Seattle, Washington, is a popular family vacation destination because it has all the modern luxuries of a large city but it is surrounded by scenic, natural landscape that is perfect for outdoor family adventures. When planning a trip to Seattle, make your vacation more memorable by choosing activities and attractions that are fun and interesting for both kids and adults alike.
Seattle Children's Museum is a fun and educational experience for the whole family. The museum's hands-on exhibits are specifically geared toward children 10 months old through 10 years old, but kids of all ages are welcome to search and discover their way through more than 20,000 square feet of exhibit space. Some of the museum's interactive exhibits include the Imagination Studio where kids can paint, sculpt or build their very own artistic creation, and the "Neighborhood" which features a realistic, kid-sized community with a grocery store, construction zone, restaurant and theater. For safety, adults are not allowed to enter the building without a child, and children are not allowed to enter without adult supervision. The Seattle Children's Museum is located on the Seattle Center Campus, near Seattle's famous Space Needle.
The Children's Museum, Seattle
305 Harrison St.
Seattle, WA 98109
206-441-1768
thechildrensmuseum.org
The Woodland Park Zoo is a must-see for families visiting Seattle, and it is just a short drive or bike ride from downtown. Kids and adults can spend all day touring the 92-acre zoo, which features several hundred species of animals including the exotic snow leopard. The exhibits at the Woodland Park Zoo simulate the animals' natural habitat, and they strive to teach visitors about conservation. Some of the other attractions at Woodland Park Zoo include Zoomazium, a nature-inspired, indoor play area that welcomes young children to climb an enormous tree, and a tread up a life-like mountain. The entire family will enjoy a ride on the "Historic Carousel," as well as a glimpse of the award-winning "Humbolt Penguin Exhibit."
Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103
206-548-2500
zoo.org
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop might be the only place on Earth where you can see a shrunken head and buy homemade fudge under the same roof. The 100-year-old novelty shop has been a famous tourist attraction for decades because of its odd and rare memorabilia. Older kids and adults will enjoy the shop for its wonderfully weird collection of items such as mummies and shrunken heads, as well as native folk art, jewelry and collectibles. There is also a "ghost tour" that begins at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop and visits locations in Seattle that are famous for being allegedly haunted by spirits. Admission to Ye Olde Curiosity Shop is free, and it is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
1001 Alaskan Way
Seattle, WA 98104
206-682-5844
yeoldecuriosityshop.com
