Lake Union, Seattle: Our most recommended tours and activities

Seattle: 3-Hour City Tour by Bus

1. Seattle: 3-Hour City Tour by Bus

Discover the best of Seattle on a 3-hour guided, small-group tour covering almost 50 miles including three main stops: Pioneer Square, Ballard Locks, and a city skyline viewpoint for unforgettable photo opportunities. Sit back and relax as a knowledgeable guide presents Seattle's history, neighborhoods, and attractions. The tour visits the following highlights: • Pike Place Market • Olympic and Cascade Mountain views • Seattle waterfront • Historic Pioneer Square • Waterfall Garden Park • Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park • T-mobile Park and CenturyLink field • Chinatown and International District • Lake Washington • I-90 Floating Bridge • Mercer Island • Puget Sound views • Panoramic Seattle city views • Fremont neighborhood and Troll • Lake Union and Ship Canal • Fishermen’s Terminal • Ballard Locks/salmon ladder • Discovery Park • Scenic Magnolia Bluff with its stunning homes and views • Seattle Center & MoPop

Seattle Houseboat, Chocolate & Funky Fremont Walking Tour

2. Seattle Houseboat, Chocolate & Funky Fremont Walking Tour

xplore Seattle’s quirkiest neighborhood with an expert guide sharing clever commentary on the culture of Fremont, the self-proclaimed “Center of the Universe.” You’ll have a rare opportunity to climb aboard a Lake Union houseboat (similar to“Sleepless in Seattle”) to learn what it’s like to live on the water (literally) from one of its inhabitants. Exclusive access – only available on this tour! Wander the Fremont neighborhood, hub of Seattle’s public art scene and counterculture, with your informative and entertaining guide. Home to the clothing-optional Solstice day parade your (fully clothed) guide will be sure to introduce you to the famous Troll under the bridge, Vladamir Lenin & more! This tour begins in downtown Seattle and includes a ride on a city transit bus (fare included) with your guide navigating the way. The tour wraps up in Fremont about noon, where you’ll have the opportunity to continue exploring the neighborhood on your own (grab lunch or settle in at a local brewery for a tasting) or ride the bus back into downtown Seattle with your guide – the choice is yours!

Seattle: Sightseeing Bus Tour with the Ballard Locks

3. Seattle: Sightseeing Bus Tour with the Ballard Locks

Discover the jewel of the Pacific Northwest on this guided sightseeing tour of Seattle. Hop aboard a spacious and airconditioned bus for trip to neighborhoods like Ballard and Queen Anne. Gain insights into the city with the help of your local guide.  Enjoy the convenience of being picked up from a centrally-located meeting point close to the Space Needle. Board the comfortable bus and begin your journey through Seattle's highlights. Cruise through districts like Ballard and Queen Anne and see how culture and architectural diversity make each area unique. Explore the gardens and boat locks, and salmon ladder at the Ballard locks. Admire the the sparkling waters of the Puget Sound, the vast green forests, and the local mountains from the viewpoint at Kerry Park. Visit the greenspace on the shores of Lake Union at Gas Works Park. Return to your meeting point at the end of your tour. 

