Waterfront Twitbits
; Every weekend in October, Seattle Aquarium trained naturalists will be on-site at the Cedar River to help you spot spawning salmon and learn more about this incredible species! 🐟
Join us at 5 locations along the river from 11am–4pm. Learn more: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/salmon-journey
Clouds are just an accessory to a beautiful view. #MountainMonday
Photo: @ timdurkan
First moonrise of October was a beauty! Waning gibbous moon rising behind the #Seattle skyline and #SpaceNeedle last night.
When you’re walking along the waterfront, you might not notice all the important work that happens underground. Utilities like electric, water, sewage, & gas, vital to the waterfront project & to our communities, have networks underneath the surface.
WATERFRONT DINING OPTIONS
Seattle Waterfront: Live View
WATERFRONT BRIEFS: October 2023
October is excellent for walking along the waterfront, dipping a line in the water, or for hopping a ride across the bay (sail or power – you have options). Are you driving here? Receive 2 Hours FREE Garage Parking when you get a voucher from a participating waterfront business!
Waterfront Hours
Commuter Report
Boating Report
Home Team Games
Fishing Report
Whale Sightings
Holidays and School Breaks
Pier 62 Activities
Jobs on the Waterfront
Waterfront Hours
The piers are open, boats are sailing! Start your day on the waterfront with a walk or run. Starbucks opens at 6AM daily on Pier 55.
Spend time exploring, walking, shopping, taking pictures, and eating. Catch the last ride of the day on the Seattle Great Wheel at 9PM (10PM on Fridays and Saturdays).
Seattle Aquarium hours are 9:30AM to 6:00PM daily (last entry at 5:00PM). Advance ticket purchase online is recommended to secure your time window and skip the line. For the best deal and unlimited visits year-round ($89), become a Seattle Aquarium member.
Seattle daylight hours in October start at 11.5 hours and decrease to 10 hours by the end of the month. Celestially speaking, when the skies are clear of clouds, there may be a chance of seeing the northern lights this month. The Orionids meteor shower will be October 20 and 21, Venus will be obviously visible October 23, and a full moon will appear October 28 in time for Halloween.
Commuter Report
- Cruise ship operations will continue running at Pier 66 throughout October with Norwegian Cruise Line. A record-breaking number of Alaska-bound passengers are expected this year, over 1.4 million!
- Alaskan Way (Dzidzilalich) along the waterfront has shifted to new pavement. The latest road (Elliott Way) from the Seattle Aquarium northwards is open and creates a direct connection to Belltown. This means no more waiting for long cargo trains to pass for commuters. It also means adjusting to change, so your patience is appreciated.
- Alaskan Way in front of the Seattle Aquarium is closed to vehicle traffic in both directions, except on cruise ship days when there will be one alternating lane.
- The new Lenora Street bridge, stairs, and elevator across from Bell Harbor Marina are open again for pedestrians between the waterfront and downtown (Elliott Avenue, Western Avenue, First Avenue, Belltown, Pike Place Market).
- Construction on Colman ferry dock (pier 52) is nearly complete. The new terminal lobby is open and operational. Give yourself time, and be prepared for delayed or canceled sailings.
- The new Marion Street pedestrian bridge to the ferry terminal may open this month. It will become one of the busiest pedestrian bridges on the West Coast.
- The new stairway between Western Avenue and Alaskan Way at Union Street is open, and, boy, what a beauty! There is also a new elevator at this location.
- Use the SR99 tunnel instead of Alaskan Way to get from one end of the city to the other. Expect surface road congestion on Alaskan Way during peak hours.
- Please drive slowly in construction zones!
Boating Report
- Boating operations between Piers 50-70 are OPEN.
- Argosy on Pier 55 has 1-hour Harbor Cruises and Ballard Locks Cruises daily.
- Salish Sea Tours runs harbor tours daily from Pier 57 on that cool, black boat with stadium seating in front.
- For a wind-powered experience, Seattle’s Tall Ship will run multiple trips daily for most or all of this month, weather permitting. Hop aboard and hoist the sails!
- FRS Clipper Ferry to Victoria is operating – reach downtown Victoria in 2 hours 45 minutes. Whale-watching trips are also available from Clipper the first weekend of October.
- Passenger fast ferries and car ferries run daily from Piers 50 to 52. Please note that the schedules for Kitsap and King County fast ferries change on October 1st.
- Arriving by boat for lunch on the waterfront or to visit the Pike Place Market? Short-term moorage is available on the waterfront at Bell Street Marina in the heart of the city next to Anthony’s Pier 66.
- Alaska-bound cruise ships are sailing from Pier 66 this month!
