We are considering taking one of the "Ride the Duck" tours in Seattle this summer, because I like the idea of a combination land and water tour. Is this a pretty good tour? Would older teens enjoy it, or is it too "wacky" and geared more to younger kids? If we do this tour, should we buy tickets in advance? Is one time of day better than another (or the waiting time for the tour shorter)? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

We all enjoyed the tour. We only had one full day in Seattle so we did the Underground tour first thing in the morning and the last Duck Tour of the day with Pikes Marketplace etc in between. The houses on the lake are interesting plus there was the old Flash Gorden era looking ferry that somebody hopes to renovate. I think all ages like it. I can't remember if we called ahead for tickets or just showed up. The ticket window was only open just before the tour started. It may not be as popular as the one in Boston. I thought it was a good way to end the day when we were tired from all the walking. Our hotel was within walking distance of the Space Needle. The Duck Tour pickup was nearby.

What is a duck tour?

The "duck tour" is a city tour in an old amphibious (open air but covered) vehicle, which is supposed to be able to move around on land and water. I've seen them advertised in several major cities, but don't know anyone who has taken the tour. Passengers get a noisemaker that quacks like a duck, presumably to aggravate the locals. We want to do some kind of short tour (2 hrs. or less) the first day we are in Seattle. I was hoping someone who had taken one of the tours would answer and let me know if these are too silly to be appreciated by a 17 and 19-yr-old.

We were given a gift certificate for the Ride The Duck tour. Our children were about 8 and 10. The tour was good in the information that was given (we lived in the area) but the wackiness was too much...even the kids were embarrassed. I guess I can't really say yea or nay about it...if you want the information that the guide gives its ok, but thats about it. I personally would not pay for it, and even given the certificate we waited a long time to use it.

mms: If your 8 and 10-year-olds were embarrassed by the tour, then maybe this is not the tour for my teens. Was it just the noisemakers that they didn't like, or what? I am the "goofball" in my family; my kids are at an age where they are trying to act more mature. This trip is for them, so I'm looking for anything I can find that they will enjoy. I suggested the water tour that goes by Bill Gates home, but they didn't seem impressed. My daughter mentioned the Underground Tour, but I am claustrophobic and assumed it would be dirty and dusty. Any suggestions?

My daughter (age 40) did the Seattle duck tour and really enjoyed it. I did the one in Baltimore, and thought it was fun and a good way to see the city. We got duck whistles, but people blew them once and put them away. I plan on doing the Phila duck tour this summer, just to get an orientation to the city. I didn`t think it was too wacky! Go!

dwoodliff--We were asked constantly to quack like a duck at every person who looked at us...and our kids kept trying to hide, lol! My dh is the goofball in our family and even he didn't get into it much. The first 5 or 10 minutes it was funny, but then it just got old. I hate to be a damper on this...but I wouldnt want anyone to take this tour if it wasn't something they would enjoy. Some people really enjoy these things...but it just was not our cup of tea. We never did the underground tour so I don't have any first hand advice on that...except that it is on our list to do when we go back this summer.

I took my son on the Boston duck tour when he was 12. Before our guide started, she told us that she wanted us all to quack at certain points, then said, now I can tell who's not going to quack, starting with that teenager in the back! My son turned beet red, but he quacked dutifully, he was flattered that the tour guide thought he was already a teenager, and thought it was the best part of our trip to Boston. He's not interested in history, so this was the only tour that would have worked for him. I think the tour guides are encouraged to develop their own wacky personalities and some are probably more effective than others. I'd recommend the tour to anyone with a tolerance for a goofy sense of humor.

Maybe it depends on the driver you get. Also, the underground tour is dusty and while it`s not dark, it isn`t light either.