13+ Enjoyable Issues To Do in Seattle With Youngsters

I lived in Seattle for a quick time in my 20s once I did an internship throughout graduate college. Nonetheless, regardless of my fondness for town, I didn’t get the possibility to return till this previous month. My children had been desirous to see the websites of this metropolis, and there are such a lot of issues to do in Seattle with children.

Based mostly on our expertise, we felt that the summer time was actually the very best time to go to the Emerald Metropolis and the Pacific Northwest generally. The climate is mostly heat however not too scorching, and the rain isn’t often an issue. Nonetheless, in the event you do expertise a wet day, there are many issues to do.

I felt that the climate we skilled in July was completely good for our go to. It was typically within the low 70s with virtually no humidity. Whereas it’s a fantastic place to go to any time of yr, summer time undoubtedly helps you to take pleasure in extra outside actions.

CityPASS offered me with two complimentary passes for our journey. If these items to do in Seattle with children are in your listing, you could contemplate buying them on your journey. Though issues are at all times topic to vary, proper now the passes embody the next:

• The Area Needle
• The Seattle Aquarium
• A selection of three of the next – a one-hour Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour, The Museum of Pop Tradition (MoPOP), Woodland Park Zoo, and the Chihuly Backyard and Glass

There’s additionally a brand new C3 ticket that features a selection of any three points of interest from the next:

• Area Needle
• Seattle Aquarium
• Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour
• Chihuly Backyard and Glass
• Woodland Park Zoo
• The Museum of Flight
• Sky View Observatory
• Seattle Artwork Museum

In case you are planning on doing not less than most of those included actions, the Seattle CityPASS generally is a nice deal. As soon as you buy it, you’ll obtain an e mail with a barcode on it that may be added to your iPhone’s pockets (or printed out).

For some locations with timed entry, just like the harbor tour or the Area Needle, you’ll must change these tickets for a timed ticket. It’s very simple to do that, and we had no points in any respect. It is a good way to save cash on admission for the entire household.

Click on right here to buy a Seattle CityPASS and click on right here to view our internet story.

Disclosure: We’ve skilled a few of these actions without charge due to Seattle CityPASS. This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks. A purchase order/click on by one among these hyperlinks (together with on the map) could end in a fee paid to us at no further price to you.  All opinions are our personal. We booked a JetBlue Trip for our journey and paid for it on our personal.

13+ Issues to Do in Seattle With Youngsters

Area Needle

This icon of Seattle, constructed for the 1962 World’s Truthful, is certainly a must-visit throughout your Seattle household trip. The Area Needle went by a full renovation in 2018, and it presents wonderful views of town. It’s among the finest issues to do in Seattle with children.

To go to the Area Needle, you’ll must get a timed ticket. This can offer you a 15-minute window the place you’ll must enter. As soon as you’re in, nonetheless, you’ll be able to keep so long as you’d like till shut.

There are a number of totally different ticket choices, together with a day/evening ticket the place you’ll be able to return within the night, combo tickets with different points of interest, and a typical ticket.

Your ticket will present you entry to the very prime of the Area Needle. This open-air space offers 360-degree views. There’s additionally the Loupe degree, which has a rotating glass ground. I’d suggest that you just attempt to go to on a transparent day for the very best views.

On the prime of the Area Needle, you’ll discover a cafe, and on the backside, there’s a present store and VR expertise (that’s included in your ticket). It’s greatest to reach early if attainable as a result of the strains can get lengthy. We arrived very first thing within the morning on the opening and had no strains in any respect.

Pike Place Market

This public market is without doubt one of the hottest locations to go to in Seattle. Open every day, it’s situated proper within the middle of city by the waterfront.

As you stroll by the assorted stalls and retailers, you’ll discover produce, fish, meat, cheeses, and honey, in addition to nonperishables like paintings, crafts, and souvenirs. In case your room has a kitchen, you could wish to decide up some gadgets for dinner.

Pike Place can also be house to the well-known gum wall. Whether or not you contemplate it gross or cool, you could wish to stroll by. The gum wall is so much larger than I anticipate it to be – it’s extra of an alley than a single wall.

You’ll discover the gum wall tucked away within the Publish Alley, down the steps to the left of the Public Market. There are a number of totally different components to the Publish Alley, however you’ll need them one down the steps.

There are a number of parking garages proper at Pike Place or within the neighborhood. Nonetheless, I might suggest strolling out of your resort if you’re staying close by. It’s undoubtedly a lot simpler.

Pacific Science Heart

In case your children love science and interactive reveals, you’ll undoubtedly wish to go to the Pacific Science Heart proper in Seattle Heart. Adjoining to the Area Needle, the Pacific Science Heart is made up of a number of buildings providing a lot for teenagers to take pleasure in. There are many hands-on reveals, and it’s additionally a fantastic place to go to if there occurs to be a wet day throughout your journey.

