How to spend one day in Seattle with kids
We’ve been to Seattle a few times now and love how there’s so much to do with kids all within a short walk away!
You can easily spend one day in Seattle visiting most of the main attractions in the city, or spend the weekend and explore more of Seattle’s points of interest, including a day trip to Mt. Rainier, A ferry ride to Bainbridge Island, or visit the Museum of Flight and more!
On the blog, I will share how to spend one day in Seattle with kids. You can easily get to most of these places on foot, and it’s the perfect day trip itinerary to Seattle!
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Seattle Monorail
One of the best ways to get to some of Seattle’s main attractions is on the Seattle Monorail!
The Monorail links downtown Seattle to the Seattle Center, the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Museum of Pop Culture, and the Children’s Museum all in a very short ride!
- Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-9pm Sat-Sun 8:30am-9pm
- Ticket prices: One way prices
- $3.00 Adult (age 19-64)
- $1.50 Youth (age 6-18)
- $1.50 for Reduced Rate(Seniors 65+, disabled, persons with Medicare cards, U.S. military with ID, ORCA LIFT cards accepted)
- Children 5 and under ride free
Where to Stay in Seattle
When planning a one-day visit to Seattle, I suggest staying in the city center to maximize your visit! Here are some hotel ideas in Seattle:
Booking.comTop things to do in Seattle with kids
Explore Pike Place Market
One of the most iconic places to visit in Seattle is Pike Place Market!
Pike Place Market is Seattle’s original farmer’s market and one of the oldest continually operated farmer’s markets in the US!
There are so many shops to explore, including locally sourced artisan products, specialty foods, souvenirs, fresh fruits, and seafood.
Pike Place Market is also famous for its fish throwing which is always a hit with the kids!
Make sure to have lunch at one of the amazing restaurants at Pike Place.
We love Lowell’s for its seafood and amazing waterfront views! The Athenian serves amazing seafood as well, and was featured in the movie “Sleepless in Seattle” with Tom Hanks!
Just be aware that to dine in most restaurants in Seattle, you must show your vaccination card for ages 12 and up, or proof of negative test taken within 72 hours!
If you’re driving into Seattle, you can easily find parking at the Pike Place Market Garage, or take the Seattle Monorail, which stops just a couple of blocks away at the Westlake Center.
See the Gum Wall
And since you are at the Market, make sure to visit one of the kookiest (and kinda gross) attractions in Seattle, which is located in the Post Alley right by Pike Place Market.
The Gum Wall is another fun little photo-op in Seattle that was started in 1993, and has been named as one of the top 5 germiest tourist attractions in 2009, second only to the Blarney Stone!
It may be gross, but it’s definitely one of the most unique attractions I’ve seen in a city! The gum on the wall was removed once in 2015, and a few days later, new gum was re-added! LOL!
Admire the Amazon Spheres
Another place worth adding to your visit to Seattle with kids is the Amazon Spheres!
These futuristic spheres in Seattle’s city center are just amazing and are home to Amazon’s headquarters.
If you book in advance, you can actually take a tour of the spheres, and visit Amazon’s headquarters, the indoor gardens, and more!
The tours are only offered on certain days and must be booked in advance!
We didn’t get to tour the spheres, but we did enjoy the outdoor space with lots of room for the kids to roam around and play!
- The Amazon Spheres Indoor Garden Tours
- The Spheres indoor gardens are open to visitors by reservation during the first and third Saturday of each month for FREE! 10am-6pm.
- You must register to visit online here, and reservations become available 15 days before the date.
- Visits will be limited to one hour in order to allow for maximum number of visitors, and you must show a photo ID at check in
- Location: 2111 7th Avenue Seattle, WA 98121
- Amazon Headquarters Tour
- Paused due to the pandemic, but usually happens on most Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m and 2:00 p.m. This 90-minute tour takes visitors through a few buildings on Amazon’s urban campus– including Doppler, Day 1, and The Spheres.
- Book a virtual tour of the Headquarters here
Go up the Space Needle
You can’t visit Seattle and not go up the Space Needle! It’s another one of the most iconic things to do in Seattle with kids.
Plus this is the perfect place to get 360-degree panoramic views of downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges.
You may reserve your timed entry tickets online, or on-site. Proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test is required for all ticketed Guests ages 12 and over, and masks are required indoors!
There is also a cafe on the upper observation level which features an espresso bar, beer & wine, and local treats including Pinkabella Cupcakes and Whidbey Island Ice Cream.
