Where to Go with Kids in Seattle

When your family travels take you to the Northwest, plan to spend a few days in Seattle, where you’ll find a lot of activities to please kids.

Begin with a ride to the top of the Space Needle, where, after an exciting ride to the Observation Deck, kids can enjoy views across the city and Puget Sound, with Mount Rainier dominating one horizon.

Also within the city center lies Chihuly Garden and Glass, a museum and art center celebrating the work of the renowned glass artist, Dale Chihuly. Kids will be enchanted by his colorful giant flowers, sea creatures and other images made of brightly colored glass. Kids can watch as artists create blown-glass art. In the adjoining garden, more of Chihuly’s creations are displayed amid plants and trees.

On the waterfront, kids can watch seals, otters and other sea animals below and above the water at Seattle Aquarium, as well as meet small sea creatures up close at touch tanks. An open play space for younger children features plush versions of sea creatures and other marine-themed toys. The undersea dome allows you to step inside a 400,000-gallon tank and observe sharks and schools of fish in their habitat.

At Woodland Park Zoo, kids can meet endangered and threatened animals, such as snow leopards, living in natural environments. Other exotic animals include wallabies, rhinoceros, African and Asian elephants, lions, red pandas and tigers. The zoo is a good chance to see elusive local wildlife, as well, including the brown bear.

If you’re visiting in summer, don’t overlook the parks and beaches in Seattle. Alki Park, which you can reach by water taxi from Pier 50, features a long sandy beach and plenty of room to run. Another beach sits at Discovery Park, where kids love to go beachcombing at low tide.