Family Vacations in Washington

The state of Washington is home to stunning natural beauty as well as metropolitan areas with world-class entertainment for the whole family. In Washington, you can see the soaring heights of Mount Rainier and the man-made spire of the Space Needle. Majestic sights await you at every turn.

Families will enjoy the state’s many outdoor activities, such as fishing, hiking and camping, but you won’t want to miss Washington’s many festivals, markets and urban attractions. In this guide, we’ve complied information about some of Washington’s best kid-friendly vacation spots. Use this information to plan the perfect family trip to Washington:

Seattle Center

Home of the Space Needle, the Seattle Center covers 74 acres with theaters and museums for all ages and interests. Of course, the towering spire of the Space Needle, with its glass-elevator ride to the top, is a sight you won’t want to miss.

Northwest Folklife Festival

Every Memorial Day weekend, the Seattle Center is filled with the Northwest Folklife Festival, a celebration of ethnic crafts, music, food, and folklore from around the world. The festival features nonstop performances on 18 stages. Performers of all types flock to the festival — including some for the hilarious liar’s contest.

Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market’s fishmongers are famous for their fish-flinging antics, but there’s more to the market than flying seafood. The market hosts more than 100 farmers and 200 artists and crafters selling wares you can only find in Washington.

San Juan Islands

The San Juan Archipelago, north of Seattle in the Puget Sound, is made up of 172 islands and hundreds more rocky island outcroppings. Four of the islands have ferry service: San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw. Take your family on a bicycle tour of the islands to enjoy their natural beauty.

Washington State International Kite Festival

Hundreds of kites from around the world take to the skies every August for the Washington State International Kite Festival. The kite festival gives its participants a stage to showcase intricate kites and impressive flying skills. This festival is not your average day at the beach.

Mount St. Helens

The most famous volcano in the United States, Mount St. Helens also provides a picturesque view of Pacific Northwest wilderness. A protected area since erupting in 1980, the volcano has shown signs of erupting again in recent years.

Museum of Glass

The Museum of Glass opened in 2002 and has been an architectural landmark along the city’s waterfront ever since. Inside the museum, visitors can browse permanent and temporary exhibitions of all kinds of contemporary glass art.

No trip to Washington is complete without a visit to the famous Space Needle. Keep reading to learn about seeing the Space Needle and other sights at the Seattle Center.

Print |
Citation & Date |
Reprint