EAT / PLAY / VACAY with kids
Family
Adventure Hit the Road! Funky Family Road Trips for Safe Summer Adventuring Say Cheese: 5 Instagram-Worthy Selfie Spots Around Seattle Mount Rainier Hikes Suitable for Every Mini Mountaineer Perfect Summer Festivals and Events for Fams 5 Clever Road Trip Games for Kids
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Touch the water at the NEW Pier 62
1.2 miles of family fun at your Seattle waterfront
Park FREE at your Seattle waterfront*
EXPLORE YOUR WATERFRONT * Get
up to 3 hours FREE parking in Pike Garage with purchase on waterfront
Open air seating at your Seattle waterfront
Search for the Kraken at your Seattle waterfront
A day of water, views, community & fun SeattleWaterfront.org
Visit the
Award-Winning
Children’s Museum On Olympia’s East Bay Waterfront
INSPIRED LEARNING
it!
w
Ne
ib Exh
Photo from El Dorado Boulders Photos taken pre Covid-19
Big Adventures Bouldering the Beach Exhibit Pan for Treasures • Climb the Rock Wall Dig for Dinos • Scribble Stones
Explore
150 Exhibits • MakeSpace • Art Studio Outdoor Discovery Center 414 Jefferson St. NE • Olympia, WA 98501 • (360) 956-0818 • www.hocm.org 4 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M
C ONTENTS
Family Adventure
Summer 2021
Hit the Road! Funky Family Road Trips for Summer Adventuring 7 3 scenic road trips around Washington, from Glacier Peak to Grand Coulee Your Road Trip ‘Game’ Plan 13 5 clever ‘I Spy’ alternatives to keep your backseat passengers entertained
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Destination: The Mountain 17 Easy and jaw-dropping Mount Rainier trails for every mini mountaineer 5 Instagram-Worthy Spots Around Seattle to Visit With Kids Shoot fun photos for your followers at these quirky landmarks
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Photo by Nancy Chaney
Fabulous Family Fests 27 Our sampler of perfectfor-families outdoor fairs and festivals for summer 2021
PARENTMAP.COM
EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Patty Lindley OUT + ABOUT EDITOR Nancy Chaney DIGITAL CONTENT EDITOR Vicky McDonald FAMILY ADVENTURE SUMMER 2021
PUBLISHER
Alayne Sulkin
Lure the kids off their screens for a visit to some of Seattle’s unique and highly Instagrammable landmarks.
DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Nicole Persun OUT + ABOUT EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Devon Hammer COPY EDITOR Sunny Parsons
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CONTRIBUTORS Gemma Alexander, Lauren Braden, Nancy Chaney, Catherine Ryan Gregory, Tiffany Doerr Guerzon, Elisa Murray
DIGITAL MARKETING DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Lindsey Carter EMAIL + SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Angelica Lai DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR Taryn Weiner
See 1,000-year-old trees in the Grove of the Patriarchs, explore a homestead cabin, see hot springs and experience the glory of wildflowers.
ADVERTISING SALES + PARTNERSHIPS SENIOR ADVERTISING AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER Ida Wicklund ADVERTISING PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER Jen Dine ADVERTISING CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER Jessica Collet ADVERTISING CLIENT SERVICES ASSISTANT Angela Goodwin CLIENT SERVICES PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Mallory Dehbod
Photo by Kelly Selzler Photography
EVENTS EVENT OPERATIONS Brenna McCown
ART + PRODUCTION SENIOR DESIGNER Amy Chinn
ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Carolyn Brendel
FA M I LY A D V E N T U R E / 5
FINDS A CLAM. TRIES ONE AT DINNER. PROGRESS. MILESTONES, JUST A FEW MILES AWAY.
Only two hours from Seattle, Semiahmoo is the perfect place to experience the moments with your kids that you live for. And with award-winning golf, casual seaside dining, and endless beach activities, you can try something new, too.
Visit Semiahmoo.com or call 360.318.2000.
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HIT THE ROAD! Funky Family Road Trips From Seattle 3 scenic road trips around Washington, from Glacier Peak to Grand Coulee By Lauren Braden
For many family vacations these days, the destination is taking a backseat to the actual journey. The pandemic has brought back the family road trip, with everyone piling into the car and hitting the open road for family adventure. On these types of trips, we orient our kids to the travel of our youth, strengthen our bonds (and squabble over what’s on the radio), and make memories of mileposts and milkshakes. Let’s go! These three driving routes from the Seattle area will immerse you in the heart and soul of Northwest landscapes and communities. You’ll feel the spray of
waterfalls, smell the desert sage, stop at funky attractions for fun photo ops and fill up on fantastic roadside eats. Each stop is handpicked to introduce a unique experience to your trip.
