Top nearby things to do: Pike Place Market, Seattle Art Museum and the waterfront

From Sheraton Grand Seattle (1400 6th Ave) you can reach Pike Place Market, the Seattle Art Museum, and the downtown waterfront on short walks—Pike Place and the Seattle Art Museum are roughly a 5–10 minute walk from the hotel, and the ferry terminal is about a 10-minute walk. Plan visits by time of day to avoid peak crowds at the market and to allow time for ferry boarding if you want to ride to Bainbridge Island.
In this guide
- Overview: staying at Sheraton Grand Seattle
- Pike Place Market: what to expect and doing it right
- Seattle Art Museum (SAM): collections and timing
- The downtown waterfront & ferries: short walks and boat options
- Where to eat nearby: Alder & Ash, Vivienne's Bistro and Fountain Wine Bar
- Getting around and transit tips
- Accessibility and practical tips for your visit
Overview: staying at Sheraton Grand Seattle
Sheraton Grand Seattle sits at 6th and Pike in downtown Seattle (1400 6th Ave), adjacent to the Washington State Convention Center. The hotel has an on-site Starbucks, Alder & Ash (New American), Vivienne's Bistro (Asian fusion), and the Fountain Wine Bar.
The hotel offers a heated indoor pool and bi-level Sheraton Fitness Center on the 35th floor, complimentary access for guests, and accessible routes to those facilities. If you need a specific room type to return to after exploring, note names like Deluxe Room, City View; Club Room; Junior Suite, 1 Bedroom; and Executive Suite, 1 Bedroom among others.
- Address: 1400 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
- Pool hours (guest access): 5:30 AM–11:00 PM (35th floor)
- Fitness center: 24 hours, Peloton bikes and standard cardio/strength equipment
- Front desk check-in begins at 4:00 PM; check-out at 11:00 AM
| Hotel Phone | Notes |
|---|---|
| +1 (888) 605-1350 | BookResorts agents available 24/7 |
| +1 206-486-7699 (Alder & Ash) | Restaurant phone |
| Hotel address | 1400 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101 |

Pike Place Market: what to expect and doing it right
Pike Place Market is the downtown public market most visitors want to see first; from Sheraton Grand Seattle it’s about a 5–10 minute walk. The market is a mix of produce stalls, specialty food shops, crafts, and restaurants.
Visit early in the morning to see fresh fish and produce deliveries and to reduce time spent in crowds. Allow time for browsing small vendors and for sampling local foods.
- Typical activities: watch fish stalls, shop for local coffee and produce, browse artisanal crafts
- Bring cash or card—most vendors accept both, but small purchases sometimes work best with cash
- If you want a quick bite, plan for busy ordering lines at popular stalls during late morning
| From Sheraton Grand Seattle | Approx. walk time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pike Place Market | 5–10 minutes | Short walk downhill toward the waterfront |
| Seattle Art Museum | About 5 minutes | On the same downtown block cluster |
| Downtown ferry terminal (Pier 52) | About 10 minutes | Access point for walk-on ferries |
Seattle Art Museum (SAM): collections and timing
Seattle Art Museum is roughly a 5-minute walk from Sheraton Grand Seattle. SAM houses rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection spanning global art traditions.
Check the museum’s website for current exhibitions and ticketing (some shows require timed-entry tickets). If you have limited time, decide in advance which galleries you most want to see.
- Typical visit length: 1–2 hours (varies by interest and current exhibitions)
- SAM is on downtown walking routes that also link to Pike Place Market and Benaroya Hall
- Timed-entry tickets may be used for special exhibitions—verify online before you go
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Buy timed tickets online for special exhibits | Avoids waiting and helps plan the rest of your afternoon |
| Start with the permanent collection | Gives context for rotating/special exhibitions |
| Combine with nearby cultural stops | Benaroya Hall and museum shops are nearby if you have extra time |
The downtown waterfront & ferries: short walks and boat options
The downtown ferry terminal (walk-on ferries to Bainbridge Island and other routes) is about a 10-minute walk from Sheraton Grand Seattle. Ferries provide a scenic water crossing and easy access to the waterfront boardwalk area.
If you plan to ride a ferry, allow extra time for boarding and for walking to the terminal from the hotel. Once on the waterfront, you can visit attractions like the Seattle Aquarium and waterfront restaurants on foot.
- Pier 52 (Colman Dock) is the main walk-on ferry terminal in downtown Seattle
- A round-trip ferry ride to Bainbridge Island typically takes about 30–40 minutes each way (confirm schedule at the ferry operator)
- Waterfront walks are pleasant year-round but bring an outer layer—Puget Sound breezes can be cool
| Attraction | Access from hotel |
|---|---|
| Ferry terminal (Pier 52) | About 10-minute walk |
| Seattle Aquarium | On the waterfront near Pier 59; walkable from the ferry area |
| Waterfront restaurants and piers | Short walk along the downtown seawall |

