Pre- and Post-Cruise Itineraries for Seattle
So, you’re finally taking a majestic Alaskan cruise from Seattle? Great choice! It’ll be an experience of a lifetime.
There’s nothing quite like the great outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.
Western Washington is filled with the soothing serenity of Puget Sound, walkable parks, and lush, green trails.
Seattle Southside has it all, with the added benefit of many of the parks and trails being more “off the beaten path” or “hidden gems,” that the crowds haven’t discovered yet. Time to get outside and explore more!
With your appetite satisfied, head over to Starfire Sports to catch a Sounders S2 game. The Seattle Sounders FC call Starfire home and players can be seen walking the halls. S2 is the owned and operated Second Team of Seattle Sounders FC and their home games are played at the complex. And as dinner approaches, your group can grab a popular pie fold “pizza sandwich” and a local cider at the Watershed FC located on-site. Group ticket packages are available for groups of 15 or more. Various exclusive group experiences include: High Five Tunnel, Benchwarmers, Dream Team, National Anthem, Half Time Performances, Player Meet and Greet, VIP Access.
If sports aren't really your game, then head to Angle Lake Park for a picnic and a dip in the lake! This park is great for kids; in addition to the swimming areas on the lake, there’s also a playground, a wacky spray park and plenty of room to run around. It’s also quite easy to get here since the Link Light Rail Angle Lake Station recently opened in 2016. If you have any energy left, take a bike (or rollerblades/longboard/running shoes) to the Interurban Trail where an interweaving 14.7-mile natural landscape trail connects multiple cities. From Auburn to Tukwila, you’ll enjoy the fresh air and paved trail which leads right to the Southcenter shopping area, where you can get a much-deserved meal after all that exercise.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays from May to October, your group can enjoy the morning eating local bites at the Des Moines Farmers Market. This farmers market is right on the waterfront and features fresh produce, colorful flowers, local crafts, and live music while overlooking Puget Sound.
Your group can also enjoy a peaceful walk on the Des Moines Creek Trail at the Beach Park. They will see leaves in the Fall and colorful flowers in the Spring and Summer combined with a lively creek with miniature waterfalls. This serene nature escape of blackberry vines, ivy-strangled trees brightened by sword ferns, luscious green moss and lichen-daubed alder trees is a refreshing surprise, akin to any lowland forest of the Cascades.
After the sun sets, your group can dine on some fresh seafood at Anthony’s HomePort Seafood Restaurant. Anthony's HomePort overlooks the Des Moines Marina and is located next to the Des Moines Yacht Club with views of Maury Island, the snow-capped Olympic Mountains and South Puget Sound boating activity. The waterfront-view banquet room is available can accommodates groups of 20-50 guests.
Your group’s final day in Seattle Southside brings them back to the waters of Puget Sound, but this time, underneath with a guided scuba diving tour with Seattle Dive Tours at Saltwater State Park.
Before the dive, schedule some time to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of Saltwater State Park. There are picnic benches for snacks and lunch and great views all around. Your group will want to walk along the beach, breathe in the fresh air of the Pacific Northwest and enjoy!
Seattle Dive Tours has everything your group will need to have a great Puget Sound diving experience. They will be guided to artificial reef structures, which make great homes for all sorts of marine life. Your group may see Copper and Black Rockfish, Plumose Anemone, wolf eels or even a Giant Pacific Octopus. They can even rent an underwater camera to capture every moment of their underwater journey!
After an amazing underwater adventure, your group can dine at Salty’s Seafood Grill at Redondo, a hidden gem on the Puget Sound waterfront. Your group will experience fabulous sweeping views of the Sound, Maury Island and the Olympic Mountains, while dining on award-winning Northwest seafood and steak cuisine with impeccable service. Their private-dining area can accommodate groups up to 70 guests. If you want an even more unique experience, your group may dine in the Belly of the Whale Hall at the MaST Center Aquarium next door, where a 38-foot whale skeleton hangs from the ceiling!
After a great day of hiking, head back to Seattle Southside and get some dinner at the iconic Italian restaurant, Grazie Ristorante. With a classic Italian atmosphere and plenty of delicious pasta and spiced meats, there’s arguably no better restaurant in Seattle Southside for a good carb-loading session.
Whether you’re in search of a restaurant near you, seafood restaurants, a quaint café, Indian restaurants, family-friendly restaurants, Italian restaurants or fine dining, with over 100 places to choose from you’ll find Seattle Southside ready to serve.
Go ahead, stay an extra night.
Find all of the latest on events, attractions, dining and more in the Seattle Southside blog.