1. The mountain loop
Distance from Seattle: 175 miles round trip, 4.5 hours of driving time There’s gold in them thar hills! Known for bluegrass music, a rich mining history and occasional Sasquatch sightings, the Mountain Loop Highway brings you to the wilderness gateway FA M I LY A D V E N T U R E / 7
H I T THE R OAD
continued from page 7
to Glacier Peak, one of our region’s most active volcanoes. This Washington scenic byway is peppered with tight-knit communities that depend on tourism for their economies — a fact that was made especially poignant with the massive mudslide that ripped through Oso in 2014. Much of the route follows the old Everett and Monte Cristo Railway, and many relics of the mining era remain in its vicinity. THE ROUTE: From Seattle, head north on State Route 522 through Snohomish, then east on SR 92 to Granite Falls and the Mountain Loop Highway. The road twists and turns through the emerald canyons of the central Cascades until you reach Darrington. From Darrington, head west on SR 530 to return home via Interstate 5. STOPS ALONG THE WAY Mile 29: Proper Joe Coffeehouse (Snohomish): Here’s your morning pit stop for lattes (the proprietors roast their own beans) and gluten-free muffins. Mile 45: Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America (Granite Falls): This Shinto shrine on the Pilchuck River is the only one of its kind in the continental United States. It has lovely grounds and some unique elements, including hanging omikuji, or fortune-telling paper strips. (Editor’s note: The shrine and grounds are currently closed. Check the website for up-to-date status info.) Mile 46: Granite Falls Historical Museum (Granite Falls): Wondering how much gold was really in those hills, or why the railway to Monte Cristo was scrapped? Find the answers here. (Open Sundays, noon–5 p.m. or by appointment, 360691-2603.) 8 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M
Mile 47: Lime Kiln Trail/Robe Canyon Historic Park (Granite Falls): This easy trail follows the Stillaguamish River along the long-gone Everett and Monte Cristo Railway, built in the 1890s. Look for artifacts of the limestone mining era all along the trail, from moss-cloaked saw blades to a 20-foot-tall lime kiln. Turn around at the kiln and you’ll have traversed 5 miles round trip. Mile 47: Playa Bonita Mexican Restaurant (Granite Falls): Fill your bellies with family favorites at this popular local spot. Mile 100: Old Sauk River Trail (Darrington): This easy trail meanders through a mossy wonderland alongside the beautiful Sauk River. The first portion of the trail is gravel and can be hiked with a stroller. Mile 117: Boulder River Trail (Oso): If towering, moss-draped trees and pounding waterfalls are your thing, you’ll love this trail because it has plenty of both. The second waterfall, just over a mile in, is a good turnaround point.
WHERE TO STAY Paca Pride Guest Ranch (Granite Falls): If your kids are into camping in yurts and petting alpacas, stay here. Darrington Motor Inn (Darrington): It’s one of the few hotels in the area and nothing fancy, but the rooms are clean and some have kitchenettes (360-436-1776).
2. Wenatchee Valley to Lake Chelan
Distance from Seattle: 180 miles each way, 3.5 hours of driving time Get an early start for this one, grabbing a hearty breakfast before spending the rest of the day sampling fresh fruit at roadside stands as you drive through the orchard-lined Wenatchee Valley. Get apples and pears in fall, and cherries, peaches and plums in summer. Take note: In summer you’ll want to hit Lake Chelan’s popular Slidewaters Waterpark (slidewaters.com).
THE ROUTE: From Seattle, head north on SR 522 through Snohomish, then take U.S. Highway 2 east through the heart of the Cascade Mountains all the way to Wenatchee. From there, choose U.S. Hwy. 97 Alternate north to Lake Chelan. STOPS ALONG THE WAY Mile 24: Maltby Café (Snohomish): Find favorites such as country-style eggs Benedict, old-fashioned oatmeal with marionberries, and mammoth cinnamon rolls. Mile 75: Deception Falls (Stevens Pass): Stop to stretch your legs by taking a walk along the short interpretive trail — feel the cool mist from this tumbling, tiered waterfall. Mile 118: München Haus (Leavenworth): Enjoy German bratwurst with spicy mustard and apple-cider kraut in the courtyard at Leavenworth’s essential nosh stop. Mile 121: Smallwood’s Harvest (Peshastin): Moo! This kidoriented farm stand has a cow train, a petting zoo and freshly picked fruit for sale. Mile 130: Aplets & Cotlets (Cashmere): It’s a real candy factory, where the workers make and sort pretty confections on conveyor belts and stir piping-hot vats of sweet ingredients. Visit soon! Liberty Orchards, the maker of Aplets & Cotlets, is reportedly closing up shop for good this summer, after more than 100 years in operation. Mile 150: Pybus Public Market (Wenatchee): Shop here for the best local produce and artisan goods around. ► Deception Falls
ONE OF THE 10 BEST BOTANICAL GARDENS IN THE U.S. — USA Today, 2020
A short ferry ride from downtown Seattle, there is a place where kids (and adults) of all ages can discover the wonders of Nature. Step into the ever-changing landscapes of Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island—150 acres of sculpted gardens, blooming meadows, verdant forests, water, wildlife, and comfortable trails designed especially for exploring the beauty that is the Pacific Northwest. Come discover what a walk in the woods can do. Book your visit at bloedelreserve.org/tickets.
