The Emerald City offers a wealth of activities for families with kids of all ages, from fascinating museums and waterfront parks to a monorail and a giant Ferris wheel. You can’t go wrong with any of these amazing options.
Chihuly Garden and Glass; Persian Ceiling Greg Balkin / State of Washington Tourism
1. A Day at Seattle Center
No trip to Seattle would be complete without a visit to the Seattle Center. Make your way up to the top of the Space Needle, Seattle’s most iconic landmark, for unobstructed views of the city. Right next door, find Chihuly Garden and Glass, home to colorful glass creations by local artist Dale Chihuly and glassblowing demonstrations that’ll leave you in awe. In case you’re looking for even more inspiring works, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is just steps away, bringing the spotlight to the coolest film, fashion, music, and gaming trends, both past and present.
The Seattle Center also has quite a few attractions geared specifically toward kids. The Artists at Play playground is filled with slides and swings, ropes courses, and merry-go-rounds, while the nearby International Fountain makes for the perfect splash pad and dancing fountain show. Since the playground and fountain are right next to the Seattle Children’s Museum, it’s the ideal opportunity for little ones to get their minds and hands working at the museum’s interactive exhibits. Then, there’s the nearby Seattle Children’s Theater, where children’s books and original, kid-friendly productions are brought to life on stage. And let’s not forget the Pacific Science Center. This incredible museum brings scientific concepts to life in engaging ways, from hanging out with fluttering friends in the butterfly garden to learning about our fascinating planet on the state’s largest IMAX screen.
Courtesy Burke Museum
2. Museums Galore
Seattle is filled with interactive, entertaining, and educational museums for all ages. Feeling artsy? The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) boasts more than 25,000 pieces of art from across the globe, while the Frye Art Museum offers a more intimate collection of 19th-century, modern, and contemporary pieces. At the Wing Luke Museum, dive into Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander culture and history through their collection of photos, documents, books, and artifacts, or learn more about Northern European history, art, and culture at the National Nordic Museum. Learn about the region’s tradition of innovation and imagination through artifacts and interactive displays at the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), or discover the intricacies of aviation history and innovation at The Museum of Flight. Finally, don’t miss out on two gems: The Burke Museum, with a focus on fossils, Northwest Native art, plant and animal collections, and cultural pieces, and the Seattle Pinball Museum, a treasure trove of old-school playable pinball machines.
Woodland Park Zoo Alamy Stock
3. Awesome Animals
Make some new animal friends during your time in the city. Located on the waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium is home to more than 10,000 marine creatures, including otters, seahorses, and a Giant Pacific octopus. Its state-of-the-art Ocean Pavilion boasts a 360,000-gallon tank with thousands of animals from the Indo-Pacific region, including leopard sharks and spotted eagle rays—some even viewable by passersby on the outside of the building. In Phinney Ridge, the Woodland Park Zoo makes great efforts to highlight conservation work, while also providing an up-close look at cool animals, like arctic foxes, spectacled owls, boa constrictors, and more. Alternatively, take to the water to see marine animals in the wild. Puget Sound, Seattle’s primary waterway, is filled with orcas, gray whales, humpback whales, and other marine wildlife, making it perfect for a whale-watching excursion.
Golden Gardens Rachael Jones
4. City Beaches
Hit the beach for a day of water-filled fun. While Puget Sound is usually too cold for swimming (lake waters are usually a bit warmer if you’re itching for a dip), Seattle’s many beaches are still fantastic for relaxing, kayaking, and—a local favorite—tide-pooling. The latter offers a glimpse of the city’s coolest underwater creatures, including anemones, sea urchins, sea stars, and more!
As for which beaches to visit, you’ve got options. Alki Beach and Constellation Park in West Seattle are great for waterfront bike rides and nighttime bonfires. The lovely Myrtle Edwards Park is one of the closest shorelines to downtown Seattle, and it’s nestled right up against fan-favorite Olympic Sculpture Park. Looking for a dog-friendly beach? The well-named Golden Gardens Park welcomes off-leash furry friends to its golden shores. Then, there’s Lincoln Park, a beach where Puget Sound’s waters are far from the only draw. Keep your eyes peeled for the occasional seal pup, a tucked-away Thomas Dambo troll sculpture, and the heated saltwater pool right on the water. Finally, there’s the Magnolia neighborhood’s Discovery Park, woven with hiking trails and framed by sandy beaches, with the West Point Lighthouse as the cherry on top.
Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA.
4. Pike Place Market
Home to over 500 small businesses, Pike Place Market is always bustling with excitement. The marketplace is a go-to destination for local goods and wares—from fresh sockeye salmon and creamy Beecher’s cheese to blooming bouquets, delicious Sweetie’s Candy treats, and unique arts and crafts. Don’t forget to snap a few pictures with the iconic market sign, pop into Market Magic Shop for a mini show of mind-bending tricks, grab a cup of coffee from the original Starbucks, and perhaps make a contribution to the colorful gum wall.
Gas Works Park Alex/Unsplash
6. Peak Parks
Seattle also has numerous green spaces that are equally family friendly. Once the site of a gasification plant, Gas Works Park is now known for its prime kite-flying opportunities and Seattle skyline views overlooking Lake Union. Just a few miles away, Washington Park Arboretum’s trails are lined with azaleas, rhododendrons, cherry blossoms, and Japanese maples. At the 300-acre Seward Park, miles of old-growth forest trails and regular birding tours with the Seward Park Audubon Center await. Last but not least, well-equipped Woodland Park in Green Lake features countless sports courts, a thriving rose garden, and beautiful lake views.
Ballard Locks Darryl Brooks/Shutterstock
7. Ballard Locks
The Ballard Locks is one destination with three exceptional things to see. First, there are the locks themselves. Rising and lowering water levels to create a sort of “water elevator” for boats, these locks help to maintain the saltwater and freshwater divide between Puget Sound and the two main Seattle lakes: Lake Union and Lake Washington. Additionally, the locks are a hotspot for salmon migration activity. From May to September, you can watch thousands of salmon swimming upstream in the fish ladder, making their way to freshwater to spawn. Last but not least, the locks are home to the flourishing flowers and plants of the Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden, perfect for a waterfront stroll.
Seattle Center Monorail moving through the Museum of Pop Culture Rachael Jones
8. Monorail Ride
Coast above the city on the Seattle Center Monorail. Running between the Seattle Center and Westlake Center, this sustainable form of transportation covers nearly a mile of ground in just three minutes. While the Seattle Center is a hub for iconic attractions, downtown’s Westlake Center is surrounded by shops, restaurants, and hotels and has a Link light rail station. It’s also just a short walk to must-visit sites such as Pike Place Market and the Seattle Art Museum, and delicious eateries, like Skillet Diner Post Alley for chicken and waffles and Lola for modern Greek fare.
Miners Landing Darryl Brooks/Shutterstock
9. Waterfront Adventures
The Seattle Waterfront is a hub of family-friendly activities. Located on historic Pier 57, Miners Landing features an arcade, carousel, the Wings over Washington 4D VR flight, and 175-foot The Seattle Great Wheel. Mere steps away, Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe beckons with a wide variety of kitschy collectibles. Looking to get out on the water instead of just enjoying it from shore? With Argosy Cruises’ convenient, pier-front booth, it’s easy to hop on a scenic Seattle harbor cruise.
From Pier 57, it’s just a five-minute walk to the revitalized historic Pier 62 and the newly opened Overlook Walk—an elevated pedestrian pathway connecting Pike Place Market to the Seattle Aquarium and the waterfront promenade.
REI Rock Climbing Pinnacle Courtesy REI
10. Active Fun
Looking to get out and be active during your time in Seattle? Start with the 65-foot REI Pinnacle Rock Climbing Wall. Year-round beginner rock-climbing classes are available, including ones just for kids. Fans of the ice will enjoy the Kraken Community Iceplex. The home of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken is open for public skating during lunch breaks, evenings, and weekends. And let’s not forget Seattle’s incredible playgrounds, including scenic Bayview-Kinnear Park in Queen Anne and well-equipped Yesler Terrace Park in First Hill, just to name a few.
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