We are headed to Seattle for a family vacation. Any suggestions for inexpensive but fun things for adults and a 6 year old?
We already have plans to go to the Ballard locks, the library and Pike Place market.
I don't want to pay to go in the space needle, take a duck boat tour, etc. Just looking for fun, not so pricey things to do....
nectarine / 2047 posts
I live in Seattle and there’s lots to do! I would explore the parks!
Carkeek Park
- beautiful beach with tide pools and views of the mountains
- great playground
- walking trails
- train tracks run right by the beach and there is pedestrian bridge that goes right over them, so you can stand on it while the train goes right under you
Discovery beach:
- couple mike loop trail that brings you to another gorgeous beach
Volunteer park:
-great views of the city and space needle
-wading pool for the kids
-nice playground
-walking trails
Alki Beach
-iconic Seattle beach again with great views
Kubota gardens
-free and SO BEAUTIFUL. Really fun bridges and paths to walk around. Huge fish pond.
UW arboretum
Also free and beautiful!
The Center for Wooden Boats is cool and free. They also do a free Sunday sail
http://cwb.org/events/cast-off/
Seattle Center
- this is where the space needle, chihuly gardens and children’s museum are. But there’s lots to do without paying
- sculpture garden, create cool sounds at the Sonic Bloom solar-powered art installation, run around the fountain, play at the Artists at Play playground
Gates Discovery Center
- never been but it’s right by Seattle Center and it’s free admission
https://discovergates.org/
Full tilt ice cream and arcade. Fun and yummy!
http://www.fulltilticecream.com/
I’ll try to think of more!
pomelo / 5866 posts
If you can swing it, one of you could take your 6 yr old into the Children's Museum while the other hangs out around the space needle or catches the monorail back to Pike's Place for half a day. It is one of the best. Other than that...I like a lot of the suggestions above.
pomelo / 5228 posts
Definitely don’t miss Pike Place Market! Go on a weekday if you can. And if you’re here on a nice day, it’s not too expensive to walk onto the Bainbridge Island ferry and walk around the cute town.
pomegranate / 3113 posts
Where are you staying? Will you have a car?
I agree with checking out the parks, especially Volunteer Park. There’s a tower there you can climb for great views of the city without the price of the Space Needle, and also a great playground. And the monorail from downtown to Seattle Center is super fun for kids and only a few dollars to ride.
Elliott Bay Bookstore in Capitol Hill is pretty great, and they have lots of authors come for talks/book signings...i don’t know if they have any kids book authors coming up but I’m sure they have a website with the info. All of the library branches also have story times, which are on the library website, and lots of cafes/restaurants in the different neighborhoods do, too.
Depending on when you’re here, you might be able to see some of the Seafair events. Also, check out http://www.ParentMap.com or http://www.seattleschild.com, both have calendars of events that list free (and not free) things going on around the city.
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
@peaches1038: @PurplePeony: @808love: @peaches1038: thank you all so much! We will have a car. We are staying 2 nights at a Homewood Suites a mile from Pike Place and the other 3 nights at my brother's place in Mercer Island so we need the car to get around.
persimmon / 1420 posts
Monday-Thursday mornings are great out on Alki beach! Avoid it like the plague Friday-Sunday or any time after 4pm.
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