Things to Do Pre and Post Cruise Trip
While Seattle offers a wide range of cruising options, it is much more than a city to depart from. In fact, Seattle has a plethora of hidden gems within the Emerald city, waiting to be discovered by the keen tourists. So, while your Seattle cruise tickets have already been booked, save some time to sightsee Seattle like a true tourist and find out what this beautiful city is really all about!
Beyond The Serene Cruises
Without a doubt, Seattle has a hundred interesting avenues for you to explore. Whether it’s the Pike Place Market, the Museum of Pop Culture, the Seattle Center, or even the iconic Capitol Hill, you’re sure to be mesmerized by the beauty of it all. If you wish to get to know the culture and really bond with the locals, step outside your comfort zone and walk through the bustling streets of Seattle! One thing’s for certain, and you won’t find a second to spare because there’s so much to do!
Pre-Cruise Shenanigans
Let’s talk Seattle pre cruise trip now! Keep in mind that this itinerary is a very rough idea, and there is no specific order with which you should sightsee Seattle. However, keeping in mind that most tourists would like to get the basic sightseeing done within the first couple of days, let’s get the most iconic sights out of the way.
1. Pike Place Market
Definitely, at the top of the must-visit attractions in Seattle, this is a sight for sore eyes. A hotspot for tourists and locals alike; this is the one place you will experience Seattle hospitality like none other. Presenting a myriad of artisan craft, technicolor flowers, small local shops, and live entertainment throughout, the Pike Place Market is one avenue you cannot miss.
2. The Space Needle
Some may argue that this landmark comes before Pike Place, but it’s all relative! This city landmark stands tall and proud at the Seattle Center and offers a stunning view of the city from its observation deck. Built originally for the World’s Fair in the year 1962, its historical relevance speaks for itself.
3. Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
Make an appearance at the world-famous Museum of Pop Culture and gawk at the fascinating pieces of art even if you know nothing about it. Tour through the museum and pick up historical facts and intriguing anecdotes about the world of pop culture and its history while you’re at it.
4. The Original Starbucks & Beecher’s Handmade Cheese
Fuel up by making a quick pitstop at the world’s original Starbucks and grab a latte while admiring the architectural feat that stands tall even today. If your tastebuds are tickling for a little flavor, get a bowl of Beecher’s signature mac and cheese before heading out into the sun again!
5. The Elliott Bay
Now that we’re getting closer to the cruise let’s talk waterfront views! At the Elliot Bay, you will find an interesting array of gift shops and seafood joints- let your heart take you where you desire to be at. Jump on the Seattle Great Wheel to obtain sweeping views of the city. If you have children with you, make an appearance at the Seattle Aquarium and wave at the friendly aquatic animals.
Post-Cruise Activities
Now that you’re off the idyllic cruise let’s focus on some land-based sights that are less known to the world, but equally intriguing and immersive!
1. Discovery Park
Stroll through the beautiful park in Magnolia, which happens to be Seattle’s largest park. A hidden gem, for sure, because not many tourists know about it. Take a selfie with the picturesque lighthouse in the frame and admire the wildflower meadows that surround you.
2. The Ballard Neighbourhood
A short cab ride (or even walk) from Discovery park is the lovely neighborhood of Ballard- famous for its Scandinavian roots and craft beer! That’s right, grab a mug from the multiple distilleries and breweries at Ballard and walk through the artisan boutiques while soaking up the Seattle vibes like never before.
3. The Ballard Locks
The Ballard Avenue has an iconic Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery that must be tried out if you have a sweet tooth! And of course, the Ballard Locks (yet another typical must-visit attraction in Seattle) must be visited while on this avenue, that offers a view of Lakes Union and Washington in a stunning appeal.
Feel free to mix and match to fit your schedule and curate the itinerary of your dreams!
Read MoreHow a Full Day Tour is a Fantastic Journey for the Whole Family?
A family vacation is never what its cut out to be; no matter how much you plan the meticulously curated itinerary, things are most likely to fall apart. But the best part about family trips is that you find a way to enjoy your fellow family members interests and grow a stronger, deeper bond with them. Now, when your trip is in a lively city like Seattle, there is very little to worry about. Each of the Seattle full day tour is sprinkled with fun, family-friendly activities for you to do and places meant to be enjoyed by families!