OPEN TUES–SUN | 206–842–7631 | bloedelreserve.org FA M I LY A D V E N T U R E / 9
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WHERE TO STAY Comfort Suites (Wenatchee): Familyfriendly suites make this a top pick in Wenatchee. Campbell’s Resort (Chelan): This familyrun resort offers an old-school vacation vibe right on the shore of Lake Chelan.
3. Grand Coulee
Distance from Seattle: 263 miles one way, 4.5 hours of driving time Eastern Washington provides a stark landscape for a family road trip, but the craggy, sage-dotted hills are punctuated by oases, from floodcarved lakes to the mighty Columbia River, and a smattering of interesting rural towns. This trip also showcases
the chance to learn about the region’s renewable energy sources. THE ROUTE: From Seattle, head east on I-90 over the Columbia River as far as the tiny town of George, where you’ll turn north toward Quincy. From Quincy, take SR 28 east to Soap Lake, where you’ll change to SR 17, then follow SR 155 north to the Grand Coulee Dam. STOPS ALONG THE WAY Mile 83: Cle Elum Bakery (Cle Elum): Refuel with a maple-frosted cinnamon roll at this family-run favorite. Mile 101: Thorp Fruit and Antique Mall (Thorp): From the highway, look for the giant barn that screams “Cherries! Peaches!” Stock up on locally grown
fruit and other goodies for your afternoon hike. Mile 115: Olmstead Place Historical State Park (Ellensburg): Take a step back in time to Central Washington’s pioneer history on this 217-acre farm homestead first settled in 1875. (Discover Pass required.) Mile 135: Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility and Renewable Energy Center (Ellensburg): You’ve seen the giant wind turbines; now you can tour this modern visitor center to find out how wind and sun are sustainably turned into electricity. (Editor’s note: The visitor center is currently closed, but families can explore the outdoor areas and exhibits.) Mile 155: Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park (Vantage): This ancient fossil
SHOP
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Discover the beauty of Anacortes, the crown jewel of Fidalgo Island. Explore our beaches, marinas, lakes and forestlands, or stroll through the fine boutiques and cafés in our vintage downtown. Enjoy live music, community theatre, festivals and more! Click or call to learn more | anacortes.org | (360) 293-3832 1 0 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M
forest is located on the western shore of the Columbia River. A short trail leads to petroglyphs, and inside the interpretive center kids can see and handle real petrified wood. (Discover Pass required.) Mile 163: Wild Horses Monument (Vantage): On a bluff above the Columbia River gallop these huge wild horses, a sculpture installation created by Spokane artist David Govedare using welded steel plates. Mile 185: Ancient Lakes Trail (Quincy): This easy 5-mile hike features scalloped hills of sage and coulee walls surrounding azure lakes, which are connected via stream waterfalls. (Discover Pass required.) Mile 264: Steamboat Rock State Park (Electric City): Visit this popular state park and take a short hike among desert wildflowers, with the fragrance of sagebrush whipping in the warm wind. (Discover Pass required.) Mile 274: Grand Coulee Dam (Grand Coulee): Kids will love learning about the ins and outs of hydropower and the massive dam’s unique history at the interactive visitor center. Stay until sundown to see the phenomenal laser light show. (Editor’s note: Tours and laser light shows are currently suspended; call 509-633-9265 for updates.) WHERE TO STAY Sunbanks Lake Resort (Electric City): This vintage resort is known for family fun in the sun, from sandy beach strolls to golf. Choose from lakeside cabins or villas. SageCliffe Resort & Spa (Quincy): Book a desert yurt at this pretty spot, formerly called Cave B Resort. Steamboat Rock State Park Campground (Electric City): Pitch a tent on the shores of Banks Lake in the shadow of a columnar basalt bluff; a few of the campsites are first-come, first-served.
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WHO WILL SPOT YOU AT THE ZOO? Reserve your ticket today. www.zoo.org
Lauren Braden is a Pacific Northwest writer who focuses on recreation and local travel. She blogs at nwtripfinder.com. FA M I LY A D V E N T U R E / 1 1
Questing for
SUMMER FUN? Join us for science experiments, arts and more!
In-person Camps amps Half-day and full-day day in-person oups for safety. camps in small groups vailable. Limited number available.
