Washington - Pitstops for Kids

Guide to Whidbey Island State Parks

November 10, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Whidbey Island, Washington is known for its picturesque coastline and pastoral setting. It’s true that Whidbey, located north of Seattle, offers abundant farm stands and a healthy agri-tourism trade, but many families –including mine!– had no idea how many beautiful, exciting state parks fill this small island! We recommend coming to stay at least three days in order to experience most of them.

Fort Casey State Park:

If you arrive via Washington State Ferry at Coupeville, you’ll notice Fort Casey State Park right away. This large park sits on the island’s west coast, and centers on the region’s military history. There are numerous batteries (created for defense but never used) lining the coast line, which contributed to the ‘triangle of defense’ offered by Fort Casey, Fort Worden (across the water in Port Townsend, WA) and Fort Flagler.

What to do here: Families will want to check out the batteries and commanders’ station, but should also visit the beach access and Admiralty Head Lighthouse. The light sits at Red Bluffs, and during day time hours in season, visitors can go inside and even climb the spiral stairs to the light. From here (and elsewhere in the park), kids can watch the ferries come and go from the landing.

Campground: Yes! It’s right next to the ferry landing (which can be a good thing or a bad thing…).

Ebey’s Landing:

Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve encompasses the entirety of the town of Coupeville, Ebey’s Prairie, and Fort Ebey State Park. It marks the homestead and founding location of the Ebey family, and protects the historical significance of this entire section of the island. Fort Ebey includes coastline, hiking trails, and more batteries.

What to do here: At Fort Ebey, play on the beach! This section of protected coastline offers up oversized driftwood perfect for building a beachside hut or fort of one’s own, and the picnic areas are protected from wind and surf. The bluff-side trail is one mile long, and takes families from the beach to the batteries overlooking it. It’s worth getting back in the car to check out Jacob Ebey’s House. The house is open seasonally, but the adjacent cemetery is worthy of a visit in its own right. Families can overlook the prairie, and step inside one of the many ‘blockhouses’ the Ebeys built as protection from Native American conflict.

Campgrounds: Camping is available on the beach (in a protected forested area) at Fort Ebey, and on the prairie at Rhododendron Park (near the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station).

Deception Pass State Park:

On the north tail of the island, Deception Pass State Park may be the most well-known. This breathtakingly beautiful park focuses around the Deception Pass bridge. Hiking trails are abundant, and the park hosts a busy marina with sightseeing vessels doing business.

What to do here: Park at the visitor’s center (stand) on the south side of the bridge, and hike down to North Beach (.2 mile). From here, families will get a great view of the bridge before they cross it. It’s also fun to see the many fishing boats in the current that flows quickly here. Additional hiking trails take you further afield, or you can opt to cross the bridge. Cross either on foot using the pedestrian walkway (an exciting experience!) or drive. Head to the marina dock on the other side, and take a Deception Pass Tours boat out on the water. This 45 minute tour in a catamaran Island Whaler takes you under the bridge and past the challenging water that churns there to the bay. During our tour, we saw porpoises and harbor seals, and many tour groups see whales. Tours are priced right at $24.95, and don’t last too long for young kids.

Campgrounds: campsites range from forested to open, on or near the water. Like the rest of the park, they’re gorgeous!

South Whidbey Island State Park:

South Whidbey Island State Park is smaller and quieter, and feature shoreline and forested areas. Primarily, it serves as a campground. Families get great views of the Olympic mountains!

What to do here: This state park is popular for clamming, but there’s also about three miles of hiking trails, fishing, and swimming.

Campgrounds: There are 46 tent camping spaces at South Whidbey. Of note: families may hear air traffic from the nearby naval base.

While enjoying any Washington State park, you’ll need a Discover Pass. Passes are $10 per day, or just $30 for a year!

