Seattle with Babies, Toddlers and Kids

Seattle, also known as the Emerald City, is located 100 miles from the US-Canadian border between Puget Sound and Lake Washington.

As a city that enjoys a Marine west coast climate with about 225 days of cloudy skies every year, Seattle is NOT the place to go if you’re looking for a sunny destination.

The city gets on average 37 inches of rain a year – mainly in the form of light rain or drizzle. Snow and heavy downpours are rare not unheard of.

Summer is the driest season of the year with day time averages around 73 to 80F (22 to 27C) and Seattle sees the most tourist traffic during this time – many which are traveling via cruise ship.

Even though summer months tend to be fairly dry, make sure you have rain gear with you as there’s a high probability you’ll see some form of precipitation during your visit.

The majority of cruise ships follow an Alaskan itinerary although they sometimes go along the Pacific coast or around Hawaii.

Seattle Cruise Port Overview

There are two cruise ship terminals in Seattle – one at Pier 66 and one at Pier 91. They’re located 15 to 17 miles north of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – about a 35 to 45 minute drive.

Bell St. Cruise Terminal – 2225 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98121

Located at Pier 66 in the heart of Seattle’s downtown waterfront
Pier 66 encompasses an 11-acre complex with restaurants, stores and popular tourist attractions
Walking distance to Pike Place Market, Seattle Aquarium and the Gum Wall
Cruise terminal amenities: restaurants, ATM, wheelchair and scooter rentals and oxygen rentals (can be delivered directly to your stateroom)
Cruise lines that depart from here: Norwegian, Regent, Oceania and Crystal Cruises

Smith Cove Terminal – 2001 W. Garfield St. Seattle, WA 98119

Pier 91 just north of downtown Seattle and a short drive from the city center
Cruise lines that depart from here: Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Holland America
This dock is located in the north end of Seattle’s waterfront and is a short drive from the city center.
Cruise passengers can store their luggage at the terminal before or after cruise excursions.
Onsite rental car kiosk available for those needing a car for their time in Seattle or the surrounding area

Ships dock at both terminals around 7 to 8 AM and depart around 4 to 5 PM

Getting to Seattle Cruise Terminals

There are several transportation options for families heading to Seattle’s two cruise terminals.

Cruise Line Transfer – All cruise lines offer transfer service from the Seattle Airport to the cruise terminals. Check with your cruise line for current rates.

Taxi, Uber, Lyft – It’s very easy to catch a cab, Uber or Lyft from the airport or downtown area to get to the cruise terminal. If coming from the airport, you’ll find the taxi and ride share vehicles on the third floor of the parking garage. It will cost approximately $40-$55 for a one way ride from Sea-Tac to downtown Seattle where the cruise terminals are. Expect a 35 to 45 minute drive from the airport.

Private Shuttle Services – There are several companies that offer limo, town car and shuttle service to the cruise terminals. Go Airport Shuttle, Shuttle Express and BellAir Airporter are three that get mentioned often in travel forums. Visitors can call to reserve rides in advance to avoid waiting for an available shuttle. Downtown area hotels can also arrange for an inexpensive shuttle transport service to either cruise terminal for guests that require them.

Rental Car – You can pick up a rental vehicle from the airport and then return it to the rental car company at the pier. The rental company will then shuttle you to the terminal.

Seattle Cruise Terminal Parking Options

Several parking options are available for cruisers driving to Port Seattle:

Port of Seattle Cruise Terminal – Onsite Parking

Republic Parking Northwest is the main parking service for the Seattle cruise port. Both cruise terminals (Bell Street and Smith Cove) have their own secured parking lot and complimentary shuttle service to and from the terminal.

Cruise passengers can save $1/day by making reservations in advance.

Bell Street at Pier 66 Parking
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Parking lot located across from the cruise terminal at 9 Wall Street (corner of Alaskan Way and Wall Street)
Indoor parking only – 1700 parking spots, handicapped parking spots available
Price: $26/day including taxes and fees
Oversized vehicles will park at Smith Cove at Pier 91 and will be provided complimentary taxi vouchers for the ride to Pier 66
Pick up or drop off at the garage entrance
Complimentary shuttle service to and from the terminal

Smith Cove at Pier 91 Parking
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Current rate is $26/day (oversized vehicle rate is $36/day)
RV parking must be reserved and paid in advance to guarantee a parking spot
Outdoor parking only, handicapped parking spots available
Cell phone lot is available for passenger pickup
Complimentary shuttle service to and from the terminal

Port of Seattle Cruise Terminal – Offsite Parking

Parking in downtown Seattle is expensive and hotels near the port rarely offer long term parking for cruisers. If you’re looking for cheaper offsite Seattle cruise parking options, unfortunately your choices are extremely limited. You can park at Seattle CruisePark or at the airport.

Seattle CruisePark
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This parking lot is located just slightly north of Pier 91 and near the National Guard armory base.

