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The Seattle Great Wheel

The Seattle Great Wheel: Our most recommended tours and activities

Seattle: Scenic Night Tour with Space Needle & Skywheel

1. Seattle: Scenic Night Tour with Space Needle & Skywheel

Discover the highlights and hidden gems of Seattle, the Emerald City, on an evening of adventure. Enjoy the convenience of hotel pickup on this guided night tour. Stunning panoramic views of the Puget Sound and Mount Rainier accompany your nighttime urban exploration. Begin your tour with a pickup from your designated location, then head to the iconic "Great Wheel." The tallest wheel in the western United States, the Skywheel offers breathtaking views of Seattle's skyline. Step into a spacious cabin and admire the lights stretching down to sparkle off Elliott Bay. Next, visit the picturesque Kerry Park for more stunning panoramic views with Mount Rainier towering in the background. Take in the harmonious blend of natural and urban beauty as you admire the cityscape from this vantage point. Continue on to the Space Needle, the hallmark of Seattle. Marvel at the innovative, striking architecture as it juts above the city. On the observation deck, admire a breathtaking, 360-degree panorama of the city, the vast expanse of Puget Sound, and the surrounding mountains. Finally, enjoy the thrill of a city drive through Seattle. Ride along bustling streets and see iconic landmarks dotting the urban landscape. Once you've felt the pulse of this vibrant city, your guide will drop you off at your desired location to conclude your tour.

Seattle: Tall Sailboat Sunset Harbor Cruise

2. Seattle: Tall Sailboat Sunset Harbor Cruise

Experience the romance of traditional sailing on sunset cruise through the Seattle Harbor. Relax on the boat's comfortable seats or take in the views from the high spacious decks. Have the chance to purchase some delicious snacks and drinks while you sail. Hop aboard the schooner 'Bay Lady' and depart from Pier 66 on Seattle's waterfront. Feel the thrill of letting the wind decide the direction of the ship. Admire sights like the Space Needle, Smith Tower, and on clear days, see Mount Rainier's snowy peak. Let the sunset over the mountain ranges of the Puget Sound take your breath away. Unwind with a drink from the onboard bar that serves a refreshing range of drinks like cider, beer, wine, champagne, soda, and water. 

Seattle: Tall Ship Harbor Cruise

3. Seattle: Tall Ship Harbor Cruise

Experience the romance of traditional sailing on a schooner sailboat. Relax on the boat's comfortable seats or take in the views from the high perimeter railing. Have the chance to purchase some delicious snacks and drinks while you sail. Hop aboard the schooner 'Bay Lady' and depart from Pier 66 on Seattle's waterfront. Feel the thrill of letting the wind decide the direction of the ship. Admire sights like the Space Needle, Smith Tower, and on clear days, see Mount Rainier's snowy peak. Search for local wildlife like swooping seagulls, frolicking porpoises, and playful harbor seals. Unwind with a drink from the onboard bar or sea if the sailor's life is for you by trying your hand at hoisting the sails. If the conditions are right, go full pirate ship and watch the canons fire.

Seattle And Olympic NP Self-Guided Audio Bundle Tour

4. Seattle And Olympic NP Self-Guided Audio Bundle Tour

Embark on a rich journey of discovery with the Action Tour Guide app, your all-in-one personal guide through Seattle and Olympic National Park. Begin in Seattle at the impressive Seattle Aquarium, immersing yourself in the vibrant aquatic life of Puget Sound. As you wander, you'll be captivated by tales of the Seattle Great Wheel, a pier turned bustling tourist attraction teeming with eateries and stores. Journeying on, uncover stories of Puget Sound, from the dwindling orca population to quirky tales that spark laughter. Your path then winds to Miner's Landing, echoing with ancient tales of the Coast Salish, who've called this land home for over a millennium. The footsteps of the Denny family, pioneers of modern Seattle, come alive alongside tales of Chief Si’ahl, a mediator between cultures, and the adventurous David “Doc” Maynard. The whimsical Ye Olde Curiosity Shop stands as a testament to Joseph Stanley's penchant for the peculiar, while the aroma from Ivar’s Fish Shop draws you into tales of the fierce fight to secure a railroad. As you stroll, the 1889 fire that shaped Seattle's destiny unfurls, paving the way for tales of the towering Smith Tower, steeped in lore and history. Pioneer Square stands proud as the pulsating heart of Seattle, where tales of logging magnates mingle with those of an Alaskan totem pole. Journey through time, experiencing the excitement of the Klondike Gold Rush and the rivalry of the World Fair. As the story unfolds, marvel at the rise of tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, while getting a taste of Seattle's coffee culture with Starbucks' transformative journey. The rhythm of grunge, personified by Nirvana, reverberates through the streets, leading you to the bustling Pike Place Market, where fish fly and stories come alive. From cityscape to pristine wilderness, Olympic National Park offers a stark contrast. Begin at the park's visitor center, where the natural and cultural stories lay a foundation for the adventure ahead. Wander through the dense Hoh Rainforest, its moss-laden trees whispering ancient secrets. The Elwha River sings songs of nature's resilience, while panoramic vistas from Hurricane Ridge showcase nature's grandeur. The Pacific's might is on full display at Rialto and Ruby Beaches, each wave a testament to nature's raw power. Journey through diverse ecosystems, from alpine meadows to temperate forests, each trail revealing a unique facet of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The history of the native tribes, their symbiotic relationship with this land, weaves through your exploration, enriching your experience. Your adventure concludes amidst the verdant valleys and majestic peaks of the park, a fitting finale to a journey spanning urban charm and untamed nature.