Exploring Port Townsend with kids

November 7, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Located at the very tip of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend has a lot to offer families. From the quaint waterfront town with its lively history to a storied military presence, exploring Port Townsend with kids includes hiking trails, fort batteries, ice cream shops, and touch tanks! Here’s what’s in store (and where to stay):

Downtown Port Townsend:

It’s easy to see the charm of this small town as soon as you enter, whether via road from elsewhere on the peninsula or by boat (more on that later). The shipyards are open to the public, which means boat-loving kids can see dry-docked vessels up close and personal, and Union Wharf offers great views of the ferry.

Start on Water Street, where kids will want to view the wooden boat outside the NW Maritime Center, then head across the street to City Hall Museum run by the Jefferson County Historical Society. We would have overlooked this museum had I not been taken there by a local: inside the historic courtroom, visitors can get an overview of the town’s history, then go downstairs to see old jail cells (Jack London is rumored to have spent a night inside) and exhibits on the region’s pioneering, Japanese, and native cultures.

Right nearby is Dogs-a-Foot, a hot dog stand with every type of hot dog desired. It’s a perfect lunch pit stop, with tables outside. Afterward, continue your stroll down Water Street for a stop at Elevated Ice Cream. This locally-owned and operated ice cream shop offers unique, locally-sourced flavors, and has a chocolate shop and candy store located next door.

Stop into any other shops that interest you; you’ll find a great local bookstore and numerous galleries. Note the historic architecture; Port Townsend has some of the best preserved buildings in the NW. If you have your car with you, don’t forget about ‘uptown’: historic Port Townsend built on both the wharf and in the hills, and families will find the best Victorian architecture overlooking the downtown region. This area features a lot of the town’s B&Bs, but you’ll also find wonderful bakeries, diners, and shops.

Note: If you’re in the downtown/shipyard area for breakfast, you’ll want to head to the Blue Moose Cafe on Haines for an authentic home-cooked meal. This local hangout is right in the shipyards, and has been overseen by the current cook (not chef!) for decades.

Fort Worden State Park:

We’re pretty sure Fort Worden State Park is the heart of Port Townsend as far as kids are concerned. This sprawling park is located just outside of downtown on the coast, with beach access, hiking trails, and picnic grounds. The central feature of Fort Worden is the fort, which served as defense against invasion during WWI. The invasion never came, but the many fort batteries remain, with platforms for artillery, ammunition storage rooms, and many more intriguing spaces for kids to explore. The batteries are open to the public, which is a very welcome feature in a world that has increasingly shut doors on historical sites. Kids will love climbing on them, running through their creepy, dark tunnels and hallways, and generally playing soldier. Parental supervision is absolutely needed, of course; small children could fall or get lost. Don’t worry, you’ll want to explore the batteries just as much! Prepare to spend hours here!

In addition to the batteries, Fort Worden is home to the Marine Science Center, located right on Battery Way. It’s open from April through October, with innovative saltwater touch tanks. The center staff bring sea life into the tanks in the spring, and release all the creatures in the fall. Daily, fresh salt water from the ocean adjacent is flushed into the tanks. Kids can touch many marine animals, and see more in additional aquariums. Across the street, the education building houses a whale skeleton and other educational exhibits with a conservation theme.

There are numerous walking trails through Fort Worden (grab a trail map when you enter) and some take kids to additional batteries (less crowded than the one near the beach). There are several campgrounds, and yes, the beach has swimming access. The Point Wilson lighthouse makes for a great backdrop to your Olympic Peninsula beach day!

Inland from the beach, the campus of Fort Worden remains, though quieter than in its active days. Currently, buildings and rooms can be rented for vacation stays, allowing families to further immerse themselves in the area’s history.

Yes, you can stay the night in Fort Worden!

Rentals include full homes on Officers’ Row, units in the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Row, or dormitory rooms. I checked out an Officer’s Row house, where I stayed the night overlooking the campus and ocean. Officers’ Row houses include 1 and 1/2 bathrooms, four bedrooms, a parlor and a dining room, and a full kitchen. It’s fun to see firsthand how officers and their families lived during WWI. These houses are not newly renovated, but are comfortable and very spacious. Kids can play outside, and everyone can walk to the beach, the light house, and the batteries. There is no wifi, but in the check-in building (which is newer), there is a sitting room and a coffee counter where your java and wifi needs can be met.