Once you buy your ticket, you’ll need to choice so as to add a number of reveals. These embody the IMAX theater in addition to the planetarium. Select the time of the present whenever you get the tickets. You’ll pay for IMAX tickets, however the planetarium reveals are free. You simply must just remember to get a reservation time.

Included in your Pacific Science Heart ticket is a VR expertise. Head proper there whenever you arrive, since you’ll want to order a selected time. We glided by on our means out, so we weren’t in a position to get time for the expertise earlier than we left.

Highlights embody the tropical butterfly backyard, the tinker tank, the wellbody academy, and the residing reveals. There’s additionally a enjoyable outside space with water options. We spent about an hour and a half there, however you might have considered trying extra time in the event you plan to attend one of many reveals and/or do the VR expertise.

In case you are hungry throughout your go to, there’s a restaurant on-site, or you’ll be able to stroll over to the armory at Seattle Heart after your go to. Throughout the armory, you’ll discover a meals courtroom with a lot of meals choices.

Throughout the Seattle Heart complicated is without doubt one of the Seattle monorail stops. It travels to Westlake Heart in Downtown Seattle from Seattle Heart.

Hiram M Chittenden Locks

For a singular Puget Sound expertise, drive to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Ballard Locks), situated in close by Ballard. Entry is free, though you’ll have to pay for parking.

The Ballard Locks had been created by the US Military Corp of Engineers in 1971 and are situated the place the salt water of Puget Sound meets the freshwater of Lake Washington and Lake Union. The locks handle the water ranges.

There’s a customer middle the place you’ll be able to study extra in regards to the locks. There’s additionally a botanical backyard that you would be able to stroll by. In the summertime months, you could wish to go to the salmon ladder to see the salmon swimming. It’s greatest to go to the fish ladder throughout excessive tide – we had been there throughout low tide and didn’t see them.

Seattle Aquarium

Situated on the Seattle waterfront on Alaskan Approach, the Seattle Aquarium is a enjoyable place to go to with children. Little children will certainly like it, though my teenagers actually loved the go to as effectively.

The aquarium presents interactive reveals, feedings, and extra. As you stroll in, you’ll have the ability to see an aquarium crammed with fish of the Puget Sound. There are different reveals throughout the constructing, together with a number of contact tanks, an underwater dome, and a tropical fish aquarium.

Head outdoors, and you may see birds, harbor seals, river otters, fur seals, and sea otters. My teenagers particularly liked seeing these interactive animals.

The aquarium does have some every day actions together with a diver present, story time, and a possibility to satisfy among the marine life animals.

We spent about an hour and a half within the aquarium. It was busy however not too crowded. In case you are planning to see one of many reveals or applications, you could spend a little bit extra time. It’s a fantastic place to go to with younger kids.

Argosy Cruises

I like spending time on the water in the summertime, so I used to be thrilled to see Argosy Cruises on the CityPASS listing of points of interest. Whereas I’d accomplished lots of the issues to do in Seattle previously earlier than I had children, I had by no means been on a ship tour within the metropolis.

With the CityPASS, you’ll get the 60-minute tour, which was good for our household. You may also improve to one of many longer excursions that transcend the waterfront. You’ll must make a reservation for one of many occasions on the waterfront kiosk.

As you board the boat, you’ll take a household image that you would be able to then buy. Then, you’ll be able to select the place to sit down. For the very best views, I’d suggest the highest degree.

There’s a restroom and snack bar on the boat, and waiter service is accessible in the event you don’t wish to rise up. In the course of the hour journey, you’ll get some narration in regards to the waterfront and the historical past of Seattle. We actually loved the journey and undoubtedly suggest it.

Argosy Cruises board proper by the kid-friendly Seattle Aquarium, so you’ll be able to undoubtedly mix a visit when you’re on the waterfront. We began our morning with the cruise, had lunch, after which went to the aquarium.

Museum of Fashionable Tradition

One of many latest issues to do in Seattle with children is on the Museum of Pop Tradition, situated at Seattle Heart by the Area Needle. MoPOP, because it’s now identified, was initially the Expertise Music Venture (EMP). It was based by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and options reveals crammed with memorabilia of standard tradition.

The musical roots of the museum are nonetheless obvious as you go to the assorted reveals. These embody Prince, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana reveals, in addition to a Sound Lab that older children will actually take pleasure in.

There’s additionally a horror movie exhibit with memorabilia from among the hottest horror films, in addition to a science fiction exhibit with memorabilia from these films.

I believe MoPOP might be most loved by older children and adults. My teenagers liked it, however it could be a little bit boring for little children. While you’re there, you’ll be able to dine on the Tradition Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, which presents quite a lot of totally different gadgets for adults and youngsters.

