Welcome to Pioneer Square, International District & SoDo
Seattle's birthplace retains the grit of its 'Skid Row' roots with historic redbrick architecture and a rambunctious street life tempered by art galleries and locavore restaurants. The International District broadcasts its scruffy cosmopolitanism with dim sum and pho restaurants. SoDo is an austere warehouse district that's attracting new micro-businesses and pot shops.
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Pioneer Square, International District & SoDo activities
Seattle Subterranean Walking History Tour From Pioneer Square
Your tour begins at 102 Cherry Street, just off 1st Avenue in Pioneer Square. Here, you'll greet your guide before delving into the depths of underground Seattle and and its history during a subterranean walk through the city’s original neighborhood, Pioneer Square. Your guide regales you with stories of Seattle’s past, from its role in the Klondike Gold Rush to the notorious Skid Row, once Pioneer Square’s main hub. Wander among darkened passageways, occasionally popping up to street level, as you traverse approximately three blocks and cover more than a century of history. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes: this 1-hour tour includes six flights of single-story stairs as well as a variety of surfaces, many of them uneven.Your tour concludes at Occidental Park, around 3 blocks from the start point.
Seattle Highlights Sightseeing Minibus Tour with Pike Place
After hotel pickup (only for those staying at downtown Seattle hotels, south Lake Union hotels, or university area hotels), start your 1.5-hour sightseeing tour by comfortable minibus in downtown Seattle. Your guide engages you with humorous stories and in-the-know facts and stats about the city. Tunes from Seattle’s famous musicians, like Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain, amp up the liveliness on board.Weave through the main retail district, and cruise past the culinary landmark of Pike Place Market and the picturesque waterfront. Gaze at Seattle’s oldest buildings in Pioneer Square and learn about the city’s gold rush while passing through Old Town. Then drive through the Chinatown-International District, known locally as ‘ID,' which dates back to the early 1900s.Cruise past the former home of Kurt Cobain and the high school that Quincy Jones and Jimi Hendrix attended. Along Lake Washington, see Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge, the longest floating bridge in the world.Go through the hipster-hot neighborhood of Capitol Hill en route to Lake Union, where you’ll see floating homes, including the one filmed in Sleepless in Seattle. Pass the University of Washington and then under a bridge, discover the Fremont Troll, an 18-foot-tall (5-meter) sculpture of a mangy-haired troll with a gimlet eye.At Kerry Park, disembark for a brief photo stop and admire stunning city views. Glimpse the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation building and Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, home to the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera. Set eyes on Seattle’s most iconic landmark, the Space Needle, before being taken back to your hotel or, if you prefer, one of the select drop-off points in the city.
Portland Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Portland is a city of contrasts -- a lively city center surrounded by natural beauty, from Washington Park and the West Hills to the Willamette River and Waterfront Park. With your choice of a 1-day or 2-day Portland sightseeing pass, hop aboard the open-top trolley in Pioneer Square and travel with ease around the city, your expert onboard guide providing commentary about Portland’s history, culture and main points of interest along the way. From your spot in the open-air or indoor seating section, sit back, relax and take in the sights on the whole 1.5-hour route or hop off at any of the 14 stops around the city to explore at your own pace. Visit the world-famous International Rose Test Garden and spend time in South Park Blocks, the heart of Portland’s culture district featuring the Portland Center for the Performing Arts, the Oregon Historical Society and the Portland Art Museum.Wander through the Portland Japanese Garden of Washington Park, see animals at the Oregon Zoo, visit Portland’s Children’s Museum, and browse boutique shops in the NW 23rd Ave shopping district. In the fun and fashionable Pearl District, stop by Powell’s Books, the world’s largest independent new and used bookstore, and find your chi in the Lan Su Chinese Garden. Other highlights include Lownsdale Square, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), Old Town and Riverplace.A portion of your all ticket sales goes to breast cancer awareness and research, so you can feel good about your hop-on hop-off pass purchase.
