Downtown Seattle Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

Seattle, US
87% of travellers recommend this
Excellent (8 reviews)
Self-guided - entry to attractions not included

Included

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    Support is available via chat, email, or phone if you need help.
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    Planning tools, route maps, scenic stops, and area previews included.
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    Just bring your phone and headphones; the app guides your walk.
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    Lifetime access: use the tour anytime and keep it for future trips.
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    Works offline with GPS route guidance and automatic audio stories.
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    Flexible tour: start, stop, and pause anytime during your trip.
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    Private walking tour experience for your family or group.
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    Access your tour in our separate audio tour app after booking.
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    Hidden gems and local stories included along the route.

Excluded

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    No live guide. Entrance fees, parking, food, and car rental are separate.

Meeting Point

Begin from 1483 Alaskan Wy, Seattle, WA 98101, USA. After booking the tour, search your emails and texts for "audio tour". Your tour is VALID FOR ONE YEAR so follow these instructions NOW to finish setting up the tour while you have Wi-Fi/data. Do NOT wait until you are onsite.

Meeting point

1483 Alaskan Wy, Seattle, WA 98101 , United States

End point

What to expect

1

Seattle Great Wheel

Who doesn’t love a giant Ferris wheel? Check out Seattle’s Great Wheel across the pier. You might assume the city built this Ferris wheel, but that’s actually not the case! Instead, the wheel owes its existence to Seattle businessman Hal Griffith. Note: The tour is over 1 miles long, with more than 25+ audio stories, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete. Buy once, use for one year! Ideal for extended visits and return trips over the next 12 months.

Duration 10 minutes
2

Miner’s Landing Pier 57 Seattle

To our right is the bustling Miner’s Landing, chock full of food and fun for the whole family. It’s almost always buzzing with activity! But Seattle hasn’t always been this buzzing. Long before any of these piers existed, this land was home to numerous Native tribes best known under the umbrella term of Coast Salish.

Duration 10 minutes
3
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop

Keep walking past the Frankfurter Hot Dog stand. On the building beyond, do you see the sign that reads “Ye Olde Curiosity Shop”? Curious indeed! That shop got its start long ago, thanks to Joseph Stanley of Ohio. Growing up, Stanley always had an affinity for natural oddities and artifacts.

Duration 10 minutes
4

Smith Tower

Do you see the beautiful cast iron pergola just ahead? That was once a cable car waiting station. Today, it’s one part of Seattle’s most historic neighborhood: Pioneer Square. Before we cross into the square, look up Yesler Way beyond the pergola. See that white tower standing tall on the left side of the street? That’s Smith Tower.

Duration 10 minutes
5

Pioneer Square

Pause here. Welcome to Pioneer Square! This is the birthplace of modern Seattle, thanks to Henry Yesler. When Yesler arrived in Seattle in 1852, it was little more than a collection of homesteads and Salish homes.

Duration 10 minutes
6

Sky View Observatory

This towering skyscraper to our right is Columbia Center. A building of this size required some totally new construction innovations to keep it safe. Among these were viscoelastic dampers. Hold on, I’ll try that one again in English.

Duration 10 minutes
7

The Rainier Club

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The Rainier Club is on our right. Among Seattle’s sleek, modern buildings, one one doesn’t quite fit in, does it? So what’s the deal? Well, this is home to Seattle’s oldest private club, which was established in 1888. That’s even before Washington became a state!

Duration 10 minutes
8

Seattle Public Library

On the right is an impressive glass and metal building with large diamond patterning. This is none other than the Seattle Public Library. Though this building opened in 2004, this library actually dates back to 1868! Less than two decades after Seattle’s founding, 50 residents gathered to form a library association.

Duration 10 minutes
9

Benaroya Hall

Pause here and look ahead and to the right. Benaroya Hall is home to the Seattle Symphony. The interior hall is actually floating on rubber pads! These isolate it from the outer shell of the building, so most outside noise never reaches the interior. Pretty cool, right?

Duration 10 minutes
10

Hammering Man

The museum entrance is actually ahead, at the next intersection. It’s marked by a huge instrallation: a large silhouetted statue with a moving arm. Do you see it? I don’t know how you could miss it! This is Jonathan Borofsky’s Hammering Man, a 49 foot statue built to honor the working class, and hammers for 20 hours a day every single day. In Jonathan’s own words:

Duration 10 minutes
11
The Gum Wall

It’s hard not to notice the gum covering these walls. This is not some coincidence, but rather an interesting part of Seattle’s history. This unplanned tradition started with visitors to the Market Theater waiting in line for Unexpected Productions’ improv shows.