Funko HQ

Throughout our go to, we determined to drive about 40 minutes outdoors of Seattle to Everett, Washington. This northern Seattle suburb is house to Funko HQ, the headquarters for Funko.

In case your children gather Funko Pops, you’ll undoubtedly wish to make the brief tour. Funko HQ presents a retailer crammed with varied Funko Pops, together with some exclusives and the chance to make your personal Pop (both a monster or Freddie Funko – the Funko mascot).

The shop isn’t open on Mondays, and also you’ll wish to verify the web site for hours throughout your go to. See this submit for all the pieces it is advisable to learn about visiting Funko HQ.

Museum of Flight and Boeing Way forward for Flight Aviation Heart

Seattle is house to Boeing, and within the space, you’ll discover two totally different experiences that aviation lovers will take pleasure in.

The Museum of Flight is situated in Seattle, however outdoors of the downtown space. This nonprofit air and house museum presents a pilot expertise, flight simulator, movie show, and extra.

There’s additionally the Boeing Way forward for Flight Aviation Heart, situated outdoors of Seattle in Mukilteo. The aviation middle additionally features a tour of the business jet meeting plant.

We tried to go to the Way forward for Flight Aviation Heart throughout our go to, however the tickets had been all bought out for the day. I’d undoubtedly suggest reserving them prematurely as a result of it’s a preferred place, regardless of the situation outdoors town. Should you go to Funko HQ, you’ll be able to mix it with a visit to the Way forward for Flight Aviation Heart for a enjoyable day journey.

Gasoline Works Park

In case you are searching for a spot to get your children’ vitality out, you’ll undoubtedly wish to go to Gasoline Works Park. This free public park is situated on the waterfront and is within the former house of a Seattle Gasoline Gentle Firm plant. It’s not situated proper downtown – you’ll must drive there.

The park options plenty of buildings that youngsters can climb on, together with some massive swings. The ability has picnic tables that you would be able to reserve prematurely, in addition to restrooms. Complimentary parking is accessible proper close to the park.

As you drive by this space, you may additionally wish to go to Fremont. There’s a statue of a troll beneath a bridge in Fremont that youngsters could take pleasure in seeing.

Seattle Waterfront

Throughout your journey to Seattle, you’ll undoubtedly wish to go to the Seattle waterfront. It’s situated downstairs from Pike Place, though elevators and a shuttle bus can be found.

On the waterfront, you’ll discover a lot of enjoyable issues, together with retailers and eating places. The waterfront can also be the place one can find the Seattle Aquarium and dock for the Argosy Cruises.

There’s additionally the Seattle Ferris Wheel, known as the Seattle Nice Wheel. We didn’t go on the wheel throughout our go to, however I used to be shocked at how reasonably priced it was relative to different wheels we’ve visited on trip.

Though it’s a little bit of a stroll down the steps, we visited the waterfront a bunch of occasions throughout our trip. It was good train, and we actually loved procuring and consuming down there.

Chihuly Backyard and Glass

This exhibition corridor, backyard, and glasshouse is without doubt one of the newer points of interest in Seattle Heart. It’s greatest for the oldest children – youthful children gained’t admire the reveals and will certainly must be watched round all the glass.

My youngsters, my husband, and I completely liked it, nonetheless. Chihuly’s work is attractive and distinctive, and this museum does a improbable job showcasing all the pieces among the many great thing about Seattle. It takes about an hour to undergo. Along with the reveals, Chihuly Backyard and Glass additionally provide a present store and cafe.

There are many different issues to do in Seattle that we weren’t in a position to get to, together with visiting Mercer Island, Alki Seaside, Inexperienced Lake, and going to the authentic Starbucks.

The place to Keep in Seattle

Seattle is crammed with a lot of family-friendly inns. Throughout our go to, we stayed on the Resort FIVE – a Staypineapple Resort. It’s situated between Pike Place and Seattle Heart, so it was simple for us to stroll between the 2 areas.

Different well-rated inns within the space embody the next:

You may also discover some lodging choices on this map (affiliate hyperlinks).

What to Eat in Seattle

There’s no scarcity of eating places within the Seattle space, and you’ll definitely discover a lot of nice choices. As you’d anticipate, seafood, particularly salmon, is a well-liked meal selection.

Surprisingly, the eating places within the touristy areas, like Pike Place and the Seattle Waterfront, are literally actually good. Throughout our Seattle trip, we loved consuming at each Ivar’s and Elliott’s. Each have children’ menus as effectively.

We additionally loved visiting Prime Pot Donuts, which has a number of areas in Seattle. There was one block from our resort, and we stopped a number of occasions for espresso and donuts.

Continuously Requested Questions About Touring to Seattle

Extra assets: Planning a Seattle trip? Learn our Seattle journey suggestions and critiques, together with itineraries, highway journeys, and extra.