WHICH TOURS NORTHWEST GUIDED TOUR IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Tours Northwest offers friendly and knowledgeable guided tours of Seattle and nearby destinations that cater to just about any travel objective. Our scenic, expertly narrated public tours cover quintessential Seattle as well as incredible natural areas like Mt. Rainier National Park and Snoqualmie Falls, and our private tours can take you just about anywhere. See our options below to get a sense of timing, destination, and itinerary, and find the guided tour that’s best for you.
Seattle City Highlights Tour
The Tours Northwest Seattle city tour that started it all! This guided Seattle tour takes you through and around parts of downtown, past Pike Place Market, and through Pioneer Square and the International District, then gets outta town to drive through legendary Seattle neighborhoods such as Fremont, Ballard, Magnolia, and Queen Anne Hill. You’ll learn about Seattle history and culture from your expert tour guide, take in incredible views, and get a feel for what makes Seattle Seattle. Mostly a driving tour covering nearly 50 miles in three hours, it’s our “sampler” option and is great for getting an idea of spots, neighborhoods, and the best Seattle activities you may want to explore further on your own.
While it’s primarily a driving tour, there will be a handful of stops to stretch your legs, use the restroom, and snap photos. You will choose from three convenient pickup/dropoff spots in Downtown Seattle upon booking.
The Seattle City Highlights Tour is for you if:
- You want to get an overview of the city and some of its neighborhoods
- You want to learn more about Seattle’s history, culture, and major industries
- You prefer a driving tour
- You are short on time and want to pack in as much Seattle as possible
Ultimate Seattle Experience Tour
Just as the name implies: your ultimate, immersive Seattle experience! You’ll tour iconic Seattle by both land and sea on this 7-hour day adventure. Part of the day is spent with your tour guide exploring Seattle, part of the day wandering Pike Place Market on your own, and part of the day enjoying a one-hour narrated harbor cruise of Elliott Bay with our partners at Argosy Cruises. You’ll have time to grab lunch and stroll along the waterfront before sailing, and there is an option to add on Space Needle tickets for use at the tour’s end when you book. Pickup and dropoff is at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) adjacent to the Space Needle, and we provide transportation to and from all locations during the tour.
The Ultimate Seattle Experience Tour is for you if:
- You want to spend time at Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and on the water
- You want to learn more about Seattle’s history, culture, and major industries
- You like the variety of a bit of walking, a bit of driving (by us!), and a bit of sailing
- You prefer a longer day tour (7 hours)
Seattle Photo Safari Tour
Short on time but want to get some amazing photos of classic Seattle locations? Our 90-minute Seattle Photo Safari guided tour is a short and sweet, photography-focused jaunt to various iconic locations such as the Fremont Troll, Olympic Sculpture Park, and Kerry Park (AKA the “Frasier view” from the 90’s sitcom). Your tour guide will drive you to a carefully curated selection of spots, narrating along the way, and help with getting Instagram-worthy shots with your smartphone. Of course, you’re free to bring “real” cameras, too!
The Seattle Photo Safari Tour is for you if:
- You want to get photos of iconic Seattle spots
- You are short on time or prefer a shorter tour timeframe (90 minutes)
- You prefer a driving tour that involves a bit of walking
Mt. Rainier National Park Tour
Pack your layers, your sturdy shoes, and your love of adventure! This extremely popular full-day tour takes you to and through Mt. Rainier National Park, the country’s 5th oldest national park and home to Mt. Rainier, an active volcano that rises 14,410 feet from sea level. You’ll learn about the history and geology of the park, have time to walk or hike on your own, and spend the day driving through stunning scenery inside and outside the park. Your expert guide determines the best route given the weather and park traffic to maximize what you see.
Choose from 4 convenient pickup spots downtown and near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Snowshoes are provided in winter and shoulder seasons, trekking poles year-round, and we make a quick grocery store stop en route so you can grab lunch and snacks for the day.
The Mt. Rainier National Park Tour is for you if:
- You love nature and want to experience a national park
- You’re ready for a bit of everything: driving (by us!), stopping, sightseeing, and walking or a bit of hiking. How much you hike is up to you!
