How to Spend Three Days in Seattle with Kids

There are many things that come to mind when you mentioned Seattle. Rainy weather, grungy music and gourmet coffee tend to be some of the first things that people think of, yet you can really credit the city with having a lot more to it. One thing that is almost universally agreed on is just how nice a city Seattle is.

A clean and family friendly city, Seattle has plenty of great sights and sounds that are well worth checking out. Whether it’s a long weekend or a few days during a school vacation, taking your children to Seattle for three days is an amazing trip that not enough families go on, as the city is often overlooked as a destination for out-of-towners.

That is not to say three days in Seattle with the kids cannot be an amazing trip, here’s some ideas on how to spend three days in the Jet City.

Day One – Visiting the zoo and exploring the city

You want the kids to have a great time straight off the bat, so why not head to one of the biggest attraction the city has to offer in the shape of Woodland Park Zoo. The zoo is home to some truly amazing species of animals that will delight kids of all ages, but there are also more age-appropriate attractions too depending on the age of the kids.

Petting zoos are a fine idea for younger ones, whereas older kids might get a kick out of feeding some penguins or checking out some insects at the Bug World. There are so many various enclosures, parks, and fair rides such as the carousel that kids of all ages can have a great time.

After visiting the zoo, a great idea would be to visit the concrete jungle of the city itself. You can head down to the famous Pike Place Market, which is one of the longest running farmers markets in the entire country. You can pick up some tasty fruit, veg and various other organic produce to take home. Not only that, but countless stalls can be found selling fun and exciting trinkets and bits and pieces that are perfect for children, making for a fine memento of their visit.

Day Two – Visiting the waterfront and aquarium

Seattle is a truly gorgeous city. It’s right on the waterfront, which provides so many breath-taking views as well as some awesome nautical sights to take in. The stunning natural landscapes that surround the city can also be viewed from here too, so be sure to have a camera ready to takes some snaps (weather permitting of course!)

Check out the pedestrian walkway that at Pier 52 through to 70 for some really amazing views. There are countless docks and piers worth a visit, where you and the kids can spot some truly amazing vessels and ships making their way and in out of the city.

It would be rude to try out some of the local seafood cuisine; luckily there are many eateries to be found up and down the length of the Seattle Waterfront. After that, it’s time to visit the aquarium!

What better way for the kids to make the most of the seafront setting than taking in what’s on show at the Seattle Aquarium? Countless exhibitions display some of the natural inhabitants of the Puget Sound, including seals and otters, various fish species, as well as numerous birds. Checking out the underwater dome provides a first-hand glimpse of the wildlife of the area, and will leave the children feeling awe-struck.

Day Three – Visiting the famous Space Needle and the Science Centre

You can’t really visit Seattle without paying a visit to one of its most iconic landmarks! The Space Needle dominates the Seattle skyline and is definitely worth visiting up close and personal – plus the Pacific Science Centre is nearby too, making for a convenient location to spend the final day!

While you may not want to dine in the rotating restaurant at the top, the observation deck is a must-see to catch a stunning view of the entire city and the surrounding lands; it will truly help you to appreciate the beauty of the city.

The science centre has so many great attractions for children of most ages, including an IMAX theatre well worth catching a movie in, an amazing tropical butterfly house, the fun filled science playground and countless outdoor exhibits too. That’s just some of the permanent exhibits there too, with many other featured exhibitions regularly on display you can be sure to find hours of informative fun for children of all ages.