Family-Friendly Seattle

Coffee, music and quirky tourist attractions are a few of the primary reasons visitors flock to Seattle, often overlooking some of the best kid-friendly sights and experiences in the city. Whether you’ve got one week or one day, there are plenty of activities in and around Seattle to keep the whole family entertained—and excited to return.

Museum of Popular Culture

Family-Oriented Attractions

If you’re looking for a full fun day with the whole family without having to travel too far, best to start with Seattle Center. A favorite among families everywhere, the Pacific Science Center (www.pacificsciencecenter.org) has enough hands-on exhibits and unique programs to keep children busy for hours on end. Visit the planetarium, explore the laser dome and catch a movie at one of the IMAX theaters. Be sure to keep an eye out for any interesting events and don’t forget to snap some photos of the iconic Space Needle (www.spaceneedle.com) nearby. The Museum of Pop Culture (www.mopop.org) is the perfect opportunity to educate the youth on important pop culture figures before their time, including Prince, and the Seattle Children’s Museum (www.thechildrensmuseum.org) next door never fails with the little ones.

Pacific Science Center

If you find yourself down by the Waterfront, take a quick ride on The Great Wheel (www.seattlegreatwheel.com) which is not only fun for all ages, but also provides beautiful views of the Puget Sound and surrounding islands.

Seattle Great Wheel

At Pier 59 across Waterfront Park, the Seattle Aquarium (www.seattleaquarium.org) is worth a stop, with six major exhibits and recurring events, including diver shows and weekend story time.

Seattle Aquarium

Outdoor Adventures

With blue skies and kids in tow, a day spent tidepooling at one of the city’s coastal parks is a necessity. Search for starfish at Discovery Park—a 534-acre natural area with two miles of tidal beaches and more than 11 miles of hiking trails. Golden Gardens Park in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood is another option, with wetlands, forest trails and lots of shoreline. The park is also only a couple miles from the Hiram M. Chittenden Ballard Locks (www.ballardlocks .org)—a historic waterway and must-see for children of all ages. If West Seattle is on the itinerary, Alki Beach is a great bet for beachcombing, lying out and relaxing in the sun.

No visit to Seattle is complete without a boat ride, which is the only way visitors can reach Blake Island. In addition to a marine state park with an excess of wildlife, Blake Island is known for its Native American cultural events and experiences. Those who travel via Argosy Cruises (www.argosycruises.com) can dig in to a Northwest-inspired buffet while watching live performances and admiring the authentic Coast Salish totems that surround the area.

Discovery Park

Once back on the mainland, venture outside of the city to Farrel-Mcwhirter Farm Park in Redmond. Barn animals, open fields, picnic areas and wooded trails are just a few of the park’s coveted attractions.

Kid-Friendly Dining

When it comes to family-friendly eateries, Pike Place Market is a great place to start. In addition to quirky vendors and ongoing entertainment, places like Pike Place Chowder (www.pikeplace chowder.com) and Beecher’s Handmade Cheese (www.beechershandmade cheese.com) make lunch stops easy for those with children. Beecher’s “World’s Best” Mac & Cheese is a must-try and you can view the cheese-making process while you wait in line, with large glass windows providing a peek at the behind-the-scenes action.

Beecher's Handmade Cheese

A Seattle staple located in downtown, Lola (www.lolaseattle.com) is a Greek-influenced restaurant that is great for accommodating families. Adult diners can enjoy upscale Mediterranean cuisine while the kids dig into chicken kabobs and “oodles of noodles.” For families with dietary restrictions, Café Flora (www.cafeflora.com) is a renowned vegetarian restaurant in Seattle’s Madison Park neighborhood that’s known for its kid-friendly offerings in addition to its vegan and gluten-free cuisine.

Tipsy Cow Burger Bar (www.tipsycowburger bar.com) is worth a trip to Seattle’s Eastside. With two locations in Redmond and Woodinville and a tasty menu for “little calves,” this burger joint is a great bet for quality grub, as well as excellent drink selections.

Tours for Everyone

Attractions, outdoor activities and places to eat can be great but if you want an authentic Seattle experience that is fun and educational, then taking these city tours is a must.

Talking Tower Tours

The Smith Tower’s Talking Tower Tours (www.smithtower.com) is the perfect opport

unity to learn about the time-frame in which the Smith Tower was in its heyday, the Prohibition era. The exhibits include connections to radio, rum-running and a plethora of interesting characters and intriguing stories. The guided tour is about an hour long and includes a trip up to the 35th floor Observatory, historic postcard ticket with stamp, a Smith Tower souvenir and more. Tours are available Monday-Friday 10 am-3 pm.

Underground Tour

The most unique tour you are going to find in the city is Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour (www.undergroundtour.com). This tour takes you on a humorous journey through subterranean storefronts and sidewalks buried underground once the city rebuilt on top of itself after the Great Fire of 1889. Tour times are every half hour (tickets sold at the box office only) June-August 9:30 am-4:30 pm.

T-Mobile Park Tours

Take a “behind the seams” look at the newly branded ballpark T-Mobile Park (www.mlb.com/mari ners)—home of the MLB’s Seattle Mariners. This one-hour tour explores park amenities such the retractable roof, Press Box, Owners Suite, field, dugouts, the visitor’s clubhouse and more. Tour times vary in-season, check their website for schedules.

Create Your Own Tour Guide

The Sky View Observatory (www.skyviewobser vatory.com) allows you to create your own tour by using touch-screen technology. This virtual itinerary enables guests to explore destinations, tours and experiences and save their favorites, mapping out a full day of fun.

By Maggy Lehmicke