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Seattle is a great place to call home. It's unique and cool. It is a large city that is known for founding some of the biggest enterprises, but it is also surrounded by mountains and green space. It's called "The Emerald City" because of it's forest.
There are a lot of things to do in Seattle with kids that are fun for adults as well.
If you don't know what to add to your family Seattle itinerary, this guide will show you all the best ones. There are also a few hidden gems.
Since Seattle became a play-out thing on my walkman, I've been keeping an eye on the Emerald City. To be precise, I had to go to the place where Pearl Jam and Nirvana were born.
We found a rich cultural experience while we were there. The city has a large arts scene and many coffee shops.
It is surrounded by natural beauty and has easy access to many amazing regions near Seattle.
Seattle is unique and accessible to amazing nature spots.
The water from the Puget Sound to Lake Washington reminded me of where I lived in Australia. You can see whales and seals in the Washington waters during migration season in Seattle and Sydney, both of which are very similar.
Having the chance to see it all the time made it feel like a home to me.
One of our favorite places to visit in the USA is Seattle.
We were very fortunate to have good weather during our Seattle trip. It was even more exciting when the skies were blue and the sun was shining.
We visited Seattle for four days and were able to see a lot of the top attractions from the big touristy events to the smaller, local experiences.
If you spent more time in Seattle you would not be bored.
The Seattle CityPass is the one that gives the most value out of all the city passes we have seen.
If you visit Seattle without a discount pass, you will end up spending more money.
We don't go to all the top attractions in a city to make a CityPass worth it, but all the top attractions in Seattle are worth a visit.
Almost all of the attractions in Seattle were visited by us on the tourist card.
You can get admissions to the Top 5 Seattle attractions for less than the cost of an adult and child.
We will be sharing the top activities with and without kids in this guide.
Some of your most pressing questions about a trip to Seattle will be answered by us and we will give you some recommendations on where to stay and eat.
The biggest selling point of this US city is its coffee. It isn't all about Starbucks.
The best thing to do in Seattle was to go on a food tour of the most famous market in the country.
It was not just the delicious sampling of food we had for the entire three hours, nor our funny, friendly and informative guide, but also all the stories that gave us insight into the history and how this market has shaped the culture of Seattle.
The market was set up to connect people.
A year-round farmers market, bakeries, fish markets, butcher shops, produce stands, and specialty food store can be found there.
Watching the fish throwers at pike place fish will be a highlight of any visit to pike place market The tradition of throwing fish that customers have bought before they are wrapped began in 1986.
Listen for their shouts as they signal it. It was enjoyable to see. This seafood stall is completely sustainable.
Starbucks is from the market.
I appreciate the grassroots story turned into a global phenomenon, even though I don't like their coffee. Howard Shultz does a great job of treating his staff. The original Starbucks store is not the original as it burned down.
You can get lost in Pike Place for hours. If you combine the crowds at one of the top tourist attractions in Seattle with a visit to the market, it can be overwhelming.
If you are short on time and patience, you should definitely take the tour.
It was great to have Justin take us to the best and most interesting places like Indi chocolate, maple bacon donuts, spiced tea, Turkish flatbread and locally made chocolate for samples before the crowds of the day showed up.
The owners told us how they found themselves in the market.
Art Stone is the owner of Honest Biscuits.
After our guide said his name and began his story, we were like, "We know Art!" Back when he was an immigration lawyer, we had a lot of drinks with a mutual friend.
We were able to say "hey" and "thanks" when art came into the store. Art, thank you very much for the delicious biscuits and the fact that he had gluten-free versions that melted in our mouths.
We ran out of time to look at the gum wall, but you can still get a coffee from Storyville.
It took us 40 minutes to find a car park at the Space Needle, so I wasn't sure if we'd find it to be a tacky tourist attraction.
First-time visitors will want to add the Space Needle to their Seattle bucket list because it is one of the most popular things to do in Seattle.
The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair and is one of the most well known landmarks in the world.
There is an open-air observation deck above the all-glass floor.
There are amazing views of the city from the top of the building. Glass chairs leaning against the glass windows and glass rotating floors added a bit of thrill to the experience.
