5 Incredible Things to do in Seattle for Families

Seattle is an incredible city with so much to offer all kinds of visitors. Today, we’d like to explore some of the best things to do in Seattle if you’re visiting as a family.

There’s so much more to Seattle than music and coffee — and it’s our great privilege at Totally Seattle to show guests around the city; we love nothing more than seeing how impressed, entertained, and inspired our guests are. 

If anything you read in this guide inspires you to explore Seattle with us, you might like to consider our Fully Customizable Seattle Tours. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

5) Kubota Gardens

You’ll find this stunning Japanese garden in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood. This authentic Japanese garden was originally created in 1927 by Fujitaro Kubota, a Japanese immigrant. During the war, the US government was scared of Japanese spies, so it put all west coast people of Japanese descent into internment camps. 

After the war, the Kubota family returned to the garden and rebuilt it. Fujitaro, the garden’s architect and caretaker, looked after it until his death in 1973. In 1987, the Kubota Gardens were made a public park, open to everyone. 

The Kubota Gardens are beautiful at any time of year, but they are especially nice in spring and fall.

4) Bainbridge Island

If you’re visiting the Seattle area for a few days, seeing all the usual sights, then you’ve just got to head out of the city on a day trip to Bainbridge Island. This is where Totally Seattle Founder Colin Perceful was born, so he is admittedly biased, but all our guests who choose to take a trip to Bainbridge Island leave refreshed and satisfied by the small-town, small-island vibes.

Bainbridge Island is one of the larger islands in Puget Sound, yet it is only 5 miles by 10 miles and has roughly 25k residents. As developments by large corporations are carefully monitored by local authorities, Bainbridge Island has managed to maintain its own authentic aesthetic and atmosphere. 

This is a great spot for children and young families because there’s nowhere quite like it nearby. Grab a bite to eat, explore the coastline, and talk to the locals. The kids will be especially impressed by the ferry ride from the mainland to the island!

3) Ye Olde Curiosity Shop

Ye Olde Curiosity Shop is a thrill for anyone — young or old — but if you have restless children always bustling around in the back seat, then Ye Olde Curiosity Shop should more than entertain them.

One part souvenir shop and one part display museum, this Seattle institution dates back to 1899, when it was founded by J.E. Standley (affectionately known as “Daddy”). It has since been run by three generations of Standley’s descendants, so it’s about as authentically “Seattle” as it gets. 

In this weird and wonderful place, you’ll find a walrus skull with three tusks, shrunken heads, and two mummified human bodies. While not for the faint-hearted, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop is a delightful smorgasbord of curiosities. 

2) Golden Age Collectibles

The oldest comic book store in the world is in Seattle, and it’s every bit as charming as you might imagine. With old comic books, posters, movie scripts, and memorabilia, Golden Age Collectibles is a must for families with children and teens who want to explore the origins of their favorite comic book heroes.

This ancient comic book store dates back to 1961 and can be found in the DownUnder section of Pike Place Market, two stories below the famous Pike Place Fish Stand. While you’re here, you might also like to take Totally Seattle’s Pike Place Market & Seattle Center Tour.

1) Seattle’s Family Fun Center

Seattle’s Family Fun Center is a must for visiting families. Why? Because it is packed with fun, family-friendly activities for the young and young at heart alike.

There is a go-kart course, mini golf, bowling, bumper cars, bumper boats, virtual reality, battling cages, laser tag, and a vast array of arcade and ticket games. For playful souls, Seattle’s Family Fun Center is paradise on Earth and it’s always a pleasure to take families there on our Ultimate Seattle Family Day Tour. This really is the most fun you can pack into one day (for big kids as well as the little’uns).

If you’re interested in any of the family-friendly experiences mentioned above, or if you’d like to try our Ultimate Seattle Family Day Tour, then please feel free to book an experience on our website. And if you have any questions about our range of Private Seattle Tours, please reach out. We’ll be more than happy to help!

We hope this guide has helped a few readers add one or two locations to their next family trip to Seattle. We can’t wait to welcome you to Emerald City!