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Have you heard about the Seattle Waterfront Shuttle? It’s the newest Seattle tour bus (it launched three weeks ago), and it’s completely free!

This post about the Seattle Waterfront shuttle was written by Seattle family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

My family and I love to take a tour around Seattle, WA, whenever we can and find something fun for the kids. One of the best ways to experience the city is by hopping on the free waterfront shuttle.

It’s a convenient and enjoyable way to tour around Seattle without worrying about parking or traffic. This shuttle service is particularly great for families, as it makes exploring Seattle’s key attractions easy and accessible.

What is the Seattle Waterfront Shuttle?

The Seattle Waterfront Shuttle is a free shuttle service provided by the Seattle Historic Waterfront Association and the Downtown Seattle Association to attract more people to the waterfront.

Running daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the summer and fall, the free waterfront shuttle stops at nine popular attractions near downtown Seattle and along the historic waterfront.

The route map covers major spots, making it an excellent option for both tourists and locals who want to explore the city.

Our Family Experience on the Seattle Waterfront Shuttle

We decided to take the Seattle Waterfront Shuttle to see how kid-friendly it was. While the service is still relatively new and they are ironing out a few kinks, we found it to be a great way to explore the city with kids.

However, the biggest issue we faced was locating the shuttle stop when we got off the Seattle water taxi from West Seattle.

Although there was supposed to be a stop right at the ferry terminal, we ended up having to walk several blocks. That was the only tricky stop we encountered.

Shuttle Size and Accessibility

This Seattle tour bus is perfectly sized for the number of people at each stop, ensuring a comfortable ride. The wheelchair accessible buses made it convenient for everyone, including those with mobility issues.

The shuttle stop locations are well-marked, making it easy to navigate between different attractions.

Key Stops and Transfers

One important thing to note is that the main hub of the Seattle Waterfront Shuttle is located right outside the Seattle Aquarium and Pier 66. This is the primary stop where you can transfer between the two loops the free waterfront shuttle runs on. There are shuttle stop signs so it’s easy to find.

A staff member is usually stationed at this hub to assist passengers and can even radio the driver to ensure they pick you up at the correct stop. This added level of service made our experience smooth and enjoyable.

Because there are 2 shuttles, we had 2 different drivers. The first one was a bit jaded and complained a bit about Seattle, which we thought was odd for a tour bus driver.

However, our second driver was fabulous and pointed out fun things to do at each stop and helpful tips about Seattle. She was a bit hard to hear from time to time, but we were sitting near the back.

We found the free Waterfront Shuttle to be a comfortable ride. The air conditioning was on, and we had enough space to sit. It definitely felt like a luxury chartered bus rather than public transit.

There are many times when I’m at Seattle Center with the kids and think about heading to the waterfront, but I don’t want to deal with bucking the kids back into the car and trying to find parking down there. This is a much easier way to explore Seattle with kids!

Riding the Seattle Waterfront Shuttle

The Seattle Waterfront Shuttle runs approximately every 15 minutes, depending on traffic. We had two different drivers during our ride, and while one seemed a bit jaded, the other was fantastic, offering fun insights and helpful tips about Seattle at each stop.

The shuttle is air-conditioned and feels more like a luxury chartered bus than public transit, making it a comfortable option for families.

So, Where Does This Seattle Tour Bus Go?

Northbound Leg / North Loop

If you’re heading to Seattle Center, the Olympic Sculpture Park, or the cruise ship terminal, make sure you let the staff member or bus driver at Stop F (the main hub) know you’d like the NORTH LOOP.

SEATTLE CENTER/SPACE NEEDLE

What to do at Seattle Center

THE SPACE NEEDLE

This may be the most iconic Seattle attraction. But even if you have already visited it on a previous trip, it’s worth going again. A few weeks ago, they finished completely renovating the Space Needle, and it’s a whole different place!

There’s an open-air observation deck with glass benches and the world’s first rotating glass floor!