There are panels on the wall that tell the story of the Space Needle as you wait in line.
We have done several 3D flyovers in the US, including the popular Soaring at Disneyland.
Wings over Washington was our favorite and helped us fall in love with Washington State.
Washington was one of the places we liked the most on our road trip. A spirit eagle will show you the beauty and diversity of the place.
You can put this on your family activities in Seattle. It is close to the Seattle Aquarium and next to the Great Wheel.
The Seattle Underground Tour is a great way to learn more about the beginnings of Seattle.
There is a network of underground passageways beneath Pioneer Square. As the city was being raised out of the swamps, the alleys were used to lead into shopfronts.
There are glass squares on the pavement in Pioneer Square that are skylights for the underground.
Bars, comedy clubs, and retail stores can be used to access some of the tunnels. In the late 1700s or early 1800s, you can take a tour with a guide who will take you to places you wouldn't normally visit.
I recommend it to anyone.
As you walk along the cobblestoned streets of Seattle's oldest neighborhood, you will learn about the above ground. It is one of the fun things to do in Seattle with kids, and our girls were very interested in it.
There are more haunted tours you can do in Seattle.
During the tour, I only thought about why they haven't turned more of these spaces into bars and retail stores. A cool area of Seattle could be created by them.
The Understory is located in the center of Seattle. There are interactive exhibits about flora and design in the public space.
The Understory is a museum-style exhibit, but we didn't know what to make of it.
There was a grassy area with bean bags on it that was surrounded by plants and trees. It was a nice place to hang out.
Employees can think and work in a different way in the Spheres. If you want to take a tour of the indoor gardens of the Spheres, you need to sign up in advance.
You can listen to a tour of the campus. You can learn more about the Amazon empire and its beginnings by listening to it.
I only got through one chapter as the girls were tired and wanted to go to the AmazonGo store for the first time, so I didn't do much else.
The store is free of cash or credit cards.
As you walk into the store, you will be able to see a link to your Amazon account. Pick up what you want to buy and then leave the store.
You will be charged by Amazon for what you bought. Even though they were at the other end of the store and walked out at a different time, they know who you are and what you are buying.
I wasn't comfortable with some of the cameras and technology, but I was impressed by what they had to offer.
On your own or on a tour, you can explore the Ballard Locks.
Lake Union and Lake Washington are connected by the Ballard Locks.
The locks allow boats as big as 760 feet in length and as small as a kayak to travel through them. The action can be seen from a series of swinging walkways or from a boat.
As your boat moves from one level to the other, the water will rise and fall up to 26 feet.
It gave our girls an engineering lesson on how to navigate bodies of water. We arrived on time. We would have done it if we knew about it. We've heard it's really good.
You can check the fish ladder to the side of the locks.
The salmon can get through the man-made locks with the help of a fish ladder. There are interpretive panels on the wall.
One of the most interesting things to do in Seattle with kids and one of the top attractions is at this location.
If you have a CityPass, you can upgrade to the Locks Cruise.
One of the best things to do in Seattle is immerse yourself in the arts scene. There are many places to see the art and culture of the city.
Some of the best art and culture in Seattle can be experienced at the Seattle Center, which is an active civic, arts, and family gathering place.
There are more than 30 organizations in the uptown Arts and Cultural District.
Don't miss this area. It is unique and informative.
The rest of the world is learning how to make their museums stand out.
All of the museums and attractions are in a fun place with art installations and public places to rest and relax while you wait for your next museum tour, or just hang out.
We dedicated a lot of time to the museums. If you want to avoid queueing at the Seattle Art Center, book in advance.
The Space Needle is located in the section on Seattle views.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Fountain Discovery Center, The Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Children's Theater, and the Seattle Pinball Museum are some of the attractions I would have liked to have visited in this area.
Are you not willing to walk between the attractions? The Seattle Center Monorail is a great way to travel.
The Springtime display at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina was one of Dave Chihuly's masterpieces.
We were excited to visit his museum and learn more about him and his art.
Chihuly is known for his innovative glass designs and has received many awards.
His life story is the focus of the museum.
Through various exhibitions in his galleries, you can see how he pushed the boundaries of glass to create amazing work.
