Day 1 You'll See:
- Seattle City Tour
- Chihuly Garden and Glass
- Space Needle
- EMP Museum
Day 2 You'll See:
- Pike Place Market
- Museum of Flight
- Tillicum Village
This two-day jaunt to the sparkling seaport jewel of the Pacific Northwest begins with a comprehensive city tour, then whisks you and your students around to an exciting array of Seattle’s most popular attractions, including the Chihuly Glass Garden, the Space Needle, Tillicum Village on beautiful Blake Island, and the star of the show – Pike Place Market – to explore on your own. You’ll return to the classroom from this exhilarating West Coast junket well-rested, well-fed and perfectly refreshed - that brisk ocean air does a mind and body wonders – and ready to take on the world!
1
Seattle City Tour
What better way to “meet” Seattle than a three hour tour that shuttles you and your students around town for an entertaining and educational gander at highlights, hotspots, landmarks and even a few personal favorites of your affable guides, with stops including Kerry Park, Fisherman’s Terminal, Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder and the Sleepless in Seattle “floating home” – currently on the market; can you imagine living right on the water in this stunning “houseboat”? You’ll cruise downtown, roll past Pike Place Market, travel along the scenic waterfront and past popular Puget Sound attractions and make your way through the historic heart of the city. Before it’s over you’ll have a pretty solid list of local “must-sees” in your pocket and be ready to strike out on your own to explore them!
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Master glass artist Dale Chihuly - whose whimsical creations are displayed in more than 200 venues around the world – has stated, “I want my work to appear as it came from nature so that if someone found it on a beach or in the forest, they might think it belonged there.” The delicate and otherworldly “garden” holds the distinction of being the first natural environment fashioned specifically to showcase a Chihuly exhibition, and will amaze and delight you with its series of surreal blown glass displays, each phenomenal installation offering a deferential nod to some of nature’s own best work. Chihuly Garden and Glass – conveniently situated at the foot of the Space Needle - is an absolute must on any Seattle student travel itinerary!
Space Needle
This Pacific Northwest landmark – once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi - likely needs no introduction, even if you’ve never been closer to it than a photograph. It towers regally above Seattle, affording visitors to the top – accessible by stairs or deliberately slow and steady elevator – matchless views of the cityscape and surrounding area including the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, and Elliott Bay. The 605-foot Needle was the brainchild of Edward E. Carlson, chairman of the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, who was inspired by his visit to the Stuttgart Tower of Germany and wanted to construct a tower with a rotating restaurant in time for the Fair’s opening. Sightseeing in all that fresh ocean air can stir up an appetite; you’ll discover an intriguingly fresh menu of artfully prepared “Northwest-style” cuisine in Sky City, a revolving fine-dining establishment offering every seat in the house a splendid panorama of the Seattle Metropolitan area. What could be better than lunch with a merry-go-round bird’s eye view?
EMP Museum
This landmark attraction - a cutting-edge, nonprofit institution - is dedicated to the exploration of ideas and risk-taking that drive contemporary pop culture. With its roots in rock 'n' roll, it entertains and inspires audiences of all ages through its series of collections, exhibitions, and educational programs featuring exciting interactive technologies employed to engage and empower visitors the world over. The building, itself, is a “rockin’” showpiece - a spectacular futuristic design conveying all the energy and fluidity of music inspired by a pile of dissected electric guitars! Excellent photo ops here.
2
Pike Place Market
Rise and shine! You and your students are in for THE quintessential Seattle experience as you browse, sample and shop this beloved 9-acre historic landmark in the Northwest corner of the Central business district, world-famous for its incredible farmer’s and fish markets, the original Starbucks (which relocated to and has remained at Pike Place since 1977) and one of the largest craft markets in the world, featuring the wares of more than 225 vendors. It’s also the energetic hub of the city’s foodie scene; the market’s eclectic collection of cafes, restaurants, and bakeries serves up a delightful, ever-changing menu of delectable offerings, including the very best fresh, organic, artisanal fare and cases overflowing with beautiful baked goods certain to tempt sweet indulgence. Your first bite – or cup - of the day never tasted so good, with the unmistakable snap of salt in the cool morning air, the thrum of tires over cobblestone streets, stunning rainbows of produce tumbling from trucks and the backdrop of classic waterfront scenery 103-year-old Pike Place Market will capture your heart and have you planning a return to Seattle in short order.
Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight’s vision statement is simply this: To be the foremost educational air and space museum in the world. This incredible attraction showcases one of the largest and most comprehensive air and space collections in the United States; millions of rare photographs, a world-class library, thousands of artifacts, and more than 150 priceless, rare aircraft and space vehicles await guests to this premier educational institution. Future fighter pilots and budding young astronauts will enjoy browsing a diversity of fantastic ever-changing exhibits, many incorporating thrilling interactive features for a “real life” experience – explore the realm of extreme space medicine, check out the original Air Force One, climb into the cockpit of a Hornet fighter, step inside a full-size replica of the International Space Station’s Destiny Research Laboratory – and more!
Tillicum Village
The grand finale of your two-day excursion transports you and your students across stunning Puget Sound to historic Tillicum Village on tiny Blake Island, the birthplace of city namesake Chief Seattle. After an exhilarating 40-minute cruise, you’re free to tour the traditional longhouse and surroundings, study the authentic artwork of the coastal tribes of the Pacific Northwest (of particular interest are the totems in the village, each hand-carved pole telling its own version of a beloved story read and interpreted from top to bottom), and enjoy matchless views of the Olympic Mountains and Seattle skyline as you explore the pristine 475-acre park, home to abundant wildlife including deer, elk, raccoons, owls, eagles, and osprey. A convenient departure schedule allows you to linger on Tillicum as long as you like, steeped in its rich aboriginal tradition and reveling in exquisite natural surroundings.