Seattle: Walking Tour with Craft Cocktails & Spirits Tasting

4. Seattle: Walking Tour with Craft Cocktails & Spirits Tasting

Calling all cocktail (and spirits) lovers! This two-and-a-half-hour walking tour of Seattle's Fremont neighbourhood is a fun, boozy adventure through art-laden streets, historical canals and fascinating local sights and landmarks. Try some enticing spirits and cocktails along the way and fall in love with this creative district. Start your tour by trying a couple of signature craft cocktails in the heart of Fremont – sometimes referred to as ‘The Artists’ Republic of Fremont’, this bohemian neighbourhood on the north bank of the canal is known for its quirky outdoor art installations, groovy bars and eateries and locally run indie shops. As you learn why this area is referred to as ‘The Center of the Universe’, your tour might just take you under the nose of the enormous statue of Vladimir Lenin – your tour guide can explain how this rather unusual piece of art landed in the heart of Fremont and the controversy it has sparked over the years. During your walk, witness the channel of water that runs under the Aurora Bridge and spot the expansive Lake Union, which connects to Salmon Bay and Puget Sound via the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Your tour guide will fill you in on the history of the canal and its importance to the development of the Fremont neighbourhood. As you wind your way through these beautiful urban streets, be enticed by the historical building of the Theo Chocolate factory and fill your nose with the smells of cocoa. You might want to tour the chocolate factory and stock up on some delicious souvenirs before or after this tour. Check out some of the other curious art installations in the area, such as The Fremont Rocket and other space-themed installations and learn about their background. As you walk along the riverside trail, watch out for the rowers and kayakers passing you by, as you discover the local park. Culminate your experience with an array of tastings of different spirits, which are made right here in the Pacific Northwest! From various signs with advice like ‘set your watch back five minutes’ and ‘throw your watch away’, to the general bohemian vibe of the district, you’ll soon find lots of reasons to fall in love with eccentric Fremont (cocktails aside!). We reserve the right to change both the route and places visited within the tour.

Seattle: Private City Driving Tour with Local Guide

5. Seattle: Private City Driving Tour with Local Guide

Community Impact: -Our tours are designed with our communities first in mind, meaning that we will always encourage supporting local, owner-operated, and start-up businesses such as those in Pike Place Market -We reduce overcrowding in over-touristed areas and lessen negative impacts on our local businesses by visiting lesser-known spots and shops in and around the Queen Anne neighborhood -The opportunity to add in walking segments to our tours reduces our carbon footprint and impact on the environment -We strive to represent all voices in our storytelling, for example highlighting the contributions of Asian immigrants to Washington's economy and African American influence on Seattle's music and culinary scenes Summary: Seattle is a city of distinct neighborhoods, and on this four-hour driving tour, we’ll explore the top-rated places and attractions bound to give you the full Emerald City experience! An obvious but worthwhile must-do for your whirlwind tour of the city is Pike Place Market and its dizzying array of shops and restaurants that have served the city’s residents for decades. Your tour guide will be happy to recommend favorite local eats, from fresh baked goods to excellent seafood, and introduce you to the market’s most beloved tenants, from the flying fish handlers to artisanal cheese mongers. Of course, no Pike Place Market tour is complete without a stop at the famous Gum Wall and a pass by the longest running Starbucks! Once you’re loaded up with market goodies, we’ll take a short ride along the scenic waterfront, with the Puget Sound made even more beautiful by a backdrop of the Olympic Mountains on a clear day. We’ll then take our Seattle driving tour up to the Queen Anne neighborhood, known for its steep hillsides, million-dollar homes, and amazing views of the city skyline and the iconic Space Needle. Time permitting, we can head north to Fremont and its Gas Works Park, offering more views of the Space Needle with Lake Union in the foreground. After a morning or afternoon of great photo ops and unbeatable local eats, you’ll be ready to head back downtown for a rest or even more exploring!

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Lake Union, Seattle

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What people are saying about Lake Union, Seattle

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 88 reviews

Would absolutely recommend to anyone visiting the city. Gary, our guide, was fantastic and super knowledgeable. We were lucky in having a smaller group (8 of us) and Gary made us feel super welcome and showed off some of his singing talents! All in all, we had a great time and a brilliant tour guide!

Brian was very knowledgeable and patient, loved the history he shared for all the places we visited. My only complaint was the difficulty I had in locating the exact spot to meet the bus, maybe some sort of signage would be helpful.

Our guide was Steve. He was exceptional! Had an answer to every question and a wealth of information about all things Seattle. Highly recommend this tour to get acquainted with the city.

This tour helped to decide what areas we wanted to visit. We went to all the restaurants our tour guide suggested, they were all delicious. This was a great tour.

Amazing experience! Ron is super knowledgeable and accommodating! Strongly recommended!