Travel advisors discover why Seattle is the ultimate getaway for Canadians
The ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ program is an annual sales incentive campaign by Brand USA in partnership with Air Canada and regional U.S. destination partners. This year’s winners explored Seattle from Sept. 20-24 with Visit Seattle and partners in Snohomish County.
FAM participant Brittany Uskoski, Senior Corporate Travel Consultant with BCD Travel, used AI to create this keepsake from the trip
For those familiar with the Greater Vancouver Area, Seattle’s recognizable landscape of lush greenery contrasted with the beauty of large bodies of water and majestic mountains can be deceiving. Providing a sense of kinship and understanding of the locale can pave the way to a misconception that the area has nothing new to share, and that pretty much everything in the region can be equated to what lies comfortably North of the border.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. While the region does admittedly share many of the characteristics of its Canadian counterpart, what lies in wait south of the border is a unique experience Canadian travellers will surely enjoy.
When asked why Canadians should explore the region during one of the Canadian ‘Sell Your Way’ FAM trips with Brand USA, Caitlyn Shearer, Market Development Manager with Visit Seattle confidently responded, “While Seattle and neighbouring cities (like Vancouver) can feel very similar, Seattle is unique in its fresh and diverse food scene, the beautiful culture you can find in its many neighborhoods, and easy access to one of our states’ three national parks. We love highlighting the authentic ways people can experience the city – get beneath the streets, behind the market stalls, explore first-hand some of the most iconic parts of the Pacific Northwest in a unique way.”
According to Shy Alarakhia of Expedia Cruises who joined the FAM trip, “Seattle stands apart from typical U.S. destinations because it offers a seamless blend of urban sophistication, deep-rooted aviation and tech culture, and immediate access to pristine wilderness.”
The ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ group on the Great Wheel and enjoying a Seattle Mariners game
Brittany Uskoski of BCD Travel Canada, who also participated, noted that “Seattle also offers something truly its own: a rich aviation and naval heritage. As the birthplace of Boeing, the region is home to The Museum of Flight, the Boeing Factory Tour at the Future of Flight in Everett, and the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum at Paine Field. Its maritime roots run deep too, from the Puget Sound Navy Museum in Bremerton to the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels thrilling crowds each summer at Seafair.”
Uskoski also has words of encouragement for those Canadians concerned about the current political climate “Travel breaks down borders and brings people together. Now more than ever, I encourage Canadians to set aside outside noise, visit our neighbours to the south, and see for themselves. The warm, genuine welcome Canadians receive in the U.S. has not changed, and politics shouldn’t change our relationship with our neighbours.”
Much More Than Just a Port
Seattle has long been associated with being one of the primary gateways for cruise ships bound for Alaska. While the port itself and those majestic vessels are certainly a mainstay, there is no shortage of activities in the vicinity. Just a stone’s throw away from the Port of Seattle travellers can easily lose themselves for hours along the Waterfront by taking in well established tourist hotspots such as The Great Wheel, Ivar’s Fish Bar, and the Seattle Aquarium. New experiences include a sprawling, 20-acre park featuring family-friendly activities amid locally inspired architecture situated at Pier 58, or Pier 57’s Sasquatch Mountain, which takes brave adherents on an immersive VR trek in search of bigfoot. The variety of experiences are immense and sure to keep visitors of all ages content.
Those in search of a bit of history about the waterfront who simultaneously want to experience stunning views can hop on an Argosy Harbor Cruise which depart hourly from Port 55, and showcase beautiful scenery paired with some interesting historical facts and tongue-in-cheek humour. Each vessel is equipped with a comfortable outdoor rooftop seating gallery, with fully trained staff to help any guests with accessibility issues navigate the vessel.
TOP: Around the table at Bangrak Market are FAM participants Greg Ohman, Baxter Media; Sandra Williams-Reid, TTI Travel Canada; Shy Alarakhia, Expedia Cruises; Brittany Uskoski, BCD Travel and Caitlyn Shearer, Visit Seattle. BOTTOM: The group strikes a pose with Pia the Peacekeeper created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo at Bainbridge Island
Pounding the Pavement
One of the benefits of the Emerald City (dubbed as much due to its abundant year-round greenery) is its walkability. The proximity of most central activities and attractions tend to lie within a 15–30-minute walk from the Pier, which is tremendously appealing for those wanting to get in their daily steps. Don’t fret, those with mobility issues or who prefer to put their feet up can hop on one of the many Pedicabs regularly seen making their way up and down the waterfront or track down multiple ride share or taxi options which are readily available throughout the city.
Visitors venturing by foot from the waterfront up to the historic Pike Place Market have the option of navigating their way through Post Alley, which presents a wholly unique aspect of the city’s charm by way of millions of pieces of chewed gum littering its walls. Admittedly this may not be for everyone, but it is worth the trek, if guests have the stomach for it. The market itself is home to legendary staples such as the Pike Place Fish Co. whose fish mongers are internationally renowned for their regular bombastic seafood throwing displays, kitschy artists of all kinds, and what is considered the original Starbucks storefront (although that’s not entirely true, as the first location was actually down the road and moved to the market in 1977).
