The Seattle Waterfront is a beautiful place to explore on foot or simply sit and take in the sights and sounds of the city. The waterfront offers plenty of opportunities, spanning a great portion of Elliot Bay from the Pioneer Square, past downtown and all the way to Broad Street at the Olympic Sculpture Park. You will find a collection of piers, parks, interesting shops, eclectic art and souvenir, ferry rides and plenty of places to enjoy fresh seafood! The area is pretty much family friendly and most of the activities can be enjoyed for free. Here’s some of The Blarney Stone Pub and Restaurant’s top picks:
The Washington State Ferries – Operating in two main terminals, the ferry is part of the state’s transportation system carrying passengers and vehicles to and from different points of Puget Sound. The terminal in Pier 52 carries vehicles and passengers to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton while the one in Pier 50 is a passenger only service. If you are looking for a cheap yet scenic tour around the waterfront, or simply looking for a relaxing ferry ride, the State Ferry is a great way to go.
Scenic Boat Tours – For a more comfortable ride while enjoying the best of the Seattle Waterfront, a scenic cruise along the bay is the perfect thing to do. There are many short cruises and day tours you can enjoy with the family that will let you enjoy some of Seattle’s spectacular sights including the Space Needle, the Great Wheel, several islands on the Sound, and the amazing Seattle skyline. Who knows, you may even spot a whale or two!
Myrtle Edwards Park – Located along the Seattle Waterfront north of downtown, the park offers 1.25 miles of winding bike paths and pedestrian walkways along Elliot Bay. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy great weather. You’ll find picnic tables dotted around several picnic areas as well as a fishing pier where you can try your angling skills. It is the perfect spot to enjoy the view of the water front, the Puget Sound as well as the serene mountains.
Olympic Sculpture Park – Just adjacent to the Myrtle Edwards Park, is a 9 acre stretch of vibrant green open space filled with extraordinary pieces of art. Part of the Seattle Art Museum family, the sculpture park is open to the public and features permanent and visiting installations. The permanent fixtures include work by Alexander Calder, Mark Dion, Ellsworth Kelly, Tony Smith, Louise Bourgeois and several other modern artists.
Seattle Aquarium – Vising the waterfront cannot be complete without a tour of the Seattle Aquarium. If you are travelling with family or simply love marine life, it’s a guaranteed must-see! Located right at Pier 59, it is the 9th most visited aquarium in the U.S. and one of the top five attractions in the Puget Sound. The Aquariums houses a wide variety of ocean flora and fauna from delightful otters, huge schools of salmon to odd but charming ocean plants and creatures.
Just a short climb from the Waterfront, you’ll find Pike Place Market, the oldest farmers market in the U.S where you can shop for the freshest produce, seafood, flowers and all kinds of trinkets. Be sure to drop by The Blarney Stone Pub and Restaurant on 1st Ave when you visit!