Museum Visits sits Summer hours will be extended, d with evenings and all day Sundays! or new details. Visit our website for
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Your Road Trip Game Plan 5 clever games to keep your backseat passengers entertained By Catherine Ryan Gregory
While you definitely want to plan memorable stops along your road trip route, you also want to enjoy all the miles in between. I can attest from personal experience that repeat rounds of I Spy won’t quite cut it. That’s why I pulled my family’s five favorite games from my book “Road Trip Games & Activities for Kids” to share with you here. I included adaptations so that everyone, from toddlers to teens, can join in. With a fresh mix of games, the journey will be as fun as the destination. Fortunately, Unfortunately This is my kids’ all-time favorite game. They crack themselves up by turning every “unfortunately” into a scenario in which the main character gets chased by baboons. (I have a visceral fear of those creepy primates. Shudder.) How to play: One person starts the game with a sentence that begins the story. It could be something mundane, such as “One day, my dog barked at the garbage truck,” or as extraordinary as “Earlier this morning, I became a mermaid.” The next person adds to the story with
Catherine Ryan Gregory and her daughters
a sentence that begins “Unfortunately … .” It will contain a scenario that turns the story for the worse. The next person continues with a sentence beginning with “Fortunately … ” that somehow reverses the bad luck of the previous sentence. Anyone can stop the game by announcing “The end” when it’s their turn. Here’s hoping baboons never make it into your game! Make it easier If your kids are having a hard time with the fortunately/unfortunately vocab,
use good news/bad news instead. For example, they could say, “Good news: The avalanche was made of ice cream!” and “Bad news: I didn’t have a spoon.” Make it harder To make this open-ended storytelling game harder, have it come full circle. So, if the story started with a pirate lifting anchor on her first voyage, the game won’t end until she returns to the original port. Nickel Scenery My daughter Maxine has an insatiable desire for toys, so she’s constantly saving up for a cheetah stuffie or a FA M I LY A D V E N T U R E / 1 3
R OAD TRI P G AME P L AN
That’s because the rules are that no one can say “yes” or “no,” but can use synonyms (yep, aye, nah, nope). How to play: Go about your drive as you would normally. Listen for when someone else says one of the offlimits words. If you’re the first person to point it out, you get 10 points. If you accidentally said the word that shall not be named, you lose 5 points. You can try to get each other to say “yes” or “no” by asking questions that don’t seem related to the game. Pay attention at all times, especially if you’re asked at the drive-through if you want ketchup with your fries. continued from page 13
Toothless toy. I’m betting your kids are eager to fill their piggy banks, too, which is one reason they’ll love this game. How to play: As you drive, call out objects your kids will be able to see out the window — a barn, mile marker, billboard advertising a hamburger, car with a stuffed animal in its back window — whatever! The first person to see it earns a nickel. Continue as long as you still have change! Make it easier Look down the road for an object that will appear in a few seconds. Your kids will love the immediacy of finding it right away. If your kids want everything to be equal (in which case, I so feel you), pick objects on alternating sides of the road. 1 4 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M
That way, the kids end up with the same number of nickels. Make it harder Instead of naming the object the kids are hunting for, give them a clue about it. So instead of saying “hay bale,” you could say, “It’s something that makes Mom sneeze” or “It’s a big hunk of horse food.” Yes/No “Are we there yet?” “No.” “Can I have another bag of Skittles?” “No.” “Can we leave Sister at the next rest stop?” “No.” Your kids may not love it when you shoot down their requests, but with this game, they won’t hear the word no — or yes, for that matter.
Make it easier Before you begin, brainstorm words you can say instead of “no” or “yes.” Make it harder Instead of playing for points, the person who catches someone saying a banned word gets to make up a new rule. For example, they might decide that no one can point or everyone has to spin around before getting into the car. Categories In this game, your kids get to show off their encyclopedic knowledge of their favorite interests. How to play: One person starts by choosing a category, such as breeds of dogs, things that are hot or professional baseball teams. Going in a clockwise direction, each person states one item that fits the
chosen category. Remember the items everyone before you has named, because if you repeat one of them, you’re out! If you’re stumped, you’re out. The last remaining player is the winner. Make it easier Be sure to pick categories your kids will know. For example, my younger daughter, Maxine, doesn’t know which animals are mammals, so I wouldn’t choose mammals as a category. Make it harder Want to engage your whole brain? Play Categories while keeping a rhythm (pat lap, pat lap, clap, snap! and say the item on the snap). Start to End Geography You’re on the road, so kids are soaking up geography facts … or at least the difference between a state and a country. (My kids are still working on that distinction.) How to play: One person begins this game by naming a place. This can be a country, state, city, river or other geographic feature. The last letter of that place must be the first letter of the place the next player names. So, if the first person names Kentucky, the final letter is “y.” The next person thinks of a place that begins with “y,” such as Yemen. The next player comes up with a place that starts with “n,” and so on. Make it easier Young kids who struggle with geography can say any word that begins with the final letter of the previous place name. Make it harder Geography whizzes can stick with one category, such as bodies of water, places in South America or capital cities.