Home Team Games
Seattle professional sports teams playing in town this month:
- Sounders (soccer) – YES
- Mariners (baseball) – YES
- Reign (soccer) – YES
- Storm (basketball) – NO
- Emerald Downs (horse racing) – NO
- Seahawks (football) – YES
- Kraken (hockey) – YES
- Seawolves (rugby) – NO
- Supersonics (basketball) – NO
Fishing Report
- October is a good month for anglers in Seattle! If you see someone fishing, ask them for a peek in their bucket to see for yourself. Squid season is approaching.
- Public fishing piers are open in Area 10 (Seattle/Bremerton). Although there are no public fishing piers directly on Seattle’s waterfront, anglers can normally find a quiet place to cast a line. Local anglers will be happy to learn that recent donations by Seattle philanthropists should lead to the re-opening of the Elliott Bay Public Fishing Pier next to grain terminal 86.
- Look for fish in the kelp and around pier pilings when the water is clear.
- No fishing license is required for children and youth under 15 in Washington state.
- Species you are most likely to see: Salmon, schools of salmon smolt (babies), sea-run cutthroat, steelhead trout, shiner perch, piling perch, sculpin, greenlings, flounders, rockfish, and occasional ling cod.
- Know the rules; check current regulations here.
Whale Sightings
- Cetacean activity was high in Elliott Bay (Seattle) during September. This year’s healthy run of pink salmon or ‘humpies’ kept the harbor porpoises around. The local harbor porpoise population is healthy and growing – expect sightings to continue into October. Orcas were spotted repeatedly off Seattle in September. Identify common porpoise and dolphin species in Puget Sound.
- Watch for Whales from Seattle’s Great Wheel: Fact or Fiction? It’s a fact! If an orca or humpback swims by while you are on the Wheel, you will see it! Piers 54 and 62 are also great spots for whales in Seattle.
- Cetaceans you may spot include orcas (killer whales), gray whales, humpback whales, Dall’s porpoises, harbor porpoises, and Pacific white-sided dolphins.
- Other animals you may see while on the waterfront include blue herons, seagulls, seals, sea lions, cormorants, bald eagles, geese, peregrine falcons, ospreys, sea otters, and Kraken. For a close-up look at the Salish Sea ecosystem, head to the Seattle Aquarium.
- Whales are also spotted relatively often from the ferries and Argosy vessels; keep your eyes peeled! FRS Clipper runs half-day whaling trips right from downtown Seattle through the first weekend of October with a guarantee you will see whales or your next trip is on the house.
- Read the most recent whale sighting reports here.
Holidays and School Breaks
There is one federal holiday in October. Halloween is always on the last day of this month. School is in session for most King County and WA State students this month.
Oct 3: National Foundation Day (Korea)
Oct 4: Feast of St Francis of Assisi
Oct 9: Columbus Day or Indigenous People’s Day (a federal holiday on the second Monday of October)
Oct 9: National Leif Erickson Day
Oct 9: Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
Oct 12: Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity (Argentina)
Oct 20: Vietnamese Women’s Day (Vietnam)
Oct 24: Dusherra
October 31: Halloween!
Also in October: National Cinnamon Bun Day, National Taco Day, National Golf Lover’s Day, National Coaches Day. Find more here and here.
Pier 62 Activities
Pier 62 is bringing the people of Seattle together in one of the city’s most Instagrammable settings. Take in the 360-degree views of Seattle, the ferries, and the Olympics!
Cultural performances, classes, concerts, and scheduled community activities run at a reduced rate in October. Between organized events and activities, Pier 62 is an excellent place to find peace, quiet, and the smell of the sea.