Beyond Port Townsend proper, the Olympic Discovery Trail weaves 120 miles between the town and La Push, on the western coast, and of course, the rest of the Olympic Peninsula beckons with Olympic National Park and numerous additional hiking trails and beaches. Read more about Olympic National Park with kids!

How to get here:

Port Townsend and Fort Worden are located on Highway 20, which connects with Highway 101. Families can also take Washington State ferries directly to town from Whidbey Island (Coupeville) or take the Puget Sound Express from the San Juan Islands. We recommend booking a whale watching trip with this company, even if you don’t need them for transportation to the peninsula. On our trip with Puget Sound Express, we saw humpback whales, porpoises, and harbor seals.

Port Townsend

Flying for the fun of it: Take a trip with San Juan Airlines

October 27, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Yes, you read that right: flying can be fun! In an era when it’s 99% hassle (even for kids!), I had a great time remembering what I love about flying when I spent a morning with San Juan Airlines. Check out my flight from Seattle to Friday Harbor, WA:

Yes, I’m smiling. Actually, I grinned most of the flight. Why? On a small plane–in this case, a Cessna 172 three-seater–it’s easy to remember why flying is fun! Gone are the barriers between you and the act of flight, such as large airline cabins, in-flight service, and movies on your laptop. Gone, too, are the discomforts: overcrowded conditions, delays, and grumpy fellow passengers. Instead, it’s just you and the pilot, an empty runway before you, and the heady sense of disbelief when you actually do defy gravity.

Do I really do this all the time?

Not like this!

San Juan Airlines, like several other small carriers in the Northwest, operate flights primarily between the small islands that dot the landscape between Seattle and Canada. They fly out of Bellingham, with stops in Anacortes, Friday Harbor, and smaller island and mainland destinations. However, they are also available for charter flights to over 16 destinations, from Spokane to Kamloops BC. Occasionally, they fly out of Boeing Field in Seattle, which is where I caught a ride.

When to consider a small carrier flight:

Obviously, flying on a 2-3 passenger airline is rarely going to be the economical choice. However, it’s worth considering whenever you’re traveling to hard-to-reach destinations, because sometimes, it will make the most sense. When I flew San Juan Airlines, I did so because I needed to be on San Juan Island at a specific time, and had I driven and taken a ferry, I would have had to leave my home 24 hours earlier in order to make the schedule work for me! In this case, time was indeed money.

Other times, flying instead of driving may be the best choice if you want to make your travel day as memorable as your vacation. On my San Juan Airlines flight, my pilot, Brett, doubled as a tour guide, pointing out many landmarks as we flew. When I wanted to see something closer, he happily did a circle around the harbor, allowing me to get all the photos I wanted. We’ve paid for scenic helicopter flights when on vacation before; I’d consider a flight with San Juan Airlines to be just as exciting and fun (plus you’re actually getting to your destination!).

Plus, consider this: no security lines, no boarding passes, no baggage carrousels…no waiting! Now that’s flying!

How to book with San Juan Airlines:

Their website makes it pretty clear, especially if you’re traveling their regular route. If you’d like a charter flight, simply fill out their form or give them a call. They’re a small operation, which means you’ll talk to a real live person when you pick up the phone. Tell them what you need, and they’ll work with you to find the route that’s best. Since I had flown into Seattle at SeaTac, for instance, I needed a flight from Boeing Field (in Seattle), not their regular location in Bellingham. Luckily, a flight was available for me!

How to find San Juan Airlines at Boeing:

Boeing Field is located less than 10 miles from SeaTac, but it’s a big place. San Juan Airlines operates out of the Landmark Terminal, which is located at 7149 Perimeter Road. Give your cab driver the exact address, or you could be circling around Boeing for a while! If you don’t get lost, the cab fare will be about $25 in normal traffic conditions. The waiting room is casual and comfortable, with fresh fruit, coffee, and wifi available.