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Catherine Ryan Gregory shares family travel tips and recommendations for kid-friendly destinations at To and Fro Fam (toandfrofam.com).
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DESTINATION:
The Mountain
Photo courtesy Kelly Selzler Photography
5 easy Mount Rainier trails for your mini mountaineers By Tiffany Doerr Guerzon Visiting iconic Mount Rainier should be on every Washington family’s summer bucket list. But have you put it off because it seems too hard to explore with kids? We’ve got good news for you! There are plenty of short, easy trails with stunning alpine views that can be hiked and walked with wee ones, even those in strollers on some of the trails. Gawk up at 1,000-year-old trees in the Grove of the Patriarchs, explore a homestead cabin, see hot springs, and experience the glory of wildflowers and crisp alpine air. These are all summer hikes,
so check to be sure the area you want to visit is open before heading out (nps.gov). Nisqually Vista Trail • 1.2 miles round trip This paved loop offers views of the Nisqually River valley and Nisqually Glacier. This is also one of the “flower trails,” so be sure to pick up a map at the visitor center to guide you. Wander the trails and enjoy the wildflowers, but don’t pick any! Park in the lower lot and find the trailhead at the Photo courtesy Visit Rainier FA M I LY A D V E N T U R E / 17
M T. RA I N I ER continued from page 17
western end of the lot. Go up the stone stairs to the stroller-friendly paved path. Skyline Trail to Myrtle Falls • 1 mile round trip This short, paved path leads to one of the most photographed spots in the park, Myrtle Falls. This horsetail waterfall plunges 72 feet into a gorge carved by Edith Creek. Although the trail is fine for strollers, the path down to the viewpoint is very steep, and you might have to take turns going down there without the stroller. Park in the lot at the Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center at Paradise, and from there take the Skyline Trail east.
** REOPENING JUNE 2, 2021! ** 15,000+ Square Feet Hands-on Exhibits Art Studio
Pre-School
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Limited Hours Timed & Ticketed Sessions
See website for tickets, hours, details & current information
The Children’s Museum will reopen on June 2, 2021 at The Shops at Burlington. Reservations & masks required for admission.
Located in Burlington, WA :: Tel: 360.757.8888
www.SkagitChildrensMuseum.net VisitBurlingtonWA.com 1 8 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M
VisitSkagitValley.com
Trail of the Shadows • 0.7 mile round trip This short path is perfect for everyone, and navigable by wheelchair and stroller. The trailhead is easy to Photo courtesy Visit Rainier access by parking behind the National Park Inn and then crossing the street. Kids can gain some insight into homesteading life by exploring the preserved cabin of James Longmire. Along the way, you will also see two rock-enclosed hot springs: Soda Springs and Iron Mike, the latter named for its rust-colored water. Don’t let the kids play in or drink the water! Other sights include a marsh, a travertine mound, a creek and the foundation of a hotel where people stayed in the 1890s to bathe in the springs, which were thought to have healing benefits. Grove of the Patriarchs • 1.3 miles round trip This magical hike takes you across a suspension Photo courtesy Visit Rainier
bridge to an island in the Ohanapecosh River populated by an ancient forest. The island location sheltered these trees from fire, and some of them are over 1,000 years old. Douglas firs, western hemlocks and western red cedars reach high into the sky, many with a circumference of 25 or even 50 feet. This loop trail offers interpretive signs about the plants and trees. With no elevation gain, this hike is for (almost) everyone. A note on the suspension bridge: Only one adult can cross at a time, but a parent can cross with their small child. Park at the Stevens Canyon southeast entrance.
Silver Forest Trail • 2.4 miles round trip At 6,200 feet, Sunrise is the highest point accessible by car on Mount Rainier. Due to snow accumulation, it opens later in the season, usually in late July. Here you will find a visitor center offering educational exhibits and ranger-guided tours. From the center, you can access several trails that are family- and kid-friendly, including the Silver Forest Trail. This trail is flat and offers views of wildflowers, the mountain, silvery trees that met their demise in previous weather events and fires, and the Emmons Glacier. This is a less crowded trail, a good choice if you don’t want lots of company.
