What to Do on a Long Layover in Seattle
Seattle: a picturesque town harbored by the serene Puget audio, surrounded past dozens of deep bluish lakes, dotted with quaint villages and lake homes, and protected by alpine glacier mountains all around. In other words, the ultimate layover urban center.
As an airline pilot, I've found myself there on many layovers but haven't found an excuse to complain about it. There'southward an energy – a vibe – to this metropolis. I don't know if it'southward the water or the mountains. Maybe information technology's both. Either way, I'k e'er excited when I run into Seattle popular up on my airline schedule.
As Washington (and most of the land) has been seeing failing cases, things are starting to open back up. The Boeing Museum, for example, reopened its door merely this week. That's fantastic news.
Here are the top 10 things you can practise on a Seattle layover, even during COVID-nineteen. I tin personally adjure that each of these (*individually) can be washed on a mean solar day or less layover.
Accept a Ferry from Due west Seattle to Bainbridge Isle
Time: half to total-day
Check out the schedule here.
Hop on a ferry and get that true Seattle vibe. It's the cheapest way to get on the water – y'all don't fifty-fifty have to own OR rent a gunkhole.
Get those Puget sound feels – and you can even bring your rental car forth. If yous want to get some exercise, accept a bicycle instead, or rent one on arrival in Bainbridge. In that location'due south a lot to see and non much time, so hit the route running.
This quaint, cute seaside village offers everything you need out of the Pacific Northwest: the evergreen, the calm water, the small-scale friendly towns.
You lot can rent bikes right off the ferry stop at Bike Befouled Rentals – electric, hybrid, and route bikes. In that location are well indicated trails all over the island, so it's hard to get lost.
Make sure to caput to downtown Bainbridge and finish for some bootleg ice cream and milkshakes at Mora Iced Cream. It's almost 10 minutes walking from the ferry dock. In that location are besides some wineries if you're feeling a scrap rambunctious.
After enjoying some delicacies downtown, y'all tin can cycle 40 minutes along the water up to the Bloedel Reserve, one of North America'southward 10 Best Botanical Gardens co-ordinate to Us Today. No matter the time of the year, the Bloedel Reserve is an admittedly spectacular wonder of nature, and a masterpiece of the Pacific Northwest.
The Bainbridge Isle website is the greatest source of information on what's happening here in the Olympics.
Kayak on 1 of Seattle's Gorgeous Lakes then Reward Yourself With a Local Mash (or two)
Time: 1-2 hours kayaking, then it'south up to y'all!
Head up to The White Swan Public House for some local brews and seafood right on Lake Union. While you're there, you tin rent some kayaks and enjoy the Lake Life – or why non effort a Donut Gunkhole? Yous don't take to be a cop to enjoy it, trust me!
For those who are COVID-conscious, the White Swan offers outdoor dining. You don't have to have my word for it, there are a ton of breweries and gastropubs in the Lake Spousal relationship area for a fun evening.
Moss Bay offers kayak rentals at the southern tip of Lake Union, virtually user-friendly for those staying in downtown Seattle. You can also terminate at The Center For Wooden Boats, a museum that preserves & exhibits historic wooden boats, which tin exist rented for a fun day on Lake Union!
Sail the Seattle Mode on the Incredible Puget Sound
Time: ii hours to half-twenty-four hours (or weeks?)
2 hours is plenty time to get a sense of taste of the Puget Sound. But it takes ii weeks for an addiction to set in. Sailing the Puget Sound up to the San Juan islands is on every sailor's bucket listing, but a sunset cruise shall suffice for those on a brusque layover. Endeavour here for the cheapest cruise (simply $59 per person).
If yous're looking to come up dorsum and hone your sailing skills, you can besides accept lessons here.
Elevate Yourself on Seattle's Space Needle
Fourth dimension: 1-3 hours
Seattle's iconic, 605-ft.-tall spire at the Seattle Center is a must-see. Whether you simply visit the observation deck or enjoy a romantic dinner at the rotating eating house, you lot won't be disappointed. Unless it'south a typical Seattle drizzly, low-deject kind-of day. So I'd probably skip Seattle'southward most iconic landmark.
If the weather isn't to your liking, caput next-door to the Pacific Science Center (though information technology'south currently closed for COVID-xix).
Just a couple minutes down the route is Seattle'southward Olympic Sculpture Park, right along the Puget Sound. Information technology's an offshoot of the Seattle Art Museum and features numerous sculptures spread over 9 acres with a backdrop of the Olympics mountains.
