3 Days in Seattle with Kids: A Doable Family Itinerary
Loving This Adventure contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links—at no extra cost to you. Loving This Adventure is also a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy and for more information.
Wondering if 3 days in Seattle with kids is enough time? I think it is!
Our family actually had just under two days to explore Seattle, and I was surprised by how much we were able to see and do without feeling like we were constantly rushing from one attraction to the next.
We explored Seattle Center, went to the top of the Space Needle, played at one of our favorite playgrounds of the trip, visited Pike Place Market, rode the Seattle Monorail, spent time at the Pacific Science Center, and walked along the Seattle waterfront.
And honestly, I loved the pace of our trip. We fit a lot into our time in Seattle, but we still had time to take a break at our hotel, let the kids play, and simply enjoy being in the city.
If we had a third full day, one experience I would definitely add is taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island.
This 3-day Seattle itinerary combines what we actually did with how I would plan our trip with one more day. It includes some of Seattle’s most iconic attractions along with playground stops, great views, and plenty of time to enjoy the city with your kids.
3 Days in Seattle with Kids at a Glance
Here’s a quick look at how I would spend 3 days in Seattle with kids. I’ve grouped most of the activities by location to make getting around easier, but there’s plenty of flexibility to rearrange things based on what your family wants to do.
Day 1: Space Needle + Seattle Center
- Visit the Space Needle
- Play at Artists at Play playground
- Have lunch at the Armory
- Choose another Seattle Center attraction, such as the Pacific Science Center or Chihuly Garden and Glass
- Spend some time simply enjoying Seattle Center
Day 2: Pike Place Market + Seattle Waterfront
- Ride the Seattle Monorail downtown
- Explore Pike Place Market
- Walk from Pike Place Market toward the Seattle waterfront
- Explore the waterfront
- Add the Seattle Aquarium or Seattle Great Wheel if your family is interested
Day 3: Bainbridge Island + More Seattle
- Take the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island
- Spend the morning and/or early afternoon exploring Bainbridge Island
- Return to Seattle
- Use any remaining time for an attraction you missed or simply enjoy more time in the city
A note about this itinerary: I’ve grouped many of these activities by location to make getting around Seattle easier. But don’t feel like you have to follow this itinerary exactly! On our trip, we went from Seattle Center to Pike Place Market and back again in the same day, and it worked great. The Seattle Monorail makes it easy to travel between Seattle Center and downtown. Choose the attractions your family is most excited about and rearrange the days as needed.
Day 1: Space Needle + Seattle Center
For your first day in Seattle, spend the day exploring Seattle Center. This is where you’ll find some of Seattle’s most well-known attractions, including the Space Needle, along with plenty of places where kids can just run around and play.
Our hotel was right across the street from the Space Needle, so Seattle Center became our home base while we were in the city.
We loved how easy it was to walk outside and have so much to do right there.
Start Your Morning at the Space Needle
I recommend starting your day at the Space Needle. We purchased our tickets the day before and visited first thing in the morning.
Going up the Space Needle was one of those Seattle experiences I really wanted our family to do.
From the top, you get incredible views of downtown Seattle, Puget Sound, and the surrounding area.
Give yourself around an hour for the Space Needle, although you can certainly stay longer if your family wants to take its time enjoying the views.
Tip: Purchase your tickets ahead of time, especially if you know which day you want to visit. Tickets are timed, so having this planned before your day begins makes things much easier.
Let the Kids Play at Artists at Play
After the Space Needle, head over to Artists at Play. This playground ended up being one of our favorite finds in Seattle!
It’s located right at Seattle Center, so it’s an easy stop between attractions.
Our kids loved it so much that we spent more than an hour here on our first morning and came back again later.
I especially love adding Artists at Play to a Seattle itinerary because it’s completely different from visiting another attraction.
Kids get a chance to run, climb, and play while parents can take a break from sightseeing.
And it’s free!
Have Lunch at the Armory
When everyone gets hungry, head to the Seattle Center Armory. Inside you’ll find a food hall with a variety of quick-service restaurants, almost like a large food court.
This was our go-to place to eat while we were staying near Seattle Center.
With several different food options in one place, there are plenty of choices when everyone in the family wants something different.
The Armory is also right in the middle of Seattle Center, so it’s a convenient place to grab lunch without leaving the area.
Choose a Seattle Center Attraction for the Afternoon
After lunch, choose another Seattle Center attraction based on what interests your family most.
Our family visited the Pacific Science Center. There are lots of hands-on exhibits for kids, and it’s an easy attraction to pair with the Space Needle because everything is so close together.
That said, I don’t necessarily think the Pacific Science Center is a must-do for every family visiting Seattle.
If you only have three days, I’d choose your afternoon attraction based on what your family is most excited about.
Another option is Chihuly Garden and Glass, located right next to the Space Needle.