Parking costs $21 per day ($147 for a 7 day cruise) regardless of which port you sail from. Complimentary shuttles run throughout the day to each cruise terminal.

Space is limited so if you’re looking to save a few bucks but still want to be somewhat near the cruise terminal, it’s recommended you make reservations online as soon as possible.

Parking near the SeaTAC Airport

There are several hotels that offer a cruise and park package near the airport. Parking rates are significantly lower than the onsite parking options and Seattle CruisePark however you are much further from the port.

Cruise and park hotels do not provide shuttle service to Port of Seattle so you’ll have to factor in transportation from your hotel to your cruise terminal.

Best Family-Friendly Hotels Near Seattle Cruise Port

There’s no shortage of hotels in the downtown Seattle area for a pre or post cruise stay. During the summer months, hotels fill up quickly and it’s recommended to book a few months in advance if you have your heart set on a specific one.

Below are 5 well-rated family-friendly hotels near the Seattle cruise terminals – either walking distance or a short drive away.

You’ll find that almost all hotels near the Seattle cruise terminals – including the 5 listed below – can arrange inexpensive shuttle transport to Bell Street or Smith Cove.

Hampton Inn & Suites Seattle Downtown – A mid-range hotel that offers daily complimentary breakfast.

Pan Pacific Seattle – Centrally located luxury hotel that offers complimentary shuttle service to anywhere within a 2 mile radius of the hotel. Whole Foods is located on the lower level for families needing a place to grab a quick bite.

Seattle Marriott Waterfront – Luxury hotel located right across from the Bell St cruise terminal and less than a 5 minute walk to Pike Place Market.

SpringHill Suites Seattle Downtown / South Lake Union – Mid-range hotel that offers daily complimentary breakfast and complimentary shuttle service to Westlake Mall, Pike Place Market and the Space Needle.

Travelodge Seattle by the Space Needle – Budget hotel walking to the Space Needle, Science Center and Museum of Pop Culture.

What to Do in Seattle with Kids Near the Cruise Port

There are so many family-friendly attractions and activities in Seattle that it really requires multiple days to see and do everything.

However if you’ve got limited time in Seattle, here are the best things to do with the kids near the cruise port:

1. Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market is one of the first places tourists flock to after landing in Seattle. And for good reason. Pike Place Market is a place where you can easily spend a couple of hours to an entire day.

Aside from the abundance of fresh seafood and produce this market is known for, there’s also a large flower market, a comic book store, a candy shop, plenty of restaurants and coffee shops, and many kiosks where you’ll find souvenirs, antiques and handmade wares.

Pike Place Market isn’t very stroller-friendly. It’s packed with tourists and the cobblestone streets make it hard to maneuver a stroller around. We’d recommend using a baby carrier instead of a stroller if visiting with young children. If it’s your very first time to Pike Place, make sure to pick up a map at the info booth at First and Pike.
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2. Gum Wall

This colorful and somewhat disgusting “attraction” appeals to many kids and adults. It’s located just steps away from Pike Place Market and is worth a stop even if it’s just for a quick selfie or photo.
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3. Argosy Cruise

Experience the sights and sounds of Seattle by boat on an Argosy Cruise. Sailing out of Pier 55 (right on the waterfront), their one and two hour tours allow families to see Seattle’s working harbor, the Chittenden Locks, and floating homes and sea planes on Lake Union. All Argosy boats have bathrooms as well as drinks and snacks available for purchase.
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4. The Seattle Aquarium

Another popular downtown waterfront attraction is the Seattle Aquarium. It’s a relatively small aquarium that requires 1 to 2 hours to complete but it offers several interactive activities that kids will enjoy. There are touch tanks filled with starfish and sea anemones, daily animal feedings, and scuba divers swimming around in a large tank.
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5. Olympic Sculpture Park

Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park has several large sculptures on display along the waterfront. Families will enjoy exploring this free 9-acre park. Get the kids to take photos of their favorite sculptures while you enjoy the views of the Puget Sound, mountains and ferries.
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6. Seattle Center – MoPOP, Space Needle, Science Center, Children’s Museum

Originally built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the 74-acre Seattle Center is place where families can easily spend an entire day exploring. Seattle Center is home to many tourist attractions including the Museum of Pop Culture, the Space Needle (a 605-foot tower and one of the most recognizable features of the Seattle skyline), the Pacific Science Center and the Seattle Children’s Museum.
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7. Seattle Great Wheel

The Seattle Great Wheel is the tallest ferris wheel on the west coast – standing at 175 feet tall. Head here for a birds-eye view of the waterfront and Elliott Bay. Forty-two fully enclosed gondolas take you on a 20 minute ride right above Pier 57.

Strollers aren’t allowed in the gondolas so be prepared to park it at the bottom of the stairs. Food and drinks are also not allowed in the gondolas. Depending on the time of your visit, you might experience long wait times – especially if it’s a clear and sunny day. Skip the line by buying tickets in advance online. They don’t have an expiration date and can be used any time.
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