01.19.2024

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Today’s Forecast

Consider us your tour guide

Your ultimate guide to tours of Seattle

A hot air balloon with a rainbow geometric pattern hovers above a rural residential area while Mt. Rainier stands proud in the distance during a sunrise trip.

Hello, yes — we would like to go on the dreamy hot air balloon tour. | Photo by @windowseatjonesin

Whether you’re a lifelong Seattleite longing to embrace your inner tourist, or you have a limited amount of time in the Emerald City, here are 15 tours guaranteed to show you the sights you want to see.

Note: Price estimates are based on individual adult rates available at the time of publishing. Check each company’s website to see current pricing.

Great outdoors

Seattle Ballooning Tours | $325+ | April-October
You’re going to want to look down for this one — soar high above the Cascade Mountains with just a little hot air. Join a group tour or rent a balloon out for your next special occasion.

Adventures in Seattle | $239 per person | Year-round
Go snowshoeing, discover waterfalls, and stand in awe under the shadow of Mt. Rainier with a well-seasoned hiking guide. Shuttling, equipment, lunch, and permits are all included in the price.

A strawberry cake doughnut and a regular glazed donut sit atop a branded pastry bag signifying these were purchased at Seattle favorite doughnut shop Top Pot Doughnuts. — The Underground Donut Tour starts at Top Pot Doughtnut’s flagship store downtown.
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Photo by @jeffyflorey

Eat and drink

Chinatown-International District Food Tour | $55.95 | Year-round
The CID has got to be one of Seattle’s most densely-packed neighborhoods of seriously incredible bites. If you’re not sure where to even start, the Wing Luke Museum can help show you the ropes.

Underground Donut Tour | $55-$65 | Year-round
There just may not be a sweeter way to get to see the city. Start downtown and taste your way through some of the best doughnuts the city has to offer.

A pod of orcas swims in the Puget Sound with a mountain in the background — Orcas can often be spotted in the Puget Sound — you don’t have to sail too far to find them.
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Photo via FRS Clippers

On a boat

FRS Clipper Tour | $109+ per person | May-October
Wanna see an orca? While there are lots of whale watching tours in the region, this is the only one that offers a half-day excursion departing from downtown Seattle (Pier 69) and is a member of the Pacific Whale Watch Association.

Ice Cream Cruise | $5-$18 | Spring-Summer
This will be the highlight of your kids’ trip. Relax with a cold ice cream cone as you take in the views of Lake Union. Bring the pup, too.

Explore Seattle

Asked

If you could design your team city tour, which of the following features would you include?

A. Historic landmarks and iconic buildings
B. Local cuisine tastings
C. Street art and vibrant murals
D. Other

Let us know

Events

Friday, Jan. 19

SAM Youth Presents: A Conversation with Elizabeth Malaska | Friday, Jan. 19 | 5-6 p.m. | Seattle Art Museum, 1300 First Ave., Seattle | Teens are invited to ask Malaska about her latest exhibit that looks at how women have been painted as accessories throughout history.
“Bohemia” | Friday, Jan. 19-Sunday, Jan. 28 | Times vary | The Triple Door, 216 Union St., Seattle | $29 | Expect burlesque, aerial performances, and piano battles in this cabaret set in 1890s Prague.
Scribble After Dark | Friday, Jan. 19 | 8 p.m. | Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle | $36-$56 | Five of YouTube’s most popular animators go head-to-head in this competitive drawing game meant for an adults.
Gasolina: Reggaeton Party | Friday, Jan. 19 | 9 p.m. | The Showbox, 1426 First Ave., Seattle | $15-$28 | Let those hips roll while you groove to the latest Latin beats.

Saturday, Jan. 20

Repair Café | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 12-3 p.m. | Capitol Hill Tool Library, 1552 Crawford Pl., Seattle | Free | Bring whatever’s broken in your house — whether that’s jewelry, small appliances, or tools — and the team of fixers will help you get it sorted.
Swinging Songs of the Northwest | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 11 a.m. | Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle | $5-$25 | Rock out to solo harmonica as you transport wistfully into the Cascade foothills.
Cider + Yoga | Saturday, Jan. 20 | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Bale Breaker & Yonder Cider Taproom, 826 NW 49th St., Seattle | $20 | Stretch it out, make friends, and enjoy a crisp pint of cider.

