7-Day Seattle & Yellowstone Sightseeing Tour

Welcome to Seattle! After meeting our tour guide at the airport, guests will be taken to the hotel to get some rest. Guests are able to arrange the rest of day on their own. They are also able to join our optional Morning Tour if they arrive at the airport before 12:00 PM or the Night Tour if they arrive before 6:00 PM. Morning Tour: Microsoft Corporate Headquarters - University of Washington Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. You will have a chance to visit the famous Building 92, Microsoft Corporate Headquarters, to learn the fascinating history of one of the world’s largest and most influential company. (Inside tour; tours are subject to closures for private events.) We will also go to the University of Washington, commonly referred to as "UW", a public flagship research university based in Seattle. Founded in 1861, UW is one of the oldest universities on the west coast and features one of the most highly regarded medical schools in the world. A new model for learning, collaborating and problem solving - the Global Innovation Exchange (GIX) has been launched here between two leading research universities, the University of Washington and Tsinghua University, with foundational support from Microsoft. The campus is also known for its beautiful cherry blossoms. Night Tour: Seattle Fisherman Wharf - Kerry Park - Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room We will travel to Seattle Great Wheel, which is a giant Ferris Wheel at Pier 57 on Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington. At an overall height of 175 feet, it was the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast of the United States when it opened on June 29, 2012. Next stop is Kerry Park, where visitors can enjoy a panoramic city view of Seattle. It is a perfect location for photographs and if you want to duplicate a photo of the Space Needle with a backdrop of Mount Rainier you may have seen, this is exactly the spot to take it. In addition, the park was one of the many stops on the finale episode of the third season of Amazing Race.

Drive east from Seattle along the I-90 and we will reach to the Spokane. Spokane is a vibrant city which hosted the first environmentally themed World's Fair at Expo 1974. It is also the 2nd largest city in State of Washington, and it stands as a destination city with its natural beauty. Later the tour continues to Missoula in Montana. We will stop at the 50,000 Silver Dollar collection bar in Western Montana. The largest collection of its kind is displayed in this unique bar. People from all over the world have their names inscribed. We will stay in Missoula hotel in the night.

Itinerary: 
Spokane (40 mins) → Missoula → The 50,000 Silver Dollar (30 mins)

50,000 Silver Dollar Collection Bar
This 50,000 plus Silver Dollar collection was started by Gerry and Marie Lincoln in 1952. Now in their fourth generation, the Lincoln family continues the Silver Dollar collection. People from all over the world have their names inscribed. Over $2500 are embedded in the bar top with the remainder graciously adorning the surrounding walls and ceiling.

Yellowstone National Park spans an area of 3,468 square miles (8,983 square kilometers), located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone National Park is one of the most stunning Wonderlands in the world. The majority of the world’s geysers are preserved here. They are the main reason the park was established in 1872 as America's first national park – an idea that spread worldwide later. Around noon, we will arrive in the Yellowstone and will show you around before go to hotel in Idaho in night.

Itinerary:
Missoula → Yellowstone National Park (Mandatory) → Idaho

Yellowstone National Park
The largest, oldest, and most famous national park displays a fascinating scenery of hot springs, geysers, canyons & waterfalls, and nature everywhere you look! The beauty is beyond the limits of human art and is the most wonderful and spectacular scenery on the surface of the earth.

Dragon's Mouth Spring
Gasses and steam are released deep in the cave, creating pressure bubbles that explode against the roof of the cave. As this occurs, it creates a kind of booming and gurgling noise that is echoed through the cave and can be heard from the boardwalk. 

The Fountain Paint Pot
The Fountain Paint Pot is named after the colorful muds, which are red, yellow and brown. The color varies as the iron components oxidized to different degree. Similar as all other hot springs, the heat in the crater forces pressurized water through the ground where it is expelled.

Old Faithful Geyser
Old Faithful is a cone geyser in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. It is one of the park's most well-known natural features and is famous for its predictability. It generally erupts every 91 minutes.

We will visit Jackson Hole and find the famous Antler Arches of Jackson in the town. It is a unique and gorgeous landmark representing the nearby Elk Reserve. Later we will head to Grand Teton National Park to explore extraordinary wildlife and breathtaking views of landscapes. Grand Teton, at 13,775 feet (4,199 m), is the highest point of the Teton Range.

Later, we will visit Yellowstone National Park again. In the northwest, the Mammoth District features Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace which was formed by the limestone of softer nature. As hot water rises through limestone, large quantities of rock are dissolved by the hot water, and a white chalky mineral is deposited on the surface. The central are Lower Falls and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, presenting breathtaking views of landscapes.  Yellowstone is also pristine mountain-range wilderness and an open refuge for wildlife, including grizzly bear, elk, American bison, moose and wolf. Afternoon, we will drive back to Idaho for accommodation. 

Itinerary: 
Jackson Hole → Antler Arches (30 mins) → Grand Teton National Park (Mandatory, 60 mins) → Yellowstone National Park (Mandatory) → Idaho

Elk Antler Arches Park
Famous frontier town, located at the crossing of Grand Teton and Rocky Mountains, it became a heaven for outdoors sports enthusiast. The widely praised Elk Antler Arches Park, with its four arches made with thousands of elk antlers is a must see.

Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is located in the Rocky Mountains, Northwest Wyoming. Grand Teton National Park is noted for its stunning mountain vistas, its shimmering alpine lakes and its abundant wildlife.

Yellowstone National Park
The largest, oldest, and most famous national park displays a fascinating scenery of hot springs, geysers, canyons & waterfalls, and nature everywhere you look! The beauty is beyond the limits of human art and is the most wonderful and spectacular scenery on the surface of the earth.