Duration 10 minutes
12
Pike Place Market

Pause here, with the big red Public Market sign up ahead. It’s going to get super loud and crowded up there so let me tell you now about what you’ll want to see for sure. One of the most iconic sights you’ll see in Pike Place Market is the fish market, known for its flying fish.

Duration 10 minutes

The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    At your own pace: Start anytime and pause for hikes, picnics, photos, or scenic stops.
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    Download in advance: Download the Tour Guide app by Action and tour while connected to Wi-Fi or a strong cellular signal.
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    Easy to use: GPS-triggered audio plays automatically along the route for a hands-free experience.
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    Follow the route: Begin at the suggested starting point or join anywhere along the route shown in the app.
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    Lifetime access: Preview the tour before your trip and revisit the stories, photos, and details afterward.
  • Additional information
    More ways to save: Choose a single tour, a nearby bundle, or access to 200+ tours.
  • Additional information
    Multi-device access: Use the same password on one device for each traveler included in your booking.
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    Private tour: Follow the route on your phone without an in-person guide or crowded group.
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    Public transportation options are available nearby
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    Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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    Supported devices: iPhone with iOS 15+, Android with version 9+, or a GPS-enabled iPad/tablet with cellular capability.
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    Works offline: Once downloaded, the tour works using GPS without Wi-Fi or cellular service.
Provided by Adventures with Action

What our experts say

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    Start at Pike Place Market for snacks.
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    Don’t miss the Gum Wall for photos.
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    Check out the Space Needle nearby.
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    Bring headphones for a better experience.
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    Visit Pioneer Square for local art.

More About this Experience

Introduction

Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure through the bustling streets of downtown Seattle with the Downtown Seattle Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour. This tour is not your average sightseeing experience; it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich history, captivating culture, and breathtaking scenery of one of America's most vibrant cities. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a foodie, or simply someone who loves exploring new places, this self-guided tour has something for everyone.

What to expect?

By booking the Downtown Seattle Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour, you can expect to uncover the hidden gems and iconic landmarks that define this beautiful city. As you stroll through the streets, you'll come across notable sites such as the Seattle Aquarium, where you can learn about aquatic life and marvel at its wonders. Discover the fascinating history of the Coast Salish people and how Seattle emerged from humble beginnings as a homestead. Admire the towering skyscrapers and meander through Pioneer Square, the heart of the city's history. And of course, no visit to Seattle would be complete without a stop at the world-famous Pike Place Market, where you can witness the lively fish market in action.

Who is this for?

The Downtown Seattle Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour is designed for anyone who wants to explore Seattle in a unique and immersive way. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a group of friends, this tour offers a flexible and personalized experience for all. History buffs will appreciate the rich historical narratives and fascinating stories shared through the audio guide, while food enthusiasts will revel in the vibrant culinary scene at Pike Place Market. Even if you've visited Seattle before, this tour will unveil hidden gems and provide a deeper understanding of the city's culture and heritage.

Why book this?

What sets the Downtown Seattle Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour apart from other tours is the freedom and flexibility it offers. With the provided app and unique password, you have the freedom to explore at your own pace and follow the recommended route or deviate as you please. No need to worry about time constraints, as the tour is available from the minute you book until forever! Immerse yourself in the captivating stories and stunning visuals without the confines of a traditional guided tour. This tour puts you in control of your adventure, ensuring a truly personalized and memorable experience.

Good to know

Before starting your self-guided walking tour, make sure to check your email for the app download instructions and unique password. Within 30 minutes of booking, you'll receive all the necessary information to kickstart your exploration. The tour typically takes 60 to 120 minutes to complete, covering approximately 1.6 miles of downtown Seattle. Remember to bring comfortable walking shoes and a sense of curiosity as you dive into the history, culture, and flavors of the city. Enjoy the flexibility to pause, take pictures, and delve deeper into the sites that catch your interest.

Reviews

Travelers who have experienced the Downtown Seattle Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour rave about its informative and engaging nature. They appreciate the flexibility to explore at their own pace and the comprehensive coverage of significant landmarks and historical sites. Many praise the detailed narratives provided through the audio guide, which bring the city to life and offer a deeper understanding of its past and present. Visitors have been captivated by the vibrant atmosphere of Pike Place Market and the unique experience of witnessing the famous fish market in action. Overall, reviewers highly recommend this tour for anyone seeking an immersive, informative, and personalized exploration of downtown Seattle.

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