Have you taken a charter flight? Where?

Spokane family festivals: year-round family fun

August 28, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Who says families need to go to Seattle or Portland to have a good time, see an up-and-coming band, or celebrate a quirky holiday? During the seven years we lived in Spokane, WA, we happily became family festival guinea pigs, trying out a little of everything. In the years since, here’s what we deem worthy of a return visit.

Spokane festivals worth the trip:

Green Bluff Growers Apple Festival:

Held September 20 through October 26, Spokane’s popular Apple Festival takes place at Green Bluff, a collective of 28 farms a short drive from downtown Spokane. Expect the usual fall harvest offerings–hay bales, corn mazes, freshly-pressed cider, and U-Pick apples–multiplied by 28. At the entrance of the Green Bluff area, families can grab a driving map and choose which farms to patronize. Most vie for attention with colorful banners, inflatable bounce houses and slides, apple pie cook-offs, and live music. Best of all, the party continues for over a month, giving travelers flexibility.

First Night:

It’s New Year’s Eve in Eastern Washington. Let’s spend it…outside? Sure! First Night is Spokane’s alcohol-free, family friendly, New Year’s Eve arts festival held in downtown Spokane. Come for the afternoon Children’s Festival, then grab a bite at any number of family-friendly downtown restaurants and stay for the Grand Procession; over forty downtown venues stay open for the night, offering live entertainment and art. If your little ones can stay up until midnight, they’ll be rewarded by a fireworks display in Riverfront Park, the 100 acre park originally created for the Expo of ’74 (remember the World’s Fair?).

Bloomsday:

Come to Spokane on the first weekend in May, and run in (or watch) Bloomsday, held annually on the first Sunday. Believe it or not, this 12K run is one of the largest running events in the world, with over 50,000 entrants (and counting). Families can opt to walk the course (strollers welcome in certain categories), or cheer on elite runners and wheelchair racers in the morning. The weather can be all over the map: I’ve run Bloomsday in hail storms, snow, and heat! Stay for the celebration in Riverfront Park afterward. Kids who have not tired themselves out on the race course can play on the world’s largest Radio Flyer wagon (yep, it’s here, in Riverfront Park). There’s a slide down one side.

Lilac Festival:

On the heels of Bloomsday, the Spokane Lilac Festival (second Saturday in May to third Sunday of May) is your typical small town celebration…in a big city. The Lilac Festival includes a torchlight parade, the crowning of a queen and her court, and fun activities in the park. Local businesses offer discounts and restaurants sport speciality drinks just for the occasion. Kids will like the parade and ongoing fun in Riverfront Park. Beware: there’s a lot of purple in evidence during this week!

Hoopfest:

Our favorite of all Spokane festivals, Hoopfest is the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament. What is it with Spokane and ‘world’s biggest’s? Hoopfest transforms downtown Spokane, closing off streets and covering 40 city blocks of on the last Saturday and Sunday in June. We usually come with a player (Pit Stops for Kids’ own dad!), but Hoopfest is equally fun to watch: grab a schedule and head to the center courts, where elite college basketball talent is on display, or hit the park, where a carnival-like atmosphere includes bungee trampolines, bounce houses, and even a ferris wheel (open all summer).

Plan ahead if planning to visit Spokane during any of the above festivals; Hoopfest especially has travelers scrambling for hotel rooms to book. And if your trip to Spokane doesn’t align with the dates above, have no fear: head to the Riverfront Park area any time of year to check out Spokane Falls, ride bikes, ice skate in winter, and enjoy carnival games and IMAX movies in summer.

Disclosure: the above post is written in partnership with Trivago.com.

Photo credit: Mike Tigas, Hugh Millward, Kelly Jones

New attractions at Great Wolf Lodge: play ShadowQuest and mini golf

October 1, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

The following is a guest post written by Northwest parent and travel writer Carrie Yu.

