Seattle in July with kids? About This Page:

[Turner & Tristan's Mom]

We are travelling to Seattle on June 29th to spend my DS's first birthday with his great grandparents. I also have a five year old DS who will be going with us. My DH's grandparents live in a retirement community in Issaquah. There is no way that my two DS's will put up with being cooped up in a tiny apartment in the summer for very long! Are they any relatively inexpensive close by things that we could do to entertain them? It would have to be something that we could take Great Grandma (who is 75) along on. She is in really good shape and up to walking around everywhere. I have already decided on the aquarium downtown. Any other suggestions for kid friendly things would be greatly appreciated!
[img]graemlins/wavin.gif[/img]

[SarahJ]

I would definitely suggest a visit to Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Its rated one of the best zoos in the country and of course we have that beautiful baby elephant, Hansa. You could also visit the Ballard locks, its free and your older son might have fun watching them load the boats in and raising or lowering the water. Seattle Center is always a big hit, they have the Science Center which always has some neat exhibits and the Experience Music Project which is basically a hands on music museum.

Since you're staying in Issaquah, its a short drive up to Snoqualmie to see the falls, they're really beautiful. If I remember correctly, you can drive to North Bend (about 30 minutes from Issaquah) and ride an old steam train to Snoqualmie for the day.

Unfortunately, weather is a little unpredictable here at the end of June - early July. We usually say that summer starts here on July 5th.

I hope that helps a little. Just ask if you have any other questions.

[DisneyNutMary]

Two years ago, DH and I along with his sister's family went to Spanaway, WA, to visit his brother. We were 45 minutes from Seattle and visited there with the kids (who were 2, 6, 12, and 16)
They enjoyed the Space Needle, mostly for the elevator ride...and the rides and museum at Seattle Center. We also did the Underground Tour, which could have been boring, but the guides were great and the kids really enjoyed their joking and teasing. For a whole month my kids got a kick out of using the "Crapper".
There was a small amusement/water park in the Tacoma are called Enchanted Village, or something like that. It kills a whole day and it was really fun for all the kids, rides for every age!!
Also try a visit to Mt Ranier...my kids got a kick out f the fact that we were having snowball fight in late June, we had a picnic, hiked, and the was plenty of space to run around and play...and the views were spectacular, just be aware that is a looooong drive to get there, but we thought is was worth it!

Have fun!

[HiddenMickey]

I've only visited Seattle in Feb, for a long weekend with our kids---luckily we had good weather--while my sister stilled lived there.

I second the Woodland Zoo trip. It is a great zoo. We could have used more time there than we had. The Aquarium is great. Loved the Sea Otters. Kids can try on wet suits, which they loved. The Science center had some neat things in it, but didn't keep the kids attention for as long as we'd hoped. We took a boat trip out to an Indian Village from the harbor (wish I could remember the name) for a dinner and show that was a big hit. We enjoyed just walking around the Island too. We took a trip to the Locks as well, another good choice (and free!). Saw a movie at the Imax theater near the Seattle Center. We don't have one near us, so that was fun (Fantasia 2000 when we were there.). We took a walk along a rocky beach park. The kids loved looking for unusual rocks and driftwood and the scenery was gorgeous. Good luck with the trip. -HiddenMickey