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Port of Seattle

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Port
—°14
Port of Seattle (United States)

Weather…

The Port of Seattle, located in Elliott Bay in Washington state, is a major gateway for trade between North America and Asia. Founded in 1911 by the voters of King County, it has grown into a diverse enterprise managing cargo terminals, an international airport (Seattle-Tacoma International Airport), marinas for commercial fishing and recreational boating, and real estate properties. In 2015, the ports of Seattle and Tacoma formed the Northwest Seaport Alliance, a marine cargo operating partnership jointly governed to strengthen the Puget Sound region's competitiveness. This alliance ranks as the fourth-largest container gateway in the United States. The port is particularly noted for its state-of-the-art facilities for handling refrigerated cargo, making it a key exporter of Washington's agricultural products. Furthermore, the Port of Seattle is a top departure port for Alaska cruises, contributing significantly to the local tourism economy.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C457913151818151174
Rain mm174108138957051192958125188175

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
The Port of Seattle is a significant trade hub in the Pacific Northwest, handling both container freight and cruise traffic. Its strategic location makes it a key gateway for commerce with Asia and Alaska.
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Visiting
The port area is partially open to the public, especially along the Elliott Bay Waterfront. Visitors can observe cargo and cruise ship activity from the piers and the Seattle Aquarium.
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Where to view it
An excellent viewpoint is Pike Place Market, offering a broad view of the port and Puget Sound. The Space Needle observation deck also provides an impressive bird's-eye perspective over the entire harbor area.
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Local products
The port handles diverse cargo but is especially known for seafood like salmon and crab, as well as forest products. Local markets frequently offer fresh regional fish and seasonal berries.
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Active season
Freight operations run year-round, but activity spikes in summer due to the Alaska cruise season. Winter months are quieter, though container throughput remains steady.
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Nearby
Visit Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium, both located right on the waterfront. A trip to Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Olympic Sculpture Park also complements the maritime experience.

Geography

Coordinates
47.60000, -122.30000

Facts

  • The Northwest Seaport Alliance handled over 3.7 million TEUs in 2021.
  • The Port of Seattle was founded on September 5, 1911.
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) served over 51.8 million passengers in 2019.
  • The port supports nearly 200,000 jobs in the region.
  • Terminal 5 was recently modernized to accommodate 18,000-TEU capacity vessels.
  • The port is the number one departure port for Alaska cruises in the U.S.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

SeattleSeattle4 km · SExplore →
Space NeedleSpace Needle6 km · SExplore →
White CenterWhite Center8 km · SEExplore →
ShorelineShoreline10 km · SWExplore →
Des MoinesDes Moines12 km · EExplore →
EdmondsEdmonds15 km · SWExplore →
VashonVashon20 km · SEExplore →
Dash PointDash Point22 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Port of Seattle (14)

Connections Musuem🏛 museum

The Connections Museum in Seattle houses a vast collection of working electromechanical telephone switching systems.

🕒 Su 10:00-15:00♿

Museum of Flight🏛 museum

The Museum of Flight in Seattle is one of the largest air and space museums in the world.

Georgetown Steam Plant🏛 museum

The Georgetown Steam Plant in Seattle is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji⛪ religious

Dai Bai Zan Cho Bo Zen Ji in Seattle is the first Zen temple established in the Pacific Northwest.

Seattle Buddhist Church⛪ religious

The Seattle Buddhist Church is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the United States.

Congregation Ezra Bessaroth⛪ religious

Congregation Ezra Bessaroth in Seattle is one of the oldest Sephardic congregations in the United States.

Union Bay📍 landmark

Union Bay in Seattle is a bay of Lake Washington adjacent to the University of Washington campus.

Spokane Street Bridge📍 landmark

The Spokane Street Bridge in Seattle was built in 1991.

Bellevue Botanical Garden📍 landmark

Bellevue Botanical Garden in Bellevue features diverse plant collections and themed gardens.

🕒 dawn-dusk♿🆓

Dr. Jose Rizal Park🌳 park

Dr. Jose Rizal Park in Seattle has views of the city skyline and Elliott Bay.

🕒 Mo-Su 04:00-23:30

Washington Park Arboretum🌳 park

Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle contains a vast collection of trees and plants from around the world.

Kubota Garden🌳 park

Kubota Garden in Seattle is a Japanese garden created by the Kubota family over decades.

🕒 Mo-Su 06:00-22:00

Bellevue City Hall🏺 historical

This town hall serves as the administrative center for the city of Bellevue, located in the Port of Seattle economic zone.

Kenyon Hall🎭 culture

This theater in the Port of Seattle economic zone hosts live performances and community events.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Is the Port of Seattle a tourist attraction?
Yes, it serves as a major cruise port and borders popular waterfront areas.
What is the main role of the port?
It acts as a vital hub for trade between Asia and the USA.
How to get to the cruise terminal?
Terminals are easily accessible via taxi or public transit from downtown.
What is the area known for?
The region is known for its tight integration of modern tech and maritime trade.
Are there museums at the port?
Nearby at the pier are maritime museums and historic attractions.
Port of Seattle: where is it located?
Port of Seattle is located in United States.
Port of Seattle: what is there to see?
Highlights include Connections Musuem, Museum of Flight, Georgetown Steam Plant.
Port of Seattle: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Port of Seattle: why is it worth visiting?
The Port of Seattle, located in Elliott Bay in Washington state, is a major gateway for trade between North America and Asia.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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