Family Vacations to Seattle

Seattle – Family Vacation Guide

Seattle, while nationally famous for its rainy weather, is a charming destination for families, and even gives visitors some sunshine now and then. The rain that does fall makes this largest city in the Pacific Northwest verdant and constantly feeling refreshed. In addition to urban delights, your clan will find plenty of outdoor activities, miles of stunning coastline and some striking mountain backdrops.

Why Go on Vacation to Seattle

Downtown gives travellers a taste of some of the amazing shopping, playing and eating available in this city.

A stop at the Pike Place Market is a must. The multi-block market is full of character—and characters!—not to mention a vast array of fresh and prepared foods, crafts and souvenirs. Stop and watch fish being thrown in the air—sometimes the tourists even become part of the act, as the workers have a few well-rehearsed gags up their sleeves.

Bask in coffee with a splash of history at the first ever Starbucks location. Kids will be amused by how different (and slightly risqué) the original logo was.

The Seattle area is host to two nearby national parks, Mount Ranier and Olympic.

Space Needle

There’s no better or more iconic way to get your bearings on the city than from 650 feet up. The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair and has come to represent Seattle in many people’s minds, both here and around the world. There’s a monorail that connects the area with Westlake Center Mall in downtown, a unique option that the children will enjoy. You can buy a ticket up to the observation level, or if you decide to eat at SkyCity, a fun rotating restaurant at the top, no ticket is required. The food is pricey, but excellent and the view cannot be beat—try their delectable brunch.

Pacific Science Center

Almost next door to the Space Needle, this throwback science center is better suited for the 12 and under crowd than teens, but their two IMAX theaters and tropical butterfly house will enchant the entire family.

Harbor Cruise

Give your feet a rest and take in one of Argosy Cruises Harbor Tours, a narrated expedition that lets you fully take in the glory of the city and its surroundings with the extended city on one side and the magnificent Olympic Mountains on the other. The cruises are an hour in length, although longer, more extended excursions are available as well.

National Parks

Ranier, at more than 14,000 feet, is an active volcano located just 60 miles from this major U.S. city. It offers plenty of hiking opportunities, with views of wildflowers, glistening waterfalls and more. Olympic, located on the Olympic peninsula west of the city, is a longer haul and involves a drive (and maybe a ferry ride, depending on your preference). With its stunning mountain ranges and temperate rain forests, this enormous spot probably deserves several days for a full visit.

Getting Around

Seattle’s airport, SEA-TAC, is a short drive south of downtown. Check Vancouver, Canada and Portland fares as well, as sometimes one city is much cheaper, making the 3.5 hour drive from the north or south worthwhile. Downtown Seattle is a hilly town (think San Francisco), but if you’re up to burn off some of those Starbucks calories, you can get around pretty easily via walking, Uber and the city’s monorail.