Sunday, Jan. 21

“Schitts Creek” Trivia Night | Sunday, Jan. 21 | 6 p.m. | Clock-Out Lounge, 4864 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle | $7 | Ew, David — you really think you know everything about the popular TV series? As if.
Bad Bitch Brunch | Sunday, Jan. 21, Sunday, Jan. 28 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Queer/Bar, 1518 11th Ave., Seattle | $25-$125 | Cheer on some of Seattle’s sauciest burlesque dancers while you chow down on an omelette.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Edu

The Bainbridge Island School District is the latest metro area district to consider closing one of its schools in the midst of declining enrollment. Administrators presented scenarios that would potentially close either the Ordway Elementary or Commodore Option School. (Seattle Times)

Closing

After the company announced bankruptcy, co-working business WeWork is closing its five-story Capitol Hill space at 1525 11th Ave. The company did not announce additional Seattle closures, but leaders said they intend for the company to remain in the area. (Capitol Hill Seattle)

Coming Soon

Restaurateur Renee Erickson is getting ready to open her 10th restaurant at 7009 Greenwood Ave. in Phinney Ridge. Lioness is an Italian wine bar with a large collection of Mediterranean bottles and snacks like oysters. Look for a Jan. 29 opening date. (Eater Seattle)

Transit

Plan ahead if you’re riding the Light Rail — trains are taking longer than the ~26 minute intervals that Sound Transit originally estimated during repair work. Extra foot traffic and technical issues have led to ~35 minute arrivals at times. (Seattle Times)

Development

Seattle construction costs are rising the fastest in the US. Costs between October 2022 and October 2023 increased by 7.6%, according to a report by Rider Levett Bucknall. Industry experts attribute the jump to inflation, interest rates, and Seattle’s high wages. (Puget Sound Business Journal)

Holiday

Washington State lawmakers are considering making Lunar New Year a state-recognized holiday. If passed, the bill would advise governmental agencies to celebrate the holiday and instruct the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs to develop programming and resources that could be distributed to those planning events. (Seattle Times)

Outdoors

Itching to get outdoors while we wait for the weather to warm up? Seattle Parks and Rec has opened sign-ups for several outdoor nature programs that run through the end of February. Try out birding, search for beavers, or just enjoy the wilderness with a walk.

Finance

Erasing interest on purchases and balance transfers into 2025 can really make a difference. Throw in no annual fee, and there’s no wonder why thousands are lining up for these cards.*

Culture

What’s in the cards for the 206?

Asked: Your 2024 local predictions

The Space Needle stands tall in the night as the crescent moon, tinted orange by the sun's reflection, peeks out mystically from behind the Seattle landmark.

This ethereal picture makes us feel certain that Space Needle has all of the secrets to what our future holds. | Photo by @fan.tp

Gaze into your crystal ball and tell us... what’s in the cards for Seattle in 2024?

That’s what we’re asking you, our readers, to tell us. On our list of questions for 2024 predictions, we’re wondering:

Will the Mariners return to the playoffs?
Will the Burke-Gilman Trail reach completion?
When will our temperatures hit 90° again?
Will Taylor Swift make a surprise appearance after her Vancouver concert or at a Seahawks game?

Got any other predictions for us? Take our survey. Regardless of what 2024 has in store, we’re looking forward to seeing what happens. All we know for sure is that we’ll be there to keep you updated on what’s to come.

The Buy

The Buy 1.19.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

“The 5-Minute Gratitude Journal.” Written by happiness and relationship coach Dr. Sophia Godkin, this journal inspires gratitude with prompts to answer every day — and it only takes five minutes.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Alina

From the editor

After mentioning that me and my partner are in what he calls our “London Fog Era,” reader Gretchen M. wrote in to say that she makes her own phenomenal version from Apolis Tea’s Sweet Cream Earl Grey, which can also be bought at the Made In Washington store at Pike Place Market. It sounded too good to keep to myself, so enjoy.

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