Best Things to Do with Kids in Seattle

About 15 miles south of downtown, Tukwila's iFLY is an exhilarating indoor skydiving experience that allows participants (kids, too!) to experience free-fall conditions without having to leap from an airplane. iFLY Seattle's vertical wind tunnel generates air current speeds of up to 160 mph, creating a wall-to-wall cushion upon which flyers safely float. The entire experience (from the intro and prep session to flight time) takes about an hour and a half, and visitors will no doubt leave on an adrenaline high, hungry for more air time sometime soon. On-site cameras catch high-flying footage (still photos and video), meaning you can relive your adventure any time you have a craving. Flyers can be "between the ages of 3 to 103"; children under 18 years of age need to have a parent or guardian sign their waiver.

Originally built in 1911, these locks offer a fascinating lesson in technology from days gone by. Observe ships and sailing vessels as they enter the Ballard locks and, "following a series of mechanical adjustments," depart into either the sound or the lake at a completely different water level. In addition, visitors may look through a viewing glass to see salmon run from fresh to salt water in season (June through October and March through April). Also, be sure not to miss the seven-acre Carl English Botanical Gardens, which presents nearly 2,000 varieties of plant life. Golden Gardens is the perfect nearby spot to head afterward for some family beach time!

Hands-on informational and historical exhibits distinguish this museum, which appeals to aspiring pilots and to those whose feet have never left the ground. Displays in the Red Barn, where Boeing's first planes where constructed, chronicle the history of flight up to the late 1930s. In the six-story Great Gallery, more than 20 planes hang from the ceiling and cause guests to gape in amazement. Additional sights include a mock air traffic control center, an early Air Force One presidential plane, and a Blackbird, the fastest plane ever built. Furthermore, the outdoor airpark lets visitors explore some of the museum's largest planes. Other amenities include complimentary guided tours, a variety of free films, a cafe and a museum store.

Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, this expansive urban park (the largest in Seattle) offers two miles of beach trails and nine miles of winding footpaths. Ostensibly a bluff-top reserve, Discovery Park protects a remarkable urban wilderness and is a great place for nature-watching. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center (check current hours ahead of time), which features art and cultural exhibits, is also located at the park, as is a marine reserve. An 1881 lighthouse, the oldest in the area, can also be found here. Offering breathtaking views of both the Cascade and the Olympic mountain ranges, the park's remote site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams. Kids will love the park's brand-new playground, too.

On the north end of Lake Union, you'll find what may be the most unique park in the area. The 21-acre industrial area, formerly the site of a gas plant, was transformed in the 1975 into a recreational complex (a worldwide first). You'll find that there's plenty to do in the park, including kayaking, sailing, picnicking and bicycling. From atop the park's 60-foot hill, visitors have one of Seattle's best views, and the park is a favorite place to view the city's Fourth of July fireworks display. Kids flock to the brand-new playground, while parents enjoy soaking up the surrounding vistas.

From Seattle's downtown waterfront, it takes only 35 minutes to arrive at Bainbridge Island. Along the way, you can enjoy all the wonderful sights that make Seattle such a unique city (the ferry ride itself is worth the journey!). The snowcapped Olympic Mountains, Seattle's skyline and the eastern view of Mount Rainier are all points of interest along the way. (It's also fun to watch all the car and bike commuters onboard.) Peak season is early May through mid-October. Once on Bainbridge Island, it's easy to walk to a quaint "downtown" strip that features some shops, eateries and coffee spots. The island also features wineries, an organic distillery, museums and galleries, beaches, plus other popular destinations.

If you're ever going to visit a venue dedicated to the magic of music, Seattle is THE place to do so. This intriguing museum celebrates the history of rock and roll. More than 80,000 American music mementos are showcased in the ultra-modern Frank Gehry-designed building, which resembles a smashed guitar. Among the displays are Janis Joplin's floral bell-bottoms and a leather jacket once worn by Elvis Presley. Sky Church, a performance arena erected to host concerts by world-renowned musicians, is also part of the complex. Added bonus: Artists at Play, located just outside the museum is an imaginative, artist-created playground that's been designed for kids of all ages with a 35-foot high climbing tower and kid-centric musical instruments, listening stations and sound swings. Local families will want to check out Family Programming and Summer Camp options.

Sights, smells and sounds make Pike Place a head-spinning whirlwind for first-time visitors. Fishmongers near the main entrance entice buyers with loud hawking and dexterous salmon-throwing antics, the briny smell of fresh seafood filling the air. Countering that are the rows of vibrantly colorful flower stalls, which emit their pleasing perfumed aromas to passersby. Farm-fresh produce is mounded high along the aisles, and local artisans display their art and wares unique to the Northwest. Restaurants, a brewery and specialty shops for everything from antiques to movie ephemera fill the multi-level maze. Once you have your bearings, pick out a favorite spot and enjoy some of the best people-watching around in this eclectic and progressive environment.

Woodland Park, known for its exceptional zoo, has a lot of other things going for it. Located on approximately 90 acres, the multipurpose park and recreation space is just southwest of Green Lake and north of the Fremont district. Separated into two parts by Aurora Avenue, the part on the west of Aurora is largely occupied by the Woodland Park Zoo, but it also has picnic space, a formal rose garden, open space, and a play area for children. Woodland Park also offers walking paths, several playfields, tennis courts, lawn bowling, horseshoe pits, a skatepark and a large, wooded off-leash dog area. Be sure to check out the Zoo Tunes summertime concert series, perfect for families and small groups of friends of all ages.

In a fantastic waterfront location, Seattle Aquarium shelters a host of marine life, highlighting creatures found in the Pacific Northwest. One of the facility's most intriguing features is an underwater dome where visitors can watch fish and sea mammals swim around them. A kid-friendly touch tank lets children handle sea creatures and learn to treat them gently. Other attractions concentrate on spawning salmon and the antics of several adorable sea otters, who really earn their keep at feeding time. On the aquarium website, check out activities and programming, and buy timed tickets for your visit before heading down to the pier.