Families with Varying Age Groups
“What are some of the full-day tours in Seattle that my family would enjoy?” you ask? Well, the truth is it’ll be hard to find activities your entire family wouldn’t enjoy together. Seattle is jam-packed with fun activities to partake in, and almost all of them are family-centric. Whether you have little kids, distant teenagers, disruptive young adults, or aging old parents, this full-day tour through Seattle’s finest will bring out the best in each age group!
Now, we shall present before you an ideal full-day itinerary in Seattle with some extra activities you may wish to include to yours, depending on your timeframe. Make sure to take into consideration the likes and dislikes of your family members while planning this trip.
The Seattle City Tour
What better way to spend some quality family time than by cramming up in a minivan or coach and sightseeing all that Seattle has to offer? This tour typically lasts a few hours depending on the route taken, and ideally covers all the major sights on the way. The Space Needle at the Seattle Center, the Pike Place Market Tour, and the Fremont Troll Sculpture are sure to be covered on all of them, and are each fun, interactive ways to find out more about Seattle, but also about your family members.
Seattle Underground History Tour
If you’re the kind of family that loves to get involved in the history of the city and learn how it came to be, you might want to try out the captivating underground history tour. This tour lasts close to 2-3 hours and is a fun way to learn all about Seattle and its history with the rest of your family. But if your family also has members who strongly dislike history, you might want to stay away from this tour.
Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle Winery
Ideal for families who enjoy a little adventure, this tour includes a trip to Snoqualmie Falls as well as a visit to a classy boutique winery. A trip to the falls is the most exciting way to spend some quality family time, whether you’re soaking in the stunning views or splashing about in the cold waters. Add a little alcoholic happiness to it at the end of the day to amp up your vacation.
The Pike Place Market
This is one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Seattle and for a good reason. You’d need a whole day to tour through the good and bad of the Pike Place Market, and who better to tour it than with your family. Whether you take a cultural walking tour or a food-tasting tour, rest assured there is something for every member of your family. Don’t forget to buy souvenirs to take back home with you and remember this vacation by!
Mount Rainier Full-Day Tour
Take a trip to the Mt Rainier day trip and enjoy picturesque views of the national park with the rest of your family. Trek through the mountainous terrain, witness several sights along your way, and camp inside/outside the park- all within the comfort of your family! Cuddle up together by a fireplace and reminisce childhood stories as you soak up your gorgeous surroundings.
Gourmet Seattle Walking Tour
A family that eats together stays together- walk hand-in-hand through the vibrant streets of Seattle as you make your way to the tastiest restaurants and devour upscale comfort food with the rest of your family. There’s nothing quite like a family bonding together over a meal; partake in this luxury you’ve been gifted with.
These are just some of the fun ways you can spend some quality time bonding with your family while on a full-day tour in Seattle. Mix and match as you please and make sure each family member has something to look forward to in your trip!
Read MoreReasons Why You Should Choose Helicopter Tour?
The first thought that comes to mind when doing helicopter tours in, it is very expensive and only rich ones could afford. At the end of this post, you will be easily convinced that it is a necessary activity and the price can be borne by any individual and it is worth it.
The biggest city in Washington State and the entire Northwest, Seattle is a seaport that occupies an isthmus between Puget Sound that leads into the Lake Washington and the Pacific Ocean. The city is famous for its strong coffee, a vibrant rock culture, signature attraction – Space Needle which is a 605-foot tall tower built for the World’s Fair in 1962. There are other famous landmarks such as the historic Pioneer Square, the Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market and the city’s waterfront. Below we have mentioned some convincing reasons why you need to book for Helicopter Tours Seattle.
Helicopter Rides are Less Expensive than you think
You will not be burning your pockets much when you will be flying in a luxury helicopter within city limits. Your tour can cost you as low as $150 to 200 per person. The tour cost will depend on the route and length of the flight.
Ease of Booking
If you are planning to witness the magnificent views of the city with a helicopter ride, then there are multiple reputed tour operators available and you can easily find them online. Go through their websites to know about the booking option and tour information. You can able to compare various tour packages and book the one that fits your budget.