Enjoy THE Seattle Embankment Mean solar day
Time: half-day
Hop on a ferry from West Seattle to Alki Beach. Breathe in that refreshing Pacific air while taking in impressive views of downtown Seattle and its surroundings tall mural.
Locals consider Alki Beach every bit the best place to walk and bike forth the water, non to mention a wonderful identify to spend watching gorgeous Seattle sunsets.
Alki Beach was first made famous by a scene from the picture "Sleepless in Seattle" where Tom Hanks flies a kite with his son. Present, y'all can play volleyball, go for a absurd swim, or enjoy succulent beachside cocktails at Catcus Alki Beach.
Taste Fresh Fish and Visit the FIRST Starbucks at the Pike Identify Market in Seattle
Time: 1-2 hours
Do you drink coffee? If so, head to the start Starbucks ever!
In naval terms, a "Starbuck" mean a shipmate, and the outset Starbucks capitalized on the long days and early mornings that drove sailors of the Puget audio to seeking good coffee to starting time their day.
If you aren't a coffee aficionado, the Pike Place Market still offers so much. There'due south fresh fish in the mornings, floral bouquets all day, freaking fantastic pastries and food from all over the earth (for dandy, not-restaurant prices), and spectacular views on the water.
Si, I'd Dearest to Hike
Time: one-half to full twenty-four hour period
The twins Si'southward are possibly the most pop mountains for hiking in Seattle, for expert reason. There are short hikes, long hikes, campsites, ballsy views, switchbacks, mountain goats, waterfalls, and more than. All of this is only 30 minutes outside the city.
The but issues you might find are the crowds – these are Seattle'southward almost popular hikes for good reason. AllTrails is probably the best resource for finding a hike that will conform you. Make sure to finish past the Snoqualmie Falls on the mode back!
A groovy alternative is Lake Serene, a splendid alpine lake found just an hour and 15 minutes from the metropolis. I hiked the area after visiting Austria and truly could not tell the departure. A little fleck of German language and yous'd think you were in Tyrol.
Round trip to Lake Serene simply is vii.2 miles.
Boeing (Non Boring!) Future of Flight Museum in Seattle
Time: 1 to six hours
I'm an airline airplane pilot. I can't end this guide without telling you that you Take to meet the Boeing Air Museum. I hateful, it's a work of art – whether you're an Airbus or Boeing lover (or you lot don't like planes at all).
The museum just re-opened up this calendar week, and then head on over and discover thejust public tour of a Boeing commercial jet assembly institute.
Explore the Tallest Mountain in Washington
Time: one-half to full mean solar day (1h45m drive each way)
A must-see nearly Seattle: the one and only Mount Rainier National Park. As ride-sharing is cost-prohibitive and in that location are no cracking public transpiration options, make certain to rent a car before heading down.
The drive down is almost ii hours each fashion, and then make sure you have extra time planned. There are a couple wonderful stops along the way, including Longmire,Paradise,Ohanapecosh, and on toSunrise.
For those with more than time, there are endless hiking trails, waterfalls (such as Christine Falls and Narada Falls), adorable mount towns, hot springs, vistas, and even rainforests. The Carbon River and White River make smashing destinations for those looking to fully encompass nature for a couple days.
Autumn for Seattle'south Snoqualmie Falls
Time: twoscore minute drive each way
Looking for the ultimate instagram moving picture? You tin can find this 268-foot waterfall (fifty% taller than Niagara falls!) super close to Seattle, and the all-time news – it'southward Free, and you lot don't even take to hike for it.
The upper observation and lower observation decks are both nowopen.
If yous're looking for an piece of cake hike nearby with ballsy views, Snowfall Lake offers everything yous could dream of: translucent turquoise water surrounded (evidently) by snow, Alpine evergreen forests, and fresh air. The farther Gem Lake makes for a more private setting – and a corking (very refreshing) identify to go for a swim!
On the style back, finish at the local Snoqualmie Falls shop for an "old fashioned" pancake mix to accept home. Better than whatsoever souvenir I tin can think of.
If you loved Seattle, brand sure to visit San Francisco for a 24-hour interval. Otherwise, hither are countries yous tin visit with little-to-no quarantine period. Enjoy your travels!
Source: https://thepilotwhoexplores.com/2021/02/20/seattle-washington-10-best-things-on-a-short-layover/
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