It rains in Seattle, so what! If you can take your vacation time during the summer when it rains less, that is great. However, if you cannot, do not let the rain stop you. Seattle, Washington is a wonderful and affordable place for a great family vacation.
Start at Pike Place for a free and fascinating experience. You will find street entertainers and the famous fish tossing. Almost 100 years old, Pike Market has one small vendor after another selling everything and anything from fruits, antiques, produce and, of course, fish. Plan to spend a few hours here and sample some of the local food from the many quaint restaurants.
The Hiram Chittenden Locks, also commonly referred to as the Ballard Locks, is a superb place to view ships as they go from Puget Sound into Lake Washington. Another neat feature here is the fish ladder, which has a viewing room, allowing visitors to watch the salmon as they swim upstream into Lake Washington. Stop at a local grocery store; buy some fruit, cheese and bread, and make a picnic out of your visit as you enjoy the beautifully landscaped grounds around the locks.
While not free, the Seattle Pacific Science Center is a must do for your children. It is filled with things to keep children busy (great place for a rainy day) with a butterfly house, planetarium and visiting exhibits.
Stroll around Pioneer Square whose history goes back over 100 years. Put on your walking shoes and window shop at art galleries and antique shops. Alternatively, stop into one of the used bookstores and look for that childhood favorite of yours that you would love to pass along to your children.
There are many other things to take advantage of in Seattle, which, while not free, are unique to the area and should be considered: Boeing Tour at the Everett plant, Seattle Aquarium and a ride on a Washington ferry. All of these offer exciting experiences perfect for children.
Now, when you are ready to start planning a family vacation, be sure to check out Seattle, Washington; which happens to be a fabulous family destination.