The Seattle area is a vibrant hub for outdoor adventures, offering diverse activities that cater to all interests. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, history buff, or sports fan, Seattle has something for you. The city is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, from mountain and water tours to wildlife encounters and local history. You might wonder where to begin with such a variety of activities. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide to outdoor adventure in Seattle.
Argosy Cruises
No trip to Seattle is truly complete without a voyage on the water, soaking in the breathtaking views. For over 75 years, Argosy Cruises has been a quintessential Seattle experience, offering unique ways to explore the city and feel like a local. You can choose between the iconic Seattle’s Original Harbor Cruise™, which meanders along the city skyline, or the Locks Cruise, a journey through three of Seattle’s neighborhoods, and the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Whichever you choose, you’ll be treated to fascinating insight into Seattle’s history while cruising in comfort on a live-narrated tour boat. The Harbor Cruise sets sail from the waterfront (a tradition for years!) on Pier 55, while the Locks Cruise is a one-way trip departing nearby on Pier 54 or AGC Marina on Lake Union. Check the sailing schedule at ArgosyCruises.com and book your tickets for an unforgettable experience!
T-Mobile Park
T-Mobile Park is the home of the Seattle Mariners, a Major League Baseball team. With over 80 home games a season, there’s no excuse not to cheer on the Mariners, grab some delicious food from local vendors (above and beyond traditional ballpark fare), and take in the stunning views of Puget Sound and the distant Olympic Mountains.
If you want a real insider MLB experience, go on a stadium tour. Depending on when you visit, you’ll have the opportunity to visit areas not normally open to the public. Tour options include a non-gameday, gameday, or pre-game visit.
But T-Mobile Park is not just about baseball. With its large event capacity and a stage that can host some of the biggest names in music, it’s a hotspot for concerts and other special events. The best part? You can easily find the event calendar online and secure your tickets in advance so you don’t miss out on any of the action!
FRS Clipper Wildlife and Whale Watching Tours
For those who’ve added whale watching to their bucket list, an adventure on an FRS Clipper Wildlife and Whale Watching Tour is the perfect excursion for you. Experience the ONLY half-day Seattle whale-watching tour that departs directly from Seattle at Pier 69. Enjoy a 3-5 hour (depending on sighting locations) adventure to the Salish Sea aboard the San Juan Clipper fast ferry as an expert naturalist helps you spot whales and other wildlife. Plan your trip online and book early for the best availability and pricing.
San Juan Safaris
Some of the Pacific Northwest’s most famous residents are the wild Orcas that call the surrounding waters home! What better way to spend time outdoors than joining San Juan Safaris for a boat tour of the San Juan Islands in search of whales and other wildlife?! You’ll enjoy the stunning scenery and learn about the unique surrounding ecosystem from the experienced captain and marine naturalists on board as you cruise in search of orcas, sea lions, seals, native birds, and more! Choose from several boat tour options or even book a kayaking tour with San Juan Safaris. Get more info about the excursions, read helpful FAQs, and build your tour today!
Tours Northwest
Make the most of your visit to Seattle with a sightseeing bus tour from Tours Northwest! On the Premier Seattle City Tour, relax and travel in climate-controlled comfort while getting to know the city and heading to must-see landmarks and neighborhoods. During this popular 3-hour tour, an expert local guide gives an insider’s perspective into the city’s rich history. You’ll also explore outside the city center, into the eccentric Fremont neighborhood (Hello Fremont Troll!), and north to the unique Ballard, which has its boat locks and salmon ladder.
If you want an outdoor adventure beyond Seattle, Tours Northwest provides day trips to the iconic Mount Rainier and a two-day trip to Olympic National Park. These excursions allow you to experience the breathtaking natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest without the hassle of planning transportation and logistics. For more information and a live schedule, visit the website and book your tour today.
USS Turner Joy
For a truly unique perspective on maritime history, you should visit the USS Turner Joy U.S. Naval Destroyer Museum! In this naval destroyer-turned-museum, you’ll tour the flagship for Destroyer Squadron 13 and Destroyer Division 131, whose distinctive service includes several Pacific tours of duty. The Turner Joy was built in Seattle and is perhaps most remembered for her participation in the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which escalated the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. She also served as a bookend to that conflict by firing the last naval round of the War. To get there, head to Colman Dock (the ferry terminal on the Seattle Waterfront) to experience a short ride on one of Seattle’s iconic ferry boats to Bremerton, Washington. Once you arrive, it’s an easy walk to the USS Turner Joy. Discounts are available for active and retired military members, so check the museum website for full details on entrance.
Wild Waves Theme & Water Park
Looking for outdoor fun for the entire family? Check out Wild Waves Theme & Water Park! It is in Federal Way, Washington, just south of Seattle, making it an easy day trip for people in the Seattle area or surrounding cities. What’s great about Wild Waves is that it’s part water park and part traditional theme park, so whatever your mood, there’s always something to do, and there are rides suitable for all ages. The park is open for the regular season from mid-May to early September and weekends in October for Fright Fest. For more information on tickets and to view operating days and hours, visit wildwaves.com.
Woodland Park Zoo
Visiting award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is the perfect way to spend the day outside in Seattle. When you explore the animal exhibits, you’ll notice different zones based on their habitats, from humid tropical rainforests and coastal deserts to temperate rainforests like those of the Pacific Northwest. Over 800 animals and 250 species call Woodland Park Zoo home, including some of the world’s most critically endangered. You’ll see African lions, zebras, orangutans, warty pigs, Malayan tigers, red pandas, Humboldt penguins, and many more! Don’t forget our summertime favorite ZooTunes concert series! Save time and money – buy your tickets early online.
As you can see, there are many ways to spend quality time outdoors when you head to Seattle. There are bucket-list adventures like whale watching and ways to experience the incredible scenery from the mountains to the water.
