Seattle is one of those cities that truly has everything to offer, from breathtaking waterfront views to rich cultural history, quirky neighborhoods, and a world-class food scene. Whether it’s your first time here or a local looking to dive in a bit deeper, a proper city tour is the way to do it.

However, there are virtually countless tours out there, which is why I’ve gone ahead and shared only the best. The 5 top Seattle city tours will take you not only to the iconic landmarks like the Space Needle and Pike Place, but to the hidden gems you may not have discovered yet. Let’s jump right in!

Be sure to see our reviews of Mt Rainier Tours From Seattle, Olympic National Park Tours From Seattle and Seattle Harbor Cruises.

Best Tours of Seattle City

	Seattle City Tour with Space Needle Drop Offs	Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour	From Seattle: Private Seattle City Tour
Departure:	Hyatt Regency Seattle, 808 Howell St, Seattle	97 Pike St, Seattle	Hotel pickup and drop-off available
Start:	9:30 AM, 1:30 PM	10:00 AM	9:30 AM, 1:00 PM
Duration:	3 hours	4 hours	2.5 hours
Includes:	Guided tour, transportation, bottled water	Local guide, transport by air-conditioned minivan	Professional tour guide and local expert, fully narrated tour, private transportation,
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 5 Best Rated Seattle City Tours For 2025

1. Seattle City Tour with Space Needle Drop Offs
2. Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour
3. From Seattle: Private Seattle City Tour
4. Seattle City Premier Tour
5. Seattle Grand 4-Hour City Tour

Seattle City Tour Reviews

1. Seattle City Tour with Space Needle Drop Offs

If you’re looking to experience Seattle in a way that’s both educational and entertaining, the Seattle City Tour with Space Needle Drop-Offs is a fantastic choice. This 3-hour guided tour offers a comprehensive look into the most famous landmarks, as well as those hidden treasures that you may not see on some of the bigger group tours.

Starting off from the conveniently located Hyatt Regency downtown, you’ll be taken to plenty of neighborhoods, like historic Pioneer Square, bustling Capitol Hill, and beautiful Ballard.

With a couple of different start times available, it’s quite easy to fit into a busy schedule without having to move things around. The groups are quite small, maxing out at just 15 participants, so you can count on having a more relaxing time, with plenty of opportunities to ask your guide any questions you may have.

The tour bus transport is super comfortable, with air conditioning, plenty of leg room, and big windows that are perfect for sightseeing. Our guide had lived in the Pacific Northwest for over 3 decades, and clearly knew the whole Seattle area like the back of his hand.

It was actually pretty impressive just how much we were able to see in just 3 hours, with not a moment to even think about being bored. Pioneer Square certainly has a rich – if not a bit sordid – history, with incredible architecture and rumors of hauntings.

Lake Union is home to most of Seattle’s houseboats, and Fremont has incredible views, quirky art, and the infamous Fremont Troll (if time permits). Ballard is also quite beautiful, and it’s here where we had some time to see the seals playing around, as well as massive salmon in the locks.

Last but not least, experience the versatile International District, which is home to some of the best Chinese food in the city (which is really saying something!).

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Other Seattle Activities You May Enjoy

2. Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour

It’s no secret that the Seattle area is one of the most beautiful in the country, and Snoqualmie Falls is still one of the most stunning parts of it. If you not only want to explore Seattle but would like to get out of the city for a bit, this is the perfect tour to do so.

The Seattle City and Snoqualmie Falls Half-Day Guided Tour combines the bustling metropolis with serene nature, with an expert guide there to lead the way. Starting downtown, you’ll meet up with your guide and the rest of your small group, passing through historic Pioneer Square while learning all about some of Seattle’s rich background.

You’ll learn about how after the Great Seattle Fire, the city you see today was built on top of the old one – you can actually still go down into many of the walkways that once housed shops of the “original” Seattle!

Continue on to Pike Place Market and up to Kerry Park, where you’ll get to soak in the best views of the Space Needle, downtown in general, the Sound, and the Cascade Mountains in the background.

Depending on the guide’s preference and time of year, you’ll also get to see the Fishermen’s Terminal or the Ballard Locks. Our guide gave us all some tips on how to take better photos, and at each stop, even offered to take some for us.

Our guides did a fantastic job of sharing fun facts and stories with us, bringing the past to life, while relating it to present-day and how it’s changed. We then made the pretty journey up to Snoqualmie Falls, which is actually quite easy to get to by the freeway.

