Introducing Seattle
Seattle is located on a narrow ribbon of land sandwiched between the fresh waters of Lake Washington and the salt waters of Puget Sound. To the far side of these waters lie two high mountain ranges, the Cascades to the east and the Olympics to the west .
The first township in the Seattle area, built in 1852, was called New York. The pioneers soon moved a short distance across Elliott Bay to the area now named Pioneer Square, which offered an easily accessible deep water natural harbor. This second township was called Seattle, honoring a Duwamish Indian chief who had helped the settlers cope with their myriad challenges.
The town grew rapidly, thanks to two main economic activities - timber processing and coal mining. A further boost to growth occured when Seattle was connected up with the Northern Pacific railroad.
But disaster struck, when on June 6, 1889, a devastating fire destroyed large parts of the city. The burnt-out buildings were rebuilt during a busy decade of reconstruction. The new layout included rebuilt wharves, proper sewers and wider streets.
The 1929 Great Depression hit the city hard, with economic activity grinding to a stop. World War II saw the beginnings of economic recovery as Boeing, a small airplane manufacturer, grew its workforce quickly.
Today Seattle is an international center for industry, commerce and communication, home to global enterprises like Amazon, Costco and Microsoft.
In 2000 Seattle became a major cruise ship departure port, when the Port of Seattle inaugurated the Bell Street Pier cruise port. In 2009 the Smith Cove port was built to add more cruise passenger capacity. In 2010 the Port of Seattle hosted 223 cruise ship visits and 930,000 passengers.
Touring Seattle
Space Needle
Seattle’s landmark Space Needle is 605 feet tall, and has an exciting viewing level just under the top of the building. You can see the surrounding islands, the sound, the far mountains and the downtown skyline. Stop at the souvenir shop for small model tower or, for food with a difference, eat at SkyCity, the tower’s rotating restaurant that turns once per hour.
Museum of Flight
The Seattle Museum of Flight houses over 85 airplanes representing the past and present of flying. Find out about the progress of aviation from the Wright brothers’ planes, through WWI and WWII, through to current commercial and military planes. Inspect the first jet Air Force One, an outstanding collection of WWII fighters, the faster than sound jet Concorde, a history of air hostess fashion and a full size replica of the International Space Station. Seattle Museum of Flight is located about 4 miles southwards from the city center.
Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square is the position of Seattle’s first lumber mill, the commercial heart of the original pioneer settlement. Seattle’s 1889 fire ruined the ramshackle structures constructed by the town’s founders. The district is now distinguished by 1890s Romanesque stone and brick buildings, and is packed with magnificent architecture, friendly cafes, bookstores and art galleries. Pioneer Square is about a mile southwards of Bell Street Pier.
Pike Place Market
In 1907 a City Councilman helped establish a farmers’ market, to cut out the big rake of greedy middlemen. The market has matured into a vast shoppers’ heaven laid out over 9 acres. Browse numerous food outlets like wine, dairy, berries, vegetables and bakery, and then to follow an even bigger number of non-food shops such as toys, kitchenware, candles, art and goods. After browsing the busy stalls take a break and enjoy a coffee at the original Starbucks, located in the market. Pike Place market is positioned next to Bell Street Pier.
Cruise Ideas
Seattle acts as a cruise departure point just in summer, due to Alaska’s long and cold winter months. A typical cruise itinerary is the 6 night return cruise stopping at Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway. The passenger will see characterful port-of-call towns, magnificent mountain scenery and mighty glaciers calving ice into the ocean. At the end of the season a range of interesting repositioning cruise vacations are available: to places like Hawaii, Florida and Asia. For a full calendar of departures see cruises from Seattle.
Seattle Cruise Terminals
Seattle has two cruise ship terminals, the more popular city center Bell Street Terminal, and the Smith Cove Pier which is 2 miles north of the city center.
Bell Street Pier
The Bell Street Pier cruise port was inaugurated in 2000 as part of a 10-acre, city center, coastline, multi-purpose scheme. It is sited on Pier 66 which was originally constructed as far back as 1914. The terminal is 2 floors high, with a modern bridge platform providing direct access to the ship from the upper story. Facilities at the terminal include check-in, rental car kiosk, snackbar, restaurant, customs, concierge service, luggage handling and retail kiosks. At the junction of Alaskan Way and Wall Street, across from the cruise port, there is a large parking garage.The cruise terminal offers just one cruise ship berth. The cruise terminal homeports Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises cruise ships.
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal
The Smith Cove cruise port is sited 2 miles from the city center, on Pier 90 and Pier 91. The waterside property was purchased by Seattle Port in 1912 for use as a commercial port. Facilities include customs, concierge service, shops, baggage handling, check-in and car rental desk. A 1,000 space parking garage is located near by with a complimentary shuttle to the terminal. The cruise port has 2 cruise ship moorings at Pier 90 and Pier 91. Smith Cove hosts RCCL, Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises and HAL.
For the port authority website see Port Of Seattle.
Traveling To The Cruise Terminals
Bell St Pier
From the Airport
The journey time from Sea-Tac airport to Bell Street Pier by cab is around half-an-hour. As an alternative you can catch the Sea-Tac airport Central Link Light Rail, alighting at the terminus Westlake. Next catch a taxi or walk to Bell Street Pier, three-quarters of a mile distant.
By Car
From the North
From Interstate 5 leave at exit 167, signed Mercer Street/Seattle Center. Head right onto Fairview Avenue. Then the first left onto Valley Street. Carry along Valley St which becomes Broad Street. When you reach the waterfront turn left onto Alaskan Way. Immediately before the cruise port building, turn left onto Wall Street for the entrance to Bell Street Pier parking.
From the South
Join Interstate 5. Take exit 164A signed Dearborn St/James St, Madison St. Follow Madison St/Convention Center signs. Make a left onto Madison St. Stay on Madison Street until you reach the seafront. Turn right to join Alaskan Way. Carry on for a mile, until you pass the cruise terminal on the left hand side. Make a right onto Wall Street to access Bell Street Pier garage.
Smith Cove
From The Airport
It takes around three-quarter of an hour by car from Sea-Tac airport to the cruise port from Sea-Tac Airport.
By Car
From the North and South
Follow Interstate 5 to exit 167 signed Mercer Street. Take a right turn on to Fairview Av North. Turn left onto Valley Street. Valley Street merges with Broad Street. Past the Space needle make a right onto Denny Way. The road bends to the right onto Western Avenue. Western Av joins Elliott Av West. Follow signs for Magnolia Bridge. Follow signage to Smith Cove Park and cruise terminal.