Pike Place Market and Downtown Seattle With Kids, Seattle, Washington
Seattle's downtown area is so kid friendly that we make a trip almost weekly (and sometimes more) during the summer. You'll find lots to do for all ages, especially on summer weekends when the Pike Place Market is bustling with street performers and more.
Ettas Seafood
Address 2020 Western Ave., Seattle WA Map, Tel (206) 443-6000 Call, Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-4pm, Dinner Mon-Th 4pm-9:30pm; Fri-Sat 4pm-10pm; Sun 4pm-9pm, Brunch Weekends 9am-3pm Website
Ettas is a seattle institution owned and operated by Tom Douglas, one of our best known chefs. Featuring excellent brunches and lots of seafood, this restaurant has an upscale but family friendly atmosphere. 1/2 block north of Pike's Market. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner more
Beechers Handmade Cheese
Address 1600 Pike Place, Seattle WA Map, Tel (206) 322-1644 Call, Hours 9am-6pm daily Website
Located right on Pike Place market, this is a great place to dine with kids. Kids will enjoy watching how cheese is made and the opportunity to sample the fresh cheeses. Best of all, is their excellent Macaroni and Cheese, made with fresh cheese. Casual. No reservations more
Pike Place Market
Address 1501 Pike Pl # 510, Seattle, WA Map, Hours Vary, most vendors open by 8am Website
Pike Place is a destination on any tourist map. Luckily, kids love it too. When it's sunny, I bring my toddler almost every week. It's fun to choose fruit from the colorful displays, there are a few bakeries and restaurants to pick up a snack or lunch and lots of music and activity. On summer weekends there is almost always something special going on. Best of all, it's open early, giving you an activity when the kids wake up at the crack of dawn (and a way to beat the crowds). more
World Spice
Address 1509 Western Ave, Seattle WA Map, Tel (206) 682-7274 Call, Cost Free
After visiting Pike's Market, swing into World Spice. If you enjoy cooking, you will love the wide variety of high quality spices and tea. Because you buy in bulk, prices are often cheaper than the grocery store. Let your kids explore, smelling each spice, and try buying a few favorites and seasoning your picky toddler's food with them. more
Seattle Central Library
Address 1000 4th Ave, Seattle, WA Map, Tel 206-386-4636 Call, Hours M-Th 10am-8pm, Fri & Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12n-6pm, Call for seasonal closures, Cost Free Website
If you're interested in modern architecture or green design (and even if you are not) the Seattle Central Library is one of the coolest new buildings on the west coast. It is not only visually stunning, but the designers gave a great deal of thought to how a library and a public building should function... redesigning the building from the ground up. Adults will be interested in signing up for a tour or just exploring the building with kids (check out the red meeting area on the fourth floor, the wacky art installations in the escalator and the beautiful wooden floor on the first floor) My son never tires of exploring the library. more
Bus Free Ride Area
It's no secret that toddlers love to ride the bus. It's also no secret that pushing that stroller around can get tiring. From 6a.m. to 7p.m. daily in downtown seattle (including Pioneer square) the bus is free. Many routes have kneeling busses, making it easy to board with a stroller, but you'll have to collapse your stroller after you board. more
Seattle Art Museum
Address 1300 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101-2003 Map, Tel 206.654.3100 Call, Hours Tu-Su: 10am–5pm; Th & Fri 10am–9pm; closed Mon, Cost Some areas free. Children 12 & under free. Adults $13
The newly reopened Seattle Art Museum has some free areas that are great for kids! The "art ladder" (the grand staircase to the right of the main entrance) has a craft area for kid and art installations specifically designed to be visually engaging and interesting for all ages. more
Benaroya Hall Garden of Rememberance
Address 200 University Street, Seattle, WA 98101-3428 Map, Location Along 2nd Ave
Don't tell the guy who cleans the leaf filter that I sent you, but the man-made stream in this memorial is the perfect place for leaf-boat races more