Seattle Pre-Cruise Excursion: Highlights Sightseeing Tour
While you're in port in Seattle, a 1.5-hour city sightseeing tour is a great way to get acquainted with this Pacific Northwest jewel. Your shore excursion begins with pickup at the cruise ship terminal by comfortable minibus; then head directly into the heart of the action in downtown Seattle. Groove to the tunes of Seattle’s renowned musicians — such as Jimi Hendrix and grunge legend Kurt Cobain — while your lively guide shares historical tidbits and humorous tales about the seaside city. Motor past the main retail district, the foodie junction of Pike Place Market and the picturesque waterfront. Snap photos of Seattle’s oldest buildings in Pioneer Square, and learn about the city’s gold rush while passing through Old Town. Next, drive through the Chinatown-International District, known locally as ID, which dates back to the early 1900s. Cruise past the former high school of Hendrix and Quincy Jones, drive along Lake Washington and see Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge, the world’s longest floating bridge. Pass through Capitol Hill en route to Lake Union, where you'll get a look at its floating homes, including the one filmed in Sleepless in Seattle. Admire the University of Washington, and disembark for a photo op of an 18-foot-tall (5-meter) sculpture called the Fremont Troll, located under a bridge.Make another brief photo stop at Kerry Park to enjoy stunning city views, and glimpse the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation building and Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, home to the Pacific Northwest Ballet and Seattle Opera. Finally, set eyes on Seattle’s most iconic landmark, the Space Needle, before you’re taken back to the cruise terminal.Worry-free Shore Excursion:We will ensure your timely return to the Seattle port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Small-Group Portland City Driving Tour and Willamette River Lunch Cruise
Tour begins with pickup from your Portland Spirit Lunch Cruise. Transportation to the Portland Spirit from your hotel is not included. Take in stunning views of the downtown city skyline. Make sure to have plenty of memory on your camera to capture the breathtaking sights from the unique vantage point on the Willamette River. Complete the festive day on the water with live entertainment and performances. Lunch is comprised of fresh, locally sourced items prepared on board. Includes a plated lunch entree selected by each guest, bread, fountain soft drinks, iced tea, coffee, and hot tea. Appetizers, desserts and other beverages from the full service bar are available for additional purchase on board.At the end of the cruise, be picked up for a best of Portland city tour. Don't just see the highlights of downtown, your guide will give you a well-balanced overview of both downtown and surrounding area history, culture, current events, and a representation of cultural diversity in the state of Oregon. Travel through the various parts of the city from downtown Portland to the Pearl District and Nob Hill, local neighborhoods. Visit all the must-see attractions including the Pittock Mansion, Lan Su Chinese Garden and the International Rose Test Garden.Head first to downtown Portland and enjoy the sites of Pioneer Square. Learn about the great diversity found in Portland's downtown area, the historical importance it has played in the state's history, and the fast-growing culture that exists in the city of Portland. Make a stop at Pittock Mansion. This meticulously preserved architectural landmark symbolizes Portland's transformation from a small lumber town into a bustling city. Home to the Pittock family and their descendants until 1958, the house opened to the public as a museum in 1965.Next visit the International Rose Test Garden. Let the fragrance of over 550 different varieties of roses delight your senses as you explore the lush and beautiful Washington Park. Continue your exploration of Portland's greenery with one of Portland's greatest treasures and most interesting sites to see, Lan Su Chinese Garden. Built by Chinese artisans from Suzhou, it can be considered the most authentic Chinese garden outside of China.Tour concludes with drop-off at your hotel (or the central meeting point) at approximately 5:30pm.
Pacific Northwest Peaks & Pours
DAY 1: This evening, mingle with other group members at a meet and greet reception hosted by our guide, a beer aficionado and destination specialist.DAY 2: Tour Seattle, visiting colorful neighborhoods and iconic attractions such as historic Pioneer Square, and the Space Needle. This afternoon is reserved for tastings. The city’s small-batch producers tend to know their stuff, producing solid line-ups of supremely drinkable IPAs, stouts and more.DAY 3: Members of the Pike Place Market community will guide us through the market ensuring we receive special treatment. Meet the Market’s lively characters and hear their memorable stories. Upon arrival in Portland, there’ll be time to relax, before meeting up for a special evening program. Use real ghost hunting equipment to visit known ghostly places and get behind the scenes to understand a true view into the reality of paranormal investigations.Day 4: Portland sits on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood. We’ll enjoy an orientation tour of the city and its iconic gardens. This afternoon, explore more of the city on a bicycle tour that will take us to breweries a walking tour to some of the downtown area’s most unique restaurants, food emporiums and food trucks.DAY 5: Visit Columbia River Gorge and experience the power and beauty of nature up close at Multnomah Falls, a 611-foot-tall roaring, awe-inspiring cascade of icy water. We’ll then stop at some of the 12 breweries in this area.DAY 6: Travel to Crater Lake National Park. Created by a collapsed volcano after a violent eruption more than 7,000 years ago, scientists marvel at its purity. Fed only by rain and snow, it’s the deepest lake in the US at nearly 2,000 feet. A National Park Ranger will talk to us about the Park’s origins and special features before we take a leisurely hike. Ranked in the top 10 of “The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America,” Ashland is a cultural hot spot, with award-winning galleries, theaters and restaurants.DAY 7: Tour the city of Eugene, home to the University of Oregon and a prominent arts community. After a short walking tour, we’ll stop in an area of Eugene aligned with local breweries, all part of Eugene’s Ale Trail. This evening arrive in the coastal community of Cannon Beach which combines the inspiring beauty of the Oregon Coast with a picture-perfect village by the sea.Day 8: Start the day with a walk on the beach to dramatic shoreline rock formations like Haystack Rock, one of Oregon’s most recognizable landmarks, rising 235 feet from the edge of the shoreline. Cannon Beach also offers the quintessential small beach town experience. Wander the picturesque sidewalks and courtyards of downtown Cannon Beach to discover art galleries, specialty shops and public art.
Pioneer Square, International District & SoDo in detail
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