Top Experiences in Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

This one-way cruise starts & ends at 2 different central Seattle locations. Choose to depart from Pier 54 or from AGC Marina on Lake Union. This local favorite offers an opportunity to explore both Lake Union & downtown Seattle. Situated in the heart of Seattle, Lake Union is home to famous floating home communities seen in the classic movie Sleepless in Seattle. See seaplanes taking off & landing on a regular basis, commercial docks with vessels from the hit TV show Deadliest Catch. Pass under the Fremont Bridge, the most frequently opened drawbridge in the USA, and cruise past many of Seattle’s historic neighborhoods. On your way from the freshwater of Lake Union to the saltwater of the Puget Sound, pass through the Ballard Locks. These locks raise & lower vessels an average of 20 feet between Lake Union and sea level. Once in Puget Sound, take in the views: Seattle's unique skyline, the Olympic Mountains and Mt Rainier, and large ferry boats taking passengers to and from the city.

Firstly your private driver will pick you up in your desired place in Seattle. Get a chance to visit unique sites like Pioneer Square, Kerry Park, The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and much more during this private tour of Seattle.

You can customise the itinerary with your guide in case you are interested in visiting a particular place.

This tour is done with a driver only.

We specialized in private experiences for small groups.

During the tour, we will make three stops in places of tourist importance. The first stop will be the Pioneer Square neighborhood located in the historic district of the old metropolis where we will visit the origins of Seattle on a walk suitable for the whole family and full of history, architecture, and photography.

We will continue to the Ballard Locks for our second stop. We will see the boats enter and leave the Pacific Ocean to the lakes surrounding the city.

Finally, we will end with one of the most impressive panoramic views before ending the tour where we can take some of the best photos of the city center. The tour ends at the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, or returned to your hotel. It is generally a 3-hour tour but it can be extended if the group wishes. This tour is highly recommended for children and adults of all ages.

IMPORTANT: The tour is in English but it can be arranged in Spanish.

Making a short stop in Seattle before embarking on a cruise? Take this three-hour pre-cruise tour of Seattle and discover the best of the beautiful Emerald City! You’ll cover 50 miles in a comfortable, small-group mini-coach and enjoy the views of the city’s most iconic attractions, such as Mt Rainier, the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and much more. No need to worry, your guide will pick you up at your Seattle, SeaTac, or Tukwila hotel, take care of your luggage, and drop you off at Seattle’s cruise terminal with plenty of time to board your cruise.

Discover Seattle in a way that sets our tour apart from the rest. Delight in a genuine local experience as you savor the city's best-kept secret – authentic fish and chips at a cherished local hotspot. Immerse yourself in the remarkable engineering marvel of the Ballard Locks fish ladders, an exclusive behind-the-scenes insight into the region's maritime heritage. Trek the scenic Discovery Park lighthouse trail, where nature's tranquility meets urban sophistication. And as the grand finale, be swept away by the breathtaking panoramic views of Seattle's skyline and the majestic Mount Rainier from Kerry Park. This isn't just a tour; it's an unparalleled journey that intertwines local flavors, history, and natural beauty, offering a unique perspective that only Seattle can provide.

With two activities in one 4-hour tour, see the top sights of the Seattle area, both natural and manmade. First visit Snoqualmie Falls, a waterfall in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Then experience Seattle on a city tour that introduces you to the attractions and history that make Seattle one of the most livable cities in America. Listen to fun facts and engaging stories about Seattle from a guide, and learn how the city got its name and what the real story is about how much it rains. The itinerary ensures adequate time spent at each location, allowing individual feedback and suggestions from the guide.

Uncover the origin of Seattle's "Emerald City" nickname on this city tour! Marvel at the glistening Puget Sound, expansive green forests, and local mountains from stunning viewpoints. Wander through diverse neighborhoods like Ballard and Queen Anne, each offering unique cultural and architectural experiences. It's a fantastic journey to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest!

Let's explore the busiest locks in the nation, the Hiram Chittenden Locks! On this walking and driving tour, we will watch boats "lock through" and learn how the locks operate. In the late spring, we can visit the largest Great Blue Heron colony in the city to watch and listen to the chicks, and see baby salmon (smolts) going out to sea. From mid-June through September we will see adult salmon returning to navigate the fish ladder on their way home to spawn. We will learn how this critical component of our maritime industry and history transformed Seattle, and its role in managing our freshwater lake systems. Then we're off to Gas Works to learn about this one-of-a-kind park, where we will see float planes taking off and landing, and enjoy stunning views of the city. Finally we will visit the houseboat communities along Lake Union, a uniquely Seattle experience! For a private version of this tour (1 to 4 people) please call/text

Explore the magic of the Emerald City on this grand 4-hour tour of Seattle. Experience the vibrant tastes and sights of Seattle, while exploring distinct neighborhoods such as Chinatown and catch the perfect views from Queen Ann Hill. This public tour provides an excellent overview of Central Seattle from a comfortable bus with large viewing windows. Our tour stops at least four times throughout the excursion. We allow you to get out some on foot to explore as we believe it helps in experiencing the city and neighborhoods properly. We only offer one tour a day so we thrive on making ours the most complete tour of Seattle without you feeling like you're being hurried. Another great benefit is there is NO extra charge to be picked up at 90 percent of Seattle hotels- we are the ONLY tour company to offer this benefit- GRATIS! IF PREARRANGED IN ADVANCE we can even offer drop-offs at Cruise Ports for an EXTRA FEE after the tour ends (AFTER 2:30pm).

