Baseball, sunshine, hot dogs and freshly poured beer, did someone say summer?! What better time to visit than when the Toronto Blue Jays make their annual trip to the Emerald City? (Psst, they’ll be facing off against the Mariners on August 23 – 25!) A scenic jaunt across the Salish Sea aboard the Victoria Clipper ferry, traveling to Seattle requires little more than a current passport and weekend bag.
To maximize your time, head over mid-morning on the Friday ferry (departs Victoria at 11:30 am) for a Saturday night game and return Sunday afternoon. (Insider tip: If you only have time for a quick trip, you’ll also arrive in time for Friday night game. Or make a doubleheader out of it and catch two games of the series.) After 2-hours and 45-minutes of soaking in Olympic Mountain views fun Clipper photo shoots, you’ll arrive right in the heart of the action in downtown Seattle.
Book Now:
Victoria to Seattle Overnight Package
Victoria to Seattle Overnight Package with Two Nights
FRIDAY – Day 1
2:45 p.m. – Hotel Max
Off the ferry, a short 25-minute walk (or 12-minute Uber ride) up the street from the Clipper terminal lands you at the stately Hotel Max. Checking in is the equivalent of immersing yourself into the heart and soul of Seattle’s iconic music scene. A historic 1926 structure with a hip, urban vibe in Seattle’s Belltown, the hotel is clearly differentiated through its art and music decor.
From Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Can I – Vegetable to Ed Ruscha’s Gallo and even a Gibson bass guitar designed by Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic, there’s inspiring, world-class artwork at every turn. Upstairs, each hallway of the 10-floor building boasts the work of a single Seattle-based photographer, expertly exploring themes from architecture to romance with door-sized photos.
For a real treat, head to the 5th floor, a homage to Sub Pop Records, Seattle’s famous independent record label. Here, dramatic black-and-white images of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden, taken by Charles Peterson, grace the walls. And that’s all before you get to your room. Outfitted with framed poster art, Crosley record players and a selection of vinyl records curated by Sub Pop, the modern rooms are audiophile’s paradise. It’s hard to think of a more quintessential Seattle setting.
(Insider tip: Thirsty? Make your way back downstairs by 5:30 p.m. for the property’s complimentary daily craft beer hour and sample full pints of some of the Emerald City’s most compelling craft brews.) Book this hotel with Clipper, learn more.
3:30 p.m. – Pike Place Stroll
Treat yourself to a progressive food tour through one the city’s tastiest landmarks, Pike Place Market. Duck inside Beecher’s Handmade Cheese to pick up a bag of creamy, bite-sized cheese curds. Swing by Mee Sum for savory hombow loaded with barbecue pork or a mix of chicken, mushrooms and onions.
Want a sweet treat? Head to French bakeshop Le Panier for flakey croissants, buttery brioche and melt-in-your-mouth macarons. Or choose from more than 20 varieties of handmade treats at Piroshky Piroshky, our favorite is the salmon, but you can’t wrong with whatever is fresh out of the oven!
(Insider tip: Not ready to navigate the shops on your own? Hop on Food and Cultural Tour of Pike Place Market and let an expert guide lead you to their top picks for phenomenal bites from local artisans and restaurants on a guided walking tour.) Book this tour with Clipper, learn more.
5:30 p.m. – Matt’s in the Market
If you have time to sit down for one meal at Pike Place Market, make it at Matt’s in the Market. Owned by a former Pike Place fishmonger, the seafood-centric restaurant serves up fare inspired by the fresh Northwest ingredients found in the market stalls below. Paired with a superb wait staff and sweeping vistas over the glowing Public Market Center sign, the atmosphere is top-notch.
7:00 p.m. – Seattle Sunset Tour
When the sun goes down, there is no better place to be than Seattle’s shoreside neighborhoods. Relish every last second of the city’s glorious golden hour on a Seattle Sunset Tour, which will take you from the sandy shores of Alki Beach, along the Seattle waterfront to the calm waters of Lake Union.
