tallest 360-degree public viewing area in the Pacific Northwest.

Location

What to Experience in Seattle

Port of Seattle - Cruise and Stay

A cruise to Alaska to see the scenic wonders of The Great Land is truly a bucket list holiday. Seattle has long been the preferred gateway to Alaska with seven major cruise lines offering over 200 seven-day round-trip sailings from April – October 2022. It is no surprise that the Port of Seattle was awarded the Best North American Homeport and Top-Rated Destination for the USA by readers of Cruise Critic. Extend your stay to include a Seattle City Break, a hub-and-spoke package, one of the numerous self-drive holidays, or a small group tour. Contact your Barrhead travel counsellor to discuss the options.

International Arrival Facilities

Beginning in 2022, SEA (formerly Sea-Tac International Airport), will welcome passengers with a state-of-the-art, modern, arrivals facility. Expediting the arrivals experience this stunning new terminal is decorated with Native American artwork and offers spectacular views of two national parks.

Non-stop flights from London-Heathrow, are available on American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic. Aer Lingus will resume flights from Dublin to Seattle in Spring 2022 and Icelandair offers a one-stop service via Reykjavik from multiple UK gateways.

Must See Downtown Seattle Neighbourhoods

Seattle Center – a 28-hectare park created for the 1962 World’s Fair; Seattle Center is at the north side of downtown, easily accessible via the Seattle Center Monorail. Home to The Space Needle, MoPOP, Chihuly Garden & Glass, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Children’s Museum, Climate Pledge Arena and more, this urban oasis is not to be missed.

Pioneer Square - At the south end of downtown visit Seattle’s historic first neighbourhood. Explore the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, learn about Seattle’s colourful past on The Underground Tour, visit the Smith Tower Observation Deck or take in a sporting event at one of the two stadiums.

Central Waterfront - Offering sweeping views across Elliott Bay to the Olympic Mountains, enjoy the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Great Wheel, narrated harbour cruises, cruises to Victoria BC, one-of-a-kind shops and sample some famous Seattle seafood at numerous restaurants. The waterfront is currently undergoing a major transformation which will welcome visitors like never before.

Pike Place Market

The Pike Place Market has been a defining Seattle icon for more than a century. The Market spans nine historic acres in the centre of downtown where everyday locals and visitors alike shop, visit, eat and discover. Founded in 1907, the Market is one of the oldest and largest continuously operating public markets in the United States and is brought to life by the hundreds of farmers, crafters, small businesses, and residents that call it “home”

Waterfront Park

Seattle’s waterfront is transforming into a beautiful expanse of tree-lined pedestrian walkways and cycle lanes with the removal of a viaduct that separated downtown from the harbour. Enjoy stunning views of the bay and urban skyline in addition to public art and entertainment. At the Seattle Aquarium, located along the waterfront, a 454,249 litres exhibit of hundreds of Pacific Northwest sea life greets you as you enter the building.

Day Trips From Seattle

Woodinville Wine Country - 35 minutes northeast of Seattle at the north end of Lake Washington in the fertile Sammamish Valley, Woodinville is home to over 100 wineries. Woodinville’s wineries are arrayed across 4 distinct districts, each with its own personalities.

Whidbey Island & Camano Islands – Less than an hour north of Seattle Accessible via Washington State Ferry or the two different bridges these islands are home to charming seaport towns, farm-to-table dining experiences, Deception Pass and numerous other parks, outdoor activities, and stunning vistas of the Salish Sea.

Bainbridge Island – A short 35-minute Washington State Ferry ride from downtown Seattle. Enjoy the small-town charm of Winslow filled with eclectic boutiques, unique dining independent galleries. Highlights include the Suquamish Museum and Chief Seattle burial site.

Washington State. Home to:

• Three National Parks: Mt. Rainier, North Cascades and Olympic

• Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

• Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

• San Juan Islands, an island archipelago on the US-Canadian border

• 157 miles, (250 km), of pristine Pacific Ocean coastline

• Over 1,000 wineries, 400 breweries and 100 distilleries

So what's the weather like in Seattle?

Currency US Dollars ($)
Flying time from UK London to Seattle is 9 hours.
Primary Language English
Passport & Visas Brits must have a full 10-year British Passport that's valid for six months after you return to the UK.