Where to eat nearby: Alder & Ash, Vivienne's Bistro and Fountain Wine Bar
If you want to dine without leaving the building, Sheraton Grand Seattle’s Alder & Ash offers New American Pacific Northwest cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Vivienne's Bistro serves Asian-fusion lunch and dinner; and the Fountain Wine Bar focuses on local wine, craft beer, and small plates.
For quick coffee and grab-and-go options, the hotel’s Starbucks marketplace opens early and is convenient for market or museum mornings.
- Alder & Ash hours include breakfast, lunch and dinner service (phone +1 206-486-7699).
- Vivienne's Bistro is open daily for lunch and dinner; reservations are recommended for dinner.
- Fountain Wine Bar hours typically begin in the late afternoon for drinks and light bites.
| Venue | Type | Typical hours |
|---|---|---|
| Alder & Ash | New American restaurant | Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (daily) |
| Vivienne's Bistro | Asian-fusion restaurant | Lunch & Dinner (daily) |
| Fountain Wine Bar | Wine bar and small plates | Afternoon–late night |

Getting around and transit tips
Westlake Station and the downtown transit hub are a short walk from the hotel, making light rail, buses, and the monorail convenient options for getting around Seattle without a car. The Link light rail connects downtown and Sea-Tac Airport with regular service.
If you plan to use ferries or the monorail, allow extra time for walking through downtown streets and for peak-hour lines. The hotel concierge can help with directions and current transit advice.
- Link light rail from downtown to Sea-Tac takes about 35–40 minutes (check operator schedules and fares).
- Westlake Monorail connects downtown Westlake to Seattle Center (Space Needle) with a short ride time; access is a short walk from the hotel.
- For longer day trips (e.g., Snoqualmie Falls or Woodinville wineries), use booked tours or rental transport—those are not walkable from downtown.
| Transit | Notes |
|---|---|
| Link light rail to Sea-Tac | About 35–40 minutes; departs from Westlake/nearby downtown stations |
| Westlake Monorail | Short ride to Seattle Center (Space Needle); short walk to station |
| Ferries | Walk to Pier 52 for walk-on ferry service |
Accessibility and practical tips for your visit
Sheraton Grand Seattle provides accessible routes to public spaces and to the 35th-floor pool/fitness area, including a self-operating pool lift. The hotel also lists mobility-access rooms and hearing-access rooms by specific room name.
Seattle weather can be changeable; bring a light waterproof layer outside of mid-summer. If you want fewer crowds, consider visiting museums or Pike Place Market earlier in the day or in weekday afternoons.
- Pool and fitness center: accessible routes and pool lift available
- Guestrooms: some mobility and hearing-access rooms are available (see Room (Mobility/, Tub) and Room (Mobility/Hearing Access, Roll-in Shwr) listings)
- Wi‑Fi: complimentary in public areas; in-room internet may carry a nightly fee unless you have Marriott Bonvoy status
| Need | Hotel support |
|---|---|
| Accessible pool entry | Self-operating lift / sloped entry listed |
| Accessible rooms | Specific mobility/hearing-access rooms available |
| Fitness equipment | Bi-level fitness center with accessible routes |


