Seattle is a great place to take the kids, with lots of kid-friendly attractions, and in summer, plenty of grassy, green parks to play in.
Top Activities for Kids
- Seattle Aquarium: This small aquarium offers kid-friendly touching pools and exhibits everywhere you look.
- Woodland Park Zoo: A highly-rated zoo, with nearly 1,145 specimens representing 290 species.
- Pacific Science Center: Hands-on exhibits and two IMAX screens provide plenty of entertainment, and the water cannons out front are fun for everyone. In Seattle Center.
- Fun Forest Amusement Park: This amusement park, in Seattle Center, is especially good for the little ones, with lots of small rides.
- Seattle Children's Museum: Kids can discover other cultures, learn about the Pacific Northwest forests, or rush to a fire on a child-sized fire engine. In Seattle Center.
- Ride the Ducks: The DUKW (D-built in 1942, U-amphibious 2½ ton truck, K-front wheel drive, W-rear wheel drive) served as amphibious landing craft during World War II, but now they're painted white and carry Seattle visitors on a land-and-water tour.
- Experience Music Project: Teenagers also enjoy making their own music upstairs in the Sound Lab.
- Rent a Kayak on Lake Union: Rent some sea kayaks and paddle past the eclectic floating homes, or through the nearby Arboretum.
- Ye Olde Curiosity Shop: Not only do they have creepy stuff like shrunken heads on display, but they also have some of the lowest prices on those cheesy souvenirs the kids can't seem to resist.
Places Your Kids May Not Like
- The Space Needle. While adults seem to have a great time peering out over the city, kids get bored quite quickly here, and the long lines don't help matters. Consider bringing along a hand-held video game or something else to keep them occupied.
- Boeing Factory Tour. While your child might like it, they can't go if they're under 4 feet 2 inches (127 cm) tall, and you can't carry babies on the tour, either.
- Underground Tour. Children under 6 may find the tour too long and boring.
Kid-Friendly Dining
Kids seem to like Icon Grill (1933 5th Avenue) for its over-the-top decorating, and their menu offers something for everyone. Ivar's Acres of Clams is a good choice for seafood lovers, and conveniently located on Pier 54. The food court at Westlake Center offers a lot of options, or try grazing through Pike Place Market.