With so much to explore in the marketplace, those interested in spending a substantial amount of time there will want to consider one of many onsite food tours. Savor Tours have been hosting moderately priced jaunts at the market for over 20 years. Catering to a wide range of palates, and featuring delicacies that truly hit the spot, Savor’s experienced guides do a terrific job of pairing fascinating details about the market’s history, governance, and importance of the local community, with a variety of stops along the way that are sure to satiate the hunger of even the most voracious participants.
The group took on many Seattle highlights like the historic Pike Place Market, Post Alley, which is made up of millions of pieces of chewed gum, the Space Needle, and an Underground Tour with local comedian and tour guide Kiahn Larry
Sky High Views and Cultural Immersion
A brisk walk northwest of Pike Place or a quick ride on the Seattle Center Monorail from the Westlake station is arguably where Seattle’s most well-known landmark sits, the iconic Space Needle. Whether grabbing a bite at The Loupe Lounge (reservations required), or simply taking in the majestic views, the 360-degree rotating platform gives sightseers a bird’s eye view of the surroundings, and a top-down look at some nearby attractions worth exploring. Chihuly Garden, which is home to the stunning glass art of Dale Chihouly, and the Museum of Pop Culture, an immersive experience dedicated to contemporary media such as film, music, and gaming, provide unique offerings that will appeal to a wide variety of guests. Also nearby is the Climate Pledge Arena, home of the Seattle Kraken NHL team, the Seattle Center Armory, and the Pacific Science Center, giving visitors of all stripes plenty of options that will leave them fulfilled.
Branching Out
With three national parks located within approximately 2 ½ hours from Seattle, those with an affinity for nature will find it in droves. Outside of its stunning beauty and standard fare such as hiking, camping, and canoeing, Olympic National Park is also renowned for being home to some of the largest and oldest temperate rainforest trees in the world, making it a wonderful destination for amateur and professional photographers alike to snap larger than life pics that are sure to illicit a reaction.
Expedia Cruises’ Alarakhia notes “If limited to one standout recommendation, taking a journey out to Olympic National Park delivers an unforgettable experience. It highlights the vast natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, showcasing diverse ecosystems, from alpine peaks to temperate rainforests, that make the region truly iconic.”
Another out-of-town option is making the short trek out to Snohomish County, home of the popular Boeing factory tour which gives visitors the opportunity to watch Boeing 777’s being manufactured firsthand all while knowledgeable guides narrate tales of the factory’s storied history. The Boeing tour paired with a wander through the expansive Museum of Flight located in Seattle proper should satisfy even the most ardent aerophile.
According to Sandra Williams-Reid of TTI Travel Canada, “I would recommend visiting the Boeing Centre and the Museum of Flight because it is a great experience for airplane lovers and those looking for unique experiences like seeing and boarding Air Force One and the old Concord Aircrafts”.
Getting out in nature at Olympic National Park and exploring the Museum of Flight
Given the proximity to the Boeing factory, a trip into downtown Everett is certainly worthwhile. The Port of Everett, which can be found on Port Gardner Bay at the mouth of the Snohomish River, is a picturesque location equipped with a large marina, and features a boardwalk filled with restaurants and shops making it an ideal location for an evening stroll, or a day out with the family for one of its many onsite events. Anyone with youngsters (or who are still young at heart) will also want to consider making their way to the flagship Funko store to snatch up some exclusive figurines. Filled to the brim with a litany of miniature pop culture icons, the store is quite the site to see. Shoppers who are inclined to do so can also create a custom Funko Pop! by way of the onsite Pop! Yourself kiosks and have a one-of-a-kind souvenir made up in about 5-minutes.
Staying in the County offers plenty of benefits, particularly for budget-conscious travellers. Nick Shekeryk, Tourism Marketing & Sales Specialist with Discover Snohomish County explains “Snohomish County offers visitors an opportunity to experience all the best of the Pacific Northwest in one, accessible place. We are less than 24km from Seattle, and you can easily reach us from the big city by car, rail, trail, or boat. And there are few other places in the region where you can go from sea to mountains in an hour and urban to rural in a matter of minutes. Whatever type of adventure you’re looking for, you can find it in Snohomish County – and at a fraction of the big city costs.”
Pack Your Bags and Leave Your Baggage Behind
Whether tacking on a couple days to a cruise departing or arriving from the Port of Seattle, or committing to a dedicated Pacific Northwest itinerary, Seattle is filled with ample people, places, and things Canadians will love.
When addressing the importance of Canadian visitors, Visit Seattle’s Shearer notes “Canada has long been an important part of Seattle’s tourism ecosystem, representing the city’s largest international market for visitation and spend. Our team remains committed to ensuring those Canadian visitors who choose Seattle feel welcome.”
In parting, when asked to relay advice to Canadians considering visiting the region, Brittany Uskoski confidently states “My best advice is simply to go. Travel is about packing your bags and leaving your baggage behind. Seattle’s values align closely with our own here in Canada, so go and see for yourself. Neighbourly friendship is bigger than any border.”
Wise words indeed.
Other highlights included The Port of Everett, Chihuly Garden, and the flagship Funko store