Massive Crowd during Holiday Seasons
If planning to visit Seattle during Christmas or New Year, then ready to face the holiday rush. During the rush, it is really tough to enjoy serene time away from the crowds. By taking yourself to the troposphere, you can easily leave the masses behind.
Sightseeing can be done at a Fast Pace
Rather waiting in long queues, helicopter tours in Seattle will help you to see all the landmarks in a short span. Apart from witnessing the Space Needle, various waterfronts and museums, everything that you wish can be seen from the skies.
Knowing the City Well
Sometimes you may feel lost in the streets, but when you are at the top, you will be able to get a better understanding of the city streets and altogether have a different view when gazing from the sky. If you understand navigation, your pilot will help you understand the city layout better.
Picture Perfect Views
To capture the breathtaking views of the snow-capped Mt. Rainier, Narada Falls, the Paradise View, and other famous landmarks, please carry a camera. From the ground, it is impossible to capture some of the grandest views.
Amazing facts from Experienced Pilots
If you are choosing helicopter tours in Seattle, you may think of some level of service provided by the pilot. The truth you will achieve beyond your expectations. The knowledge and the friendliness of the staff and the pilots will make you mesmerized. Riding in a helicopter is a personal sightseeing experience. The pilots will often point out fascinating landmarks and they are always happy to answer any queries. You can ask about the history, music culture, war stories and they will amaze you with their rich knowledge. They will tell you interesting stories of Jimi Hendrix, political stories, education, economy and what not.
A Memorable Experience
One need not have wings to fly for enjoying the aerial views of the beautiful city. A helicopter ride is a thrilling and luxurious experience that you want to cherish for a lifetime.
In all Popular Destinations, Traffic is Always Crazy Seattle is a big city and you would expect a large population and that leads to traffic. If your plan is to take a road tour, then there are chances that you can get stuck in traffic and you can spoil your day. The tour operators help you to reduce the travel time with a helicopter ride and you can have peace of mind while soaking in the beauty of the city.
Read MoreMt Rainier Tours – Everything You Need to Know
Mt. Rainier is always teeming with flora and fauna and carries with it a fascinating history. Relatively young, as far as mountains go, Mt. Rainier began to form approximately a million years (give and take) ago. It houses several glaciers and is home to coniferous trees, meadows, lakes, waterfalls, and wildflowers during the summer times.
It can be an incredible experience to see Mt. Rainier up close and from a higher vantage point. It is easy to access from the city of Seattle via amazing short and planned excursions. The best Mt Rainier tours from Seattle are the ones that combine helicopter rides for an aerial view of the mountain and a hike to see it more closely.
Things to See
The ideal Mt. Rainier tour will cover a route that will enable visitors to see it in all its glory. If you choose an Mt. Rainier tour from Seattle, you can go with reliable operators offering helicopter rides covering the scope of the mountain. From your aerial viewpoint, you should be able to see the cascades, the wilderness, peaks, and even spot some animals roaming Mt. Rainier. The ideal route will include the chopper ride over the Cascade foothills, being up close with Snoqualmie Falls, and smooth riding over the many valleys and peaks of the mountain while you sit comfortably in the helicopter. If the sky is clearer than usual, you can even catch a glimpse of nearby attractions such as Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood, Mt. Baker, and more.
For a better experience, choose an operator who offers the option to hike on the mountain after the helicopter ride. It can be a glorious experience to go a bit nearer to the cascades or touch the green mountain grass after watching these from afar. It can be magical to see some of the flora and fauna up close in their natural habitat.
The ideal ride would be at least 35 minutes of duration. You will need this much time to see everything on your Mt Rainer helicopter ride without missing important sights. Your operator must also offer you the option to select an extended ride if you wish so. Many reliable operators arrange for extended rides for reasonable additions to the cost of the tour.
The Tour Essentials
It is not every day that you fly over a mountain and then see it up close.
For an enjoyable ride, you need to arrange it with the help of reliable tour operators. Choose a company with experienced pilots, up-to-date helicopters, and tour guides.
You should be able to enjoy your Mt. Rainier tour in smaller groups so that it’s safer and more personalized. Ideally, the group size mustn’t be more than six people at a time.
The guide should be knowledgeable enough to provide you with all the relevant details about the things you will see on the mountain during your ride and the hike. It can be really fascinating to hear about the history of the mountain, its formation, about its glaciers, and vegetation. It can be a truly educational experience for the children and the adults alike with a lot of fun and excitement along the way.