This time of day, the sun’s rays reflect off the glass buildings of downtown Seattle, setting them aglow in a wash of oranges, yellows and pinks. Mirrored by the glassy waters of the Puget Sound, there are few things more peaceful or stunning. Book this tour with Clipper, learn more.
9:30 p.m. – Deep Dive
Wind down the evening at Deep Dive, an art installation turned cocktail lounge at the base of the renowned Amazon Spheres. Helmed by culinary superstar Renne Erickson, the spot offers no end of classic and original concoctions. Meet summer in a glass with the Watermelon Mule, a fruity blend of vodka, ginger beer, grapefruit, lime and, of course, watermelon.
SATURDAY – Day 2
9:00 a.m. – Anchorhead Coffee Co.
Skip the long lines at Starbucks and walk a block down the street to grab a quick bite and smooth pour-over coffee at Anchorhead Coffee Co. While a lineup of tantalizing treats ranging from bacon biscuit sandwiches to sausage-fennel scones may call your name, digging into their famous “Quaffle” – cinnamon roll crafted with croissant dough then grilled on a waffle iron – is an absolute must. Served drizzled with warm maple syrup, it is heaven on a plate.
10:00 a.m. – Museum of Flight Tour
Pay tribute to one of the industries that helped put Seattle on the map at the city’s ode to aviation, the Museum of Flight. Step out of your hotel and onto a private, motorcoach for a 30-minute ride to the south of the city, which will land you at the entrance of the world’s largest independent aviation museum.
Let your imagination take flight as you explore more than 175 aircraft from every era and interactive exhibits from flight simulators to airport towers. Don’t miss the newest exhibit, Destination Moon: Apollo 11. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of our first trip to the moon, it features more than 22 artifacts from the historic mission from Buzz Aldrin’s gloves and space helmet to the piece de resistance, the NASA Apollo 11 command module, Columbia.
Then, venture out to the 3-acre Aviation Pavilion to experience what may be the best part of the whole museum – the chance to peek inside rare and commercial aircraft! Climb into the cockpit of a Concorde, the first 747 jumbo jet, an Air Force One jet and one of the first 787 Dreamliners. Getting up close and personal to all of the switches and dials used to control the celebrated planes is more than a little bit cool. Book this tour with Clipper, learn more.
12:45 p.m. – Wings Cafe
Need to refuel mid-museum exploration? Tuck into the Wings Café, which melds a plane-themed menu full of delicious sandwiches and salads and serves up a front-row seat to the comings and goings of Boeing Field air traffic.
4:00 p.m. – Pyramid Brewery Alehouse
Back in the heart of the city, join the throngs of fellow Blue Jay fans descending on Seattle for a pre-game fuel up. While there are plenty of excellent dining options inside T-Mobile Stadium, the call to further get a taste of the Emerald City’s culinary scene with some wallet-friendly dining options is impossible to resist.
Grab a seat in the massive beer garden at the ultra-popular Pyramid Brewery Alehouse across First Street from the stadium. One of the early Pacific Northwest microbrewery pioneers, Pyramid boasts outstanding hand-crafted brews as well as delicious gourmet burgers. Sample the smooth, full-bodied and hazy SoDo SMaSH #1. Brewed with Gold Pils Vienna malts and Mosaic hops and you’ll instantly feel like a local.
5:45 p.m. – T-Mobile Park
Follow the sea of navy blue jerseys inside T-Mobile Park to watch the two ball clubs do battle on the baseball diamond. With a retractable roof offering a chance to bask in the glorious summer sunshine and surrounded by 360-degree views of the Seattle skyline, you won’t find a better summer baseball venue. Looking for affordable seating? Head to the 300-level. With great views of the city AND the game, it’s a prime spot on a warm summer evening.