When the weather in the Pacific Northwest turns to rain (and even when the sun is shining), families in the region love to head to Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Washington, for some serious fun. Just in time for indoor water fun this autumn and winter, new attractions at Great Wolf Lodge include ShadowQuest and mini golf. Available at Great Wolf locations across the country, including Washington’s Grand Mound, here’s what you can look forward to:

ShadowQuest:

ShadowQuest is a brand-new interactive wand game, available at Great Wolf Lodge’s Grand Mound location, as well as at several other Great Wolf Lodge locations. In this live-action adventure game, your family takes on the task of helping to save the light of the sky before it vanishes. Players follow clues in a guidebook and explore the halls and stairways of Great Wolf Lodge to find hidden objects and complete quests.

The game is 12 stages long and can be completed over multiple visits to Great Wolf Lodge. My family played for about 3 hours and had a great time finishing the first four stages. My kids loved that their wands could be used not only for playing the game, but for opening treasure chests and activating statues and animals all over the lodge!

Howl at the Moon Miniature Golf:

Another new attraction at Great Wolf Lodge is the very cool Howl at the Moon miniature golf course. This golf course is a 9-hole course located near the arcade. It is decorated with lots of woodland creatures and has simple obstacles to work around on your way to the holes. The whole course is lit with blacklights for a fun effect.

Tried and True Favorites at Great Wolf:

Of course, all the old favorites are still intact at Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound. Below are a few tips on experiencing the resort’s trademark features.

The water park:

Great Wolf Lodge features a huge indoor waterpark that’s always 84 degrees inside. Your family will spend hours splashing in the water and having a great time. Even though check-in isn’t until 4 PM on the day of your arrival at Great Wolf Lodge, you can register and get your passes for the waterpark starting at 1 PM. Locker rooms and towels are available, so within minutes of your arrival, your family can be splashing in the wave pool, playing in the kiddie area, or riding down one of the fun water slides. On the day of your departure, you can stay and play in the waterpark until 9 PM at night.

Great Wolf Lodge takes safety very seriously, and the waterpark is staffed with a large contingent of lifeguards and life jackets are available for those who need a little extra flotation help.

The rooms:

Great Wolf Lodge offers several options for rooms. My family stayed in the basic family suite, which was clean, comfortable, and spacious. If your family is looking for a more unusual experience, try one of the themed suites which feature fun, separate sleeping areas for the kids.

Admission:

Rooms start at $199 per night. Specials and packages are available and water park admission for 4 people is included with the room rate. Miniature golf is $6 per person, per round. Wands for Shadow Quest start at $15.99 and the game itself is $12.99.

Directions:

Great Wolf Lodge is located just off Interstate 5, at exit 88. The resort is approximately 1.5 hours from both Portland, OR and Seattle, WA.

For more Great Wolf Lodge tips and booking advice, visit our Great Wolf Lodge Tips page!

Disclosure: I received a media rate to facilitate my review, as well as passes for ShadowQuest and miniature golf. All opinions posted here are mine and mine alone.

Carrie Yu is a travel writer and mom of two kids, ages 6 and 4. You can read more of her travel writing at trekaroo.com.

A stay at Grand Hyatt Seattle with kids

January 11, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

On our last trip to Seattle, we stayed at both the Hyatt Olive 8 and the Grand Hyatt Seattle. How do they compare? You can read in our review of the Hyatt Olive 8 that the 8 is extremely eco-friendly, and its indoor pool and hot tub make it a hit with kids. While the Grand Hyatt does not have a pool, its location is (slightly) more central to Pike Place Market (only four blocks), and it’s even closer to downtown high-end shopping (especially fun to view during the festive holiday season). Families can easily make either Hyatt their Seattle base for vacation or city touring, and expect to be pampered in either.

Amenities and Rooms:

For our family of five, we fit nicely in two adjoining rooms at the Hyatt. Families of four can easily fit in one. One of our two rooms was a corner suite, a nice addition with a sitting room area, but not necessary to our overall comfort. One of the best features of the room is the floor to ceiling windows: our view was a picture perfect vista of the Space Needle and skyline. The Grand Hyatt also features oversized bathtubs, which the Olive 8 does not…a welcome addition on rainy, dreary days. Each bathroom also includes a shower, and like all Hyatt’s, the Grand Hyatt Seattle is eco-conscious (though not to the extreme of the Olive 8): bath towels and sheets are changed only when needed.

