I am heading up to the Seattle area this coming weekend for several days and I've never been before so I was wanting some suggestions on things to see and do while I'm there. I need ideas that are young children friendly (5, 3, and 2) as well as adult only (date night) stuff. I already plan on seeing the Market but thats the only thing I know I really want to go see, and I'm passing on the space needle since I have a problem with elevators. Any suggestions/ideas are most appreciated, thanks!
Things to see and do in Seattle
- Thread starter Kaarnanyx
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TrinityBlaine
Experienced
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Seattle is gorgeous !
I live about an hour+ from Seattle.
I don't get there as often as I would like but being a country girl, I love it.
It's a beautiful city.
I can suggest going to EMP. (Experience music program)
It is fantastic.
I went when I was in middle school so it's very kid friendly but it's got some amazing exhibits if you like music.
Of course you have Kurt Cobain stuff since he's a Seattle artist but they have tons of others. Stuff about Disney. My personal favorite, Jimmy Hendrix's guitar and an amazing exhibit.
It's great fun for the whole family. It's something you shouldn't pass up if your in the area.
Seafood if your into that is something I would definitely try. Very fresh.
I wish I could help more but aside from seeing musicals and hempfest, I haven't done much in Seattle.
I live about an hour+ from Seattle.
I don't get there as often as I would like but being a country girl, I love it.
It's a beautiful city.
I can suggest going to EMP. (Experience music program)
It is fantastic.
I went when I was in middle school so it's very kid friendly but it's got some amazing exhibits if you like music.
Of course you have Kurt Cobain stuff since he's a Seattle artist but they have tons of others. Stuff about Disney. My personal favorite, Jimmy Hendrix's guitar and an amazing exhibit.
It's great fun for the whole family. It's something you shouldn't pass up if your in the area.
Seafood if your into that is something I would definitely try. Very fresh.
I wish I could help more but aside from seeing musicals and hempfest, I haven't done much in Seattle.
SweetErika
Fingers Crossed
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If you're driving up, a pit stop at the Tacoma Children's Museum would likely be fun for the kids and you. They charge on a donation basis, and it's a brand new facility. You can park around there, but you can also ride the FREE Link Light Rail from the Tacoma Dome stop (also free parking, and super fun for kidlets!).
There are tons of awesome parks in the area if the weather is decent, and that's your thing. One of my favorite in Seattle proper is Volunteer Park, which also has a conservatory with lots of cool plants (it's free or cheap). But there's also Alki, other beach parks and Gasworks (which has a great view of Lake Union, the Space Needle, Seattle skyline, etc.).
What kinds of things do you and the kids enjoy?
Where in the area will you be staying? There's lots to do in the entire Metro area, and I'm guessing you want to spend more time playing and less time in the car.
For stuff for kids/families, I use the events calendars on SeattlesChild, ParentMap and MacaroniKid.
There are tons of awesome parks in the area if the weather is decent, and that's your thing. One of my favorite in Seattle proper is Volunteer Park, which also has a conservatory with lots of cool plants (it's free or cheap). But there's also Alki, other beach parks and Gasworks (which has a great view of Lake Union, the Space Needle, Seattle skyline, etc.).
What kinds of things do you and the kids enjoy?
Where in the area will you be staying? There's lots to do in the entire Metro area, and I'm guessing you want to spend more time playing and less time in the car.
For stuff for kids/families, I use the events calendars on SeattlesChild, ParentMap and MacaroniKid.
I enjoy food, markets, new age stuff. I would like to see the Air Museum while I am there but not sure if that is kid friendly or not. I'm not sure about what the kids like. Sorry I just realized I wasn't clear in the earlier post, they're my bf's kids and he just got custody of them recently (their mom has fallen into the drug world hard unfortunately). I know he's taken them to the aquarium that is up in that area and he says they have a good time. This is the beginning of getting the kids used to me so we can start the process of moving in together, so this is a learning process for me since I have no children of my own. But that is a whole other can of worms so I digress, the 5 year old is a girl and the 3 and 2 are boys so i assume mess making is going to be a must somewhere in there.
