Discovery Park – Seattle’s Wildest Urban Escape
Just a quick bus ride north of downtown, Discovery Park offers a rugged glimpse of Puget Sound’s natural beauty right within city limits. At 534 acres, it’s Seattle’s largest park and encompasses forests, meadows, sand dunes, beaches and bluffs. Several miles of hiking trails wind through the park, leading to amazing viewpoints like North Beach with its backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. The loop trail to the West Point Lighthouse is a visitor favorite. Discovery Park is also home to the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, honoring the history and culture of local indigenous tribes. With so many hidden trails to uncover, your group could easily spend a day immersed in nature here.
Discovery Park
3801 W Government Way, Seattle, WA 98199
(206) 386-4236
Kubota Garden – Seattle’s Secret Japanese Paradise
Nestled in southeast Seattle, the tranquil Kubota Garden transports visitors to Japan without ever leaving the city. This 20-acre garden was designed in the early 1900s by a local Japanese immigrant family and features ponds, waterfalls, bridges and lush plantings. Strolling through its landscape of hills, forests and wetlands, you’d never guess you’re still in the middle of a major city. Seek out hidden treats like the Garden House with its traditional tatami mat flooring, and stop at the Kubota Terrace for a peaceful view of the gardens. Your group can easily spend a relaxing few hours wandering through this hidden oasis.
Kubota Garden
9817 55th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
(206) 684-4584
West Seattle – Scenic Views and Beach Town Vibes
Many visitors to Seattle never make it out to the beachy, laid-back neighborhood of West Seattle. But with some of the city’s best views and a charming small town vibe, it’s worth venturing past the skyscrapers to explore. Start at the West Seattle viewpoint and let your group take in the panorama of downtown and Elliott Bay from high above. Then walk out along the Pier 86 grain terminal for more unique vistas of Seattle’s working harbor. When you’re ready for fun, head to Alki Beach Park for a quintessential Seattle experience – beachcombing, kite flying and enjoying stunning sunsets over the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.
Alki Beach Park
1702 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 684-4075
Underground Tour – Delving Beneath Pioneer Square
Most visitors to Pioneer Square spend their time admiring the elegant Victorian storefronts at street level. But by taking the Seattle Underground Tour, your group can discover what lies beneath the cobblestone streets. On this entertaining walking tour, expert guides retell the story of how after the Great Seattle Fire in 1889, the city was rebuilt one story higher to avoid the tides. The Underground Tunnels then take you below street level to see the remnants of the original pioneer city. With its intriguing mix of history, urban exploration and quirky stories, it’s one of Seattle’s most unique attractions.
Underground Tour
614 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 682-4646
The Museum of Flight – Aviation Heaven in Tukwila
Located just south of Seattle in Tukwila, The Museum of Flight is an aviation lover’s dream destination. As the largest non-government funded air and space museum in the world, it houses over 175 aircraft and spacecraft plus thousands of artifacts and exhibits spanning 100 years of flight. Must-see displays include the original Boeing factory, the Red Barn, the first fighter plane, the Apollo exhibit, and the Space Shuttle Trainer. With interactive flight simulators, flight suit photo booths, and knowledgeable docents, this museum makes for an unforgettable educational day trip outside Seattle.
Museum of Flight
9404 E Marginal Way S, Tukwila, WA 98108
(206) 764-5720
International District – Global Flavors and Cultures
Just east of Pioneer Square, Seattle’s International District is a microcosm of Asian cultures and cuisines. Your group can explore pan-Asian grocery stores like Uwajimaya, boutiques selling gorgeous silks and jade jewelry, authentic bubble tea cafes, bustling dim sum restaurants, and ornate temples. Don’t miss the historic Panama Hotel built in 1910, part of the neighborhood’s long history as the center of Seattle’s Japanese American community. Best of all, everything is connected by the convenient Seattle Streetcar, making it easy to explore this diverse neighborhood by public transit or charter bus.
Wing Luke Museum
719 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 623-5124
Chihuly Garden and Glass – A Local Art Legend
No trip to Seattle is complete without admiring the iconic glass artwork of Dale Chihuly. At Chihuly Garden and Glass, your group can marvel at his larger-than-life installations in the Glasshouse and Garden. Under the Space Needle, this exhibit features Chihuly’s vibrant, gravity-defying creations alongside personal collections and early sketches. Don’t miss the glass-blowing demonstrations to watch local artists carry on Chihuly’s legacy. With its combination of botany, sculpture and Pacific Northwest talent, this museum makes for an inspiring and Instagram-worthy outing.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 753-4940
Bainbridge Island – A Scenic Ferry Ride Away
Looking for an easy day trip from Seattle? Hop aboard a Washington State ferry headed to beautiful Bainbridge Island, located just a 35 minute ride across Puget Sound. Once your group arrives, rent bikes and cruise around the island taking in the gorgeous views of Seattle, Mount Rainier and the Cascades. Explore waterside parks like Fay Bainbridge Park and Fort Ward Park, sample cider at Bainbridge Island Vineyards, say hello to the pigs at Far Reaches Farm, or grab a bite in charming Winslow town. With frequent ferry service, touring Bainbridge Island makes for a relaxed, refreshing getaway from the bustle of downtown Seattle.
Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal
305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 515-3400
Plan Your Seattle Trip with Charter Bus Company Seattle
Ready to start planning an amazing group getaway in Seattle or the Pacific Northwest? As a local transportation provider, Charter Bus Company Seattle is here to make exploring our beautiful region easy and fun. Our comfortable charter buses and experienced drivers can pick your group up from the airport, your hotel, or anywhere in the metro area and whisk you to bucket-list attractions and hidden local gems around Seattle and beyond.
Give us a call today at (206) 299-1511 and let our team take the hassle out of getting around Seattle.