Yellowstone Mammoth Hot Springs
Originally, there were several hot springs flowing from hillside, which was dyed by the microbes in the springs, thus performing a splendid step with multiple colors. However, due to a crustal change in 2002, most of the hot springs were no longer active. After the microbes died, they turned into grayish white powder, which remains on the dried steps, reflecting the dazzling sunlight. The barren land has changed with geographic movements, and the place used to be active could suddenly be quiet, and vice versa.

the Grand Prismatic Hot Spring
The Grand Prismatic Spring, with approximately 370 feet (110 m) in diameter and is 160 feet (50 m) deep, which discharges an estimated 560 US gallons (2,100 L) of 160 °F (70 °C) water per minute. It is the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world. The vivid colors in the spring are the result of microbial mats around the edges of the mineral-rich water. The mats produce colors ranging from green to red; the amount of color in the microbial mats depends on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids and on the temperature gradient in the runoff. In the summer, the mats tend to be orange and red, whereas in the winter the mats are usually dark green. The center of the pool is sterile due to extreme heat.

Mud Volcano Area
The Mud Volcano blew itself apart in the early 20th century, but visitors can still see the impressive crater and other geothermal features in the surrounding area, such as the Mud Cauldron, Black Dragon's Caldron, and Dragon's Mouth Spring.

West Thumb Geyser Basin
The West Thumb Geyser Basin is situated at the western edge of a large bay along the shores of Yellowstone Lake. This area is known as the West Thumb caldera which was formed by a volcanic eruption that took place 174,000 years ago. This bay is actually a smaller caldera within the larger Yellowstone caldera. The resulting caldera filled with water, creating the bay. 

Upper Yellowstone Falls
Located a quarter-mile upstream of the larger Lower Falls, the Upper Yellowstone River Falls plunge 109 feet down an eroded lava cliff into the basin below. The area below the falls has been subject to heavier erosion than above.

Lower Yellowstone River Falls
The Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River in Wyoming are the largest by volume in the Rocky Mountains of the western United States, and they stand more than 300 feet tall-- almost twice as high as Niagara Falls.

In the west and southwest, Yellowstone is home to some 10,000 thermal features, over 500 hundred of which are geysers. Today we will visit Norris Geyser Basin. Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest and most changeable thermal area in Yellowstone. We will deeply explore many of the features: Rainbow Colors, hissing steam, and pungent odors combine to create an experience unique in Yellowstone. After that, we will return to Missoula.

Itinerary: 
Yellowstone National Park (Mandatory) → Missoula

Lake Coeur d'Alene will be a highlight of today's trip. You will find the world's longest floating boardwalk. By the shores of beautiful Lake Coeur d'Alene, you will also find the Floating Green golf course, the one and only of its kind. Later we will arrive in Seattle Chinatown.

Itinerary: 
Lake Coeur d'Alene Sightseeing Cruise (Optional, 90 mins) → Passing by the Floating Green golf course → Seattle

Coeur d’Alene
You will find the world’s longest floating boardwalk, located at the Coeur d’Alene Resort. Built in 1986, the boardwalk is over 0.75 mile long and offers rest stops with benches for those who want to savor the amazing lake views, or keep a watch out for osprey or bald eagles. By the shores of beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene, you will also find the Floating Green golf course, the one and only of its kind.

Seattle is a seaport city in Washington State, a commercial center in the northwestern United States, located between King County, Puget Sound and Lake Washington. In many people's minds, it may be the classic movie "Sleepless in Seattle", may be a technology-look landmark Space Needle, may be the strong coffee aroma of the first Starbucks.

Itinerary:
Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center (Optional, 50 mins) → Pike Place Market (45 mins, where first Starbucks located) → Space Needle (Outside View) → MoPOP (Optional, 60 mins) → Chihuly Glass Garden (Optional, 60 mins) → Pioneer Square (Passing by) → The Museum of Flight (Optional, 90 mins)

Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center
Sky View Observatory at Columbia Center, it is one of Seattle's new landmarks and most popular Observatories. Take the elevator to the sightseeing floor and enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of downtown Seattle: the Ferris Wheel, Puget Sound, Space Needle, Microsoft, Mt. Rainier and more. You can also experience the world's most advanced 360-degree full-screen tower elevator experience: full-screen around, upwards it tells the Mt. Rainier, and downwards it tells you about the establishment of the city in Seattle, where you’ll find the perfect panorama to begin your Seattle experience.

Pike Place Market
One of the oldest farmers' markets in the United States, the Pike Place Market first opened in 1909-- more than 100 years ago. The still-thriving market overlooking Elliot Bay sees more than 10 million visitors every year.

Space Needle
This icon of the American Northwest has adorned everything for movie screens to postage stamps. Built in 1961 for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle features outdoor elevators and a rotating restaurant at its top.

MoPOP
The museum is founded by Microsoft co- founder Paul Allen and designed by Avant grade designer Frank Gehryhe, located at the foot of the Space Needle. Its colorful appearance is made up by 3000 pieces of metal means to present the strength of music and the beauty of flowing.

Chihuly Glass Garden
This magnificent garden is an exhibit at the Seattle Center that displays the incredible glassworks of Dale Chihuly. The facility includes a garden, a glasshouse, interior exhibits, and a theater. Inside the glasshouse is a 100 foot long structure.

Pioneer Square
Pioneer Square in southwest Seattle, Washington is both the name of a neighborhood and the name of its central square. The Pioneer Square-Skid Road Historic District is listed on the United States' National Register of Historic Places.

The Museum of Flight
The Museum of Flight is the largest independent, non-profit air and space museum in the world! It is located at the southern end of King County International Airport (Boeing Field), south of Seattle. With over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, tens of thousands of artifacts, millions of rare photographs, dozens of exhibits and experiences and a world-class library, the Museum and its people bring mankind's incredible history of flight to life.