Seattle Cruise Port Guide
Photos: Jeffery Hayes (CC BY-SA 3.0) · via Wikimedia Commons; Tina Webb, Welton Barbosa, ahmed Badi · via Google Maps
- Country:
- United States
- Region:
- Alaska
- Coordinates:
- 47.6050° N, 122.3300° W
About Seattle
Seattle is the 18th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 784,777 in 2025. The Seattle metropolitan area has over 4.15 million residents, making it the 15th-most populous metropolitan area in the nation. As a cruise port, Seattle offers easy access to some of the Pacific Northwest's most distinctive attractions.
The port is exceptionally well-positioned for visitors. The Seattle Aquarium sits just 0.9 km away, whilst The Gum Wall and The Seattle Great Wheel are equally close. The Space Needle stands 2.2 km from the port and offers panoramic views across the city, whilst nearby museums include the Chihuly Garden and Glass art museum and the Museum of Pop Culture, both 2.3 km away.
Things to do near Seattle cruise port
- Seattle Aquarium (0.9 km) — rated 4.3 out of 5
- The Seattle Great Wheel (0.9 km) — rated 4.6 out of 5
- Space Needle (2.2 km) — rated 4.6 out of 5
- Kerry Park (3.5 km) — rated 4.8 out of 5
- Chihuly Garden and Glass (2.3 km) — rated 4.7 out of 5
From Seattle, you can explore nearby Alaska cruises to ports including Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point.
Seattle is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It is the 18th-most populous city in the United States with a population of 784,777 in 2025, while the Seattle metropolitan area at over 4.15 million residents is the 15th-most populous metropolitan area in the nation. The city is the county seat of King County, the most populous county in Washington. Seattle's growth rate of 21.1% between 2010 and 2020 made it one of the country's fastest-growing large cities.
Read more on Wikipedia (text CC BY-SA)
Things to do in Seattle on a port day
Top-rated sights within reach of the cruise terminal. Ratings, hours and reviews from Google — check opening times before you go.
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Photo: Andrij Abyzov · via Google Maps Observation Deck
Space Needle
4.6 (59,727) 2.2 km from port
Iconic, 605-ft-tall spire at the Seattle Center, with an observation deck & a rotating restaurant.
Near: Seattle Center (93 m) · Seattle Center Monorail (93 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:30 am – 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:30 am – 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:30 am – 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:30 am – 7:30 pm
- Friday: 9:30 am – 9:30 pm
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 9:30 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 8:30 pm
- 5 · “We had a great time at the Space Needle and Chihuly Garden. Walking on the glass floor definitely tested my…” — Vivster Lanuza
- 5 · “The Space Needle is an absolute must if you’re visiting Seattle. It’s the city’s most iconic landmark, and the views…” — Marisa Cid
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Photo: DL · via Google Maps Art museum
Chihuly Garden and Glass
4.7 (25,302) 2.3 km from port
Art museum & sculpture garden showcasing Dale Chihuly's large, colorful glass works.
Near: Space Needle (88 m) · Seattle Children's Museum (98 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:30 am – 6:30 pm
- Tuesday: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
- Wednesday: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
- Thursday: 10:30 am – 5:30 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 7:30 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 7:30 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 6:30 pm
- 5 · “We visited Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, right next to the Space Needle. The entrance was pricier than I…” — Woo Young Kim
- 5 · “This is a really nice and scenic area that gives you a great experience. The details of the art are…” — Nihal Dhand
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Photo: Seattle Aquarium · via Google Maps Aquarium
Seattle Aquarium
4.3 (23,926) 1.0 km from port
Popular waterfront aquarium with interactive exhibits, a cafe & virtual reality shows.
Near: Seattle Aquarium Café (24 m) · Seattle Giant Letters (126 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
- 5 · “You need to book tickets in advance, don't forget this. I felt at first it was a bit expensive but…” — Andrew Campbell
- 5 · “Used a Groupon CityPass for access. It was easy, to scan at the ticketing booth, bypassing the scheduled ticket line.…” — Jeremy Morris
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Photo: Louis Ruth Photography · via Google Maps Park and Garden
Kerry Park
4.8 (19,806) 3.5 km from port
Panoramic views of Downtown & the Space Needle draw visitors to this small neighborhood park.
Near: Seattle Panoramic Viewpoint (28 m) · La Casita Feliz / The Language Link (168 m)
- Good for children
- Dogs allowed
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Tuesday: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Wednesday: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Thursday: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Friday: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Saturday: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Sunday: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
- 5 · “Kerry Park is a very small park, but it offers one of the biggest and most spectacular views of Seattle.…” — Vantrips II
- 5 · “One of the best viewpoints in Seattle—small park, unforgettable views. If you're visiting Seattle, Kerry Park is a place you…” — Rishab Raj Rastogi
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Art museum
Museum of Pop Culture
4.5 (19,456) 2.3 km from port
Inspired by Jimi Hendrix, the museum includes items from icons ranging from Bo Diddley to Bob Dylan.
Near: Seattle Center Monorail (124 m) · Space Needle (139 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- 5 · “Visited on a Sunday afternoon and really enjoyed the mix of interactive exhibits and deep dives into pop culture history.…” — Mathew Love
- 5 · “This was an unplanned visit when visting the Space Needle, and so glad I dropped in. They have created a…” — D G
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Tourist attraction
The Gum Wall
4.2 (14,046) 0.9 km from port
Iconic brick wall covered with chewed-up gum in an alley under Pike Place Market.
Near: Pike Place Fish Market (42 m) · The Showbox (85 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: Open 24 hours
- Tuesday: Open 24 hours
- Wednesday: Open 24 hours
- Thursday: Open 24 hours
- Friday: Open 24 hours
- Saturday: Open 24 hours
- Sunday: Open 24 hours
- 5 · “Gross? Yes. Iconic Seattle? Also yes. 😂 The Gum Wall is one of those wonderfully weird Seattle things everyone should…” — Hannah
- 5 · “Visited the famous Gum Wall down in Post Alley under Pike Place Market. Unbelievably colorful, highly unusual, and surprisingly expansive…” — Eugene Chang
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Ferris wheel
The Seattle Great Wheel
4.6 (12,652) 0.9 km from port
Giant Ferris wheel offering climate-controlled gondolas & a bird's-eye view of the city's landmarks.
Near: AMLI Waterfront (66 m) · Elliott's Oyster House (83 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Toilets
Opening hours
- Monday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Tuesday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Wednesday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Thursday: 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
- Friday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
- 5 · “Visiting the Seattle Great Wheel while Seattle was hosting World Cup matches was an unforgettable experience! The entire waterfront was…” — Samuel Ajiboye
- 5 · “The Seattle Great Wheel was one of the highlights of our visit to the waterfront and a wonderful way to…” — Kimberly Harle
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Park and Garden
Olympic Sculpture Park
4.5 (9,568) 2.3 km from port
An offshoot of the Seattle Art Museum, this park features numerous sculptures spread over 9 acres.
Near: Paccar Pavilion (48 m) · Olympus Apartments (54 m)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Good for children
- Dogs allowed
- Toilets
- 5 · “Free with a great view of Puget Sound. I think of it more as a unique walk with views than…” — Kellie Starling
- 5 · “It’s free, and a good location near the waterfront, close walk to Space Needle or Pike Place Market, and many…” — Natalie Jauhari
Map of Seattle and nearby attractions
Best time to visit Seattle
Cruises to Alaska mostly sail may to September.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
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- Dec
Cruises calling at Seattle
Deals update daily — see all Alaska cruises.
