Things to Do Near Port of Seattle

Touch pools, sea otters, and a massive new Ocean Pavilion — kids can't get enough

Best for: Families with kids who love animals and ocean life

Pro tip: The new Ocean Pavilion is the highlight — a massive coral reef exhibit with sharks and rays. The touch pools with starfish and sea anemones are always a hit with little ones. Go early to beat the school groups.

Hands-on play museum at Seattle Center, where little ones can run wild before a week on a ship.

Best for: Families with kids under 8

Pro tip: The Global Village exhibit lets kids 'travel' through different cultures — great prep for a cruise. The outdoor Nature Walk area is perfect on dry days. Located at Seattle Center, so combine with the Space Needle or fountain play.

Free summer fun at its finest. A giant musical fountain where kids can splash and play.

Best for: Kids who need to run and splash before sitting on a ship

Pro tip: The fountain shoots water in patterns synced to music — kids run through the jets on warm days. Bring a change of clothes (or plan to change into cruise outfits after). Works perfectly combined with the Space Needle or Children's Museum right next door.

Watch fishmongers hurl salmon through the air. Free entertainment that kids never forget.

Best for: All ages — the fish-throwing is exciting for everyone

Pro tip: Head to Pike Place Fish Co. (the main fish stand as you enter the market). They throw fish throughout the day when customers buy them. Hang around for a few minutes and you'll see the action. Kids can also watch the crab tanks and talk to the fishmongers.

Interactive science exhibits, an IMAX theater and a tropical butterfly house, all education disguised as fun.

Best for: Curious kids who like to push buttons and pull levers

Pro tip: The tropical butterfly house is magical for little ones — butterflies land right on them. The IMAX theater shows are perfect for rainy days (and in Seattle, you should always have a rain backup). Located at Seattle Center near the Space Needle.

A gentle Ferris wheel ride with panoramic water views, in enclosed gondolas that keep everyone comfortable.

Best for: Families looking for a quick, easy waterfront activity

Pro tip: Three full rotations — about 15 minutes. Fully enclosed and climate-controlled, so even nervous kids feel safe. The VIP gondola has a glass floor but the regular ones are perfectly exciting for young kids. Great for spotting your cruise ship in the harbor. Three full rotations per ride — about 15 minutes total. Fully enclosed and climate-controlled, so rain doesn't matter. Night rides are especially cool with the city lit up. Right on the waterfront — combine with a walk and some food.

Waterfront carousel and games. A tidy half-hour energy burn before boarding.

Best for: Quick fun for antsy kids between bigger activities

Pro tip: Right on the waterfront at Pier 57. The carousel has water views. Combine with Ivar's Fish Bar next door for a quick lunch. Good for killing time if you're waiting for cruise boarding to start. Located at Pier 57, right next to The Crab Pot restaurant. The arcade has a mix of classic and modern games. The carousel has waterfront views. Great for killing 30 minutes if you're early for boarding.

Play real instruments in the Sound Lab and geek out on sci-fi props. Way more fun than it sounds.

Best for: Music fans, gamers, sci-fi lovers, anyone who likes Nirvana or Marvel

Pro tip: Head straight to the Sound Lab — you can play guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards in private rooms. The indie game exhibit is also a hit. The fantasy and horror exhibit has original movie props that are genuinely cool. The Sound Lab lets you play guitars, drums, and keyboards — even if you've never touched an instrument. The Nirvana and Hendrix exhibits are world-class. The building itself, designed by Frank Gehry, is a photo-worthy landmark.

Watch guys throw fish, hit the gum wall, find the original Starbucks. It's actually cool.

Best for: Everyone — great for exploring, snacking, and photo ops

Pro tip: The gum wall in Post Alley is gross and Instagram-perfect. The fish-throwing at Pike Place Fish Co. happens throughout the day — hang around a few minutes and you'll see it. The lower levels have quirky shops and hidden staircases worth exploring. Skip the long line at the original Starbucks, since the coffee is the same as any other location. Spend that time exploring the lower levels instead, where local artisans sell handmade crafts. The MarketFront expansion has Elliott Bay views. Go early in the morning for the least crowded experience.

Revolving glass floor 500 feet up — stand on it if you dare

Best for: Anyone wanting epic skyline views and the thrill of a glass floor

Pro tip: The Loupe is a revolving glass floor on the lower observation level — the trick is to lie flat on it for the most intense view straight down. Open-air observation deck on top is windier than you think. Night visits have a completely different vibe. Book a combo ticket with Chihuly Garden and Glass next door, which costs less than buying the two separately, and both attractions are unmissable. The revolving glass floor (The Loupe) is on the lower observation level. Go on a clear day for views of Mount Rainier.

Ride the retro monorail from downtown to Seattle Center, two minutes that feel like time travel.

Best for: Quick and fun transportation to the Space Needle area

Pro tip: Built for the 1962 World's Fair and still running. It goes from Westlake Center in downtown to Seattle Center (Space Needle, MoPOP, Chihuly) in about 2 minutes. It's more of a fun experience than practical transportation, and it runs frequently through the day.

A free waterfront art park with massive sculptures and killer views, more Instagrammable than you'd expect.

Best for: Anyone wanting fresh air, art, and waterfront views before boarding

Pro tip: This free outdoor sculpture park stretches from Belltown down to the waterfront with huge metal sculptures, a zigzag path, and views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Great for photos. Walk here from Pier 66 in 10 minutes.

Blown glass art installations right beside the Space Needle

Best for: Art lovers, couples, anyone who appreciates color and creativity

Pro tip: The outdoor garden is spectacular — glass sculptures among real plants with the Space Needle towering above. Best photos are from the Glasshouse, a 40-foot-tall steel-and-glass structure. Book the Space Needle combo to save significantly.

Stroll the revitalized waterfront from Pike Place down to the aquarium, with ferries, views and fresh air the whole way.

Best for: Anyone wanting fresh air, views, and exercise before a week on a ship

Pro tip: The new Overlook Walk connects Pike Place Market to the waterfront via a beautifully landscaped elevated walkway. Walk south toward Pioneer Square for the full experience. The Seattle Great Wheel is here too if you want another view from up high.

Red brick buildings, art galleries and the Underground Tour, all in Seattle's oldest neighborhood.

Best for: History buffs, architecture fans, couples looking for a unique experience

Pro tip: The Underground Tour takes you beneath the streets to see the original city level buried after the 1889 Great Fire. Book in advance, because tours can sell out in summer. The neighborhood has excellent independent bookshops and galleries.

The definitive Seattle skyline viewpoint, where the Space Needle, downtown and Mount Rainier line up in one frame.

Best for: Photographers, romantics, anyone wanting the postcard shot of Seattle

Pro tip: This tiny park on Queen Anne Hill is where every Seattle photo is taken. On a clear day, Mount Rainier looms behind the skyline. Go in the evening for sunset if your schedule allows. Very small park — no parking lot, so Uber is easiest.

Watch boats rise and fall between Puget Sound and Lake Union — plus salmon in season

Best for: Nature lovers, engineering nerds, anyone wanting something off the tourist trail

Pro tip: The fish ladder has underwater viewing windows where you can watch salmon migrating upstream from June through September — timing aligns perfectly with cruise season. The botanical garden adjacent is free and beautiful. Closest attraction to Pier 91.