Seattle · SEATTLE CITY TOURS

Seattle City Tours: The 15 Best Ways to See Downtown

25 tours  ·  from $65 a head

Seattle is hilly, and a city tour saves your legs for the parts worth walking. The 15 below differ on how long they run, whether Kerry Park and the Ballard Locks are on the route, and what they charge per head.

Seattle: City Highlights Tour - Lakes, bridges, and a city shaped by water
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Seattle City Highlights Tour

1.Seattle City Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,000 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $88Our pick

Ride a mini coach with a local guide through Seattle’s waterfront, historic center, neighborhoods and landmark viewpoints. The roughly three-hour tour includes brief stops at Pioneer Square, Waterfall Garden Park, the Klondike Gold Rush museum, Ballard Locks and Kerry Park. Choose from three downtown meeting locations, and finish at the Space Needle or return downtown.

“The tour was awesome. Our driver Rob was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable, entertaining and never made us feel rushed. We got to see so many highlights and it made us want to come back and explore more.”

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Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour - Snoqualmie Falls in the Cascade foothills
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Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour

2.Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,293 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $94

This four-hour tour pairs 268-foot Snoqualmie Falls with Seattle sights including Pioneer Square, the Fremont Troll, and Kerry Park. A guide such as Dale or Terry may add local stories and smartphone photography tips. Travel by air-conditioned minivan in a group of no more than 13, with seasonal stops at the Ballard Locks or Fishermen’s Terminal.

“Dale was a terrific tour guide, very informative, we learned so much on this tour. I would definitely recommend him to everyone. He also taught us how to take outstanding photos with our phones. D”

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Seattle City Tour - From the International District to Pioneer Square
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Seattle City Tour

3.Seattle City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,147 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $85

This three-hour Seattle bus tour leaves from the Hyatt Regency at 1 pm and visits city districts, Kerry Park, Lake Union, the Ballard Locks, and more. A Pacific Northwest guide with decades of local experience leads the way. You’ll get photo stops, bottled water, and a small group of no more than 20, but Pike Place Market is not a full stop.

“Amazing tour! Earl was so knowledgeable and made sure we had a great experience! He really took his time and never once did I feel the tour was rushed or he skipped over something! One of the best tours my husband and I have taken. Definitely recommend to anyone visiting Seattle!”

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3 Hour Show Me Seattle Best Of The City Tour - Pike Place Market and Seattle Center
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3 Hour Show Me Seattle Best Of The City Tour

4.3 Hour Show Me Seattle Best Of The City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 763 reviews · from $80

This three-hour Seattle tour uses an air-conditioned minibus for a narrated loop through downtown, Pioneer Square, the Chinatown-International District and other city sights. You’ll make photo stops at the Fremont Troll, Ballard Locks and Kerry Park. Guides such as Matthew, James, Shawn and DC have earned praise for lively local stories; your guide may vary.

“We had previously taken a Viator tour in Vancouver, BC, so we chose this tour for our Seattle visit. We were surprised and delighted to have Matthew as our guide. He not only shared extensive history and current sights of the city, but also serenaded us with show tunes! His engaging personality, entertaining delivery, and wonderful voice made our tour a fantastic experience. We will definitely be recommending him to friends and family for future visits. He's a keeper!”

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The Best of Seattle City Highlights Tour - Pike Place Market deserves a second visit
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The Best of Seattle City Highlights Tour

5.The Best of Seattle City Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 717 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $88

This four-hour Seattle tour uses a 14 to 24-seat vehicle to connect sights such as Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, Kerry Park, Fremont and the Ballard Locks. A local guide drives and narrates, with hotel pickup from select downtown and airport locations. Stops and timing can change, and some viewpoints are weather-dependent.

“Our guide new more about Seattle than was just on the tour. He was informative and interesting. Enjoyed the entire time.”

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Seattle: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour - Seventeen stops, with distinct neighborhoods
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Seattle: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

6.City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 421 reviews · 1 - 2 days · from $65Best value

Ride an open-top bus past Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, the Space Needle, and more, hopping off at 17 stops. The 80-minute loop has English audio; the All About Seattle ticket adds a three-hour live-guided panoramic tour and a Pioneer Square walking tour. A free XR app is also available.

“The Hop On Hop Off buses offers three routes. Some with recorded information and some with live-guides. We only did the main route with recorded information that is OK. The drivers are great and there are many stops. We used the ones at the Waterfront and Chinatown. Buses runs every 30 minutes. We did experience some delays in the afternoon traffic but the company did inform about this when we got on the buses.”

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Seattle: City Highlights Tour - Lakes, bridges, and a city shaped by water
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Seattle: City Highlights Tour

7.City Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 416 reviews · 3 hours - 210 minutes · from $80

Cover nearly 50 miles of Seattle with a local guide, from Pioneer Square and the Ballard Locks to a skyline viewpoint. Expect a mix of short sightseeing stops and views from the bus, with guides such as Jeff, Bryan, Ron, and Tyler among those who have led tours. The official meeting point is MoPOP.

“the tour was exceptional. saw more then expected. our guide was knowledgeable and had great, clean one-liners to make it more interesting.”

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CitySightseeing Seattle Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras - Pike Place Market and downtown’s familiar names
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CitySightseeing Seattle Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras

8.CitySightseeing Seattle Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Bookable Extras

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 290 reviews · from $98

Ride an open-top double-decker past the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Chinatown and Seattle’s waterfront, then hop off to explore. Choose a 24- or 48-hour ticket, with options that add a self-guided Pioneer Square walk, a harbor cruise or separate scenic and night tours. Buses run every 30 to 40 minutes during the operating season.