Silver Forest Trail Photo courtesy Mt. Rainier NPS
More Mount Rainier resources for families The Visit Rainier website hosts a series of “family edition” travel guides and itineraries for each of the four seasons. To see the 2021 spring and summer
ITSAP? SAILING INsaTiloOrsK or mermaids Bring your little
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editions, go to visitrainier.com/vacation-planners. The Junior Ranger program at Mount Rainier National Park (nps.gov/kids) is a great way to introduce kids to “The Mountain.” Youths 12 and older and adults can undertake Citizen Ranger Quests, which are do-it-yourself activities and adventures that can earn participants a certificate and patch.
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the
history and culture
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Tiffany Doerr Guerzon is a freelance writer, the mother of three children and author of “Save Money on Groceries by Going Back to Basics.”
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
A well-laid plan will make the trip more enjoyable for the entire family. • You’ll need a National Parks pass for these excursions, unless you time your visit on a feefree park day (visitrainier.com/fee-free). • Always remember to bring along the 10 essentials (wta.org/ten-essentials) on any hike and check hiker trip reports on the Washington Trails Association website (wta.org) to assess current trail conditions for your intended destination. • Dogs aren’t allowed, so leave your fur baby at home. • Pack snacks and adequate amounts of water or even a picnic for the family (consult a list of designated picnic areas at visitrainier.com/ picnics-in-the-park). • Help preserve the meadows by staying on the trails (even though it is tempting to go off trail for photo ops) and by not picking the wildflowers. • The bathrooms were open last summer and are expected to be open to visitors this summer as well. • During peak times and days, there can be a long line to get into the park — and to a restroom. The last public restroom for 17 miles before you reach the facilities inside the park is at the rest stop on State Route 7 in Elbe. If you have little ones (or even big kids), stop there just in case!
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connects
Ask your smart speaker to
“PLAY KNKX”
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5 Instagram-Worthy Spots
Around Seattle to Visit With Kids Shoot fun photos for your followers at these unusual Seattle-area landmarks By Nancy Chaney A trip to a new playground never fails to thrill the preschool set, but when kids get older, they become decidedly harder to please. It takes something special to lure tweens and teens away from their screens. Entice them out of the house for a visit to some of Seattle’s unique and highly Instagrammable landmarks. For those finicky tweens or teens, visitors or newcomers to Seattle, or anyone who likes to take memorable photos for their followers, we’ve selected five unusual and Instagramworthy spots.
“Crow With Fries” in Auburn’s Les Gove Park. Photo by Nancy Chaney
The Fremont Troll
This troll lives under a bridge, but he’s not looking to snack on billy goats. Instead, the kinda fierce, kinda friendly Fremont Troll poses with you for photos, staring with his hubcap eye and clutching — yes, it’s real — a Volkswagen Bug. The Fremont Troll
Save time after taking your photos
to stroll around the Fremont neighborhood, which bills itself as The Center of the Universe, and you’ll catch a glimpse of other unusual landmarks. You might spot a towering statue of Vladimir Lenin, a rocket ready for takeoff or a leafy-green apatosaurus mom and her baby. ►
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Everybody loves a train ride.
Current COVID19 saftey requirements apply
Fun for all ages. > Ride the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad > Explore exhibits, train cars and railroad equipment at the historic Snoqualmie Depot > See and learn about railroad history and trains of all sizes at the Train Shed Exhibit Hall > Walk the Centennial Trail Online ticket sales only. Visit TrainMuseum.org to reserve your spot today.
Exhibits | Excursions | Experiences 2 4 / PA R E N T M A P. C O M
I N STAG RAM -WO RT HY S P OTS continued from page 23
Hat n’ Boots
The Georgetown neighborhood is full of Seattle history, but there’s nothing more spectacular than the Hat n’ Boots, a 44-footwide orange cowboy hat and a 22-foot-tall pair of blue cowboy boots. These relics were once part of a Photo by Nancy Chaney popular gas station in the area, and luckily for us, they were saved and installed at petite Oxbow Park. Set up your shot with the hat “on” your head, scramble onto the boots or choose an angle to get the set together in the frame. Airplane buffs will love how the planes fly in low and loud to land at nearby Boeing Field. Wander the neighborhood to inspect its historic buildings and mixture of industry and homes. If you’re there on a weekend, stop by the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall.
The Gum Wall
Hilarious or disgusting? You’ll want to take a very close look at Seattle’s famous Gum Wall to decide for yourself. Wow, that’s a lot of ABC (already been chewed) gum collected in one place! Reportedly, The Gum Wall got started when people waiting to get into a nearby club had to leave their gum behind. All the gum was cleaned off a few years ago, but not to worry, it’s back. Buy some gum at a nearby Pike Place Market merchant to make your own deposit and snap a shot.
Iconic Pike Place Market offers loads more fun for all ages: Pose on Rachel the Pig, gobble up some mini doughnuts and seek out the giant squid in the atrium.
After you’ve taken your pics, explore the rest of the park to find the carrot trees, head-shaped rocks, playground and climbing wall.