There is a 40-foot tall glass and steel structure with a 100 foot sculpture. When you look up, you can see the Seattle Space Needle.
The sculptures blend nicely into the garden. One of my favorite things to do in Seattle was the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. The girls were interested.
The MoPop Museum was one of the best things to do in Seattle when I was a fan of the band.
The museum is dedicated to the ideas and risk taking that fuel contemporary popular culture.
This is more than just an adult museum, it's also a great place to visit with kids if you're a fan of the video game.
The first thing that will grab your attention is the colorful sprawl of the building, which will lead you to wander through their collection of exhibits and pop culture content.
I was fascinated by the exhibitions on Prince after visiting the park where he lived.
The exhibition on the bands was great. Eddie Vedder and Peral Jam performed live for us in Seattle, so I could have sat in the sound room and watched them.
Fantasy in Pop Fiction and movies, Science Fiction, and the Horror Film Section will be on display. I ran away when I looked at Freddie Krueger.
The Art and Play Playground is a great place to add some time at if you are looking for fun things to do in Seattle with toddlers.
One of the most enjoyable things to do with kids is on the playground.
The climbing tower is 30 feet high and is located near MoPop.
The labyrinth is a great place for adults to walk. My girls were very fond of joining me.
The Seattle Fountain is a mainstay from the fair. There is a large grassy area with a fountain in the middle of it.
The Space Needle and the Seattle skyline can be seen from the observatory. You might want to get up close to the fountain if it gets hot. Kids will like it.
On the way out of Seattle, we visited the sculpture park. The Seattle Art Museum owns it and it is located near the Seattle Center.
The largest green space in Seattle is the Olympic Sculpture Park, which is nine acres on the waterfront. It has a green lawn, paved walkways, and nature trails.
You can take the zig-zag path down to the waterfront to see the sculptures.
You can see the Olympic Mountains in the distance.
You can fit in a game of baseball with the local team if you visit during baseball season.
Even though the team didn't play well, it was still one of the most enjoyable things to do in Seattle.
Just across the road from the entrance station is the legendary Pyramid Alehouse, which is a Seattle pre- game favorite.
You can find decent pub food, craft beers, and an outdoor area with live music.
The Gathering Space is a community hub and hangout place for music lovers and is located at the KEXP Seattle Center.
It is worth a visit to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee.
You can see what is being recorded on the radio by listening to it. There is a wall dedicated to Prince.
They have a lot of musicians come in for live performances so keep an eye on the schedule.
If you want to attend a free KEXP Live In-Studio performance, you need to register in person at KEXP before the performance.
The complete list of upcoming in- studio performances can be found here.
In the summer, there are tours offered at 2pm and 10am.
There are a lot of free things to do in Seattle. The city's different areas are in their own ways. Some of the neighborhoods we like to visit.
There are a lot of people in the neighborhood of Fremont.
It's fun for the kids to stop in to see the troll. You can find the sculpture under the bridge. A troll is holding a car. When crossing a bridge, be careful.
There is a huge bronze statue of a man on the main street and a sign that says "Fremont as the center of the Universe".
To get to the Gas Works, you must walk along the river trail from Fremont down to it.
There are samples of Theo's Chocolate to start. You've probably seen them in a store. The chili chocolate I tried was one of the cool things to do with kids in Seattle.
You can see the city from the GA's Works along the river past the blue and orange bridge, and then return to the brewery for a wide selection of craft beers and ciders.
There is a large beer garden with a family friendly atmosphere. You can bring in food from outside, even though there is no food here.
I wouldn't recommend Seattle as a place for swimming beaches, but Alki Beach in West Seattle is a great place to visit with kids for a quieter Seattle experience.
We were able to rollerblade from Harbor Ave around the bend where the water taxis arrive. There is a rollerblading and kayaking place here.
The view of the Seattle skyline was amazing. I remembered my small beach hometown.
The experience was better because there weren't many people out. You can rollerblade from here to where the main beach and cafes are.
This is a fun kid-friendly activity in Seattle. There are a few tide pools that children will be interested in.
It was recommended to us that you can catch a taxi in Seattle. They weren't running on the day we visited.
