Anyone taking an Alaska cruise next summer? If your cruise begins or ends in Seattle I think you MUST consider additional time in this world class city known as the “Emerald City”.
An extra 3 or 4 days could be spent exploring downtown Seattle with bustling Pike’s Place Market and historic Pioneer Square (did you know there was a Seattle underground?). If you’re traveling with kids/teens then you’ve got to visit the very interactive dual museum “Experience Music Project / Science Fiction Museum” located on the grounds of “Seattle Center”… reachable by a quick monorail ride from downtown. Live like a local and take a Washington State Ferry leaving from downtown and go across Puget Sound to the Olympic peninsula and visit the delightfully charming Norwegian-influenced town of Poulsbo. Wander the cute shops along the harbor front and don’t forget to stop in at Sluys bakery for some wonderful Norwegian pastries. Or, rent a car for the day and go East for about 2 hours – crossing the Cascades – and you’re in Leavenworth, a beautiful Bavarian-like village. Have lunch at Café Christa and enjoy not only the food, but the wonderful views. On the return drive, stop at beautiful Ohme Gardens located outside of Wenatchee. It’s a full day, but well worth it. Oh…and back toSeattle….I almost forgot to visit the Boeing factory tour! As you can see, there is SO much to see and do.
Cruise Escapes Blog 