End your cruise adventure in Seattle with this award-winning tour package!  We'll whisk you (and your luggage) from the cruise pier on a 3 hour City Highlights Tour in our comfy 14 passenger mini-coach led by an entertaining and knowledgable local guide, finishing with a drop-off at the airport or your hotel.  From the perfect selfie viewpoint to historic landmarks and quirky neighborhoods, this tour is a convenient and fun way to discover what makes Seattle such a beautiful and unique city.

As a military veteran, we honor veterans with a discount thanks for your service. Seniors 62 and upward, get your discount as well. Now this tour is like binge watching three episodes of your favorite Netflix program, minus the zombies & dragons. I do have a troll, a Space Needle, waterfall, giant spheres and an UP House just like the movie and floating houses. You will get your money’s worth, and even see baby Pterodactyl in Spring and early Summer. I ain’t lying. This tour is both structured & spontaneous, guaranteed to learn and laugh. Yes, you will see the famous sights, but, also you get to see some small areas only locals go..
Thank you Viator for awarding Seattle's Best Tours as a TOP 20 Experience in the USA in 2022.

Sit back and relax while our professional guides showcase the best of Seattle. Enjoy a door-to-door experience with hotel pickup and drop off included. Learn about everything from Seattle's history to the current shape of Seattle.

Get up close and personal to the Emerald City on this private sightseeing tour of Seattle’s highlights. On this personalized tour, decide between must-see attractions including Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square and the Ballard Locks, as well as Chinatown and other diverse neighborhoods that give Seattle its character. Choose from popping into local art galleries, grabbing coffee from the original Starbucks, browsing the vendors at Pike Place, or soaking up sweeping views of Puget Sound, Mt Rainier and the Olympic Mountains from the iconic Space Needle (admission not included). Your private guide will provide commentary on the sights while showing you the best places for food, shopping and entertainment. By the end of the tour, you’ll know Seattle like a local!

Make the most of your time in port in Seattle with this private tour of the city's must-see highlights including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, the Ballard Locks and Queen Anne Hill. Visit local art galleries, sip coffee at the original Starbucks, and whiz up to the top of the Space Needle if you wish for incredible 360-degree views of Puget Sound, Mt Rainier and the Olympic Mountains. You'll learn all about the history of Seattle from your guide as you travel by van, making stops along the way to explore by foot and discover the best in food, shopping and entertainment. By the end of this private shore excursion, you’ll know Seattle like a local!

Firstly your private driver will pick you up in your desired place in Seattle.

Get a chance to visit unique sites like Pioneer Square, Kerry Park, The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and much more during this private tour of Seattle. After Seattle you will drive to Snoqualmie Falls.

Located 30 minutes outside of the city the falls are the most famous waterfall in Washington and most popular attraction. After visiting the waterfall you will drive back to Seattle.

You can customise the itinerary with your guide in case you are interested in visiting a particular place.

This experience is done with and driver only.

Get to know the beautiful city of Seattle on a 3-hour, sightseeing tour with the best tour guides in the Northwest. Step into our mini coach buses and enjoy a relaxing ride to the city's most popular attractions, including stops at Pioneer Square, the Ballard Locks, and a great city skyline photo opportunity.

Firstly your driver only will pick you up in your desired place in Seattle. Get a chance to visit unique sites like Pioneer Square, Kerry Park, The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and much more during this private tour of Seattle. After Seattle you will drive to Snoqualmie Falls. Located 30 minutes outside of the city the falls are the most famous waterfall in Washington and most popular attraction. After visiting the waterfall you will drive back to Seattle.

You can customise the itinerary with your guide in case you are interested in visiting a particular place.

This experience is done with a driver only.

On this city tour you will explore some interesting historic neighborhoods combined with beautiful views of Seattle's skyline, lakes, ship canal and locks, and the Puget Sound.

Our guides are renowned for their local area expertise. Get an insider's view of a city in a constant state of flux. Enjoy the major attractions and highlights of Seattle on a three hour tour in comfort and style aboard a climate controlled motor coach with no more than 14 guests. Fun, entertaining, and informative guides provide local flavor with personal anecdotes and historical nuggets only a local could know.  Hop off for picture postcard photo ops, and take a deeper dive at points of interest like Pioneer Square and The Amazon Spheres.