One caveat: each room has a coffee maker and coffee and tea service, but mini-fridges are filled with pay-per-item snacks and liquor. In fact, using them to store your own foods results in a $10 fee. If you have items to store, a separate mini fridge will be brought up to you, but this is still an inconvenience. On the plus side, the kids love Hyatt bathrobes, and those at the Grand Hyatt do not disappoint.

Fitness Center:

The Grand Hyatt Seattle’s fitness center was closed for renovation at the time of our visit, but on-site staff informed me they have a hot tub and sauna, but no indoor pool. If that’s a deal breaker for your kids, book Hyatt Olive 8 instead.

Dining:

Within the same building as the Hyatt is a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse (too spendy for my family), but also a sushi place, a Starbucks, and a marketplace with some convenience foods (such as juice, milk, and other necessities while traveling with young kids). We opted to go here (with the adjacent Starbucks) for breakfast.

Tip! Save up to 50% on Seattle’s 5 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Date last visited:

December 2012

Room rates:

At the time of our visit, rooms started at $181 for a standard double (though double beds are not guaranteed). We have heard, however, that upgrades are common.

Directions:

The Grand Hyatt is located at 721 Pine Street, Seattle. It’s easily accessed from either I-5 or I-90 (five minutes from either).

My family and I stayed at Grand Hyatt Seattle on a hosted stay, for the purpose of review.

Pacific Science Center in the Seattle Center

January 9, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Families visiting Seattle WA are drawn to the Space Needle like moths to flame, and there’s nothing wrong with that: it brings them straight to one of the city’s best attractions for kids: the Pacific Science Center.

Pacific Science Center is showing some age on the surface, but inside, it’s as vibrant as ever (or more so). In addition to its permanent exhibits on life science, natural science, and space exploration (just to name a few), the center also welcomes fantastic traveling exhibits, such as this season’s King Tut display (for extra admission…save it for older kids). Each visit, my kids love the Butterfly house (with bug exhibits), dinosaur gallery, and WellBody Academy, where kids can test their physical skills. There are also mind-bender puzzles and an extensive water cycle exhibit where kids can create dams, direct toy ships, and make the water flow.

There’s an IMAX theater, laser show, and planetarium, but my family has never gotten to these things: there’s plenty to do without upgrading to the extras. (I’d make sure to experience them all if I were a Seattle resident, however.) In nice weather, the outside courtyard is fun with its kid-powered water wheel (it looks like a giant hamster wheel) and water shooters.

Nearby is plenty of dining in Seattle Center, and plenty of space for kids to run around. Expect park entertainers and musicians in the summer months. Parking is pretty easy (though costly), and families can make an afternoon out of it (or add on an evening with dinner).

So, should you go up the Space Needle while you’re there? Not if the line is long. Personally, I don’t think the thrill of the elevator ride justifies the admission price. My only exception: on slow nights, families can usually get seated to eat dessert in the Space Needle Restaurant. Watching the city revolve while dining on dessert is pretty darn cool!

Date last visited:

June 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Minutes from I-5.

Admission price:

$16 for adults, $11 for kids ages 6-15, and $9 for kids 3-5. Check to see if your local science or children’s museum memberships gains you entry. Ours did!

Tip! Save up to 50% on Seattle’s 5 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Hours of operation:

9:45 am to 6 pm daily.

Directions:

The Pacific Science Center is located at 200 Second Avenue North,
Seattle. From Interstate 5, either northbound or southbound, take exit 167 (Mercer Street) toward Seattle Center. At the end of the ramp, turn right at Fairview Ave N, then turn left at Valley St. Move into the middle lane and Valley St. becomes Broad St. Continue on Broad St. Turn right at Denny Way. Turn right at 2nd Ave N.