We'll actually be staying up in Lynnwood while I'm there so I don't know if there is more there that I need to think about as well.
Thanks again for the help. He's been teasing me telling me not to make plans and lets just see what happens and where we want to go when I get there, but I can't not make plans of some sort. I am largely not a spur of the moment kind of a person, no plans tend to drive me up a wall, or a tree, whichever is closer at hand.
SweetErika
Fingers Crossed
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- Apr 27, 2004
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Hopefully your bf is coming with you and his kids!
The Museum of Flight is cool, but NOT friendly for 2-5 year olds, IMO. Plus, from Lynnwood, you'd have to go all the way down to the very south end of Seattle to visit it, and that can be a hell of a drive! We went for their Halloween party (mostly because it was free), and there wasn't a ton for our then-20-month-old to do besides looking at the planes. He got to sit in a fighter jet and walk through a passenger plane, but the rest is pretty much looking and reading. Once the novelty of seeing the real planes and running around wears off, you're in trouble with little ones! I wouldn't want to make a big special trip or pay admission with/for kids that age, that's for sure.
I'd stick to children's museums, or others that have a lot of stuff specifically for young kids to do (if you're not sure, call and ask what they have to entertain a 2, 3 and 5 year old). I haven't been to the kid's museum in Everett (which is closest to Lynnwood) or the one in Seattle proper, but the pay-by-donation one in Tacoma is very good, like I said, and we enjoy KidsQuest in the Factoria Mall of Bellevue as well (that one is free the 1st Friday of each month from 5-8pm, BTW).
Downtown, the Pacific Science Center would almost certainly be a hit, although I think it's expensive without a coupon or special deal (but maybe they have like a family ticket). You can also ride the Monorail train between the Seattle Center and Westlake Center (I think it's pretty cheap and would definitely be fun for the kiddos). I haven't been to the Experience Music Project, so I can't speak about how kidlet-friendly that is.
The Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Aquarium are cool, but regular admission is very expensive. If I were you, I'd save my money and go in Portland with a coupon or membership instead.
However, you can buy a CityPass that will let you into all of the major attractions at a good discount if you want to go to a bunch of expensive stuff in Seattle. Fortunately, you'd only have to buy for the adult(s) and 5 year old, since kids under 3 are free.
If you head down to the water, you can walk along the big piers and even go on a ferry (the ferries are pretty universal hits with kids AND adults) to like Bainbridge Island. There are ferries from ports north of Seattle as well that might be more accessible from Lynnwood. Check to see whether it's more economical to walk or drive on the ferry with that many people.
You might all enjoy Seattle's International District for really good Asian food and interesting sights.
Heading north from Lynnwood, I believe the Mt. Vernon Tulip Festival is happening. Think sea of vivid tulips and amazing photos.
If you'll be here early enough this Saturday, there will be loads of free/cheap Easter events everywhere. Check those websites I mentioned. And it's supposed to be pretty nice weather, so I'd suggest checking out at least one cool/unique park.
I can't think of anything fun to do in Lynnwood (it's possible that such a thing doesn't exist
), and I haven't done anything but drive through Everett for quite sometime, so I can't help you there. I would suggest using Everett for things like a kid's museum because you'll have an easier time parking, shorter walks, and quite possibly lower costs.
Oh, and the SR99/Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed this weekend. Check on traffic here or on Google Maps before you make decide to go to or through Downtown Seattle. Viaduct closures can make traffic on I-5 and other routes a lot worse, but hopefully lots of people will avoid the city because of Easter and that will even things out for you!
All in all, I'd still take the kids to the Tacoma Children's Museum for some play if you're coming north on I-5 and it works with your schedule. From Tacoma, you're looking at like another hour in the car before you get to Lynnwood. Then do one or two cool things in Seattle that won't be open on Easter. On Sunday, do what's open and/or go to a good park. It's good to have looser plans with kids, while still maintaining their schedule (e.g. meals, naps and bedtimes) and being flexible if something comes up. We have learned not to tell our 2 year old what we're planning until we're sure it's going to happen - it's better to stick with a generic "something fun" or "we're going somewhere special" or "would you like to do XYZ sometime ?" than to give him a specific activity/place to pin his hopes on (and harass us about if we can't make it for some reason). It's all in the presentation!