The 268-foot falls are surrounded by lush greenery, and depending on the time of year and if time permits, you can occasionally even go down to the bottom!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. From Seattle: Private Seattle City Tour

If you’re looking to experience Seattle in a more personalized, VIP way, look no further than the From Seattle: Private Seattle City Tour. In less than 3 hours, you’ll get to see and learn about more than you would on most big-group tours twice its length, with a knowledgeable driver-guide there to lead the way.

It’s one of the best options if you prefer a more intimate setting or are even looking to help customize your itinerary to suit your specific preferences. While there aren’t specific start times available, you can work with your guide in order to decide on a pickup time that works best for you.

They come right to your hotel (wherever it may be in the Seattle area) to pick you up in a Chevy Suburban LTZ, which is nice and spacious, yet smooth enough that it almost feels like you’re in a coach. I lived in Seattle for a while and have taken quite a few tours, so I knew I wanted something a bit more personalized this time around.

I was with some friends who’d never been there before, so we decided to go see some sights that aren’t always on the “regular” itineraries. We explored a bit more of the “haunted” side of Pioneer Square, covering some stories about some of the more brutal acts that went down there when Seattle was just coming up.

We also got to go to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park, highlighting how Seattle saw a ton of traffic incoming from around the world during this time.

We headed up to see the boat houses, followed by the Ballard Locks, which I always think is fun to bring newbies because it’s usually quite unexpected to see seals swimming around and massive salmon jumping out of the water!

We also went to a couple of the prettiest sites (in my opinion) in Seattle, which is Gas Works Park (super unique), and Washington Park Arboretum, which is a must for any nature lovers. Ultimately, it’s all up to your preferences!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Seattle City Premier Tour

If you have a few hours upon arriving to Seattle, do yourself a favor and take the Seattle City Premier Tour. Easily one of the most comprehensive tours, it’s hard to cover more than this while still allowing for enough time at each location.

By the time you’re done, you’ll see the city in a whole new light, with plenty of insider stories and tips to ensure the rest of your trip is spent maximizing fun and culture!

With multiple start times throughout the day, starting from the morning to late afternoon, it’s one of the easiest tours to fit into a busy schedule. There are a few different departure points, and though they don’t include hotel pickup and drop-off, you’re bound to find a meetup point that’s convenient for you.

If it’s your first time in the city, this is a must-do, covering all the top attractions, as well as plenty of hidden gems! We decided to start mid-morning to avoid a lot of the crowds while ensuring everything was open, meeting with our guide at the Seattle Public Library (which by the way is one of the coolest pieces of architecture in the PNW!).

Our transportation for the day was a smooth, comfortable mini-coach bus, with plenty of legroom and big windows prime for viewing the beautiful natural and manmade landscapes. Our guide did a great job of regaling us with interesting historical accounts, personal anecdotes, and grade-A storytelling about the different neighborhoods and sites as we passed by.

Expect to see world-famous places like the Pike Place Market right on the waterfront, the historic Pioneer Square, the Ballard Locks, amazing views at Kerry Park, and so much more. Overall, it’s the perfect balance between Mother Nature and city life and it’ll give you endless recommendations to explore after your tour! Oh, and if you want some amazing food recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask your guide!

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Seattle Grand 4-Hour City Tour

Last but certainly not least, is the Seattle Grand 4-Hour City Tour, which is easily one of the most comprehensive, covering not only the most popular sites, but many neighborhoods that shorter tours don’t cover.

If you have the time, this is quite possibly the tour where you’ll learn the most, from history and culture, to geology and even some insight into the big tech here. Our guide was born and raised in the Emerald City, so you can not only expect some fun facts and stories about the area, but also anecdotes and tidbits that only someone from here could provide.

Starting off in the morning, you’ll be picked up right from your hotel lobby, which saves you the hassle of having to head early to a meetup point or booking separate transportation. Our guide was super considerate and kind, and was always willing to converse and answer all the questions we had – he even took photos for us!

Our transportation was a coach and very comfortable, to the point that I almost fell asleep a couple of times when we were on the road! We made plenty of regular stops, allowing for us all to have time to stroll around and explore while we listened to educational commentary from our guide.

We went to Chinatown/the International District, and of course Pioneer Square and the Waterfront, which are essentials for any Seattle tour. However, we also got to see Belltown and Queen Anne, which offer incredible bars, restaurants, and amazing homes, respectively.

If you’re a sports fan, you’ll surely appreciate getting to see T-Mobile Park and CenturyLink home fields for the Mariners and Seahawks, which are located right downtown, close to some of the most famous buildings in the city.

In addition, you’ll see Gasworks Park, University of Washington (gorgeous campus!), Lake Union, and so much more! By the time the tour is over, you’ll surely have a thorough understanding of Seattle – past and present.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience