Things to do in Seattle with Kids

things to do in Seattle with kids

Animals and Nature in Seattle

Woodland Park Zoo
Saves animals and their habitats through conservation leadership and engaging experiences, inspiring people to learn, care and act.
Learn more here.

Woodland Park: The Rose Garden
One of only two dozen certified American Rose Test Gardens in the United States.
Learn more here.

Washington Park Arboretum
A hidden gem on the shores of Lake Washington.
Learn more here.

Seattle Aquarium
The ninth largest aquarium in the U.S. by attendance and among the top five paid visitor attractions in the Puget Sound region.
Learn more here.

Carkeek Park
This popular park offers extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
Learn more here.

 

Attractions and Landmarks in Seattle

Kerry Park
A 1.26 acres park on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle.
Learn more here.

Ride the Duck Tours: Land & Water Craft in 1.5 hrs
Tour Seattle by land and water on a World War II amphibious landing craft.
Learn more here.

Victoria Clipper: Trips to Victoria and Elsewhere
Travel company with deals on vacations, hotels, packages in Seattle.
Learn more here.

Float Pane Tours and Transportation
Have your flights book here to Seattle from the San Juan Islands, Victoria and Port Angeles.
Learn more here.

Ballard Locks, Seattle
One of Seattle’s most popular tourist attractions, especially during the sunny months.
Learn more here.

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
Indian art, gifts, Gifts, Jokes, Free Stuff, Collectible Art and more.
Learn more here.

Woodland Park Zoo
Saves animals and their habitats through conservation leadership and engaging experiences, inspiring people to learn, care and act.
Learn more here.

The Fremont Troll
A public sculpture in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle.
Learn more here.

Smith Tower
Stood for 100 years providing the Southern bookend to Seattle’s skyscrapers.
Learn more here.

Seattle Aquarium
A public aquarium opened in 1977 and located on Pier 59 on the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle
Learn more here.

Safeco Field
A retractable roof baseball stadium located in Seattle.
Learn more here.

Pike Place Market
Seattle’s original farmers market and the center of locally sourced, artisan and specialty foods.
Learn more here.

Pacific Science Center
A science and educational museum, IMAX theater, planetarium, and science exhibits at the Seattle Center.
Learn more here.

 

Fun and Games in Seattle

Stone Gardens
Our Seattle gym features over 16000 square feet of indoor climbing surface and the best bouldering in the NW.
Learn more here.

Interbay Golf Center
Operates municipal golf courses all over the Puget Sound region.
Learn more here.

GameWorks — Seattle
A bar and game venue.
Learn more here.

Fun Forest Amusement Park
Have fun and visit this amusement park.
Learn more here.

 

Kid-friendly Eats in Seattle

Tutta Bella Neopolitan Pizzeria
Northwest’s first and most celebrated authentic Neapolitan pizzeria.
Learn more here.

St. Clouds
Serves up both regional cuisine and comfort foods, and hosts some great local music acts.
Learn more here.

Seattle Center House
Features fresh, local foods and beverages.
Learn more here.

My Coffee House
Enjoy their very nice welcoming environment with service, great and friendly
Learn more here.

Ivar’s Salmon House
Filled with Northwest native art, décor and historical photographs, you’ll enjoy memorable meals.
Learn more here.

Ivar’s Acres of Clams
Offers 24 fast casual Seafood Bars and three full-service waterfront-view restaurants.
Learn more here.

Husky Deli
The Premiere catering company in West Seattle with fresh sandwiches and Hand crafted Ice Cream.
Learn more here.

Grateful Bread Bakery
Offer homemade bread, pastries and bagels in Wedgewood.
Learn more here.

Endolyne Joe’s
Part of the Chow Foods chain and located in West Seattle.
Learn more here.

Easy Street Records & Café
The last great all day breakfast place in town that’s priced as breakfast food should be.
Learn more here.

Cupcake Royale
Enjoy great variety of cupcake flavors and even ice cream.
Learn more here.

Cloud City Coffee
Community coffee shop offering offer food, coffee, and wireless access.
Learn more here.

Central Cinema
A pizza and beer movie theater located in the Central District neighborhood.
Learn more here.

 

Live Performances in Seattle

Zoo Tunes
Enjoy concert Series at Woodland Park Zoo presented by Carter Subaru Summer.
Learn more here.