You can kayak or paddle board if rollerblading isn't something you enjoy. Enjoy seafood and views at Dukes. Below, you can see more on that.
Capitol Hill and Queen Anne are both good places to visit. The Space Needle and Museum of Pop Culture are both located in Queen Anne. The Chihuly Garden and Glass can be seen, as well as the 19th century homes and boutique stores.
Capitol Hill is a neighborhood with a lot of bars and restaurants. It has a lot of independent stores and thrift shops as well as some walking trails and panoramic views of the city.
There is a wading pool at Cal Anderson Park which children will love to play in.
The space needle has an amazing view. If you want to get a good view of the Seattle skyline, check out these places.
The Kerry Park is located in the Queen Anne neighborhood.
There are many boutique stores in the Queen Anne neighborhood.
The former site of Seattle Gas Light Company's gasification plant is now a place to fly kites and see the Space Needle.
They should turn those rusty structures into a community space.
The 19th century vibe of this early prohibition building might be due to the views from the Smith Tower Observatory.
Smith Tower has a storied past that includes connections to radio, rum-running, and a host of interesting characters and fascinating stories, and we were able to take a ride in a historic Otis elevator to the bar on the 34th.
The eclectic mix of the 20s with Chinese-inspired décor and the views make this a great place to enjoy drinks and views.
You can go for a walk on the narrow platform that is partially obscured by the protective fence.
If you visit during happy hour, drinks may be cheaper. It costs $12 to go up to the deck during happy hour. Usually, it's $20
The giant Starbucks corporation can be seen with a view down over their headquarters, which is a big white building in the distance.
The Lookout pop-up bar is open in the summer for people over the age of 21. It was obvious that we couldn't go to it.
Many people recommended the Sky View Observatory to us because it had the best views of Seattle.
The tallest public viewing space in the Pacific Northwest is located on the 73 story building.
Mt. is included in the views. Mt., as well as the surrounding mountains. The Olympic Mountains, Baker, and the city of Seattle are located there.
They have a sunset experience that includes food, beverage, and 2 hours of window-side table views.
If you jump on a ferry or water taxi you will be able to see the skyline of Seattle.
The ferry took us from the Olympic Peninsula to Seattle. It's a great way to see the skyline. It was a great reception in Seattle.
The giant Seattle Wheel can be seen as you sail into the city. Superb views of the Seattle waterfront are offered by the giant Ferris Wheel.
Kalyra freaks out on any kind of Ferris Wheel, which is one of the fun things to do in Seattle with children.
On a clear day, this ride can be worth it if you like city views and photography. The kids will love it.
Good food is a must in any city we visit. We had a great time in Seattle.
The Crab Pot is located on the same wharf as the Seattle Wheel and Wings and is a great place to eat seafood.
A bowl of Pacific Clambake will be thrown on the paper in front of you by your waitress.
Fresh seafood that included steamed clams, Pacific Mussels, Dungeness Crab, Snow Crab, Shrimp, Salmon, Corn on the Cob and red roast potatoes were available.
I think it is the best seafood I have had in the US and reminded me of Australia. It was great to have it with a glass of wine on a warm day.
The best place to sit is on the wharf. This is a great place to eat in Seattle with children.
At Alki Beach, let's keep the seafood vibe going.
Duke's is an independent restaurant that has been open for over 70 years. They make sure the food is free from harmful chemicals.
Their delicious clam chowder, a meal I rarely get to enjoy, is one of the many fresh, sustainable, wild-caught seafood andGluten-free options.
Wild Alaska Salmon and Coconut Prawns are included on the children's menu.
You can eat here for the views from the upper deck.
If the kids get restless, you can let them go over to the beach. The elevated seat on the deck makes it easy to watch them while you relax.
The service was of the highest caliber. I can tell you that Duke's is a great place to eat and drink. It's one of the most memorable things to do.
We loved eating breakfast here before rollerblading. It is an Australian inspired all day cafe.
We can smell it from a long way away.
The girls were excited to eat that. I was happy with my flat white and smashed Avo: heirloom tomatoes, poached eggs on top of avocados mashed with lemon, mint, basil, and parsley on toast. It always pleases.
