Seattle Travel Forum

Hi. We (family with 4yr old) will be visiting Seattle in early July and are looking for some suggestions for places to visit and stay. We will travel to Port Angeles on the ferry, with a car, and spend a few days in Seattle before moving onto Lax.

We will drive from Port Angeles to Seattle and want to know if there are any must see places/stops on that drive. With a young child I don't think we will be doing any hikes (unless there are some short easy ones). Are there any nice places to stay around the Kingston area?

Also, what are the uniquely greater Seattle area places to visit/things to do? We will be in Seattle the July 4th long weekend.

Look forward to your replies!

Everyone has a favorite "Top 10" but here's one I like.

Boeing Factory Tour: Take a guided tour through the factory and watch airplanes being built.

Chittenden Locks and Fish Ladder: A nice escape from the city where you can watch ships going through the locks or see a salmon climb a ladder.

Pike Place Market: Farmer's market, antiques, handmade crafts and the world's first Starbucks.

Pioneer Square: Seattle's historic area.

Seattle Aquarium: A great place for kids and curious adults.

Seattle Center: Site of the 1962 World's Fair is home to some great museums and sights.

Seattle Museum of Flight: An extensive collection of historic aircraft, the original Boeing Barn, a retired Concorde and the original Air Force One are only a few of this museum's holdings.

Space Needle: A Seattle icon with a terrific view.

Underground Tour: Learn about Seattle's history with a little dose of humor.

Woodland Park Zoo: An award-winning zoo.

Of course you don't want to miss the fireworks. There is a fantastic fireworks display in the harbor. I think they use 2 or 3 barges that are filled with fireworks. Be sure and dress warm as it can get really cold once the sun goes down. Seattle is really crowded with spectators during the fireworks so plan early where you want to view the display. If you could get a room facing the harbor it would be great and not too cold for your 4 year old. I would make my hotel reservations asap. Parking is also a real problem during the fireworks as many people go very early to pick our there spot.
Mike

Woodland Park Zoo has always been a favorite of mine

The Woodland Park Zoo is excellent, and you'll see families of all ages with their kids. At the moment, we have a brand-new baby gorilla. There is a special "family exhibit," with displays specifically designed for kids, a playground with modest things to climb on, etc. It's a good place to bring a picnic in the summer as there are plenty of picnic tables.

The Pacific Science Center might be interesting (at the Seattle Center), but I suspect he's too young to gain much from the exhibits.

For the July 4th fireworks, they don't start until it gets dark -- around 10pm, but they are spectacular. There are usually two venues, one on Lake Union and the other on Puget Sound. These get very crowded, and parking is a hassle, so I'd recommend perching yourself early on a hill overlooking Lake Union, possibly Queen Anne, and watching from a bit of a distance.

On the Olympic Peninsula, after you land at Port Angeles, you might consider the drive up to Hurricane Ridge, which is spectacular, and will give you a great view of the Olympic Mountains right from the parking lot. No hiking required, if you don't want to. There's a good visitor's center. Sometimes you can spot deer and mountain sheep or goats right from the parking lot.

Also on that drive, you could detour just a little to visit historic Port Townsend, which has 1890's-style brick buildings in mint condition, lots of galleries, boutiques, and good restaurants. For your son, you could drive about a half-mile uphill to nearby Fort Worden, another historic place and former military barracks (very picturesque), where he could fly a kite, or take a ramble on the beach that overlooks the Straits of Juan de Fuca (seals sometimes seen here), and see a big lighthouse. Fort Worden is also a good place for a picnic, unless you prefer to eat out in one of the many restaurants in Port Townsend. Have a great trip!

Since you are going to be in Port Angeles and driving down to Seattle, I would suggest stopping at Port Townsend and Fort Warden. The movie "Officer and A Gentlemen" was filmed at the Fort. On a clear day, you will be able to see Mt. Baker to the north across Puget Sound. I enjoy going back every chance I get. You could also spend some time going up to Hurricane Ridge in the Olympics National Park. Head due south from Port Angeles up into the Olympics. Once at the top, you will have a spectacular view of the Olympics mountain range. Don't miss out on taking a trip to the top of the Space Needle. The views are spectacular from up there. If you can time it right, catch the Bainbridge to Seattle ferry closer to evening. The setting sun will cast a nice light on the Seattle skyline as you come in to port. Enjoy your trip and hope the rain holds off while you are there.

Randal

Among all the other suggestions, I put in a strong one for Port Townsend. As the previous entry stated there is much to see there...and it is a wonderful, exciting small town with amazing charm...a sweet mix of Vermont and San Francisco. Plus, the Taylor Street Cafe has a French pastry chef owner! Awesome goodies, just like being in Paris. Then,there is the award winning ice creamery, and boats and wonderful homes (driving around is a delight). The Co-op is great, too. This is my favorite city/town in Washington.

Among all the other suggestions, I put in a strong one for Port Townsend. As the previous entry stated, there is much to see there...and it is a wonderful, exciting small town with amazing charm...a sweet mix of Vermont and San Francisco. Plus, the Taylor Street Cafe has a French pastry chef owner! Awesome goodies, just like being in Paris. Then,there is the award winning ice creamery, and boats and wonderful homes (driving around is a delight). The Co-op is great, too. This is my favorite city/town in Washington.

When you get off the ferry in Port Angeles, drive up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park (unless it is cloudy). Your four-year-old will love the tame mountain goats and you will love the views.

Port Townsend is a great town for adults but your four-year-old could get bored with all the shopping and walking. I'd take him/her to Fort Worden on the west side of town to walk along the beach and climb over the gun bunkers left over from World War I.

There is nothing much in Kingston so I'd skip staying there and just get right to Seattle.

I think the fish ladder at the Ballard Locks is a great place to take your four-year-old. You can watch boats go through the locks and if you are lucky, see salmon migrating up stream.

Kids love the Space Needle and the Monorail. Also, next to the Space Needle is the Pacific Science Center which is VERY kid friendly. I used to take my kids there all the time on rainy weekends (yes, it can rain in July).

Your child will also like the Underground Tour of Pioneer Square. Seattle is very kid-friendly. Have fun.

Thom in Seattle

You may also enjoy the Sol Duc Hotsprings on your way from Port Angeles to Seattle. It is a relaxing place for you, and will still be fun for your little one. Besides, its smack dab in the Olympics and even when it is cloudy, the ambiance and trees are gorgeous. http://www.visitsolduc.com/

Thanks for all the replies! Hurricane Ridge, Port Townsend and the Fort it is! Much appreciated!

Good choices! Why don't you let us know how your trip goes?