Seattle is a very family-friendly place. It has more than 400 parks and 100 interactive museums, along with easy access to three of the country’s best national parks, and iconic child-friendly attractions like the Space Needle and the Seattle Great Wheel. However, as with anything you do with kids, it’s a good idea to make some plans and know what to expect in advance. So, here’s a quick guide to getting around Seattle with kids.

Find The Right Location

The location you stay in can make a lot of difference in hilly Seattle. Think about what’s best for you and your kids in terms of distance from attractions, noise, traffic, dining, walkability, and so on. Bear in mind that more central locations are often more expensive, so weigh this up against the logistical complications of getting around Seattle with kids. If you want to book a cheap room, it’s likely that you’ll have to negotiate with more buses, trains, taxis, and traffic to get where you want to go. On the other hand, if you book a more central location, you’ll probably end up paying considerably more – and may also have to contend with more nightlife noise. So, weigh up the pros and cons of each potential hotel location, and work out what’s most important for you and your family.

Get To Know The Visitor Zones

Before you get on the plane, learn about where you can find the most popular attractions, and the neighborhoods surrounding them:

Downtown

Downtown is the core hotel and transport hub of Seattle. It has the highest concentration of hotels in the city, and there are plenty of child-friendly restaurants, cafes, and parks for refreshment and relaxation. It’s also close to the iconic Pike Place Market (home to the original Starbucks!), the waterfront, and all the major shopping streets.

Downtown is easy to get around in. The light rail and most bus routes converge here, and it’s a very walkable part of the city. That being said, parts of the district are hilly, and it can be crowded. Do bear that in mind if you’re travelling with strollers or kids prone to straying.

Waterfront

This is the strip of hotels and attractions that line Elliot Bay. This is where you’ll find the Seattle Aquarium, the ferry terminals, and several waterfront parks. If you pick a Waterfront hotel, you’ll have easy access to the ferries and a lot of flat walking routes that are easy for little legs to handle. However, Waterfront is downhill from many other Seattle attractions, so you might find yourself having to do a lot of uphill walking if you’re planning to explore the city on foot.

Seattle Center

Seattle Center is the area around the famous Space Needle. It includes the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), the Pacific Science Center, and Chihuly Gardens and Glass, among many others. You can easily spend days with your kids exploring all that the Seattle Center has to offer.

Seattle Center is slightly outside the city center, which makes it less busy than Downtown but also harder to reach. However, there are plenty of public transit options running to and from Seattle Center, and you’ll find it very accessible for strollers, etc., once you’re there.

Other neighborhoods

When planning your Seattle itinerary, don’t neglect districts and neighborhoods outside of the main cluster. Areas like Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, and South Lake Union may have fewer hotels and major attractions, but there’s still plenty to see and do in these areas, and quieter spots like Queen Anne can be a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of central Seattle. If you decide to stay in one of these neighborhoods, you may find yourself a bit more reliant on buses or cars than you would be if you were staying more centrally, but you’re also likely to have a more peaceful (and perhaps cheaper) stay.

Consider Transport and the Weather

Seattle is famous for its unpredictable weather, so do factor that in when planning your days. Pay attention to the weather forecast, and take buses, cars, or trains to indoor attractions on rainy days. Wait for better weather to do lots of walking or visit outdoor attractions – but also bear in mind that wall-to-wall sunshine is never a guarantee in Seattle. Bring spare waterproof stroller covers, umbrellas, waterproof coats, and so on, just in case of sudden showers.

Time Travel Around Children

It’s likely that your kids have a routine based around mealtimes, bedtimes, naps, and so on. Travel disrupts these routines, which can lead to tiredness and tantrums. So, if you can, time your activities to fit in as closely as possible with your children’s routines. For example, walk or do higher-energy activities when your kids are at their most lively, get snacks and meals at the usual times (or as close to them as you can), and choose more relaxing activities (or head back to the hotel) when energy levels dip.

Make the Most of Seattle with Your Kids

Seattle is an amazing place to visit with children, and if you plan your logistics properly, you can make memories here that your kids will look back on for years to come. So, think about where’s best for you to stay, plan your days and activities around the weather, and stick as closely as possible to your kids’ routines. That way, your whole family will get the very best out of your trip to Seattle.