Seattle Family Stay + Whale Watching Adventure: Our Points-Fueled Pacific Northwest Finale
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Seattle marked both the beginning and end of our 10-day Washington road trip. We flew into Seattle, drove straight to Mount Rainier National Park, spent several days exploring Olympic National Park, and finished our trip back in the city.
Our final stop was everything we needed — a comfy stay at the Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown, a day exploring Pike Place Market, and a whale-watching adventure that gave us one last taste of the wild Pacific Northwest.
Stay: Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown
We used World of Hyatt points to stay at the Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown, which was perfect for families and ideally located for exploring the city.
- Room: Two Queen Beds + sofa sleeper
- Amenities: Free breakfast, indoor pool, and city views
- Location: Close to Pike Place Market and the Seattle Center
- Cost: 12 000 – 15 000 Hyatt points per night (Category 4)
It’s one of my favorite easy Hyatt redemptions — spacious rooms, free breakfast, and enough room for the whole family to spread out after a week of hiking and road-tripping.
If you’re new to Hyatt stays, check out my Guide to Booking Hyatt Stays with Points for how to get the best value.
Whale Watching with Puget Sound Express
Our whale-watching trip was easily one of the most memorable experiences of the entire vacation.
We drove about 30 minutes north to Edmonds, where the half-day tours depart. The family-owned company has been operating for more than 35 years and offers a guaranteed whale-sighting promise. Their high-speed catamaran is modern, warm, and comfortable — perfect for kids.
Our Experience:
We boarded mid-morning and spent several hours out on the Salish Sea. We saw humpback whales, harbor seals, porpoises, and even a bald eagle soaring overhead. The naturalist onboard was amazing — turning every sighting into a mini-lesson about marine life and conservation.
On clear days, you can see both Mount Baker and the Olympic Mountains from the water. It’s one of those experiences that makes you stop and take it all in.
Tips for Families:
- Dress in layers — it gets chilly on deck.
- Bring binoculars or a zoom camera.
- Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in.
- Pack a few snacks and motion-sickness bands if needed.
Pike Place Market
After our boat trip, we spent the afternoon wandering Pike Place Market — the perfect mix of chaos, color, and delicious food.
We watched the famous fish-throwing show, browsed handmade crafts, and sampled all kinds of treats. The kids’ favorite stop was Bitchin’ Cinnamon Rolls, a tiny bakery stall with giant rolls and a name that makes you do a double-take. (And yes — they live up to it. Easily one of the best cinnamon rolls we’ve ever had!)
If you visit Pike Place, plan to:
- Go early to avoid the biggest crowds.
- Bring cash for small bites and samples.
- Wander a little — some of the best finds are tucked down side stairways and alleys.
If You Have More Time in Seattle
If you’re spending more than a day or two in the city, here are a few easy add-ons:
- Space Needle + Chihuly Garden and Glass – Iconic views and incredible art.
- Seattle Waterfront & Aquarium – Fun with kids and plenty of lunch spots.
- Kerry Park – Quick photo stop for the skyline with Mount Rainier in the background.
Cards & Points That Made This Trip Possible
This trip was another great example of how flexible points make family travel affordable.
- Flights: Southwest points + Companion Pass (about $45 total for four of us)
- Rental Car: Chase Ultimate Rewards® points (redeemed at 1.25¢ value with Chase Sapphire Preferred®)
- Hotel: Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown booked with World of Hyatt points
If you want to start traveling this way, check out:
- Earn the Southwest Companion Pass on Repeat
- How to Book Rental Cars with Points
- Guide to Hyatt Hotel Stays with Points
Final Thoughts
Seattle was the perfect finale to our Washington adventure — a little city buzz after a week of hiking, tide-pooling, and chasing waterfalls. From the salty sea air on our whale-watching cruise to cinnamon rolls at Pike Place Market, it was the sweetest ending to a trip we’ll never forget.
If you’re planning a similar route, check out my full posts on Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park to see how to turn this into a 10-day Pacific Northwest loop — all bookable with points and miles.
Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
I found out about points and miles accidentally.
I was researching index funds and happened upon the points and miles community through creators who also post about budgets, financial independence, and investing.
Points and miles allowed those people to travel and work toward financial independence simultaneously.
Thank goodness I got started when I did. The past almost two years of travel have been something we will never forget.
Earning points and miles through credit cards is only a good choice if you have the financial discipline to use them, like cash/debit cards.
Since we started traveling with points and miles, we have had more money going into our investment and savings accounts than ever.
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