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Optional ExcursionsOptional Excursions Descriptions/Itineraries
Click Here to Reserve your Optional Excursions Monday, August 20, 2007Seattle City Tour with a Stop at the Space Needle
A stop at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks will show how the area's fresh and salt waters meet. This landmark is made up of two navigational locks, a dam and spillway, an underwater view of a salmon ladder, a botanical garden, and a regional visitor center. The locks allow vessels to pass from fresh water Lake Washington into the salt water of Puget Sound. Following the Locks Tour, you will enjoy a scenic drive through Seattle's best neighborhoods. Next is Seattle's most recognizable landmark: the Space Needle. The tower stands 605 feet (184 metres) tall and boasts 360-degree views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges and, of course, the beautiful city of Seattle. The final stop on the tour is Seattle's Pike Place Market. The Market began on August 17, 1907 and nearly a century after its founding, the Pike Place Market remains a vital part of Seattle's social and economic fabric. Helping to make up the Market experience are local farmers, craftspeople, businesspeople, and those crazy fish throwers. There will be time to shop and explore this fascinating area, and easy-to-read maps will be provided for those who wish to linger on their own. Itinerary:
Tuesday, August 21, 2007Seattle City Tour with a Stop at the Space NeedleGet the best view of Seattle-the perspective of a local. You will be escorted around town by a friendly and informative Seattleite who will provide historical background of the area, point out interesting landmarks, as well as give insider tips on special shopping and sightseeing areas. The tour begins with a drive by Seattle's Waterfront as guests are transferred to historic Pioneer Square, Seattle's oldest residential area, now a major visitor attraction with restaurants, galleries and lively clubs. A stop at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks will show how the area's fresh and salt waters meet. This landmark is made up of two navigational locks, a dam and spillway, an underwater view of a salmon ladder, a botanical garden, and a regional visitor center. The locks allow vessels to pass from fresh water Lake Washington into the salt water of Puget Sound. Following the Locks Tour, you will enjoy a scenic drive through Seattle's best neighborhoods. Next is Seattle's most recognizable landmark: the Space Needle. The tower stands 605 feet (184 metres) tall and boasts 360-degree views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges and, of course, the beautiful city of Seattle. The final stop on the tour is Seattle's Pike Place Market. The Market began on August 17, 1907 and nearly a century after its founding, the Pike Place Market remains a vital part of Seattle's social and economic fabric. Helping to make up the Market experience are local farmers, craftspeople, businesspeople, and those crazy fish throwers. There will be time to shop and explore this fascinating area, and easy-to-read maps will be provided for those who wish to linger on their own. Itinerary:
Wednesday, August 22, 2007Seattle Glassblowing Tour
Next you will be transferred to Pioneer Square, the glassblowing capital of Seattle. Pioneer Square is home to many glass and art galleries which you will have the opportunity to visit. We have coordinated a private glassblowing demonstration for your group at Glasshouse Studio. This tour captures the spirit of glassblowing and you will walk away with a love and appreciation for this unique form of art. Itinerary:
Wednesday, August 22, 2007Lifestyles and Lakes CruiseThis fabulous two-hour cruise treats you to spectacular glimpses of Seattle's unique inner-city shoreline. Cruise through Lake Union and Portage Bay, viewing everything from million dollar mansions including Bill Gates', the Nordstrom family, and Steve Miller to handcrafted houseboats - even the famous houseboat from Sleepless in Seattle.
Thursday, August 23, 2007Northwest Winery TourSituated on the same latitude as the French wine country, Washington State has a growing wine industry that is winning prestigious awards throughout the world. Learn more about Northwest wine by visiting two popular local wineries.
Located on 87 acres of arboretum-like grounds, Chateau Ste. Michelle is Washington's oldest winery, taking its place among the classic wineries of the world. While here, enjoy a tour that allows a romantic yet technologically accurate view of the art and science of wine-making, followed by wine tasting. After the tour and wine tasting, stroll the grounds and visit the extensive wine and accessory shop. Itinerary:
Thursday, August 23, 2007Kayaking on Lake Union
Friday, August 24, 2007Washington's Highest Peak - Mt. Rainier
Cancellation Policy:Please note, for optional excursions, tours may not operate if there are not enough registrants. In the event of a tour cancellation you will receive a full refund for the tour and be notified of the cancellation.
Recommended Additional Activity (discount available via discount code):Victoria, British Columbia Day Trip - YOU MUST BOOK THIS EXCURSION DIRECTLY WITH THE VICTORIA CLIPPER. IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE OPTIONAL EXCURSION REGISTRATION.