- You want to pack in as much sightseeing as possible in one day (9-11 hours)
- You love, or at least don’t mind, the road trip to get there and back
Snoqualmie Falls Tour
Calling all “Twin Peaks” and nature fans! Snoqualmie Falls and the surrounding area are the filming location for the beloved cult classic. This is an excellent guided tour option for those who might be short on time but want to get away to a bit of nature closer to Seattle. Stand spellbound as you witness the thundering 268-ft Snoqualmie Falls of the Snoqualmie River in the Cascade Mountain foothills.
The trip there and back travels through picturesque areas east of Seattle, and your knowledgeable guide will talk about the creation and history of the falls, how it helps supply power to the Puget Sound region, and what the falls mean to the native people.
There is an upper-level overlook of the falls, and you’ll have the opportunity to hike to the bottom via a forested trail that winds through ferns, salmonberry, vine maple, alder, bigleaf maple, western hemlock, Douglas fir, and western red cedar. You can then either hike back up or be picked up by your tour guide at the bottom near the base of the falls. You can also check out the visitor center or stroll through the world-famous Salish Lodge.
The Snoqualmie Falls Tour is for you if:
- You love natural wonders and want to get out of the city, but not too far
- You’d like to see the outlying areas and foothills east of Seattle
- You prefer a shorter tour timeframe (3 hours)
- You’d like to hike a little bit or not at all
Private Tours & Charters
All of our public tours are available as private tours. We also take folks to additional locations such as the Boeing Factory in Everett and the Tacoma Glass Museum. Got something else in mind? We’ll get you to cities, islands, forests, mountains, beaches, and iconic cultural spots…we’ll take you pretty much anywhere you want to go! We can accommodate groups of any size and have a variety of comfortable, safety-rated tour vehicles in our fleet.
If you’re not quite sure what you’d like to see or experience, we’re happy to help create the perfect guided Seattle area (and beyond) tour for you.
A Private Tour is for you if:
- You prefer a more customized and personally guided tour experience
- You have a specific location or experience in mind, not already offered as a public tour
We have led guided Seattle tours for 35 years and love sharing The Emerald City and the surrounding areas with our guests. If you still don’t see what you’re looking for, please reach out to us via email or phone, and we will work with you to discover the perfect Seattle area experience during your time in our amazing city.
FAQs: How to Get Around Seattle Without a Car
What is the most popular Tours Northwest tour?
The Seattle City Highlights Tour is our most popular option. It covers nearly 50 miles across Seattle’s most iconic neighborhoods in three hours and is the perfect introduction to the city. The Mt. Rainier National Park Tour is a close second for travelers looking to get into nature.
Which tour is best for a first-time visitor to Seattle?
The Seattle City Highlights Tour is the best starting point for most first-timers. It gives you a broad overview of the city’s history, culture, and neighborhoods in three hours. If you have a full day to spare, the Ultimate Seattle Experience adds Pike Place Market and an Argosy Harbor Cruise for a more immersive visit.
Is there a Tours Northwest tour that includes hotel pickup?
Yes. The Seattle City Highlights Tour with Hotel Pickup provides door-to-door service from your Downtown Seattle area hotel. An Alaska cruise terminal drop-off is available as an upgrade for passengers heading directly to their ship.
Which tour should I book if I only have a couple of hours in Seattle?
The Seattle Photo Safari is 90 minutes and hits the city’s most photogenic spots. If you have three hours, the Seattle City Highlights Tour or the Snoqualmie Falls Tour are both great options.
Is the Mt. Rainier tour okay if I don’t want to hike?
Absolutely. The Mt. Rainier National Park Tour is designed for all ability levels. How much you walk or hike is entirely up to you.
Do Tours Northwest tours run year-round?
Most do. The Seattle City Highlights Tour, Mt. Rainier Tour, and private tours run January through December. The Ultimate Seattle Experience runs seasonally from May through September. Check individual tour pages or contact us to confirm availability for your dates.