Still hungry? Make your way to the Hit it Here Café on the Terrace Level of the stadium. It’s a bit of a splurge, but with a menu designed by the phenomenal local chef, Ethan Stowell, it is home to some of the best eats in the entire stadium. Plus, while you feast on your personal-sized Ballard Pizza pies or KuKu fries (fries topped with togarashi Japanese seasoning, fish roe, chili sauce, horseradish crema and chives), you’ll get to soak in club seat views at a fraction of the normal ticket price.
Afterward, head to Shug’s (located near section 152) for a Prosecco float. Marrying a 4 oz. scoop of Lopez Island Creamy ice cream with bubbly San Martino Doc extra dry Prosecco, it’s the perfect summer sipper.
10:15 p.m. – Hooverville Bar or Westland Distillery
Finish the night with a celebratory brew at the cozy Hooverville Bar two blocks down from the stadium. Amble up to the polished wood bar and sample a local pint from one of the 22 taps. Or ask one of the friendly bartenders for a pour from their amazing whiskey selection (they stock at least a 100 different brands). Snack on some peanuts and challenge your friends to a rousing game of pinball or pool.
To avoid the post-game crush, make the 20-minute walk to Westland Distillery’s First Street location, just beyond the Starbucks headquarters. Kick back in the rustic Cantilever Room and sip on a flight of the single malt distillery’s latest releases or an expertly crafted cocktail. Silence any late-night hunger rumblings with shareable small plates of Beecher’s Cheese, Salt Blade Meats salami, Cup Cake Royal ice cream and more.
SUNDAY – Day 3
10:00 a.m. – Miller’s Guild
Pop downstairs from your room at the Hotel Max for what may be the most memorable meal of your trip – the all-important weekend brunch. With a menu full of inspired dishes created by the James Beard award-winning chef, Jason Wilson, the sleek and modern Miller’s Guild doesn’t disappoint. Dig into drool-worthy eggy concoctions such as the Bacon Scramble or the Kimchi Pork Belly Hash. Of course, it wouldn’t be brunch without mimosas. Order up a bottle of Prosecco paired with a carafe of orange or grapefruit juice and mix your own drinks for two!
11:45 p.m. – Space Needle
Walk along 6th Avenue to Seattle’s most iconic structure, the Space Needle. Well worth a visit even before its recent “Space Lift,” the 55-year-old landmark still offers the classic views you’ve grown to love, but a million times better. Zip 520 feet up to the observation level and dramatic views of the city are immediately front and center. Seamless floor-to-ceiling glass walls serve up unobstructed, 360-degree sights of the region. Elliott Bay, Lake Union and Puget Sound glisten in the sunlight. The ever-popular Great Wheel spins along the waterfront.
And that’s just the beginning. When you reach the 500-foot level, prepare to be floored by the views. The world’s first revolving 37-ton glass floor spans the entire surface, gliding over Seattle like a massive turntable, putting the city at your feet.
1:00 p.m. – Olympic Sculpture Park
A little slice of Zen in the heart of the city, the 9-acre Olympic Sculpture Park is the city’s largest green space, offering a quiet respite from the downtown hubbub. Check out renowned works of art such as Alex Calder’s The Eagle or Jaume Plensa’s Echo. Boasting sandy beaches with Puget Sound views as well as the Space Needle and snow-capped Olympic Mountains looming in the distance, it’s the perfect place to close out the weekend.
2:15 p.m. – Clipper Terminal at Pier 69 (3:15 p.m. departure)
Drink in waterfront vistas on the way to the Clipper terminal. With a quick check-in at the Clipper’s counter, there is plenty of time to grab a sandwich served on local Macrina Bakery bread at the neighboring Clipper Café. Climb onboard the Victoria Clipper V and settle into your seats with a glass of locally-sourced red wine from Washington’s Columbia Valley. As the motors start to hum, wander out to the upper, outside deck. Take one last look at the Seattle skyline and soak in jaw-dropping views as the boat pulls away from the city.
Featured image: Tim Gouw