7 Seattle Attractions for Families
By Susan Johnston
With awe-inspiring views of Puget Sound and tons of hands-on activities, Seattle, Washington is an ideal vacation destination for families. Many of Seattle’s most popular downtown attractions are located within easy walking distance of each other, and the area offers plenty to do both indoors and out. Here are some of Seattle’s best family-friendly attractions, so grab a latte and enjoy your trip to the Emerald City!
The Space Needle is perhaps Seattle’s most recognizable landmark and its number one tourist destination. Take the elevator up 520 feet to the O Deck and enjoy unrivaled 360 degrees views of Seattle and the surrounding area. It’s the perfect spot for a family photo, and kids can play on interactive trivia game stations. Go Seattle Card users get in free before 5:30 pm, but visitors are recommended to go before 11:00 am to avoid crowds later in the day.
- Pacific Science Center offers over 300 interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages. Learn about 3D movies and more in Adventures in 3Dimensions. Visit the tropical butterfly house, which features several different species of free-flying butterflies and tropical flowers. Play TV meteorologist, experiment with water, and freeze your shadow in Kid Works. Free admission until 5:30 pm for Go Seattle Card customers.
- Wild Waves and Enchanted Village is the Northwest’s biggest and most exciting water park. Rides include the Konga River Tube Slides, a wave pool, raging river, and zooma falls, a twisting, rafting rafting experience. Most rides have a minimum height of 36" or 42", and Go Seattle Card users get in free before 5:30 pm. Park operates May to October.
- Experience Music Project is the ideal way to spend a rainy day (or any day, really). With more than 80,000 artifact documenting American music from Jimi Hendrix to Janis Joplin to Johnny Cash, the EMP is the ultimate destination for music fans young and old. Interactive exhibits let visitors jam on closed-circuit TV, experiment with electric guitar riffs, learn to use sound mixing software, and more. A special exhibit called Disney: The Music Behind the Magic runs through September 9. Kids will marvel over the giant motorized guitar sculpture that incorporates sounds from more than 500 musical instruments from all over the world.
- Safeco Field is home to the Seattle Mariner’s baseball team. Sports enthusiasts can tour this 19.59-acre ball park with real grass and a retractable roof. Highlights on this one hour tour include seeing the press box, luxury suites, field, dugout, and visitors’ clubhouse. Be sure to bring your camera, because photos are welcome! This tour is available on non-game days, and Go Seattle Card-holders get in free.
- Museum of Flight lets adventurous kids learn about planes and aviation in a fun and informative environment. For a small additional fee, visitors can ride in a flight simulator or take control of a plane in X-Pilot. Museum admission is free on the first Thursday evening each month, but Go Seattle Card users get free admission anytime.
- Family Fun Center is open every day and features nine acres of amusement park rides, games, a restaurant, and more on Seattle’s Southside. Family Fun Center’s newest addition is the spine-tingling Screamin’ Swing, which launches riders 70 feet in the air at 65 mph! Looking for something a little less extreme? Check out the climbing wall, batting cages, or bumper boats. Admission is free, and Go Seattle Card-holders receive buy one, get one free on the Screamin’ Swing ride.
Susan Johnston is the copywriter for www.GoSeattleCard.com, which offers over 30 of Seattle’s best attractions, tours, and more on one easy-to-use smartcard.
Seattle tourism & sightseeing
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