Seattle Children’s Theatre
Presents performances and ticket availability, with drama school and deafness workshop and educational program details and organizational background.
Learn more here.

Northwest Puppet Center
Features puppetry performances, marionette operas, museum exhibits, touring shows and education programs.
Learn more here.

 

Local Unique in Seattle

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
Indian art, gifts, Gifts, Jokes, Free Stuff, Collectible Art and more.
Learn more here.

Washington State Ferries
Helps you discover nearby places, activities, and points of interest.
Learn more here.

The Fremont Troll
A public sculpture in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle.
Learn more here.

Space Needle
Become the symbol of Seattle, and one of the most recognizable structures in the world.
Learn more here.

Nordic Heritage Museum
Where history comes alive and contemporary artists and community activities are celebrated with vibrant exhibits and events.
Learn more here.

Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour
A leisurely, guided walking tour beneath Seattle’s sidewalks and streets.
Learn more here.

Fremont Outdoor Cinema
A summer long outdoor movie event.
Learn more here.

Archie McPhee
The best toys, gifts, candy and novelties on the internet.
Learn more here.

 

Museums, Exhibits and Art Galleries in Seattle

Frye Art Museum
A living legacy of visionary patronage and civic responsibility, committed to artistic inquiry and a rich visitor experience.
Learn more here.

Wing Luke Asian Museum
Great museum with a great tour.
Learn more here.

The Museum of Communications
The only know museum with working telephone switches and equipment.
Learn more here.

The Children’s Museum — Seattle
The New Exploratorium, Great for Kids & Families.
Learn more here.

The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
The premier museum of natural history and culture in the Pacific Northwest.
Learn more here.

Soundbridge
Has inspired a love of symphonic music for all ages through interactive classes and intimate concert experiences.
Learn more here.

Pacific Science Center
A science and educational museum, IMAX theater, planetarium, and science exhibits at the Seattle Center.
Learn more here.

Nordic Heritage Museum
Visit a place where history comes alive and contemporary artists and community activities are celebrated with vibrant exhibits and events.
Learn more here.

Museum of History and Industry
The place to discover Seattle, to connect with our region and its rich history, and to explore your role in creating our future.
Learn more here.

Maritime Event Center
A nautical-themed private Seattle event space featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and unbeatable views of Elliott Bay.
Learn more here.

Klondike Goldrush National Historical Park Seattle
Official National Park Service site.
Learn more here.

The Museum of Flight
A museum kids love.
Learn more here.

 

Shopping in Seattle

Uwajimaya Village
One of the largest and most comprehensive dining and shopping complexes in the Northwest which is dedicated to Asian specialties.
Learn more here.

Third Place Books — Ravenna
Really cozy bookstore and coffee shop .
Learn more here.

The Elliott Bay Book Company
Located in Pioneer Square, they are the home to over 150000 titles, set on cedar shelves in a series of exposed-brick walled rooms.
Learn more here.

Secret Garden Bookshop
The wonderful Secret Garden Bookshop has a particular specialty in young adult books.
Learn more here.

Recreational Equipment Inc.
A privately held American retail corporation organized as a consumers’ cooperative.
Learn more here.

Pike Place Market
Seattle’s original farmers market and the center of locally sourced, artisan and specialty foods.
Learn more here.

Party @ Display & Costume
Sells variety of party supplies, tableware, decorations, favors, costumes and accessories.
Learn more here.

Pacific Place
An upscale shopping center located in downtown Seattle.
Learn more here.

Golden Age Collectables
Has everything you need to spoil your inner child: comics and manga, toys and games, pictures of your favorite stars and scripts.
Learn more here.

Easy Street Records & Cafe
Record Store, New and Used, in Seattle.
Learn more here.

Archie McPhee
Has the best toys, gifts, candy and novelties on the internet. We love the same things you do: unicorns, bacon, mustaches and underpants.
Learn more here.

 

Sports in Seattle

Seattle Storm
A professional basketball team based in Seattle.
Learn more here.

Seattle Seahawks
An American Football team in the National Football League based in Seattle
Learn more here.

Seattle Mariners
A professional baseball team based in Seattle.
Learn more here.

 

 

original photo credit by Mark Fischer

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop

If your grandchild can’t find a souvenir of his Seattle visit at this kitschy combination local institution/waterfront gift shop/ersatz museum of the absurd, he or she won’t be able to find it anywhere. But grandchildren still enjoy one of the oddest collections of stuff this side of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, including a petrified mummy named Sylvester, shrunken heads, a three-tusked walrus, and a two-headed bull. What’s not to love?

Contact no: (206) 682-5844

Location: 1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104

Learn more here.

Washington State Ferries

Sure, there are narrated tours of Puget Sound, but one of the best rides on the water is also one of the cheapest. A half-hour ride to Bainbridge Island not only allows you to show your grandchildren what the waterfront looks like from the water, it enables you to take them on a big trip without really going far at all. Routes range from half an hour to several hours depending on departure point and destination.

Contact no: (206) 464-6400

Location: 801 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104

Learn more here.

The Fremont Troll

Normally we wouldn’t recommend you take hard-to-impress grandchildren just to check out a lowly statue. This, however, is a different kind of public art. Located under the Aurora Bridge it features a Volkswagen-eating troll with hubcaps for eyes and a Volkswagen in its hands. It’s a great photo opportunity and grandchildren of all ages love climbing around on its head and shoulders.

Contact no:
Location: Troll Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

Learn more here.

Space Needle

If you and your grandchild can see only one thing during your visit or afternoon out, see everything by going 520 feet above it all. Even the ride up is an adventure because the elevator is on the outside of the building, bringing consternation to some adults and great glee to children. After a few seconds of worry over the ascent, most grandchildren love looking out the windows and watching everything on the ground getting smaller. Up top, you can get an unobstructed panoramic view of the city and a chance to play with the telescopes.

Contact no: (206) 905-2100

Location: 400 Broad Street, Seattle, WA 98109

Learn more here.

Nordic Heritage Museum

Minnesota may have the Prairie Home Companion and Norwegian bachelor farmers, but Seattle has the country’s only museum dedicated to the story of Nordic immigrants. The subject matter is of special interest to non-Nordic families as well, especially newcomers to the neighborhood of Ballard, where most of them settled. The Dream of America Exhibition traces the wave of immigration that took Scandinavian immigrants from Ellis Island and New York through the Midwest to the Pacific Northwest. Additional rooms in the museum focus on the experience of immigrants from specific countries in the region including Iceland, Finland, and Norway. Where else can you and your grandchildren find out what a psalmodikon is?

Contact no: (206) 789-5707

Location: 3014 Northwest 67th Street, Seattle, WA 98117

Learn more here.

Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour

Treat your granchildren to a unique activity, exploring a veritable buried city underneath downtown Seattle. Intrigue, silly stories and a touch of Seattle’s colorful history are the attractions at this 90-minute tour of the rugged underground passages that were once the heart of the city until the Great Seattle Fire burned everything to the ground and raised streets and buildings were erected on its ashes.

Contact no: (206) 682-4646

Location: 608 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104

Learn more here.

Fremont Outdoor Cinema

If you remember the outdoor movie scene in Cinema Paradiso, you’re close; with kids running around having a good time on the town square and folks laughing at a movie projected on a wall. Yes, it’s a parking lot and there’s traffic nearby, but there are contests, second-run movies, and good clean family fun on Saturday nights during the summer. Once a month, they play a bad “B” flick with the sound turned down and improvisers filling in the words.

Contact no: (206) 781-4230

Location: 3501 Phinney Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103

Learn more here.

Archie McPhee

Practical joking and kitsch-loving grandchildren of all ages will thank you for taking them to this internationally-known novelty store run amok. Joy buzzers, boxing nun puppets and an odd scientific surplus are just part of what’s offered at the store that brought you the librarian action figure. Allow at least 30 minutes and don’t be surprised if the kids sing your praises to their parents.

Contact no: (206) 297-0240

Location: 1300 North 45th Street, Seattle, WA 98103

Learn more here.

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop

If your grandchild can’t find a souvenir of his Seattle visit at this kitschy combination local institution/waterfront gift shop/ersatz museum of the absurd, he or she won’t be able to find it anywhere. But grandchildren still enjoy one of the oddest collections of stuff this side of Ripley’s Believe It or Not, including a petrified mummy named Sylvester, shrunken heads, a three-tusked walrus, and a two-headed bull. What’s not to love?

Contact no: (206) 682-5844

Location: 1001 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104

Learn more here.