What to do when cruise docks in Seattle?

[grogers11]

Our cruise leaves on Sunday, so we spend our first weekend (Fri-Sun) in Seattle doing the touristy thing, then get on the boat on Sunday. When we dock the following Sunday, our flight does not leave until 10:30 at night.

 

Do you have any suggestions for what we should do that 2nd Sunday since we'll have about 12 hours? As we will have spent a weekend in Seattle already, we will have already seen the downtown area attractions (Space Needle, Pike Place Market, etc). Should we rent a car and drive somewhere? I understand Thrifty has a rental location right at the dock (Pier 30). Or do you have other suggestions? I've heard some hotels will sell you a day room to store your stuff in and take showers later on.

 

Any suggestions appreciated, thanks!

[grogers11]

we could pick up a car (where HAL docks).....

[ChelseaM]

Just a *few* things to do that aren't in "downtown" Seattle:

 

- Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (in Ballard)

- Tacoma Museum of Glass

- Boeing Museum of Flight

- Fremont Troll

- University of Washington campus

- Discovery park

- Golden Gardens

 

Have fun! :)

[tristero]

You could drive to Mt Rainier...I believe it's a 90 minute drive from Seattle. Mt St Helens is about 2-2.5 hrs each way. Portland, OR is a 3 hr drive each way.

 

You could also go for a hike in Snoqualmie, about a 45 minute drive. Just a few ideas! :)

[twiceblessed]

Pioneer Square, Laser show at the Science Center, visit an island.

[jdmss]

Take the underground tour, Ive done it twice and it is greatly informative and entertaining at the same time.. I highly recommend it.

 

http://www.undergroundtour.com/

[ladysheri]

Few ideas...

 

Leavenworth...a Bavarian village 120 miles Northeast of Seattle. Beautiful drive, charming town; quite different from anything you will see in Alaska.

http://www.leavenworth.org/

 

Tillicum Village...Native American themed outing across the bay from Seattle. I HIGHLY recommend it. It's located on Blake Island--a great place to hike and view Puget Sound area. http://www.tillicumvillage.com/

 

Wallace Falls...another nearby hiking area. Outside of Seattle area, along the same highway that goes to Leavenworth. http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Wallace+Falls&pageno=1

[chewap]

Rent a car at the dock and drive to Mt Rainier. The snow at Paridise (6000 ft) finally melted 2 weeks ago and all the flowers are out. Then you can drop off your rental car at SeaTac Airport.

[grogers11]

I guess we need to do some thinking about which will be best for us. Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier definitely sound interesting....:o

[chewap]

I guess we need to do some thinking about which will be best for us. Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier definitely sound interesting....:o

 

 

That would be your best bet, but only do it when the weather is nice. The north entrance to Mt St Helens is very close to Mt Rainier. The North entrance takes you through the Blast zone, the best viewing of Mt St Helens.