Your tour operator must offer you options for the ride timing as per your convenience. You should be able to choose a morning or afternoon ride. The tour should also include meals after a few hours of sightseeing. Many operators arrange for gourmet meals for such tours – be it a delicious lunch or a scrumptious afternoon tea with snacks.
Your tour operator must also arrange for transport before and after the helicopter ride. You shouldn’t need to worry about making arrangements for your transport when you simply wish to relax and enjoy the marvelous Mt. Rainier tour.
You should also be able to book your tour easily. Your operator should be able to help you out to make the perfect arrangements as per the number of guests, timing, and other facilities. All in all, right from booking the tour to you reaching safely back to your hotel, your Mt. Rainier ride must be outstanding in every way.
Read MoreUseful Tips in Finding Cheap Hotel and Vacation Deals
Book Hotels through Experienced Travel Agents
Las Vegas is a magnificent tourist destination, judging by all standards. The place pulls tourists from all countries to its fold, during almost all periods of the year. Visitors flock here to enjoy the diverse holiday delights that are sure to keep them engaged throughout their holiday period. Because of the heavy rush of the tourists, there is a great demand for holiday homes that lie within and in the nearby places of Las Vegas. Hence, it is sensible to book hotels in Las Vegas well prior to the date of travel. This really makes sense, as you will get ample time to gather details of the various hotel deals in Las Vegas, so that you can compare the prices pragmatically. Booking early also means that you will be able to get the hotel of your choice. In any case, to get the maximum possible dividends and that too without compromising on the quality of the hotel rooms, it is better to go for one of the attractive hotel deals in Las Vegas offered by leading hotel booking agencies. In fact, this is the best way to book hotels in Las Vegas.
Go for Popular Hotels
Traveling, in essence, means you are moving out of your safe zone and entering a very different place, where your contacts may be very much limited. Therefore, it is very important that you must get a comfortable accommodation to stay; this is possible only when you are able to book secured accommodation units. When you stay in a hotel room, you must feel as if you are in your home town; you must feel secure and cozy. To add more glory to the holidaying period, and to gain the highly desired peaceful relaxation, most of the tourists go for hotel rooms that have 3 or 4 star facilities.
You can check the details of the available facilities and the amenities of each hotel, before making the final decision. Check the actual location of the hotels and the proximity towards the different places of holiday activities and reserve your tickets in accordance to that.
Some Practical Points to Consider When You Book Hotels
If you follow some basic rules to book hotels in Las Vegas, you can surely grab the best offers that will make your holiday stay comfy, without damaging the pockets a lot. Many of the professionally managed hotels offer specially designed customer-friendly offers at usual intervals in order to attract new customers. Moreover, the discounts will be more, when you book during the low period. In addition, there will be attractive discount sales also at other times. Hence, if you are keen on grabbing the beneficial hotel offers, you must closely watch the prevailing scenario and act accordingly.
To begin with, you must search various travel sites and check the different hotel and vacation deals in Las Vegas, online. There are several leading travel companies, which operate in this region. Most of them offer diverse types of customer-friendly deals, which will satisfy all categories of tourists.
• You will have to get an overall idea about the various hotels in the region and the available facilities and amenities. Get the price ranges and compare judiciously, by considering all the related points.
• You can check whether the preferred dates are available; if not, it is better to try to adjust and agree to the available dates. Remember, it is practically good not to be so much adamant regarding the dates. Whether you start your vacation a few days before than the planned date or after some days it is immaterial. This will not make that much of a difference to the overall quality of your Las Vegas vacation. Moreover, your bargaining power suffers when you are strict about the dates.
• Bear in mind that if you are asking for handy amenities, the hotels concerned will charge the customer for the additional amenities that fall out of their offered services. Hence, check the basic available facilities first and then go for the extra ones in line with your budget. Pragmatically speaking, it is always sensible to go without the costly services or unnecessary amenities.
• Check prudently and find out whether the hotels provide any discounts. Some of them provide suitable dividends when the period of stay is a bit longer.
• Holiday coupons are also a good way to beat the market prices.
After gathering all the related details comprehensively, compare the prices of the different options and go for the best one.
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