Seattle - Washington State - page 114

Seattle by Duck
Paul Revere would have had a hard time figuring out what to tell his fellow
colonists if the British had arrived by Duck. A Duck, if you didn't know, is a
World War II vintage amphibious vehicle that can arrive by land or by sea,
and these odd-looking things are now used to provide tours of Seattle both
on land and water. Duck tours take in the standard Seattle sights but then
plunge right into Lake Union for a tour of the Portage Bay waterfront, with
its many houseboats and great views. Ninety-minute tours leave from near
the Space Needle and cost $22 for adults and $12 for kids. Contact Seattle
Duck Tours ( & 800/817-1116 or 206/441-DUCK; www.seattleducktours.
net). Tours leave from a parking lot across from the Space Needle. Because
these tours encourage Seattle visitors to get a little daffy while they're in
town, they are very popular; reservations are recommended.
Victoria. Alternatively, if you have more money to spend (and even less time),
boat tours of the San Juan Islands depart from the Seattle waterfront. For infor-
mation on ferries and boat excursions to the San Juan Islands, see chapter 5.
For a boat excursion that includes a salmon dinner and Northwest Coast
Indian masked dances, consider coughing up the cash for the Tillicum Village
Tour , Pier 55 ( & 800/426-1205 or 206/933-8600; www.tillicumvillage.
com). Located at Blake Island State Park across Puget Sound from Seattle and
only accessible by tour boat or private boat, Tillicum Village was built in con-
junction with the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. The “village” is actually just a large
restaurant and performance hall fashioned after a traditional Northwest Coast
longhouse, but with totem poles standing vigil out front, the forest encircling
the longhouse, and the waters of Puget Sound stretching out into the distance,
Tillicum Village is a beautiful spot. After the dinner and dances, you can strike
out on forest trails to explore the island (you can return on a later boat if you
want to spend a couple of extra hours hiking). There are even beaches on which
to relax. Tours cost $65 for adults, $59 for seniors, $25 for children ages 5 to 12,
and are free for children under age 5. Tours are offered daily from May through
early October, other months on weekends only. If you can opt for only one tour
while in Seattle, this should be it—it's unique and truly Northwestern, the
salmon dinner is pretty good, and the traditional masked dances are fascinating
(although more for the craftsmanship of the masks than for the dancing itself ).
Seattle is a city surrounded by water, and if you'd like to see it from various
aquatic perspectives, you can head out with Argosy Cruises ( & 800/642-
7816 or 206/623-4252; www.argosycruises.com). Offerings include a 1-hour
harbor cruise (departs from Pier 55; $13-$16 adults and $6-$7 children ages
5-12), a 2-hour cruise through the Hiram Chittenden Locks to Lake Union
(departs from Pier 56; $23-$29 adults and $9-$10 children ages 5-12), and
two cruises around Lake Washington (a 2-hr. cruise departs from the AGC
Marina at the south end of Lake Union, and a 1 1 ⁄ 2 -hr. cruise departs from down-
town Kirkland on the east side of the lake; $20-$25 adults and $8-$9 children
ages 5-12). The latter two cruises will take you past the fabled Xanadu built by
Bill Gates on the shore of Lake Washington. However, of all these options, we
recommend the cruise through the locks; it may be the most expensive outing,
but you get good views and the chance to navigate the locks.
Want a meal with your cruise? Try one of Argosy Cruises' (see above) lunch or
dinner cruises aboard the Royal Argosy (lunch cruises: $36 adults, $15 children