Seattle suggestions for kids please?

[maggipie]

Inviting all you Seattle experts' comments!

 

We have an upcoming (embarking June 11) pre and post cruise day with DS 6 and DD 10, though expect most action will be on the post 2 day stay. From perusing the Seattle threads, it seems that we really should do the Duck tour and visit the Space Needle, Pike Place Market and Ye Olde Curiosity Shop.

 

Any other suggestions of nearby places to go that will not take a lot of time commitment (meaning not all day to allow us to see more) and be fun for kids?

 

We are staying at the W in downtown, so would like to walk to most places, and planned to take the free bus to walking distance of the Space Needle, unless there is a better way.

 

Thanks in advance! :)

[Cruisin' Chick]

Right by the Space Museum is a totally awesome science museum. Many hands-on exhibits, including a living butterfly one. I told my hubby that we should take our daughter there...and he enjoyed it as much as she did.

[Dan G]

if you look at tripadvisor.com seattle forum there are lots of info on things to do with kids. The science center is fun as well as the Aquarium or taking a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. Great views of downtown for around $5.50 pp.

[maggipie]

Cruisin' Chick, probably will be the same for my DH, similar to "We have to get this, the kids (meaning he) will really like this!" ;)

davidgmg, thanks for the reminder about tripadvisor, I can get tunnel vision. Did find a wealth of info there.

[na44]

If he's an adventureous eater. It's fun to go into Chinatown for dim-sum for lunch.

[darkprincess]

Check out the aquarium which is at the waterfront, and have lunch at the crabpot.

[ailuro]

We have been here for a few days now, this is what we did -

 

We were going to do it, but we ruled out the duck tour after seeing them peep their horn and the passengers hollering /yelling at a lady who was on crutches taking too long to cross the road in front of them. We don't give our money to people who behave like that.:mad:

 

The space needle is good for all ages, lots of interactive displays inside, webcams etc to move by remote control, free to use binoculars on the outside platform. We have had great views of Mt. Ranier when we up.

 

The EMP/SFM is a combined Music experience where you can play instruments in a booth and jam with your friends who are through the glass using a different instrument. Good for adults is the Jimmi Hendrix displays, and everyone loved the guitar tower.

 

The science centre , EMP/SFM are at the space needle block too, so is the monorail which comes up from the Westlake Centre in 2 minutes flat (cost $2 each way per adult)

 

The science centre is very hands on, entertaining for kids of most ages, with regular shows by the inhouse scientists.

 

We bought Seattle citypasses, $59 for adults, $39 for kids which got us into SpaceNeedle (was good for two visits) an all day entry to Science centre, all day at the EMP/SFM, with passes for Museum of Flight and Woodland PArk Zoo which we didn't use, but both are well rated in tripadvisor.com Almost forgot, the citypass includes a one hour harbour cruise, that was very good, leaves from Pier 55, iirc, goes all the way out and gets up close to cargo ships that are being unloaded by overhead cranes which was very interesting to see. Great commentary and some great views of the skyline.

 

 

We got a Seattle Grayline tour bus pass which lasts two days and does a one hour loop. Quite entertaining but not a mine of information, tbh. we also used the monorail which is cool as it is up in the air and passes very close to the EMP building.

 

Downtown we did the Underground tour at Pioneer Square, great guide but not too exciting for little kids (apart from the bit about Thomas A. Crapper and the system's problems, lol)

 

Pike Place Market is, imho, a bunch of market stalls. Flowers are VERY cheap, though, so pick some up for onboard before you travel.

 

 

 

Up at the Space Needle (also called Seattle Centre) are also various stalls and rides for little kids.

 

Down at the harbour next to Argosy Cruises is a place called Miner's LAnding, has a really nice quick lunch there, burger in a bun, grilled chicken in a bun, chicken tenders all with fries, three drinks all for $28, which is pretty cheap compared to other prices we have paid.

 

Hope you enjoy it whatever you do, we have had record breaking temperatures so probably haven't got around as much as we might have in cooler weather.