“The night tour was excellent. The guide was very knowledgeable and made the trip fun. The city has many sights and this was the cheapest way to see them all.”

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Seattle: 3-Hour City Highlights Tour - Pike Place Market: flying fish and a famous coffee address
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Seattle: 3-Hour City Highlights Tour

9.3-Hour City Highlights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 206 reviews · from $67

In three hours, a local guide takes you by minibus from Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square to Kerry Park, the Ballard Locks and Fremont. Groups are capped at 14, and guides such as Mark, James, Casey and DC have brought Seattle’s neighborhoods to life with history, humor and local tips. Expect a broad city overview, with some sights viewed from the van.

“This was a truly amazing tour and the best part of it was our tour guide. David was simply a walking encyclopedia and so nice and kind. This is a must thing to do when in Seattle. My family and I truly recommend it. Thank you David !”

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Emerald City Bicycle Tour - Lake Union’s houseboats and tech district
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Emerald City Bicycle Tour

10.Emerald City Bicycle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 162 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

Set out at 9:30 am with a guide and a group of no more than 12, riding from Seattle’s waterfront through eight neighborhoods. You’ll pass the Olympic Sculpture Park, Space Needle, Lake Union houseboats and Ballard Locks, with a bike, helmet and bottled water provided. Guides have included Darrell, Monte, Rina and Ike.

“Darrel was great guide. We covered a lot of ground. Nice group. Felt safe and comfortable. Would do again!”

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Seattle Sightseeing City Tour with Hotel Pick-up - The market and waterfront are mostly seen from the vehicle
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Seattle Sightseeing City Tour with Hotel Pick-up

11.Seattle Sightseeing City Tour with Hotel Pick-up

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 152 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

In about three hours, a local guide takes you from Pioneer Square and the waterfront to the Ballard Locks, Kerry Park and Seattle Center, with drives through several neighborhoods and across Lake Washington. Hotel pickup is available at many downtown hotels. Groups are capped at 14, and guides such as John, Bryan and Carl have led tours.

“Our guide: Erika was great! Picked up from our hotel was seamless. Took us around, provided little known facts and other interesting tip’s & tidbits about the buildings and areas well happened to be in. Took photos for my husband & I and others in the group. Very personable! Easy tour!”

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Downtown Food Tour with Drinks - Art, Hammering Man, and a pause for seafood
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Downtown Food Tour with Drinks

12.Downtown Food Tour with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 85 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $149

Spend about two and a half hours walking downtown Seattle and Pike Place Market with a guide, stopping for seafood, cocktails, snacks, and a liquor-filled chocolate truffle. The 4:30 pm tour meets at MARKET Seafood Eatery and ends at SELEUŠS Chocolates. Guides including Will, Jade, Sam, and Ben have led groups, though venues and tastings can vary.

“Jade did a great job. The cocktails were delicious and interesting, and the food was also delicious. Portions were not overly generous but were definitely adequate. Would highly recommend this tour!”

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Pike Place Market, Space Needle Iconic 1-Day City Tour in Seattle - Two hours at Pike Place Market
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Pike Place Market, Space Needle Iconic 1-Day City Tour in Seattle

13.Pike Place Market, Space Needle Iconic 1-Day City Tour in Seattle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $144

Spend 8 to 10 hours touring Seattle by air-conditioned vehicle, from Gas Works Park and Pike Place Market to the Space Needle. You get a guide-driver, time to explore, and optional admissions for Sky View Observatory, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and the Museum of Flight. Guides including Duan, Mark, Michael, Tony, and Jennifer have led tours in English and Mandarin.

“The tours make everything much easier and e joyable. Slav and Mark were our tour guides and they both rocked the tours.”

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Seattle Pre-Cruise Tour: Transportation & Seattle City Tour - Pike Place, Pioneer Square and the waterfront
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Seattle Pre-Cruise Tour: Transportation & Seattle City Tour

14.Seattle Pre-Cruise Tour: Transportation & Seattle City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $131

Start with downtown hotel pickup, bring your luggage aboard, and see Seattle’s waterfront, Pioneer Square, Kerry Park, the Space Needle area and Ballard Locks with a local guide. The air-conditioned mini coach holds up to 20 people and finishes at Pier 66 or Pier 91. Guide assignments vary; past tours have featured Paul, Lucinda, Carl and Nicole.

“Great overview of Seattle. We wanted to use our time effectively and end with our transfer to the cruise terminal. On the day we took the tour, they combined the Pre-cruise with the normal city tour. It worked out very well.”

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Seattle City Tour 3-Hours (Private Tour) - Pioneer Square: Seattle’s older streets
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Seattle City Tour 3-Hours (Private Tour)

15.Seattle City Tour 3-Hours (Private Tour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Explore Seattle by private minibus with local guide Mario, stopping in Pioneer Square, at the Fremont Troll, near Ballard Locks and its salmon fish ladder, and at Kerry Park. The three-hour tour also gives you tips for Pike Place Market and getting around, with drop-off options that include your hotel, Pike Place, or the Space Needle.

“The tour was phenomenal. We stopped whenever we wanted. We saw the sites of just about everything. Mario was very informative and knowledgeable. He is a history buff that is waiting to explode. One of the best 3 hour tours we ever took.”

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New in Seattle City Tours

★ 3.0Sightseeing Bus Tour with the Ballard LocksFrom $794 reviews
★ 5.02.5 hour City Electric Bike TourFrom $12512 reviews
★ 4.3City Sightseeing Seattle: HOHO Bus Tour + Locks CruiseFrom $1093 reviews
★ 4.5Boeing Factory Tour & Seattle City Tours ComboFrom $18511 reviews

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