‘Crow With Fries’
The Two-Hump Camels
Public art doesn’t have to be highbrow, mysterious or full of itself. “Crow With Fries,” a sculpture that looks just as its title describes, laughs (and caws) along with kids, park visitors and passersby from its perch in Auburn’s Les Gove Park. You’d do a doubletake for sure if you happened upon this shiny black corvid munching on a french fry — unless you were looking for it — which you should, of course, to snap your one-of-a-kind Instagram shot.
see you
A pair of stately Bactrian camels sits outside the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) in Volunteer Park, always ready to make an appearance in your selfie. As any camel aficionado will tell you, Bactrian camels have two humps, they live in Asia, and there aren’t many left. (Their one-humped camel cousins, dromedaries, are far more populous.) Fun fact: The original camels were moved indoors to the Seattle Art Museum downtown in 1991, and the current
camels outside SAAM are replicas. Volunteer Park delivers a twofer of spots demanding to be on Instagram: Stop for a closeup with the famous “Black Sun” sculpture by Isamu Noguchi, which invites you to climb into its hole or frame the Space Needle with it. While away the rest of the afternoon visiting the museum (which reopens with limited capacity to members on May 7 and to the public on May 28), touring the Volunteer Park Conservatory (still closed at press time), climbing the water tower or playing on the playground.
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Nancy Chaney is ParentMap’s Out + About editor.
at the auburn
ACCEPTING
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Looking for a new activity, sport or unique camp this summer? Beat the heat in Learn-to-Skate group classes! June 1-21 • June 28-July 25 • July 26-Aug 22
Join the fun in CAMP CHILL!
June 21-25 • July 19-23 • August 16-20 Brand new ice rink in Snoqualmie
Ice skating & hockey classes for children (3 & up), teens & adults
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They’re Back! Perfect summer festivals and events for families Elisa Murray, Gemma Alexander and Patty Lindley contributed to this article. When you’re raising kids, the days are long but the years are short, so you’ve got to plan carefully to hit some of our area’s signature annual events while your kids are still young enough to want to go with you. Planning well in advance is even more necessary as we navigate our collective way out of a pandemic! To help you begin making plans, we’ve put together a sampler of the area’s amazing array of fairs and festivals happening throughout the summer. Remember: Sometimes even the bestlaid plans go sideways, so check in on festival dates and venues before going.
Opening day of boating season Photo courtesy The Serious Charterer
MAY
Opening Day of Boating Season • seattleyachtclub.org May 1 Watching elaborately festooned boats parade through the Montlake Cut has marked the official start of the boating season in Seattle for a century. While there will be no on-the-water participation this year, event sponsor Seattle Yacht Club is organizing a virtual parade, which will feature judging of submitted videos and photos from the boating community. Syttende Mai • 17thofmay.org On May 17 of every year for the past 130 years — with the exception of 2020’s pandemic suspension of events — Ballard has flown its Scandinavian colors high at this popular historic festival and parade, one of the largest celebrations to take place outside of Norway. This year’s event, still in the planning stages at press time, will feature a host of virtual events, including a luncheon, musical performances and more.
Northwest Folklife Festival • nwfolklife.org May 28–31 For many Seattle-area families, Memorial Day weekend’s Northwest Folklife Festival marks the official beginning of summer, even if there are still weeks of school left. In a typical (read: non-pandemic) year, this pinnacle festival of the Northwest Folklife nonprofit arts organization attracts thousands of family-friendly FA M I LY A D V E N T U R E / 2 7
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performers and hundreds of vendors representing more than 100 cultural traditions to the Seattle Center campus. Now in its 50th year, the event moves online for 2021; check the website for a full list of participating artists.
displays, live music and special kids’ activities last all weekend. Seattle Pride • seattlepride.org June 26–27
JUNE
Free Fishing Weekend • wdfw.wa.gov June 12–13 For this annual event, always held on the first weekend after the first Monday in June, Washington state waives its fishing license requirement for those two days. Fremont Solstice Parade & Fair • fremontfair.com June 19–20 This famous artsy-quirky festival stars
Seattle Pride
a free-spirited parade (be prepared for kids asking questions about naked cyclists), followed by special activities just for kids and families. This event is free, but be sure to bring pocket money to enjoy food and to browse unique and whimsical offerings from hundreds of participating craft vendors. The marketplace, street performers, art car
The annual Seattle Pride festivities are a joyful expression of our shared humanity. The theme of this year’s LGBTQIA+ Virtual Pride celebration is “Resilience.” The event will be hosted by popular drag performer Betty Wetter and feature speakers, panel discussions, games and performing artists.
JULY
Seafair • seafair.org Activities begin in early July and spill into August continued on page 30
IT’S TIME TO PLAY!