Jobs on the Waterfront
Great Seattle companies and public entities are hiring along the waterfront. Job and career opportunities are available with the following:
Marriott Waterfront Seattle Hotel
Should we add a link to your company’s job page? Let us know
WATERFRONT BLOG
|Blue Fridays at Ivar's|
Get in the spirit with Ivar's! With this Blue Friday Special running until December 29, your Fridays won't be blue. Come into any Ivar’s Seafood Bar or Fish Bar the Friday before a Seahawks game and get the current 12th Clam special! Simply wear some blue and/or green team pride to score the deal. Details at: www.ivars.com/blue-fridays
Seattle, WA -- Tue Oct 3rd, 2023
|Two More Whale Watching Weekends|
Want to see whales directly from Seattle's waterfront? FRS Clipper is running trips this weekend and next (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). These one-day trips depart from and return to Pier 69. Whale sightings are guaranteed, or your next trip is on the house. One passenger last week reported seeing two pods of orcas coming together and interacting in spectacular fashion. Learn more and reserve your spot at www.clippervacations.com/seattle-day-trips/seattle-whale-watching-tour/
Seattle, WA -- Wed Sep 27th, 2023
|FREE Waterfront Shuttle Extended|
The FREE Waterfront Shuttle will run daily through Sunday, October 1st to connect people between Seattle Center, the waterfront, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, the stadiums, and King Street Station. How much does it cost to ride? It's free! Learn more at seattlewaterfront.org/free-seattle-waterfront-shuttle
Free Seattle Waterfront Shuttle - Official Page
seattlewaterfront.org
This is the official FREE Waterfront Shuttle page. Shuttle will operate daily 10am-8pm until September 24, 2023. Seattle, WA -- Wed Sep 20th, 2023
|Autumn on the Edge|
Mark October 1st on your calendar! The Edgewater invites you and your family, including the canine variety, to celebrate the arrival of Fall on Pier 67. Enjoy culinary delights from three food trucks, live music, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, a beer garden, arts & crafts, professional face painting, and more. This is a free community event, but RSVP is required at: www.edgewaterhotel.com/local-experiences/#!/e/autumn-on-the-edge-2023-3ec3fcc7/
Seattle, WA -- Tue Sep 19th, 2023
|Elliott's Oyster New Year!|
November 11 is the day for the 30th Annual Oyster New Year at Elliott's Oyster House - Seattle on Pier 56. Enjoy unlimited freshly shucked oysters, local wines, and seafood delicacies in good company together with lively music and Elliott's famous oyster luge! This is one of the most anticipated events on the West Coast for oyster lovers. Tickets will sell out, so don't delay. It's all for a good cause - proceeds support the Puget Sound Restoration Fund. Details and registration at: www.elliottsoysterhouse.com/oyster-new-year/
Oyster New Year - Elliotts Oyster House
www.elliottsoysterhouse.com
We're excited to welcome you back for our 30th Annual Oyster New Year! This all you can slurp & drink event sells out fast and is the most sought-after oyster celebration on the West Coast. Seattle, WA -- Mon Sep 11th, 2023
|September Wildlife|
This is primetime to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife along Seattle's waterfront. See those fish jumping clear out of the water? Those are pink salmon. Crews from Sailing Seattle (Pier 56), Seattle's Tall Ship (Bell Harbor Marina), Argosy (Pier 55), and Salish Sea Expeditions (Pier 57) report seeing lots of porpoises over the last week - they are targeting the salmon to feast on. At least one Orca was sighted this week off downtown Seattle. The sky is full of wildlife too - watch for Ospreys, Blue Herons, and Bald Eagles. For guaranteed whale sightings, check out FRS Clipper half-day whale-watching trips from Pier 69.
Seattle, WA -- Thu Aug 31st, 2023
|Waterfront Park Block Party|
Gather with family, friends, neighbors, and visitors, on Friday, September 1st from 1PM to 8PM for a summer celebration all along Seattle's waterfront! There will be live music, dance, parades, food trucks, a beer garden, and more. Details at waterfrontparkseattle.org/event/waterfront-block-party/?date=202309011300
Seattle, WA -- Thu Aug 31st, 2023
TOP-PICS #SEATTLEWATERFRONT
Are you having a good time on the waterfront and snapping some cool pics? Add #seattlewaterfront to your Insta post to get featured here.
Looking for a Perfect Day in Downtown Seattle? Check out our blog for 5 creative ideas. Link in bio.#andramoments
#seattlepier #pnw #visitseattle #citybreaks #staycation #seattlewaterfront
Oct 2
Well it’s like 🏗️🏗️ in the sky sometimes I don’t wanna feel those metal clouds… Guess IG or I accidentally deleted the first time I posted this idk #seattle #seattlewaterfront #seattleaquarium #pnw #summer
Sep 30
Full moon in September before dawn leaving a beautiful reflection on the water! #fullmoon #fall #seattlewaterfront #nightsky
Sep 29
Not all endings are painful, some might be beautiful too, just a matter of perception!!
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#lifequotes #positivevibes #sunset #seattle #seattlewaterfront #seattlewashington...
Sep 29
A "friendly reminder" - but of the oyster variety! 🎟️ Tickets are almost sold out for our 30th annual OYSTER NEW YEAR. Join us on November 11th for a shucking good time, with endless, fresh oysters, delicious seafood 🦀, ...
Sep 27
Seneca to the Waterfront #seattle #seattlewa #seattlewashington #seattlewaterfront #pnw #pacificnorthwest #pnwshooters #upperleftusa #westcoast_exposures #cityscape #urban #landscape #citygrammers #streetgrammers ...
Sep 27
Sunsets in Seattle
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#seattlesunset #seattlewa #seattlewaterfront #pikeplace #pikeplacemarket #pnwattractions #seattleferriswheel🎡 #seattleferriswheel #seattlephotography #sunsetphotography
Sep 27
