Your next Summer vacation in Seattle just got that much better!
Planning a family vacation can be daunting – Trying to figure out things to do and places to visit that both doesn’t break the bank can feel like an impossible task. Not to mention figuring out where to stay in Seattle and places to eat. That’s why we put together this list of amazing, family and budget friendly activities for you to consider when deciding to visit The Emerald City this Summer.
1) Visit the Sky View Observatory
Do you like heights? If you do, then reach for the sky at the Sky View Observatory at the Columbia Center. Standing at 902 ft tall, it is the highest public viewpoint in the Pacific Northwest. Take the new fast-transit elevator up 73 floors in 70 seconds, and be mesmerized by the 360 degree views of the city. Even the Space Needle looks tiny from up there. Savor Seattle Food Tour guests get 20% off their admission with the Savor Seattle V.I.P Card!
2) Have a picnic on the lake with Seattle Donut Boats
Did somebody say Donuts? These “donut-shaped” boats are the latest boats to hit water in South Lake Union. Using a small powered motor, leisurely float around the lake with friends and family. Complete with an umbrella for shade and a round table for picnics, this is the perfect activity for families this Summer (Video via King 5 Evening).
3) Shop and explore at Pike Place Market
A family outing is never complete without a visit to Pike Place Market. The 111-year-old Farmer’s Market is the longest consecutively run Farmer’s Market in the Country, with about 500 total businesses, vendors and stalls. This means that you rarely see the same vendor twice, and we can’t not mention the food! Want the family to learn while they eat through Pike Place Market? Then make sure to book a Signature Tour of Pike Place Market with Savor Seattle Food Tours. Skipping the lines at the Market’s most popular food destinations are well worth the price of admission.
4) Eat and play at Miner’s Landing at Pier 57
Imagine – a waterfront destination that includes a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, an arcade, homemade ice cream, and two family-friendly restaurants. Sounds too good to be real? Well, it isn’t a fantasy in Seattle, just head to Miner’s Landing at Pier 57 for all that and more. You and the family will be entertained for hours as you eat, shop and play within this iconic Seattle waterfront landmark. We love Wings Over Washington, an interactive ride that takes you and the kids soaring over the Pacific Northwest. A visit to the Waterfront isn’t complete without a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel either. For food, The Crab Pot is a fun way to introduce seafood to kids while also not breaking the bank. (Photo via Miner’s Landing at Pier 57).
5) Ride the Water Taxi from the Seattle Waterfront to West Seattle
All aboard! The King County Water Taxi is a shuttle service from Pier 52 (next to the Washington State Ferry Terminal) to West Seattle, just a quick 10 minute ride across Elliot Bay. The ride, while meant for commuters, also has attracted many visitors simply for the panoramic city skyline views that being in the middle of Elliot Bay has to offer. If the family is hungry, the West Seattle dock in directly next door to Marination Ma Kai, which specializes in Hawaiian-Korean fusion. We recommend the spicy pork tacos. (Photo via Instagram).
6) Relax and chill at Alki Beach
Be it adults or children, who doesn’t love a day at the beach? Washington might not be known for sunshine, but you can’t deny the beauty of our shores. In West Seattle, Alki Beach is the destination for a day under the sun. Find a spot along the sandy beach and hang out, or grab a volleyball and pick up a game with friends. There are also plenty of dining options along the beach, so the family won’t go starving either.
7) Learn at Pacific Science Center
For many who grew up in the Seattle area, a field trip to the Pacific Science Center is one memory many never forget. The same can still be said today for the visitors who explore the awesome facility located in Seattle Center. Let your kids imagine themselves in the rain forest, while surrounded by hundreds of real butterflies, or pretend to be the weatherman at their forecast simulator. The Pacific Science Center makes science fun for everyone! (Video via Youtube)
*BONUS Activity! See how airplanes are built on a Boeing Tour
Are your kids fascinated with airplanes? Then why not take them to see how they are made at the Boeing Factory, the largest airplane manufacturing facility in the World, that just so happens to call Washington home. Shutter Tours in Seattle is a great way to visit the airplane manufacturer, complete with shuttle service to the plant in Everett, Washington and back to Seattle on comfortable buses. On the ride, get an in-depth history of Seattle and the Boeing company, then explore the Boeing facility on a guided one and a half hour tour. On the way back, enjoy complimentary snacks and get dropped off at one of Seattle’s iconic destinations such as the Seattle Center or Pike Place Market.
