Waterfront Highlights of Seattle |
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Since the early settlement of Native Americans, Seattle’s commercial, leisure, and community life has centered around bodies of water—Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, the Duwamish River, and numerous lakes. Below are recommended sites for people of all ages that highlight Seattle’s connection to water. Waterfront/Downtown
▪ Argosy Tours. Argosy Cruises provide a great way to see Seattle from the water. Cruises depart daily all year from downtown Seattle, Lake Union, and the Kirkland City Dock. The Harbor Tour, Argosy’s longest-running cruise, is a one-hour narrated tour of Seattle’s historic harbor. The locks Cruise tour is a 2.5 hour cruise from the salt water of Puget Sound into the fresh water of Lake Union, via the Hiram Chittenden Locks. These tours depart from Piers 55 and 56 in downtown Seattle. Other Argosy cruises include tours of Lake Union and Lake Washington. Cruises begin leaving the docks at noon on most days. Prices range from $15 to $30, depending on the cruise. More information is available online at <http://www.argosycruises.com/publiccruises/>. ▪ Seattle Aquarium (1483 Alaskan Way). Do not miss a visit to the aquarium. Built in 1977, the aquarium recently underwent a significant renovation. Wander through the aquarium on your own or take a guided tour by one of the naturalists to see a variety of exhibits, including the “Underwater Dome,” “Windows on Washington Waters,” “Life on the Edge,” and “Marine Mammals.” Consider combining your aquarium visit with an Argosy Harbor Cruise. Aquarium Admission: $15 (13yrs. and over), $10 (4-12yrs.), free (3yrs. and under). Aquarium and Cruise: $28 (13yrs. and over), $17 (6-12 yrs.), $10(4-5 yrs.), free (3yrs. and under). Aquarium Hours: 9:30-5:00 daily. <www.seattleaquarium.org> q | |
▪ Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center. Located at the Bell Street Pier (#66), the center includes a contemporary maritime museum that features commercial fishing, shipping, trade, transportation, recreation, and maritime protection. Admission: $7 Adults, $5 Seniors, $5 Students (5-18 yrs.), $2 (2-4 yrs., free for children under 2). Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 10-3:00, Friday, 10-4:00, Saturday/Sunday 11-5:00.