Spring is sneaking up quick! If you’re starting to feel a bit of cabin fever without plans for a spring escape, don’t panic just yet. Why not start a new family tradition this year? Whisk yourselves away on a fun-filled adventure to Seattle with a quick and easy ride on the Victoria Clipper ferry from Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Kick back, soak in the stunning scenery and indulge in a couple hours of coloring or card playing with the kiddos. Less than 3 hours later you’ll arrive directly into downtown, relaxed and ready for some Seattle spring break adventures!
With activities, eateries and hotels that cater to your whole brood, the Emerald City is the perfect destination for soaking in some springtime vibes. We know that trip planning can be intimidating, so we’ve got you covered with our guide on how to spend spring break in Seattle.
Stay Where You Play
Situated in the vibrant Belltown district, the Warwick Seattle is a mere stone’s throw from the Seattle Center, Pike Place Market and the downtown waterfront. Beyond it’s A+ location, the Warwick also boasts a heated indoor swimming pool in case your kids get a second wind upon returning “home” for the night. And with 24-hour room service (complete with a kids’ menu!), late night snacks are always available for your perpetually hungry pre-teen. Learn more about booking this hotel with Clipper with a Clipper Ferry + Hotel 2 Night Getaway!
Very Important Kiddos (V.I.K.s)
Sleek and modern, the Westin Seattle also goes out of its way to welcome your little ones. Upon arrival, children receive a complimentary welcome bag filled with activities, treats and even a travel journal to document their adventures! Parents with younger children will get a special gift bag to improve safety, complete with socket covers, a nightlight, plus bandages and antiseptic wipes to treat any boo-boos that might occur. Learn more about booking this hotel with Clipper with a Clipper Ferry + Hotel 2 Night Getaway!
Cruise Above the City
Catch a ride on the Monorail and glide over to the Seattle Center for a fun-filled day that everyone from toddlers to teens will enjoy. Though this pocket of downtown may be best known for its iconic resident, the Space Needle (which was well worth a visit even before its $100 million makeover), the awe-inspiring Chihuly Garden & Glass and the funky Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) will also please music-, movie- and TV-obsessed kiddos.
Let Their Creativity Run Wild
On a family visit to the Seattle Center, the Seattle Children’s Museum is a must. Does your elementary schooler have Broadway aspirations? Head over to the museum’s Bijou Theater where they can create and star in their own live performance! Have a curious toddler in tow? The interactive Discovery Bay display offers touchable, movable and testable adventures that will draw your tot into exploring.
Sneak in Some Science
If a few spring showers strike, the Pacific Science Center offers the perfect respite. Duck into the Planetarium for a show that’s out of this world, then immerse yourself in their indoor jungle full of butterflies and colorful tropical plants.
Don’t miss the chance to catch a movie on one of the world’s largest IMAX screens! The long-anticipated female-fronted superhero flick Captain Marvel starts March 7th and is the perfect dose of “girl power” for a mother-daughter movie date!
Thrifty NW Mom’s Jen Dotson says, “One of my kids’ very favorite spots at the Seattle Center is the Artists at Play park, where you will find a 30 foot climbing tower! On warm days, the famous Seattle water fountain turns into a water park of sorts, where kids can run and play to cool off.”
Dress Up and Geek Out
Join throngs of superheroes, Stormtroopers, aliens, fairies and hobbits in celebrating all things sci-fi and fantasy in the 16th year of Emerald City Comic Con. The festival offers an array of celebrity sightings, gaming tables, prize drawings and, of course, tons of cosplay. Best of all, there’s an entire roster of family-friendly attractions – think escape rooms, Lego scenes and a cosplay parade!
Walk the Waterfront
Don’t miss the opportunity to take a stroll along the Seattle waterfront! Dotted with fun activities like the must-visit Seattle Aquarium or an exhilarating ride on Wings Over Washington and the Seattle Great Wheel, there are more than enough things to do along the banks of the Puget Sound.
Sia Hill of Thrifty NW Mom states, “The Seattle waterfront is a wonderful blend of city history and new attractions! Stroll through stores like Ye Old Curiosity Shop to find souvenirs you won’t find anywhere else.”
