Your folks will be thrilled to check out these Seattle activities with you!
Looking for fun things to do in Seattle with your folks?
Trying to plan a day out in Seattle that the entire family can enjoy, but that’s off the beaten path?
Every “family friendly things to do in Seattle” guide so far has suggested the same old Seattle routine - visiting the Needle, exploring the museums, and so on - the routine that you’re trying to avoid?
I hear ya!
Which is why I’ve published this post on 9 family friendly attractions in Seattle that are genuinely offbeat and will enthrall everyone in your group!
Snap a selfie at with the Fremont Troll
Although there have been alleged troll sightings in Seattle, especially around the Fremont and Aurora Bridges since 1932, the official Fremont Troll grabbing a VW Beetle came up in 1990, through the efforts of house builder Steve Badanes and two of his students from the University of Washington.
The 18 feet sculpture is a top Seattle selfie spot and attraction and you should make it one of the places you visit during your Seattle day out. Clamber atop the installation and get some cool pics for social media.
Location: Check address/Plan your route via Google Maps
Visit the Museum of Bad Art
I know I said no museum visits, but seriously, look at what the museum is all about.
It’s art all right, but not the kind of art that puts you to sleep…or that requires you to find seven layers of meaning.
This is strictly Dogs Playing Poker genre art, and should incite Severe Smiling Syndrome and maybe even Acute Laughter Disorder among visitors.
It’s actually in a cafe, so you should be able to grab some quick bites while you’re there, and recharge the batteries for the next leg of your Seattle adventure.
Website: Visit the website
Location: Check address/Plan your route via Google Maps
Contact: Visit their contact page
Email: MOBA@MuseumOfBadArt.org
Phone: (206) 329-3795
Break out of a maximum security prison or break into a military bunker
For real.
You get to relive all those dreams you’ve been having since childhood, right in the middle of Seattle.
Inside our Seattle escape rooms.
Dunno what goes on in an escape room?
Here’s the deal.
As you’ve probably grasped, you and your group will be given a mission. The mission takes place inside one of our escape rooms - a completely indoors space that’s been designed to look like the mission environment.
You’ll have to solve puzzle and do tasks to accomplish the mission…oh and there’s a clock - 60 minutes - that you have to beat.
Are you up to it?
Website: Visit the home page
Location: Check address/Plan your route via Google Maps
Email: info@foxinaboxseattle.com
Phone: (206) 495-3081
Explore Seattle underground in Pioneer Square with Bill Spiedel
Pioneer Square was Seattle’s original downtown, but it burned down in the 1889 fire. The city rebuilt on top of the ruins, leaving behind a labyrinth of buildings, streets, and alleys for us to explore.
It’s actually one of Seattle’s most thrilling activities.
Explore the old city, listen to stories of our earliest pioneers, and get thrilled by a few ghost stories at this unique tour of Seattle.
Website: Visit the website
Location: Check address/Plan your route via Google Maps
Phone: (206) 682-4646
Go on a tour of Theo Chocolate
Something tells me the kiddies in your group will be very anxious to spend as much time here as possible.
Theo was North America’s first ever fair trade and organic bean-to-bar chocolate factory.
Their factory tour will acquaint you with all kinds of chocolate facts, such as what cocoa is, how it transforms into chocolate, and what the issues are in chocolate manufacturing (including environmental issues).
And of course there’s the retail shop.
Website: Visit the website
Location: Check address/Plan your route via Google Maps
Enquiry form: Visit their contact page
Phone: (206) 809-8373
Hop in at Ye Olde Curiosity Shop
How does checking out bizarre stuffed things, dinosaur fossils, shrunken heads, whale bones and all kinds of weird things floating in jars sound?
Like an awesome, definitely unusual, thing to do in Seattle?
Well then, you definitely need to check out this unique shop in Seattle.
Website: Visit the website
Location: Check address/Plan your route via Google Maps
Email: OldeCuriosityShop@yahoo.com
Phone: (206) 682-5844
Go houseboat hopping
Photo by Nandu Vasudevan
Did you know that Seattle is home to one of the largest houseboat communities in the world?
The 500-odd houseboats in Puget Sound are a pretty stunning sight, and offer amazing views of the city. That’s all in addition to the excitement of being on a houseboat.
While the boats are private property, you can see if any of the owners are offering their boats out…or you can check with the Floating Homes Association if there are any public events taking place.
Website: Visit the website
Location: Check address/Plan your route via Google Maps
Enquiry form: Visit their contact page
Email: contact@seattlefloatinghomes.org
Phone: (206) 323-3489
Brunch at Seattle’s best brunch spot (Portage Bay Café)
They source their ingredients from local farms and other local sources, and try to use only organic and sustainably sourced ingredients.
If you don’t pre-reserve your table, you may have to wait in a longish line, but they have coffee on tap for wait-ers!
Website: Visit the website
Location: Check address/Plan your route via Google Maps
Phone: (206) 529-3252
Paddle through the backyard of the University of Washington
Visit the Waterfront Activities Center, rent a canoe or two, and explore all the sights and sounds that the backyard of the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium has to offer.
Website: Visit the Waterfront Activities Center website
Location: Check address/Plan your route via Google Maps
Contact page: Visit their contact page
Email: help@uw.edu
Phone: (206) 543-9433
Touring Seattle with your family - a final word
Seattle is an incredible city to explore with your family and friends…especially if you are looking for unusual and offbeat things to do.
Get more ideas on what to do on KAYAK's Seattle Travel Guide.
From an official museum of bad art to underground ruins - there are all sorts of Seattle attractions waiting to be explored.
Ready to be amazed?
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