Washington State, located in the Pacific Northwest corner of the United States, is a land of dramatic contrasts — from the rain-soaked temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula to the volcanic peaks of the Cascades and the arid shrub-steppe of the east. Home to Seattle, one of America's most dynamic cities, the state blends state-of-the-art technology culture with stunning wilderness, world-class food and coffee scenes, and some of the continent's most diverse outdoor adventure.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Seattle Aquarium
Excellent Pacific Northwest aquarium featuring touch pools with sea stars and anemones, Pacific octopus displays, harbor seals and sea otters, and the stunning new Ocean Pavilion featuring Indo-Pacific marine life
Duration: 2-3 hours
Pacific Science Center
Seattle's top science museum with hands-on exhibits, IMAX theater, planetarium shows, live science demonstrations, and butterfly house — an outstanding half-day experience for school-age children
Duration: 3-4 hours
Junior Ranger Program (Mount Rainier NP)
National Park Service's free Junior Ranger program provides age-appropriate activity booklets that children complete to earn an official Junior Ranger badge and certificate from Mount Rainier
Duration: 1-2 hours
Whale Watching Boat Tour (San Juan Islands)
A genuinely unforgettable experience — guided boat tours from Friday Harbor or Anacortes seeking orca, minke, and humpback whales with expert naturalist narration. Peak orca season June-September.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Pike Place Market Visit
Children love watching the world-famous fish-throwing fishmongers, exploring the labyrinthine market stalls, visiting Rachel the pig piggy bank, and trying fresh foods from vendors
Duration: 2 hours
Kayaking on the San Juan Islands
Guided sea kayak tours from Friday Harbor or Orcas Island exploring kelp forests, seal haul-outs, and bald eagle nests with expert naturalist guides. Minimum age typically 8 years old.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Ferry to Bainbridge Island
Taking the Washington State Ferry is an adventure in itself for children — the 35-minute crossing offers stunning views of the Seattle skyline, mountains, and Puget Sound marine wildlife
Duration: Half day
Museum of Flight (Boeing Field)
One of the world's finest aviation museums with 175 aircraft including Air Force One, the Concorde, and the first Boeing aircraft, plus excellent flight simulators and space exhibits
Duration: 2-3 hours
Woodland Park Zoo
Seattle's beloved zoo with excellent Pacific Northwest wildlife exhibits, gorillas, African savanna, and seasonal butterfly house — a full half-day family experience
Duration: 3-4 hours
White Water Rafting (Wenatchee River)
Class III-IV whitewater rafting on the Wenatchee River near Leavenworth — an exhilarating family adventure suitable for adventurous children 7+ in summer
Duration: 4-5 hours
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle's Eastside
A contemporary lakeside resort in Renton with an outdoor pool, lake views, spacious family rooms, and excellent on-site dining — perfect for families exploring the Eastside
Family features: Outdoor pool, lakeside access, family suites, children's menu, free parking
Seattle Marriott Watertown
Comfortable University District hotel near the UW campus with an excellent pool and complimentary parking, convenient for museum hopping and budget-conscious families
Family features: Heated indoor pool, free parking, family-sized rooms, free breakfast option
Paradise Inn (Mount Rainier National Park)
Staying inside the national park is a magical experience for families — children can walk straight to the wildflower meadows from their room and participate in evening ranger programs
Family features: In-park location, ranger programs, dining room, hiking trail access from door
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Most Seattle restaurants welcome children; high chairs available on request
Pike Place Market has excellent grab-and-go options for families — chowder, piroshky, cheese, and fruits
Ivar's Fish Bar at Pier 54 is outdoor, casual, and iconic for fish and chips with bay views
Washington's family meal budget: counter service $10-15/child; casual dining $15-25/child
Children under 12 eat free at many resort restaurants on weekends — ask when booking
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Book national park lodges at Mount Rainier and the Olympic Peninsula many months in advance — they sell out quickly
The Seattle CityPASS ($79 adult / $59 child) saves 40% on 5 major Seattle attractions
National Park Junior Ranger programs are free and available at all three of Washington's national parks
Washington State Ferry rides are a free adventure that children love — take the Bainbridge Island run
Summer temperatures even in Seattle rarely exceed 80°F — far more comfortable for active families than many US destinations
Download the AllTrails app and filter for 'kid-friendly' hikes near your location for spontaneous outdoor adventures