Places or things you could see/do pre/post Cruise in Seattle

I have a variety of Seattle area activities spread over many reviews, so I am putting them in one place. To see more about my cruise adventures, click the links in the signature to see more pictures!

Lets get started...

Seatac Aiport to Downtown Seattle

Sound Transit's Link Light Rail is a convenient way to get to Downtown Seattle.

Alaska Airlines planes as we passed Seattle-Tacoma International on Link Light Rail.

Safeco Field, as we arrive into Downtown Seattle.

Westlake Park, as we exited the underground Light Rail/Bus tunnel.

From Westlake Park you can explore downtown or head on the Monorail to Seattle Center and the Space Needle. Lets check out Seattle Center first.

Here is a picture of the Monorail over by Seattle Center.

The International Fountain at Seattle Center

The Space Needle from its base.

Several Pictures from the observation Deck of the Space Needle

A Washington State Ferry headed across Puget Sound.

Norwegian Pearl in Port in Seattle at Pier 66.

As I mentioned you can head Downtown as well.

Walking towards Pike Place Market

On this trip, we had decided we wanted to eat at Hard Rock Seattle, which is right near Pike Place Market.

Heading to the table...

Look at these cool wooden postcards we found at the Made in Washington Store! It is in the Mall of Westlake Center where you catch the Monorail in Downtown.

yummy! Onion Rings

Pulled Pork Sandwich

Hard Rock Legendary Burger

April, our server, was awesome. She totally rocked it!

Pike Place Market

Looking at the Waterfront, from Third Avenue.

The Seattle Light Rail/Bus Tunnel. A Link Light Rail train is pulling out and heading towards the University of Washington.

A very crowded train ride back to SeaTac. There was a Copa America Cup Quarterfinal game at Centurylink Field and everyone wanted to ride light rail home! By the way, the USA won that game!

You can use the light rail to move quickly from one part of Downtown to another.

We are going to explore Pioneer Square next. Located just South of Downtown, this is where you can catch Bolt Bus and Amtrak trains if headed to Vancouver B.C.

The arch was located on 5 avenue S an S King Street, outside the light rail station. You normally catch Bolt bus on this block, but due to construction, our friends had to catch it up a block towards 6th ave S and S King st.

Centurylink Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders, is next to King Street Station.

Downtown Seattle, looking the other way.

Let me give you a quick look inside King Street Station

King Street has been restored within the last decade, and is a beautiful station once again.

Amtrak Cascades train loading to go to Vancouver.

Looking at Centurylink Field from Jackson Street.

Waterfall Park, the birthplace of UPS.

In Pioneer Square, the Klondike Gold Rush Historic Park - Seattle Division. This park is connected to the Klondike Gold Rush Historic Park in Skagway.

They have 5 featured people to follow on their journey. I choose to follow John Nordstrom.

Looking around the Museum was very interesting.

replica exhibits give you an idea of the experience.

John Nordstrom, after returning from the Klondike, started a small shoe company, which has grown into the Nordstrom's Department Stores.

We all loved this National Park, and wish I had visited prior to my two other visits to Alaska. I am looking forward to visiting the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park in Skagway!

If you have the time make sure to visit this museum especially before cruising to Alaska.

From Pioneer Square its a few blocks to the southern end of the Seattle Waterfront.

If you have a chance to eat at Ivar's on the waterfront, Do it.

Another fun activity is to take a ride on the Washington State Ferries. It is cheaper if you walk on, and you can even explore Bainbridge Island or Bremerton before returning to Seattle. You only pay going westbound out of Seattle when you walk on the boat.

Catch the ferry in Seattle at Colman Dock.

On the Ferry Wenatchee as its pulling out of the dock.

We got some great photos of Seattle from the water.

The weather was really nice to take a ferry ride.

Arriving at Bainbridge Island, where we got off and got right back on to go back to Seattle.

A Holland America Ship at pier 90. With the Victoria Clipper in the picture as well.

Further North on the Waterfront near Pier 66 (Norwegian Cruises from here) you can walk to the Seattle Aquarium from the Cruise terminal.

Walking down the waterfront.

Seattle's Great Wheel

Olympic Mountains

We then went and visited the Seattle Aquarium

The DW being silly.

We then headed for Pike Place Market.

The monk fish by her hand has a string which the fish mongers pull behind the counter making it move. She was watching our friend James (who is to the left out of the camera shot) and his reaction, this was her reaction to that.

They had just thrown a fish over the guys head.

We stopped and got an out-of-this-world cheesecake at the Confectional. Did I mention it was featured on Food Network?

Post Alley

The Original Starbucks store

Here is a different shot of Westlake Park - Westlake Center is behind the Starbucks, down a block is the Nordstrom Flagship Store and Corporate headquarters.

Another Fun place to visit is the Ballard Locks. You can catch a bus from downtown out there.

Crossing the raiseable train bridge over the Lake Washington Ship Canal and entrance to the Ballard Locks.

The Hiram M Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks) operated by the US Army Corp of Engineers.

Here is a train crossing the same bridge.