Sia Hill of Hill adds, “Miner’s Landing is another one of our favorite spots on the waterfront. Our family has been enjoying the vintage carousel there for many years now. Be sure to grab some cotton candy after your ride!”
Munch on Brunch
With four locations spread across the city, there’s likely to be a Portage Bay Café nearby no matter where you are, which is an absolute blessing come brunch time. Your little ones will have no problem finding a favorite on Portage Bay’s kids’ menu, such as classic French toast or a pint-sized breakfast sandwich.
Or let the wee ones take the wheel at the Breakfast Bar, where they can choose pancakes or waffles then pile them high with fruit, nuts and whipped cream! Plus, the Roosevelt and Ballard locations serve breakfast all. Day. Long. Late risers rejoice!
Look to the Skies
Spend an afternoon marveling at hangars full of unique, historic and straight up awesome aircraft at the Museum of Flight! The largest independent museum of its type on the planet, the museum boasts more than 175 different aircraft from each era. Put your flying skills to the test in The Pilot Experience, then grab lunch in the café with a front row seat to the comings and goings of Boeing Field.
For a different perspective on planes, swing by Boeing’s Future of Flight aviation center to learn how these mechanical marvels are created. You can even tour the factory, and see gargantuan 747s being built before your eyes. Book this tour with Clipper, learn more.
Crown Hill Crowd-Pleaser
Crown Hill’s laid-back neighborhood eatery The Dane offers up kid-friendly menu items such as a melty grilled cheese or a pared-down PB&J, served on ultra-tasty locally made Sea Wolf sourdough bread. With no shortage of mouth-watering treats, the Dane’s kids’ trivia night, twice weekly story time, as well as a separate nook with books, toys and games are just the cherry on top. And fear not, mom and dad – the restaurant also boasts a slick espresso setup and an impressive tap list to boot!
Venture Beneath Your Feet
Does your curious kiddo love to explore? Then a descent below the city’s sidewalks is sure to captivate their inner Dora! Discover the roots of the Emerald City with a guided tour Beneath the Streets of historic Pioneer Square. Learn all about the city’s origins and how it was rebuilt after the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, which buried what was once the hub of downtown 20 feet below ground.
Hear tales of Seattle’s eccentric former residents and the city’s involvement in the Klondike gold rush. As an added bonus, you’ll finally get the story behind those purple glass squares embedded into Seattle sidewalks! Book this tour with Clipper, learn more.
Leave Room for Dessert
After a long day of trekking around the city, your little ones (and you!) deserve a treat. Fortunately, the Emerald City has a bevy of bakeshops that are sure to end your day on a sweet note.
Every flavor combination is a gold medalist at downtown Seattle’s Trophy Cupcakes. With tiny works of art like their decadent Triple Chocolate or caramel-icious, Girl Scout-inspired Samoas, it’s impossible to make a wrong move when ordering (perfect for indecisive youngsters).
If you’re looking for more sweet treats, head over to the Green Lake neighborhood for some of the city’s best donuts at Mighty O. It’s tough to play favorites given their first-rate roster of flowers, but the sweet-tart Raspberry Riot is especially heavenly! Plus, with their focus on respecting the environment and organic, all-vegan menu you’ll leave feeling slightly less guilty than your average donut run!
Portia Smith of Obsessed by Portia gushes, “From mile-high cinnamon rolls, to ganache-dipped cupcakes, to berry-infused doughnuts, the Emerald City has perfected the sugar rush. Drawing in tastemakers from across the globe, Seattle’s chocolatiers, creameries and pastry shops are creating a new legacy for the city.”
Portia Smith of
After the ultra-frosty winter the PNW was treated to this year, coming out of hibernation is cause for celebration! Seattle’s range of great eats, interactive activities and one-of-a-kind museums means your family is certain to make the most of your first post-thaw vacation.
Whether you trek through the subterranean corridors of the city’s underground, take in an IMAX movie or gobble down a prize-worthy cupcake, Seattle is guaranteed to keep your curious kids happy until school’s back in session!