- Hours: Thurs-Mon 10am-8:30pm Tues & Wed 10am-8pm
- Ticket prices: Regular (ages 13-64) $35 Senior (ages 65+) $30 Youth (ages 5-12) $26
- Purchase tickets here
Spend the day at the “Artists in Play” Playground
Right next to the Space Needle is one of the most amazing FREE playgrounds for kids in the city center!
The Artists in Play Playground is located in the plaza between the Museum of Pop culture and the Seattle Center Armory, close to the Monorail as well!
The impressive play area features a 30-foot climbing tower with a ropes course that’s perfect for kids 5 and up!
There is also a smaller play area for the smaller kids, swings, musical instruments, and lots of open spaces for kids to run around! It’s such a fun playground for kids, and I highly recommend visiting.
- You can easily get here on the Seattle monorail, which is just a 2 minute ride from Westlake Center!
- FREE
- Location: 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109
Explore the Seattle Waterfront
You can’t miss a stroll along Seattle’s Waterfront on your visit!
There are so many fun shops and restaurants along the way, including one of the oldest shops.
- The Ye Olde Curiosity Shop showcases oddities of all kinds, and unique souvenirs! It’s definitely a must see in Seattles Waterfront!
- The Seattle Great Wheel: You can also get on the Seattle Great Wheel from the Waterfront. Tickets can be purchased online or onsite and cost $16 (12 and up) $11 (kids 3-11), and FREE for kids 2 and under.
- Wings over Washington: Take a ride in the state-of-the-art “flying theater” that will transport you on an aerial adventure over Washington. Tickets costs $17adults-$13/youth. Purchase tickets here
- Carousel: fun carousel ride for the kids. Tickets costs $4 per person. Purchase tickets here
Visit the Seattle Aquarium
Another fun place to visit along the Seattle Waterfront is the Seattle Aquarium!
This is one of the best places to visit in Seattle with kids. There are many fun hands-on experiences and exhibits to learn more about marine life in the area, as well as conservation education!
- The Seattle Aquarium is open daily, 9:30am–6pm. Last entry at 5pm; exhibits close at 6pm.
- Ticket prices: $32.90 (13 and over) $23.20 (ages 4-12) FREE (3 and under)
- Timed entry tickets must be purchased online here, and you can stay for as long as you like.
- Proof of vaccination, or proof of negative Covid tests in the last 72 hours for those 12 and over are required on your visit. Masks must be worn on your visit as well!
- Location: 1483 Alaskan Way, Pier 59 Seattle, WA 98101-2015
See the Fremont Troll
If you have more time, swing by the Fremont area of Seattle and take a fun photo-op with the Fremont Troll.
The Troll started out when an art competition was launched to help revitalize the area under the bridge that was becoming a dumping ground and a haven for drug dealers!
A team of sculptors won the competition and created what is now one of the most photographed roadside attractions in Seattle.
The Fremont Troll is kind of a drive out of the city, and there is street parking nearby, but is very limited! The Fremont Troll is located at N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103
Some other places to see if you have more time:
- Museum of Flight: Explore over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, artifacts, rare photographs, dozens of exhibits and experiences and a world-class library at the Museum of Flight in Seattle
- Hours: Open Daily 10 AM – 5 PM
- Ticket prices: $25 (adults 18-64) $17 (youth 5-17) Free (kids 4 and under)
- Purchase tickets here
- All visitors aged 12+ to show proof of vaccination upon entry and aged 5+ must wear a mask at all times while indoors.
- Location: 9404 E. Marginal Way, Seattle, WA 98108
- Chihuly Garden and Glass: Exhibit in the Seattle Center showcasing the studio glass works of Dale Chihuly, with a visit to the Garden, the Glasshouse, and the Interior Exhibits
- Hours: 10am-6pm
- Ticket prices: General Admission $32 (ages 13-64) $19 (ages 5-12)
- Chihuly Garden + Space Needle tickets $57 (ages 13-64) $35 (ages 5-12)
- Proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test is required for all visitors ages 12 and over. Masks required indoors as well
- Purchase tickets here
More Ideas:
- Bainbridge Island Ferry
- Beneath the Streets Tour
- Museum of Pop Culture
- Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour
- Museum of History & Industry
- Seattle Art Museum
- Kubota Gardens
- Discovery Park
- Olympic Sculpture Park
- Woodland Park Zoo
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