Seattle is a great place for families. With its many parks, museums, restaurants, and shops, finding an activity to do with your family is not difficult. One of the local favorites, the Seattle Center, offers many activities for families to enjoy. Here are ten family-friendly Seattle Center activities worth checking out.
Go to the top of the Space Needle
The Space Needle is a popular attraction for families. Visitors can catch panoramic views of the city from the top of the needle, situated over 500 feet in the air. Or they can enjoy a delicious lunch at the SkyCity Restaurant, which features fine regional cuisine.
Marvel at the glass art at Chihuly Garden and Glass
Local artist, Dale Chihuly, is world-renowned for his work with glass. At the Chihuly Garden and Glass, visitors can see his work on display in both indoor and outdoor exhibits. With its colorful and whimsical glass sculptures, the glass garden is sure to delight kids and adults alike.
Play music at the Experience Music Project
The Experience Music Project has a number of interactive musical exhibits, but one of the favorites among families is the Sound Lab. Here, kids can practice jamming on drums and guitars, or try their hand at being a dj.
Hang out with a Tyrannosaurus Rex at the Pacific Science Center
The Pacific Science Center’s family-friendly exhibits are both educational and interactive. Permanent exhibits include a butterfly house, a dinosaur exhibit, and a model tide pool. The Pacific Science Center also houses an IMAX theater, laser dome, and planetarium, that offer thrilling and exciting shows.
Catch a show or a game at the Key Arena
The Key Arena is home to Seattle’s WNBA team, the Storms, as well as their roller derby team, the Rat City Roller Girls. With a seating capacity of over 17,000 people, the Key Arena is also a great place to catch a show. Past performers have included U2 and Diana Ross, as well as Selena Gomez.
Explore and learn at the Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum, located in the Armory building, is an excellent place to take young kids. With exhibits such as the Global Village, where kids can see how life is like in other parts of the world, and Cog City, where kids learn about the mechanics of pulleys and vacuums, the Children’s Museum encourages kids to explore in a very hands on way.
Splash around at the International Fountain
A favorite past time for families during the summer months is to play at the International Fountain. The fountain consists of a 10 feet tall, 27 feet wide dome with over 270 water shooters that are synchronized to music. Surrounding the fountain is a bowl that is 220 feet in diameter where children can play in the spray from the fountain. It’s the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day.
Watch a play at the Children’s Theater
The Seattle Children’s Theater is known for its professional programming geared towards younger audiences, and recognized as leaders in their field by Seattle Metropolitan Magazine, Time Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal. Their shows are characterized by stories that both empower kids and encourage them to explore the world.
Check out a festival
Throughout the year, the Seattle Center hosts a number of cultural, musical, and culinary festivals. Festal is a yearlong celebration that highlights a region of the world each month, with free presentations of music and dance. Another popular festival taking place in the late summer is Bumbershoot, a music festival that brings in some of the best new bands in the United States. Other festivals worth checking out are the Northwest Folklife Festival, Bite of Seattle, and Seattle PrideFest.
Watch a free concert at the Mural
During the summer months, local radio station, KEXP, hosts outdoor concerts at the Seattle Center’s Mural Amphitheater. These events draw crowds of families and adults interested in listening to local music. The concerts are free, and all you really need is a nice picnic blanket to enjoy some good music.
Looking for more family-friendly activities to do in Seattle? Download the Leaf Canoe app for more tips.