SEATTLE CHILDREN’S THEATRE

If you are visiting Seattle with kids, you might want to get tickets for a show at Seattle Children’s Theatre. We’ve seen some amazing performances here in the past 2 years.

The 2018-2019 season includes The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, And In This Corner: Cassius Clay, The Velveteen Rabbit, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Balloonacy, and The Diary of Anne Frank.

PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER

One of my favorite places to visit with kids of all ages is the Pacific Science Center. They usually have some amazing IMAX films playing, plus they have a little planetarium with toddler-friendly shows. And the entire museum is pretty hands-on.

Make sure to see the traveling exhibit. We’ve done Pompeii, King Tut, and Terra Cotta Warriors in the past!

MoPOP (MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE)

This is a fun stop for families with older kids and teens. It used to be called the Experience Music Project but has recently rebranded. We love the science fiction area and the indie video games exhibit. They usually have a cool traveling exhibit, too!

CHIHULY GARDEN & GLASS

Dale Chihuly is an incredible Seattle glass artist. His work can be found all over Seattle, but my favorite spot is the Chihuly Garden & Glass at Seattle Center. We’ve taken little kids here, but I wouldn’t say it’s geared for kids.

It’s absolutely beautiful, and it will knock your socks off!

ARTISTS AT PLAY PLAYGROUND

If you are looking for a park geared toward older kids, the Artists at Play Playground near MoPOP is lots of fun! It has some of the tallest slides I’ve ever seen, and they can only be accessed by climbing up rope. There is a small area for little kids, but the park as a whole is for older children.

SEATTLE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

While this isn’t my favorite children’s museum in the Seattle area, my kids enjoy playing here every once in a while. They have a cool area featuring homes from around the world where kids can pretend to drive a tuk-tuk, make sushi, and play African drums.

They also have a Seattle bus kids can climb inside, a miniature grocery store, and a huge train area.

RIDE THE MONORAIL

One of our favorite things at Seattle Center is riding the Seattle Monorail. It’s a 2-minute ride to Westlake Center, in the heart of Downtown Seattle.

You can do a round trip back to Seattle Center, or you can get out and walk around Westlake Center and Pacific Place and walk to Pike Place Market. This is especially fun during the Holidays!

Hotels Near Seattle Center

MARQUEEN HOTEL

This unique boutique hotel is within walking distance from Seattle Center and is near quirky stores, yummy restaurants, and more!

HYATT HOUSE

This is an awesome option if you are visiting Seattle with kids and need a kid-friendly hotel. It’s right across the street from the Space Needle and Seattle Center, so it’s in an ideal location.

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VICTORIA CLIPPER/SCULPTURE PARK

What to do at this Seattle Attraction

VICTORIA CLIPPER

The Victoria Clipper is the premier way to get to Victoria, B.C., from Seattle. The most popular thing to do is head up for a night or two and then come back to Seattle. That gives you enough time to explore The Butchart Gardens, have tea at the Fairmont Empress, and enjoy this little city.

They have a Victoria Day Trip cruise if you don’t want to spend the night. There are so many fun things to do up there!

OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK

Are you looking for an open space for your kids to burn off some energy? Try the Olympic Sculpture Park! It’s also an awesome place to take photos with the Olympic mountains and Elliott Bay in the background.

There’s also a cool indoor space with activities for kids, which is a great option when it’s raining.

Hotels Near the Victoria Clipper and Olympic Sculpture Park

EDGEWATER HOTEL

This is where The Beatles stayed. Is there anything else you need to know? How about that it has an AMAZING waterfront view, especially during sunrise. It’s one of the most swanky spots to stay in Seattle.

PIER 66

What to do at Pier 66

TAKE A CRUISE

The biggest thing at Pier 66 is that it’s the cruise ship terminal for Norwegian and Celebrity cruise lines. So, if you are exploring Seattle on a cruise ship excursion, you might consider using the free waterfront shuttle to get you to and from your ship. What an easy way to get you to the top Seattle attractions!