Seattle’s Pike Place Market with kids

January 7, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Any itinerary for Seattle Washington should include a family visit to Pike Place Market. Particularly bustling on weekends, the market is great to visit almost any day of the year, and is open all day, making it perfect to fit into anyone’s travel plans.

The market is best experienced during the morning, when produce stands (and vendors) are at their freshest. Right after 10 am is great, because it gives vendors enough time to set up (produce and other food vendors are usually first on the scene, followed by craft artisans). If the weather is poor, wander through the interior stalls upstairs first, so you can always duck back outside to the street craft booths if the sun breaks through. Kids will love watching the seafood vendors throw their wares from person to person as they shout orders and sing (truly, it’s a whole performance!) and tasting the produce samples throughout.

After seeing all the upstairs vendors (be sure not to miss the toy stall near the cafe and observation deck at the back), head downstairs to check out the novelty and souvenir shops. We like to stop by the ‘fortune teller’ machine to get a ticket declaring our horoscopes and lucky numbers.

We buy berries and other produce, supplement them with picnic supplies, and eat outside on the grass overlooking the bay when the weather cooperates. If it doesn’t, duck into the original Starbucks for a hot chocolate or coffee. (Just be sure to avoid this option when large cruise ships have disembarked…it’s a popular spot.)

Tip: Instead of parking at the market garage, opt to park near the wharf and walk the few blocks up to the market area. This way, after enjoying the market in the morning, you can try out the new Seattle Great Wheel adjacent to the Seattle Aquarium.

Date last visited:

June 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Just a few minutes (in traffic) from I-5.

Admission rate:

None. Parking will cost you between $5-15, depending on how long you stay. For convenience, we usually park at the Market Garage, or take public transit.

Hours of operation:

Open 19 and 1/2 hours a day, 362 days a year.

Directions:

Pike Place is easy to find following signage. The entrance is at 1st Avenue and Pike Street.

Seattle’s Museum of Flight with kids of all ages

November 15, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

For most visitors, Seattle WA is synonymous with Boeing and aero-engineering. For airplane and space lovers, there’s no better stop than at the Museum of Flight. A huge, multi-building complex, the Museum of Flight can feel intimidating at first, especially if you have small children. For true fans, a full day is needed, but the highlights can be hit in a few hours if needed. On our last visit, we were touring the museum with six kids, ages 2-13, and though it was challenging at times, we found something for everyone in each part of the complex. Below, I’ve broken down the museum by section, so you can be sure to visit the parts of most interest to your family.

The Great Gallery: This cavernous hanger houses fighter jets and other war air models, some of which kids can climb into to check out the cockpit. Also in this area are several flight simulators with 3-D screens (motion rides) that cost extra (and are not worth the price, though kids will beg to go). Stick to the ground floor where the ‘real’ planes are.

The Lear Gallery: The space exploration section of the museum houses much to see on the ‘next frontier’, including the newly acquired space shuttle trainer, which I actually saw brought into the museum by the famous ‘Guppy’ transporter when I visited with my family in late June of 2012. Kids will like the anti-gravity simulator and the early Apollo capsules.

The Personal Courage Wing: This wing can be overlooked (as we did on our last visit), but actually houses fascinating studies of courageous air force fighters and aviation pioneers.

The Red Barn: Most interesting to my school-aged kids was the Red Barn, which was the original building Boeing used for their early manufacturing. Inside, the history of Seattle area flight production and world war aviation history is displayed in a way that’s interesting even to preschoolers.

Outside Airpark: Outside the museum, a number of aircraft are available to tour on the massive grounds. On the day of our visit, we walked through a retired Air Force One, which was more than a little bit cool. A concorde and several military planes are also on-site, but were closed at the time.

Tip! Save up to 50% on Seattle’s 5 best attractions with CityPASS. Shop Now!

Date last visited:

June 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Five minutes off I-5.

Admission:

Adults are $17, youth (5-17) are $9. Age four and under are free. Be sure to ask if your local science museum membership is honored. Many are! You can also use your CityPASS (see tip above).

