Discover Seattle
Seattle Educational Tours
Nicknamed the Emerald City for its numerous public parks and green spaces, Seattle is a great destination for a student travel group. Ride to the top of the iconic Space Needle, visit the sprawling Market Historic District and Pike Place, and make sure to visit at least one of over two dozen incredible museums!
Seattle Overview
Seattle, Washington is a vibrant city with a rich cultural history and a wealth of educational attractions that are perfect for student travel groups. One of the most popular destinations in Seattle is the iconic Space Needle, which offers stunning panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains.
Seattle is home to over two dozen museums that showcase everything from artwork to technology to natural history. The Museum of Pop Culture ( also known as MoPOP) celebrates the history and impact of popular culture on society. Students can explore interactive exhibits, view rare artifacts and memorabilia, and attend live events and performances. For those interested in history and social justice, the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience is a must-visit museum featuring the experiences and contributions of Asian Pacific Americans throughout history, with a focus on the struggle for civil rights. The Seattle Art Museum is the city’s largest museum dating back to the 1930s and housing a varied collection of artwork that spans multiple eras and geographic regions. Take the time to visit the Olympic Sculpture Park, an outdoor extension of the Seattle Art Museum that’s open to the public for free about a mile away at the waterfront. Last but not least, young scientists will love the Pacific Science Center, with its live stage shows, IMAX theaters, butterfly house and planetarium.
As you’d expect from any large city with a thriving arts scene, Seattle is a great place to enjoy music and the performing arts. Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, is an excellent place for students to see a show. Benaroya Hall hosts over 700 events each year, many of which offer performance opportunities to student bands, orchestras and ensembles. Seattle Theatre Group presents hundreds of events annually at The Paramount, The Moore, and The Neptune Theatres, as well as at venues throughout the region.
Finally, no trip to Seattle would be complete without a visit to Pike Place Market, one of the oldest and most iconic public markets in the United States. Here students can sample local cuisine, watch street performers and musicians, and shop for unique souvenirs and gifts. Did you know that the city of Seattle consumes more coffee per capita than any other city in the US? Well, now you can make sure to visit one of the many coffee shops in the city to find out what all the fuss is about!
Space Needle
The crown jewel of Seattle’s skyline, the Space Needle is a must-see destination for any first-time visitor to the city. Built in 1962 for the Seattle World’s Fair, this impressive landmark features an observation deck 520 feet above the city. At the top of the Space Needle, students can explore the SkyCity restaurant and learn about the history of the tower through interactive exhibits.
Pike Place Market
Born in 1907, Seattle’s Pike Place Market is the granddaddy of farmers markets. Pike Place has flowers by the bucketful, flying fish, fresh pastries and fruit, handmade cheeses, local honey, imported goods, antiques, collectibles and more. Within the nine acre Market Historic District is a daily crafts market, which features the quality work of 225 craftspeople, and more than 200 unique owner-operated shops and services. There are also more than 80 restaurants within the market.
The Seattle Underground Tour
Seattle’s Underground is located in the historic Pioneer Square neighborhood and consists of subterranean passageways that were once the main roadways and first-floor storefronts of old downtown Seattle. Students can take a guided walking tour of these eerie, abandoned spaces that lie beneath the present day streets while learning about the Great Seattle Fire of 1889 and the process of elevating the city.
