Tourist Attractions

This is a list of activities that our friends and we like to do around Seattle. Hopefully this will spark some ideas to help you plan your trip.

Ballard Locks: The locks are fun for everyone to see once. Next to the locks are the fish ladders and a botanical garden.
Bellevue Square Mall: This is the mall right in downtown Bellevue. It is surrounded by good restaurants and a nice park.
Cougar Mountain: On a nice day this is a good place for a walk or a jog. Try any of the trails starting at the Red Town Trailhead or take the Coal Creek Trail across the street.
Family Fun Center: The Fun Center has video games, laser tag, batting boxes, go-karts and miniature golf.
Ferry Trip: Walk on to a ferry to Bainbridge Island (35 minutes each way) or to Bremerton (60 minutes each way). There is not much to do at the destination but the trip is fun. Bring games on board or just watch for wildlife in the Puget Sound.
GameWorks: GameWorks is a two-story video game arcade.
Golf Club at Newcastle: Among all the nice golf courses in the area, this is just one idea.
Leavenworth: This town is an old-style Bavarian village about two and a half hours away from Seattle. It is a tourist destination known for the scenery and the shopping.
Pike Place Market: Pike's Place is an enormous public market and one of Seattle's most recognizable attractions. This is a good place to get fresh food or souvenirs.
Seattle Aquarium: The aquarium is interactive and good for kids.
Seattle Center: The Seattle Center hosts low-cost cultural events year-round.
Snoqualmie Falls: Snoqualmie is about half an hour away. The view down onto the falls is excellent. Families can take a short hike to the base of the falls if they want.
Space Needle: The Space Needle defines the Seattle skyline.
Underground Tour: This is a fun tour that even locals enjoy taking a few times. The group walks the original streets that are buried underneath today's downtown and learns about Seattle's seedy beginnings. Arrive early in order to get tickets.
Washington Park Arboretum: This is a good place to go relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Woodland Park Zoo: The zoo is impressive and one of the most kid-friendly activities anywhere.