Kin Dee is a great place to find authentic Thai food in a neighborhood.
The curry was really good.
My all-time favorite Thai dish is mango with sticky rice, and I wanted to end the meal with it. We weren't let down by it. We have to make this at home.
Is it trophy cupcakes or cupcake royal? Maybe the top pot?
If you want to start a war with Seattle locals, you need to ask them who bakes the best cupcakes.
Based on passionate responses, it is an even battle. It is best to make your own decision. Cupcake Royal seems to be the main contender. Top Pots was also visited by us.
They have stores all over Seattle.
cupcakeroyal is the pioneer in Seattle cupcakes Trophy sells ice cream as well.
When we arrived, all of the cupcakes were gone. The girls didn't like one cupcake store over the other, but they are a must-do in Seattle with kids.
Let us know in the comments which cupcake you prefer, or tag us on social to let us know.
Great coffee is what you want. It is in Seattle. This city is one of the top USA destinations.
We recommend you go to the Starbucks Roastery instead of waiting in line at Starbucks in the market.
There is more to this than coffee and snacks. There is a store, a roastery, a cafe, and a coffee library.
It's possible to get food and alcohol here, but I felt it was a little overpriced. It's Starbucks.
The Experience Bar is a place to sit down and order unique coffees that aren't found anywhere else.
Rob recommended Espresso Vivace to his friends in Seattle. He was correct in his opinion.
After eating our crepes at Joes, we went to the Capitol Hill location of their cafés. The world will go by if you grab your cup and seat.
After our tour, we went to Storyville for a drink. It was very popular.
There's a 3-sip guarantee here. They will refund your money if you don't like it after three sips. The guarantee didn't have to be used.
On our way out of Seattle, we popped in here. It is located in the center of the Amazon campus and has a busy atmosphere.
Many food trucks were surrounding the area. The coffee was perfect for our drive.
No trip to the city is complete without a trip out of the city.
You can check out these day trips from Seattle.
You can get a 4-day itinerary for Seattle from us.
One of the days from the itinerary can be used to adjust and follow for your Seattle visit. A map with directions is included.
Those in our free email tribe can get free itineraries, checklists and guides.
Click for immediate accessWe usually get asked about visiting Seattle.
The question is a great one. We think you should see and do a lot of things in Seattle.
It would be a busy day but worth it. You should grab your CityPass for savings and book tours in advance so you can be more efficient.
Depending on how the schedule pans out and your timing you can figure out where to eat and where to get coffee.
You can get a big breakfast on the food tour. Don't forget to grab your cupcakes while you're there.
If you have time, you can head up to the Smith Tower Observatory or Sky View Observatory for dusk and night views.
It's the best time to visit Seattle in the summer. There is a better chance of warm and dry weather.
We didn't notice the crowds at the Seattle Center, but they were there. You will be okay if you book in advance.
No, that's not true. You should stay in the city if you can.
If you only have a couple of days in Seattle, staying in the city center may be a better idea than staying in the neighborhood. It will give you more time to explore.
Here are some great places to stay in Seattle.
You can stay in the heart of Seattle 1000 feet from the space needle and pike place market. Kimpton's are our favorite hotel brand and we always recommend them.
There are pop-art pillows in the guest rooms and some units have a bathtub.
Kimpton Palladian Hotel hosts an evening wine hour from 17 to 18. There is also a free bike.
Guests rave about the modern décor and spacious rooms. Rates can be checked here.
The Belltown Inn is located close to the Olympic Sculpture Park. The Space Needle is less than 10 minutes away.
The inn has rooms and a terrace.
Check rates and reviews here, as previous guests rave about location, price and clean rooms.
Click here to find more Seattle accommodations.
There are so many things to see and explore in Seattle with children.
Adults will find the attractions fun and exciting as well as the kids.
The Space Museum or Museum of Flight is a place your children may want to visit. If your kids are older, they may enjoy them, even if they don't like them past the flight simulator.
We hope you have fun in Seattle.
These guides are helpful if you are going to visit more cities in the USA.
Leave a comment if you have any ideas on what to do in Seattle with kids.
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