The Museum of Flight is cool, but NOT friendly for 2-5 year olds, IMO. Plus, from Lynnwood, you'd have to go all the way down to the very south end of Seattle to visit it, and that can be a hell of a drive! We went for their Halloween party (mostly because it was free), and there wasn't a ton for our then-20-month-old to do besides looking at the planes. He got to sit in a fighter jet and walk through a passenger plane, but the rest is pretty much looking and reading. Once the novelty of seeing the real planes and running around wears off, you're in trouble with little ones! I wouldn't want to make a big special trip or pay admission with/for kids that age, that's for sure.
I'd stick to children's museums, or others that have a lot of stuff specifically for young kids to do (if you're not sure, call and ask what they have to entertain a 2, 3 and 5 year old). I haven't been to the kid's museum in Everett (which is closest to Lynnwood) or the one in Seattle proper, but the pay-by-donation one in Tacoma is very good, like I said, and we enjoy KidsQuest in the Factoria Mall of Bellevue as well (that one is free the 1st Friday of each month from 5-8pm, BTW).
Downtown, the Pacific Science Center would almost certainly be a hit, although I think it's expensive without a coupon or special deal (but maybe they have like a family ticket). You can also ride the Monorail train between the Seattle Center and Westlake Center (I think it's pretty cheap and would definitely be fun for the kiddos). I haven't been to the Experience Music Project, so I can't speak about how kidlet-friendly that is.
The Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Aquarium are cool, but regular admission is very expensive. If I were you, I'd save my money and go in Portland with a coupon or membership instead.
However, you can buy a CityPass that will let you into all of the major attractions at a good discount if you want to go to a bunch of expensive stuff in Seattle. Fortunately, you'd only have to buy for the adult(s) and 5 year old, since kids under 3 are free.
If you head down to the water, you can walk along the big piers and even go on a ferry (the ferries are pretty universal hits with kids AND adults) to like Bainbridge Island. There are ferries from ports north of Seattle as well that might be more accessible from Lynnwood. Check to see whether it's more economical to walk or drive on the ferry with that many people.
You might all enjoy Seattle's International District for really good Asian food and interesting sights.
Heading north from Lynnwood, I believe the Mt. Vernon Tulip Festival is happening. Think sea of vivid tulips and amazing photos.
If you'll be here early enough this Saturday, there will be loads of free/cheap Easter events everywhere. Check those websites I mentioned. And it's supposed to be pretty nice weather, so I'd suggest checking out at least one cool/unique park.
I can't think of anything fun to do in Lynnwood (it's possible that such a thing doesn't exist
), and I haven't done anything but drive through Everett for quite sometime, so I can't help you there. I would suggest using Everett for things like a kid's museum because you'll have an easier time parking, shorter walks, and quite possibly lower costs. Oh, and the SR99/Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed this weekend. Check on traffic here or on Google Maps before you make decide to go to or through Downtown Seattle. Viaduct closures can make traffic on I-5 and other routes a lot worse, but hopefully lots of people will avoid the city because of Easter and that will even things out for you!
All in all, I'd still take the kids to the Tacoma Children's Museum for some play if you're coming north on I-5 and it works with your schedule. From Tacoma, you're looking at like another hour in the car before you get to Lynnwood. Then do one or two cool things in Seattle that won't be open on Easter. On Sunday, do what's open and/or go to a good park. It's good to have looser plans with kids, while still maintaining their schedule (e.g. meals, naps and bedtimes) and being flexible if something comes up. We have learned not to tell our 2 year old what we're planning until we're sure it's going to happen - it's better to stick with a generic "something fun" or "we're going somewhere special" or "would you like to do XYZ sometime ?" than to give him a specific activity/place to pin his hopes on (and harass us about if we can't make it for some reason). It's all in the presentation!