From Seattle, you will board the Victoria Clipper and sail to the downtown harbor of Victoria, where you'll spend the day exploring British Columbia's most charming city. There's much to see and do in Victoria: the Parliament Building, the Royal BC Museum, Afternoon Tea at the elegant Fairmont Empress Hotel, Crystal Gardens, and, of course, the famous Butchart Gardens. You will return to Seattle's sparkling city lights that evening.
Persons with a felony may be denied entrance into Canada. If you have been convicted of a crime in the United States it may be considered a felony in Canada, for example a DUI is considered a felony in Canada. |
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Get the best view of Seattle-the perspective of a local. You will be escorted around town by a friendly and informative Seattleite who will provide historical background of the area, point out interesting landmarks, as well as give insider tips on special shopping and sightseeing areas. The tour begins with a drive by Seattle's Waterfront as guests are transferred to historic Pioneer Square, Seattle's oldest residential area, now a major visitor attraction with restaurants, galleries and lively clubs.
Seattle has become internationally recognized as being the center for glass art in the world. Seattle's reputation is reflected in the many glass art galleries, public glass collections and studios located throughout the city. Our informative guide will escort you through the City Centre, home of Seattle's first public collection of contemporary glass art. In 1989 the building commissioned internationally recognized artists, such as Dale Chihuly, William Morris, Ginny Ruffner, and others affiliated with the prestigious Pilchuck Glass School, to create works just for this location. The collection, which includes pieces by some of the world's greatest glass masters and represents a full spectrum of techniques, is a cultural cornerstone which secures Seattle's position in the international glass art scene.
You will learn interesting facts such as: Seattle has more pleasure boat owners per capita then any other metropolitan city; Seattleites buy more sun glasses per capita then any other city in the nation; and Washington State has three of the world's six floating bridges including the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge which is the longest pontoon bridge in the world! This informative tour will also reveal interesting facts about houseboats including houseboats with basements.
Columbia Winery was founded in 1962 by ten friends, including six University of Washington professors. It is Washington State's first premium winery and has grown steadily over the past forty years as a leader in Washington's burgeoning wine industry. The winery's production in 2002 reached 140,000 cases and its distribution now includes exports to Canada, Europe and the Pacific Rim.
Experience a "duck's eye view" of some of Lake Union's attractions, including tall sailing ships, colorful houseboats and Gas Works Park. Along the way, an experienced guide will discuss some historical aspects of the lake and its transition from a working lake into a popular recreational spot. Stable and comfortable two-person touring kayaks will be used for the tour. Before departing, you will be given a brief, but thorough lesson on boat handling and paddling techniques. Prior kayaking experience is not necessary.
Mount Rainier National Park was established on March 2, 1899, and encompasses 235,625 acres, ranging in elevation from 1,610 feet (491 metres) to 14,410 feet (4,392 metres) above sea level. The park contains vast expanses of pristine old-growth forests, sub-alpine flower meadows, spectacular alpine scenery, and great opportunities for outdoor activities. Mount Rainier National Park is the fifth oldest national park in the United States and the park has the greatest single-peak glacial system in the US. Mount Rainier boasts an elevation of 14,411 feet (4,392 metres) and was named by Captain Vancouver of the English Navy in 1792 for his friend, Admiral Peter Rainier. The day will begin by entering Mt. Rainer National Park through the Nisqually Entrance. The first stop will be the Longmier Hotel which has a museum and gift shop for you to peruse. At the Longmier Hotel lies the entrance to the Shadow Trail, a 25 minute flat and relaxing hike. You will then travel to the Paradise Visitors Center boasting panoramic views of mountains, foothills and flower fields. The final stop on the tour is Box Canyon, which is one of the more interesting features of the park. It is located on the Muddy Fork of the Cowlitz River, only a few feet wide, the river has cut a channel through moss covered rocks a hundred feet deep, but only 15 feet (4.6 metres) - 30 feet (9.1 metres) across.
A scenic cruise aboard The Victoria Clipper will bring you to the quaint "Old English" town of Victoria. Dubbed the "City of Gardens", this intimate, sophisticated seaside city is the vacation capital of Canada and one of the premiere tourist spots in the Pacific Northwest. Victoria's unique character is deeply rooted in its 150-year history, a history full of colorful people and fascinating tales. The city's British colonial heritage is still very much in evidence, but contemporary Victoria has a distinctly Pacific Northwest flavor. Victoria is alive with cosmopolitan dining, superb shopping, colorful nightlife, and a full complement of cultural offerings.