Hours of operation:

10 am to 5 pm most days of the year. On the first Thursday of each month, the museum is open until 9 pm, and is free from 5 pm to 9 pm.

Dining options:

A full-service museum cafe offers everything from snacks to meals, and has several healthy options. Expect to pay museum prices, but not much else is nearby.

Directions:

The museum is at 9404 E. Marginal Way S. From I-5, take Take exit 158 and merge right onto S. Boeing Access Road. Turn right at the first stoplight (E. Marginal Way S.) The Museum is on the right, 1/2 mile. Parking is free.

Lake Quinault Lodge, Olympic National Park

April 3, 2011 By Amy Hagstrom

Built in 1926 on the south shore of Lake Quinault on the lush and beautiful Olympic Peninsula, Lake Quinault Lodge is one of the national park system’s most beautiful and timeless historic lodges. Charming when approached from the street (South Shore Road), Lake Quinault’s best side is to the north, where the back of the lodge opens upon a cheery deck and lush, sloping lawn to the lake shore.

Stepping through the front doors, visitors are greeted by a cheery fire in the lobby fireplace, plush leather sofas, bookcases and carefully arranged tables, and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out to the lake. Though certainly tranquil, the lodge is family-friendly; just downstairs from the lobby resides a full game room complete with ping-pong and pool tables, a few arcade games (requiring quarters), and a surprisingly large heated indoor pool. Croquet sets can be rented for the lawn, and in summer, canoes are available to lodge guests. Our kids spent a fair amount of time playing on the large lawn, and exploring the lake shore.

Lake Quinault is definitely a destination lodge and makes for a great ‘base camp’ while visiting Olympic National Park (home of one of only three temperate rain forests in the world); located just inside the park boundary, a network of hiking trails lead into the forest from directly across the street, many of which are perfect for families. Ask the lodge dining room to pack a picnic lunch for you and make a day of it, or hop in the car to explore more of the park’s varied terrain (the beaches at Kalaloch are 30 minutes north on Highway 101, and further, the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center provides more hiking opportunities). Lake Quinault also offers a selection of rain forest tours year round; ask at the front desk!

Extra Tip: Spring is a great time of year to experience Olympic National Park! Crowds are low, deals abound, and since you can plan on rain fall year round, weather is not an issue!

Date last visited: March 2011

Distance from the interstate: Lake Quinault Lodge is just under two hours from I-5 at Centralia, WA (three hours from Seattle or 3.5 hours from Portland).

Room Rates: Lake Quinault offers several room categories, from traditional lodge rooms featuring either one king bed or two queen beds (starting at $95 at time of publication), to Fireplace Rooms and Boathouse Rooms. Families may prefer a more contemporary Lakeside Room, located in a separate building adjacent to the main lodge and sleeping up to six (starting at $130).

Dining options: The main dining room at Lake Quinault, The Roosevelt Room, is what we’d call kid-friendly while still requiring best behavior. The ambiance is lovely, and the food is good, but it’s special-occasion status: dinner for our family of five, without beverages, came to $100. Where the lodge really shines is breakfast: our kids couldn’t wait to order their house-made hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle each morning, and the sweet potato pancakes got me out of bed quickly, as well. For a more casual dinner, we recommend The Salmon House Restaurant, located one mile further down South Shore Road at the Rain Forest Resort Village. The views of the lake are just as majestic, the service is friendly, and the prices are more reasonable for feeding a hungry family.

Directions: From I-5 North or South, take exit 104 at Olympia (Aberdeen-Ocean Beaches) and head straight west to Aberdeen-Hoquiam. From Hoquiam, go north on U.S. 101 for 40 miles to milepost 125. Turn right on South Shore Road and go two miles to Lake Quinault Lodge.

As I disclose with all compensated reviews, Lake Quinault Lodge hosted our stay in part, providing our family with a media room rate and some meals. While we greatly appreciate Lake Quinault’s hospitality, this compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.