6 Ways to Turn a Work Trip Into a Mini Northwest Vacation

Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Visiting the Seattle area for work? Take the excuse to book one extra day just for fun.

With so much to do in town and the surrounding region, it's easy to squeeze in some exploring before or after your meetings. Read on for some of our favorite ways to fill a day in and near Seattle Southside.

Escape to the Mountains
Explore the Puget Sound Waterfront
Visit Local Museums
Ride a Hot Air Balloon
Go Sightseeing Downtown
Go Whale Watching

1. Escape to the Mountains

The easiest way to venture into the mountains when visiting is to book a tour with a company such as Evergreen Escapes. Their all-inclusive experiences include transportation, park entry, meals, and an expert naturalist guide, making it an easy, stress-free option for attendees with an extra day before or after a meeting. Plus, guests can even be picked up right at a SeaTac hotel (by request). The Mount Rainier National Park Tour takes you to the largest peak in the state, and includes a walk through alpine meadows and old-growth forests. It's offered year-round, with different highlights each season. Walkers can enjoy berry picking on the trails in the summer, or experience the beauty of winter on an introductory snowshoeing tour. From May through Oct, the tour runs daily. From November through April, it runs on Saturdays and Mondays. The Mount St. Helens National Monument Tour is a fascinating journey to the site of the 1980 volcanic eruption, where participants can view a massive crater, wind-swept terrain, and ancient forests. The tour is offered twice weekly from mid-May through October. Visit Evergreen Escapes to register.

2. Explore the Puget Sound Waterfront

While a day tour can be amazing, there are also plenty of trails and beaches right in Seattle Southside if you're looking for a more low-key way to be in nature. Des Moines is home to numerous waterfront parks, including Saltwater State Park, a rugged, forested stretch of land that feels miles from the city, and Des Moines Beach Park, which has a quaint, small-town vibe, a marina, and a paved trail perfect for casual walks. Either way, you'll feel refreshed as you breathe in the salt air, take in the foliage, and stretch your legs. If you look carefully, there's a good chance you'll spot some marine wildlife, such as seals, sea lions, sea stars, and if you're really lucky, a whale breeching in the distance. Read our Guide to Urban Hiking for a more detailed itinerary along the Des Moines Creek Trail (which can be accessed via Light Rail, near the Angle Lake Station). Explore even more trails for walking, jogging, and biking.

3. Visit Local Museums

Spend a day feeling enriched and inspired at local museums, all within a short drive of Seattle Southside hotels. At the Museum of Flight, you can see (and even climb inside!) dozens of vintage aircraft and spacecraft, including a life-size replica of a space shuttle. Or check out the Highline Heritage Museum, which showcases fascinating local lore and history, including an exhibit about the giant sloth fossil unearthed during construction of the airport. The Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture celebrates the rich history of Chicano/as and Latino/as in Washington state from post-war immigration to the present. Several Seattle museums are accessible via the Link Light Rail, including Seattle Art Museum, a world-class fine art museum near Symphony Station, and Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, a cultural history museum near the International District/Chinatown Station.

4. Ride a Hot Air Balloon

Imagine seeing the sun rise over the mountains while floating in a hot air balloon 2,000 feet above the earth. A tour with Seattle Ballooning offers just that. On a ride with a professional pilot, you'll fly directly in front of Mount Rainier on the Enumclaw Plateau, flying over lakes, rivers, horse ranches, and dairy farms. You'll get breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the Cascade and Olympic mountains, and on early morning rides, you might spy herds of elk, deer, and bald eagles. Rides are offered at sunset and sunrise, as that's when the wind is most gentle. Rides pick up at the Muckleshoot Casino, about 30 minutes south of the airport, making it a fairly easy excursion from Seattle Southside.

5. Go Sightseeing Downtown

Seattle Southside hotels are perfectly positioned to explore downtown Seattle by public transit. Just catch the Link Light Rail at one of several local stops, including one at SEA Airport. (Many hotels offer free airport shuttles, and some are within walking distance of the station.) From there, get off at Westlake Station and head to Pike Place Market, a historic outdoor market where you can stroll through produce stands and shop for souvenirs. Continue down the Overlook Walk to the waterfront, where you'll find the Seattle Aquarium, Ferris wheel, and seafood restaurants. If you want to extend your day, head back up the hill to take the monorail to Seattle Center and see the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and MoPop - Museum of Pop Culture.

See our guide to One Day in Seattle for more detailed suggestions.

6. Go Whale Watching

Staying in Seattle Southside puts attendees within easy reach of some of the Pacific Northwest’s most memorable wildlife experiences, including whale watching. Multiple tour operators in the Puget Sound region offer half-day excursions to spot orcas, humpbacks, gray whales, and other marine life. While it may take a few hours by car to get to the departure locations, it is absolutely doable as a day trip if you're motivated. One tour, Western Prince Whale Watching Adventures, offers a seaplane that picks up at the Renton Seaplane Terminal (just 15 minutes from SEA Airport) and flies straight to the San Juan Islands. You can view more tours on our Guide to Whale Watching Tours Near Seattle Southside.

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Explore Seattle for a day or two or three. Staying in Seattle Southside puts you in the perfect position to explore the Pacific Northwest.

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