Looks like I am going to be taking the i-5 all the way up but plan to leave the portland area in the am on saturday. And even more luck is in store, his dad and stepmom are taking the kids saturday night for us so we can have an adults only day and night so we'll be able to go see some of the not so kidlet friendly stuff. Wanted to say thanks again for the great advice, and will probably stick to the "fly by the seat of our pants" plan for the rest of the stay.
bashfullyshameless
Literotica Guru
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Seattle Stuff
If you have any appreciation at all for history, the Seattle Underground Tour in Downtown (Pioneer Square) is awesome. Seattle burned down in a major fire in 1889 and there was a major fight over how to rebuild. The Underground tour takes you on a (pretty amusing) tour of what is left of original Seattle, which was essentially buried & built over after the fire.
The harbor tours can be pleasant, though they're nothing mind-boggling.
I have mixed feelings about the Space Needle. I love my town, so I love the view, but if you aren't already digging Seattle it may not be worth the price of admission.
I second Pacific Science Center as a fun place to go.
Pike Place Market is worth going to at least once, if only to see what's there and to have a shopping experience outside of the usual homogenous made-in-China stuff you get in regular stores. Yes, there's lots of kitschy t-shirts and post cards, but there are also a lot of hand-made gems.
If you have any appreciation at all for history, the Seattle Underground Tour in Downtown (Pioneer Square) is awesome. Seattle burned down in a major fire in 1889 and there was a major fight over how to rebuild. The Underground tour takes you on a (pretty amusing) tour of what is left of original Seattle, which was essentially buried & built over after the fire.
The harbor tours can be pleasant, though they're nothing mind-boggling.
I have mixed feelings about the Space Needle. I love my town, so I love the view, but if you aren't already digging Seattle it may not be worth the price of admission.
I second Pacific Science Center as a fun place to go.
Pike Place Market is worth going to at least once, if only to see what's there and to have a shopping experience outside of the usual homogenous made-in-China stuff you get in regular stores. Yes, there's lots of kitschy t-shirts and post cards, but there are also a lot of hand-made gems.
Thucydides
Virgin
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- Oct 26, 2008
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The Ballard Locks are fun- they get to see the ships and boats move through, and there's a fish ladder where the salmon swim through in front of windows if its the right time (they only migrate at certain times). Small boys love big, noisy machinery. For that matter, you could take the ferry across the Sound and back- it's cheap if you don't bring a car and the kids will think it's exciting.
Be aware that the Market is usually crowded and has a complicated, illogical layout- you don't want the little guys out of your reach because they can get lost fast. It's in a sketchy area but there's a heavy police presence so it's safe.
Be aware that the Market is usually crowded and has a complicated, illogical layout- you don't want the little guys out of your reach because they can get lost fast. It's in a sketchy area but there's a heavy police presence so it's safe.
Update on trip
Thanks for all the wonderful advice, and SweetE thanks for making sure I kept the "dont make any solid plans" advice in mind. Turns out we didnt get to go do ANY of the things we had wanted to do really but we still had fun. We did the easter thing with his family on sunday, and did a picnic at a park after a stressful meeting on monday afternoon, but by tuesday all the kids were sick, and had to spend part of the evening in the ER with the middle child (high fever and dehydrated). But all in all it was a good trip and it looks like I'm moving up there and joining him and the kids there so all your advice was not in vain, just might take me a little longer to get to it. Lol. So anyways thanks again!!!
Thanks for all the wonderful advice, and SweetE thanks for making sure I kept the "dont make any solid plans" advice in mind. Turns out we didnt get to go do ANY of the things we had wanted to do really but we still had fun. We did the easter thing with his family on sunday, and did a picnic at a park after a stressful meeting on monday afternoon, but by tuesday all the kids were sick, and had to spend part of the evening in the ER with the middle child (high fever and dehydrated). But all in all it was a good trip and it looks like I'm moving up there and joining him and the kids there so all your advice was not in vain, just might take me a little longer to get to it. Lol. So anyways thanks again!!!
bharman4102
Literotica Guru
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- Apr 21, 2002
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Any adult entertainment in Seattle that's worth pursuing?
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