• Fun with your friends • Gather your family • Great for date night • Weekend fun • In person or virtual
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T-MOBILE PARK TOURS Take your experience to the next level.
Fun BALLPARK TOURS Year-round tours are available at T-Mobile Park, the spectacular home of the Seattle Mariners. The 19.59 acre outdoor ballpark features real grass, a retractable roof and state-of-the-art amenities. Bring your camera and take a “behind the seams” tour including areas normally restricted to the public such as the Press Box, Owners Suite, Field, Dugouts, Visitors Clubhouse, All-Star Club, and more. (All areas of the ballpark are subject to availability based on ballpark activities.)
For
All Northwest Washington Fair - Jansen Art Center
BIRTHDAY PARTIES Parents should enjoy their child’s birthday party as much as the kids…and you can… when you host it at T-Mobile Park! The lineup includes a ballpark tour with stops on the field and at the playground, food and festivities in a group suite, and a final surprise with your child’s name on the Out-of-Town Scoreboard. For extra fun, add a Mariner Moose appearance or test your skills at the batting cage. The only thing to worry about with this party is how you will top it next year.
Bellewood Farms - Pioneer Museum - Shopping Homestead Golf Club - Farmers Day Parade Drive Through Zoo - Lynden Skateway - Farm Loop Million Smiles Park - Mt Baker Recreation Area Raspberry Festival - Northwood Casino - PRCA Rodeo Antiquing - SIMA Go Karting - Mt Baker Winery
Mariners.com/Tours 100 5th Street, Lynden, WA
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360/746-8597
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This old-timey maritime festival has grown to encompass most Seattle neighborhoods and many towns outside the city. Signature events include parades and street fairs, fireworks (July 4), the Milk Carton Derby at Green Lake (July 17), the Torchlight Run and Parade (July 31) and the Blue Angels air show (Aug. 6–8).
book online! families kid drop off camps birthdays
King County Fair • kingcofair.com July 15–18 The oldest fair west of the Mississippi, the King County Fair was founded in 1863. This year’s modified fair promises plenty of inexpensive and good old-fashioned family fun in the barns and rodeo arena and on the midways and the main stage.
bainbridge island, wa | scrappyartlab.com | 206.451.4655
SandBlast Festival of the Arts • duvallarts.org Late July date TBA Duvall’s biggest summer festival showcases an international sand sculptor creating a work in real time; also planned are bands performing live, a theater performance, an art fair and more.
AUGUST
Free Comic Book Day • freecomicbookday.com Aug. 14 Pick up a free comic book — 50 titles have been selected by a committee in celebration of this event’s 20th anniversary — and have fun checking out the free activities taking place at participating local comic shops.
We're Open! We're Open! Check out our website for the latest offerings Check out our website for the latest offerings
• Birthday Parties • Open Jumps • Birthday Parties Field Trips • Open Camp Jumps & more! • Field Trips • Camp & more!
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GO FLY A KITE!
Save these dates for upcoming regional kiteflying events in 2021: • Kite Festival at Chambers Creek Regional Park, University Place (co.pierce.wa.us): Check the website for spring and summer 2021 dates. • Washington State International Kite Festival, Long Beach (kitefestival.com): Aug. 16–22, 2021 • Whidbey Island Kite Festival, Coupeville (whidbeykites.org): Tentative dates for 2021 are Sept. 18–19.
Salmon Seeson • parentmap.com/ salmon August–November Get a spectacular look into the life cycle of our iconic fish as they return to spawn in streams and rivers around Puget Sound. Take a self-guided tour at viewing sites near you or tour virtually from home!
Washington State Fair • thefair.com Sept. 3–26 Formerly called the Puyallup Fair, this is the fair for people who think too much is not enough. An annual rite of passage for many families, the fair includes plenty of carnival rides, animal encounters, a rodeo, monster truck jams and other great entertainment for kids.
SEPTEMBER
Bumbershoot used to be as rock-solid a tradition to end the summer as Folklife is to begin it. But nobody is quite sure what to expect this year. (At press time, festival operations were still being evaluated for 2021 and beyond.) But just in case, here is a short list of other festivals held over Labor Day weekend to guarantee a festive end to your summer:
Evergreen State Fair • evergreenfair.org Aug. 26–Sept. 6 The Evergreen State Fair in Monroe is where you go for an old-fashioned county fair experience, including animals on exhibit, midway rides and a rodeo. This year’s theme is an apt one: “Back in the Saddle Again.”
Welcome Back!
Bremerton Blackberry Festival • blackberryfestival.org Sept. 4–6 Only in the Pacific Northwest could a boardwalk berry festival be a summerculminating extravaganza that draws 15,000 people each year.
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New family friendly galleries and exhibits! Find out more at
WashingtonHistory.org
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