WHALE WATCHING TOUR

If you’d like to see some whales on your Seattle vacation, walk down to Pier 69 and hop aboard a Whale Watching Boat Tour to Friday Harbor.

Hotels Near Pier 66

SEATTLE MARRIOTT WATERFRONT

This is the closest hotel to Pier 66. It’s easy to walk to many attractions, or you can hop on the Seattle Waterfront Shuttle to rest your feet!

HISTORIC PIERS/SEATTLE AQUARIUM/PIKE PLACE MARKET

What to do at the Seattle Waterfront

PIER 57/MINER’S LANDING

You know that big Seattle Ferris wheel? This is where it’s located! The Seattle Great Wheel is fun to ride during the day to see the mountains and water or at night to see Seattle all lit up! We also like the Wings Over Washington ride nearby.

Plus, you can head inside Miner’s Landing to ride their historic carousel, play arcade games, or eat at The Crab Pot. And they have the cutest souvenir shops!

SEATTLE AQUARIUM

The Seattle Aquarium is always a cute place for kids. It has an area where kids can touch sea life and ask questions of knowledgeable staff. The aquarium is just starting a huge renovation project, and it will be completely transformed in the next few years.

ARGOSY CRUISES

Our family LOVES Argosy Cruises. We just did the Tillicum Excursions last month, and they were perfect for kids! They also offer a one-hour harbor cruise that’s family-friendly and offers some of the best views of Seattle.

PIKE PLACE MARKET

This is a must-see attraction in Seattle. From the flying fish to Rachel the Pig, there’s much to see, hear, and smell at Pike Place Market.

If you’d like a formal tour, join this food and cultural Pike Place Market walking tour. And if you’re hoping for less crowds, opt for this early access Pike Place Market food tour. One of the coolest sounding tours is this Chef Guided Happy Hour tour of Pike Place Market.

SEATTLE BY SEGWAY

If you’d like a unique tour of Seattle, try this 2 hour Seattle by Segway tour. It starts just a few blocks from this shuttle stop. You’ll experience most of the shuttle stop attractions, just on a segway.

But, this Seattle Waterfront Shuttle makes it easy to get to the start of this tour, especially if you are staying near Seattle Center.

Hotels Near Pike Place Market

THOMPSON HOTEL SEATTLE

This is a modern luxury hotel that’s super close to Pike Place Market, so you can walk over early in the morning to get those perfect Instagram shots.

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Southbound Leg / South Loop

HISTORIC PIERS/SEATTLE AQUARIUM/PIKE PLACE MARKET

 Since this is Stop F (the hub), I wanted to include it again.

FERRIES/WATER TAXIS

Where to go on the Seattle Ferry

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND

This is one of our favorite Seattle Ferry excursions with kids! Just walk on as a pedestrian. The ride is about 25-30 minutes.

When you get to Bainbridge Island, you can walk to a cute children’s museum. When you are done there, you can walk through town to get lunch and ice cream.

Plus, they have boutiques and a fun toy store. It’s all easy to do with little kids!

BREMERTON

You’ll want your car to head over to Bremerton. I’ve heard their puppet museum is kind of cool. And they have a bug museum that’s sure to delight kids of all ages!

Where to go on the Seattle Water Taxi

WEST SEATTLE

The West Seattle Water Taxi lets you off right in front of Marination Ma Kai, a popular Hawaiian restaurant.

If you take this Seattle Water Taxi and want to eat there, try to be one of the first ones off the water taxi. The line tends to get long, but the food is worth the wait! You can also rent bikes to ride over to Alki.

VASHON ISLAND

The King County Water Taxi docks at the Vashon Ferry Terminal. I haven’t explored Vashon, but I’ve heard it’s a bit hilly. But there are some cool parks and interesting shops, and the island has an artsy vibe.

PIONEER SQUARE

What do to in Pioneer Square

UNDERGROUND SEATTLE TOUR

See what Seattle was like back in the pioneer days! This is a one-hour tour of Seattle’s oldest neighborhood. You’ll go underground to see the passageways plus get to see what Pioneer Square is like today.