Seattle: Downtown Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

5. Seattle: Downtown Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

Start by downloading the Action Tour Guide app, which functions as your personal tour guide, audio tour, and map, all in one. Once downloaded, your walking tour of Seattle begins at the breathtaking Seattle Aquarium. Here you’ll discover the rich aquatic life that abounds in Puget Sound From there, you’ll pass the Seattle Great Wheel and hear how a shrewd businessman transformed a pier into a tourist hub, full of bakeries, restaurants, and other shops. As you keep walking, you’ll learn about Puget Sound and the drastic decline in orca whales while getting a laugh or two over some scatological stories! Your journey then takes you to Miner’s Landing, where you’ll step back in time, learning of the Coast Salish. Hear how they fished from canoes and how their ancestors arrived some 12,000 years ago! Up next, you’ll revisit the founding of modern Seattle. You’ll get the story of the Denny family, their dangerous trek west, and a homestead that rose up into modern Seattle! Speaking of danger, you’ll also get to know the shrewd Chief Siahl. In the process, you’ll discover how he stepped in to curb tension between his people and the settlers. You’ll also meet David “Doc” Maynard, friend of the chief. Your journey next takes you to Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, where you’ll be introduced to Joseph Stanley. Uncover his fondness for all things odd. If the shop name sounds familiar, it is indeed a reference to Charles Dickens! Then you’ll pass Ivar’s Fish Shop and revisit the fight to bring the railroad to Seattle, full of twists and turns. That’s not the only story! You’ll also go back to 1889 and the infamous fire, started by glue! But you’ll see how the city rebuilt and also gained its first fire department as a result. As you stroll through the bustling downtown, you’ll see the majestic Smith Tower. 38 stories, it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi upon its completion in 1914! You’ll get to unearth some of the stories and rumors associated with it, including connections to Imperial China, stuntmen, and Prohibition! The journey next takes you to majestic Pioneer Square, heart of modern Seattle. You’ll learn about the city’s first steam powered sawmill and the rise of logging, Seattle’s first major industry. Here you can also admire the 60-foot totem pole, which came all the way from Alaska! As you continue, hear about the Klondike Gold Rush and the World Fair, a battle of technological might at the height of the Cold War. You’ll also learn how Microsoft and Amazon arose, with the latter beginning as an online bookstore! As you head toward Pike Place Market, uncover Starbucks and meet Howard Schultz. Hear how he wanted to create a community oasis and ultimately bought the franchise. Then pass Benaroya Hall and hear how grunge arose, with Nirvana putting Seattle on the musical map! The journey concludes at bustling Pike Place Market, where fishmongers actually fling fish across the counters, making it look like they’re flying!

Other Sightseeing Options in The Seattle Great Wheel

Want to discover all there is to do in The Seattle Great Wheel? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about The Seattle Great Wheel

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 72 reviews

I went to Seattle for a friend’s weekend getaway and this was the highlight of our trip. It was relaxing, beautiful and a lot of fun. The crew was extremely attentive and they tried to engage everyone throughout the 2 hours trip.

Perfectly good experience. Competent, attentive and friendly crew. And an ideal evening for sailing; it was all just right.

Amazing views and great ship crew. Weather was fantastic and the drink option on board were good. We had a pair of Ciders

magically lovely. really relaxing. Awesome!!!!!!!!❤❤❤We really loved it.❤

The crew was so much fun! The drinks were affordable. Great cruise!