Pike Place is a lively market located in the historic heart of Seattle. It was established in 1907, making it the largest continuously operating farmers' market in the United States. It was founded to connect local farmers directly with consumers and eliminate middlemen who were driving up food prices. It is now home to over 500 businesses over 9 acres and multiple levels. Visitors can find stalls offering fresh produce, seafood, meats, and dairy from local producers, artisanal food shops offering everything from handmade pasta to international spices, craft stalls selling handmade jewellery, art, clothing, and gifts, and speciality shops from antique dealers to comic book stores.
One emblematic feature of Pike Place is the amusing tradition of the "flying fish". This unfolds when a customer orders a fish: the fishmongers shout the order, then one of them throws the fish through the air to a colleague behind the counter, who catches it with a flourish and wraps it up.
With stunning Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier as a backdrop, this private walking tour of Seattle offers so much more than the Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.
On your private walking tour of Seattle, you will:
This tour of Seattle is a wonderful introduction to a beautiful Pacific Northwest city. The tour covers both the iconic landmarks of the 100-year-old Pike Place Market and tickets to the city’s must-see, must-do attractions, so you’ll be immersed in the beating heart of this fantastic city. You will also see and learn how companies like Microsoft and Amazon have propelled Seattle into the great city it is today.
At the end of the tour, your guide will drop you off at the entrance to the Seattle Space Needle with timed entrance tickets, where you will ascend the elevator for spectacular views of the Sound and surrounding mountain ranges. On clear days, you’ll see some of the most incredible mountain ranges and waterscapes of any urban setting on Earth.
After your time in the Space Needle, you can use your ticket to enter Chihuly Garden and Glass, which is one of the best-curated collections of blown glass outside of Venice, Italy. Along with occasional glassblowing demonstrations, your admission to Chihuly includes a stroll along the gardens to view the amazing displays of vibrantly coloured glasswork nestled among the greenery and hanging in glass atriums. See the work of Washington’s famed glassblower, who has achieved worldwide fame through glassblowing, while making the state a hub for the master craft.
Helpful tips: The Space Needle does not offer skip-the-line tickets, and can queue up to an hour on the weekend, even with a fixed entrance time. We recommend, where possible, booking this tour on weekdays. Additionally, after the Space Needle, you will be free to enter Chihuly Garden and Glass at your leisure, so we recommend planning to grab a bite of food and return to thoroughly enjoy the spectacular experience. Most people spend easily an hour at Chihuly Garden and Glass.
Please note: your Space Needle ticket has a fixed entrance time, and you’ll be able to enter Chihuly Gardens and Glass at any point during the rest of the day.
The largest city in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a vibrant metropolis known for its picturesque setting between the Puget Sound and Lake Washington as well as its spirit of innovation. Our half-day driving tour is a great way to get to know the so-called ‘Emerald City’, taking you on a carefully curated route around Seattle’s must-see spots in the company of a knowledgeable local driver guide.
On this private half-day driving tour, you will:
Experience the best of Seattle on this private half-day driving tour, designed for curious travellers eager to dive deep into the city’s spirit. With convenient door-to-door pickup and drop-off from your hotel in central Seattle, you’ll be welcomed by a friendly local driver-guide who knows the city like the back of their hand, sharing stories, insights, and hidden gems you won’t find in guidebooks.
Your journey begins with a scenic drive through the heart of the city, weaving through Seattle’s distinct neighbourhoods and lively streets. Along the way, you’ll pass some of the city's most iconic landmarks, including the towering Space Needle, a hallmark of the Seattle skyline standing at over 600 feet tall, and the bustling Pike Place Market, where you’ll have time to hop out and explore the colourful stalls, meet local vendors, and maybe even witness the famous flying fish.
As you cruise down Alaskan Way, you’ll take in sweeping views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains, with plenty of photo-worthy stops to capture Seattle's breathtaking natural beauty. Your guide will tailor the route to match your interests, whether you’re intrigued by the city’s maritime roots, its booming tech scene, or the legacy of its music and counterculture movements.
You’ll have time to walk through some of Seattle’s quirkiest spots, like the ever-evolving Gum Wall tucked on Post Alley, and you can also pass by landmarks that helped shape Seattle’s world-famous coffee culture, including the original Starbucks store. With your guide at the wheel, you’ll be able to explore comfortably and efficiently, with ample opportunity to step out for a stroll if you so choose.
By the time your tour draws to a close, you’ll be left with a deeper understanding of what makes Seattle tick: its layered history, dynamic culture, and the unique energy that pulses through its streets and waterfront. This is a perfect introduction to the Emerald City, all in a relaxed and flexible setting.
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