LAST RESORT FIRE DEPARTMENT MUSEUM

Do your kids like fire trucks as much as mine? Then head to this Seattle fire truck museum. It’s a free Seattle attraction where you can see lots of vintage fire trucks!

KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

This is another free thing to do in Seattle, and it’s sure to be a hit with kids! It’s been on our bucket list for the past few years. They have a Junior Ranger program where kids can earn a badge while learning all about the gold rush!

SMITH TOWER OBSERVATORY

I’ll let you in on something only Seattle locals know: The Smith Tower is one of the best places to see the Seattle Skyline. Get an all-day ticket so you can take photos in the morning and return in the evening.

Plus, you can learn all about how this was the tallest tower west of the Mississippi back in the day (you will be shocked how tiny it looks now compared to the rest of Seattle!) Oh, and there’s a Prohibition-area SPEAKEASY here! How fun is that!

WATERFALL GARDEN PARK

This is considered one of Seattle’s “secret parks.” It’s like a little oasis and the perfect way to enjoy nature in an urban setting.

Hotels Near Pioneer Square

EMBASSY SUITES PIONEER SQUARE

This is one of the newest hotels in Seattle. It’s super easy to walk to the Stadiums, the International District, or just explore Pioneer Square.

THE ARCTIC CLUB

So, this is my 2nd favorite hotel in Seattle (the first being the Fairmont Olympic.) Even if you don’t stay here, make sure to swing in for a drink. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see walruses carved on the exterior!

STADIUMS/KING STREET STATION

If you are heading to a Mariners, Sounders, or Seahawks game, the Seattle Waterfront Shuttle is an easy way to get there from Seattle hotels through the King Street Station. We picked up a huge crowd of Dodgers fans from Seattle Center who took the shuttle to Safeco Field.

What to do at This Stop

TOUR THE STADIUMS

My family loves the Seattle Seahawks, so we had a blast touring Century Link Field a while ago. I’m not a huge Mariners fan, but I will say the tour of Safeco Field is pretty interesting and definitely worth checking out!

Plus, they have several stores in this area that sell exclusive merchandise for Seattle teams.

EXPLORE SEATTLE CHINATOWN

I first explored Chinatown in Seattle during a 3rd grade field trip. I had never experienced anything like it. My teacher used to go all the time, so she toured us around confidently. Now, my family is there frequently to eat and buy food to take home.

They have a lot of fun events, but parking can be crazy. This Seattle Waterfront Shuttle is a great option for those who don’t want to attempt parking there.

TAKE THE SOUNDER TRAIN OR LIGHT RAIL

If you’d like to explore other areas, this is an easy way to get to the Sounder Train. The Sounder can take you North to Everett, Mukilteo, and Edmonds or South to Lakewood, Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner, Auburn, Kent, and Tukwila.

Or hop on Link Light Rail to take you around Seattle from SeaTac Airport to the University of Washington.

Hotels Near Seattle Stadiums

SILVER CLOUD HOTEL

If you are traveling to Seattle for a baseball, football, or soccer game, this is a convenient place to stay. Plus, they have their own free shuttle to the cruise ship terminal.

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Seattle Waterfront Shuttle Wrap-up

There are many times when I’m at Seattle Center with the kids and think about heading to the waterfront. However, I usually dread the idea of buckling the kids back into the car and dealing with downtown parking.

The Seattle Waterfront Shuttle solves this problem, offering an easy and stress-free way to explore Seattle with kids. I’m excited to see how this service evolves in the future!

Fun Things to Do in Seattle With Kids

Seattle Ice Cream Cruise for Kids
How Kid-Friendly is the Seattle MoPOP Museum?
Take a Seattle Argosy Cruise to a Kid-Friendly Tillicum Excursion
6 Reasons Your Kid Should Ride Seattle’s Monorail
Sounder Train to Seattle’s International District