Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GUIDED WALKING TOURS
Downtown Seattle, and in particular Pike Place Market, is awash with good, inde-
pendent walking tours of many types, but with a strong bias towards food and
drink. As a rule, the tours are organized by small private individuals or companies
who offer professional but highly personal service. All of them will give you a can-
did view of Seattle, its market and its people. With wet weather rarely off the
menu, tours usually go ahead rain or shine.
Public Market Tours
(
www.publicmarkettours.com
)
To get an quick insider's view of
Pike Place's confusing labyrinth, join a one-hour market tour that leaves from the
corner of Western Ave and Virginia St daily at 10am or 2pm. A percentage of the
$15 ticket price goes to the Pike Place Market Foundation.
Seattle Free Walking Tours
(
www.seattlefreewalkingtours.org
)
A nonprofit set up by
a couple of world travelers and Seattle residents in 2012 who were impressed
with the free walking tours offered in various European cities, these tours meet
daily at 11am on the corner of Western Ave and Virginia St. The intimate two-hour
walk takes in Pike Place, the waterfront, and Pioneer Square. If you have a rip-
roaring time (highly likely), there's a suggested $15 donation. No bookings re-
quired.
Seattle by Foot
( 206-508-7017;
www.seattlebyfoot.com
; tours $20-25)
This com-
pany runs a handful of tours including the practically essential (this being
Seattle) Coffee Crawl, which will ply you liberally with caffeine while explaining
the nuances of latte art and dishing the inside story of the rise (and rise) of Star-
bucks. It costs $25 including samples. Registration starts at 9:50am Thursday to
Sunday at the Hammering Man outside Seattle Art Museum. The same company
also offers a unique Seattle Kids Tour, two hours of educational fun involving art,
music and chocolate. Prices are $10 to $15 depending on age. Tours run week-
ends at 1pm. Reserve ahead.
Savor Seattle
( 206-209-5485;
www.savorseattletours.com
)
These guys lead a
handful of gastronomic tours, the standout being the two-hour Booze-n-Bites
that runs daily at 4pm from the corner of Western Ave and Virginia St. It costs
$59.99 and visits such culinary bastions as Cutter's Crabhouse and Taste inside
the Seattle Art Museum. Prepare yourself for some sublime cocktails, wine and
food.
Seattle Bites
( 425-888-8837;
www.seattlebitesfoodtours.com
)
Try Lummi Island
salmon, Nutella crepes, clam chowder, Washington wine and German sausage all