We didn’t visit Chihuly on our trip, but it’s an easy attraction to add while you’re already exploring Seattle Center and one I would love to visit on a future trip.
You could also skip another paid attraction altogether and spend more time enjoying the open green spaces around Seattle Center.
Spend the Evening at Seattle Center
You don’t necessarily need another big activity planned for the evening.
One of my favorite parts of our time in Seattle was simply hanging out around Seattle Center.
We grabbed dinner at the Armory, enjoyed the grassy areas around the Space Needle, and, of course, our kids wanted to go back to Artists at Play.
After a day of sightseeing, it was nice to have nowhere else we needed to be.
If you’re staying near Seattle Center like we did, this is also an easy time to head back to your hotel for a break before coming back out for dinner or an evening walk.
Day 2: Pike Place Market + Seattle Waterfront
For your second day in Seattle, head downtown to explore Pike Place Market and the Seattle waterfront.
These two areas pair well together and give you a completely different experience from your first day at Seattle Center.
You can also spend much of the day simply walking and exploring without needing tickets or reservations.
Ride the Seattle Monorail Downtown
If you’re staying near Seattle Center, start your morning by hopping on the Seattle Monorail.
The monorail connects Seattle Center with Westlake Center in downtown Seattle.
It doesn’t take you all the way to Pike Place Market, but from the Westlake station it’s an easy walk to the market.
Our kids loved riding the monorail, and we ended up using it several times during our stay.
It’s an inexpensive and fun way to get between Seattle Center and downtown without having to worry about driving or parking.
Explore Pike Place Market
Once you arrive at Pike Place Market, give yourself plenty of time to wander.
Pike Place Market was one of my favorite areas to explore in Seattle.
There is so much to see throughout the market, and part of the fun is simply wandering around and seeing what you find.
Pike Place can get busy, especially as the day goes on, so I like the idea of visiting earlier in the day.
You can explore before the biggest crowds arrive and then grab lunch somewhere in or around the market.
Don’t miss at Pike Place Market:
- Watch the famous fish throwing
- Walk through the market and check out the different vendors
- See the colorful flower stands
- Find the Gum Wall
- Visit the Secret Garden
- Stop and enjoy the views
You don’t need a detailed plan for Pike Place Market. Pick a few things your family wants to see and leave yourself some time to wander.
Walk From Pike Place Market to the Seattle Waterfront
After exploring Pike Place Market, make your way toward the Seattle waterfront.
We did this on our trip and enjoyed simply walking around and seeing another part of the city.
The new Overlook Walk connects Pike Place Market directly with the waterfront, making it easy to walk between the two areas.
Along the waterfront you’ll find restaurants, shops, piers, the Seattle Great Wheel, and the Seattle Aquarium.
We didn’t ride the Great Wheel or visit the Aquarium on this trip, but either could be added to your afternoon if your family is interested.
One place I would definitely stop with kids is the new playground at Pier 58. This area was still under construction when we visited Seattle, so unfortunately we didn’t get to experience it.
The playground is now open and has a huge jellyfish-inspired climbing structure and slide, along with plenty of space for kids to play.
There’s also a lawn and seating nearby where you can hang out and enjoy being right along the waterfront.
I know our boys would have loved this, and it would definitely be on my list for a return trip!
You could spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the waterfront, add the Aquarium or Great Wheel, or stop somewhere for dinner.
How much you add really depends on your family’s interests and energy level.
Optional: Take a Seattle Donut Tour
If you’re looking for something a little different, consider a walking food tour.
One of my sons and I took a donut tour while the rest of our family visited the Pacific Science Center. We were actually the only two people on our tour, so we ended up having our own private guide!
We walked around Seattle trying several different types of donuts and stopped at places including Top Pot Doughnuts and Daily Dozen Doughnut Company at Pike Place Market.
Along the way, we also walked past the Amazon Spheres and got to see the unique glass buildings from the outside.
It was a really fun experience for the two of us, although I probably wouldn’t book it for our entire family of six.
For us, it worked better as a special experience with one child rather than something everyone needed to do.
Our tour finished at Pike Place Market, so it could also work well with this day’s itinerary if someone in your family wants to do something a little different.
Day 3: Take the Ferry to Bainbridge Island
For your third day in Seattle, I would do something completely different and take the ferry to Bainbridge Island.
This is the one day of this itinerary that we didn’t personally experience on our family trip.
Since we only had just under two days in Seattle, we simply didn’t have time to fit it in.
But with one more day in Seattle, taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island would be high on my list.
Take the Ferry From Seattle to Bainbridge Island
Start your morning at the Seattle Ferry Terminal at Colman Dock and take the ferry across Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island.
The ferry ride itself is one of the main reasons I would add this to our itinerary.
The crossing takes about 35 minutes, and I think getting out on the water and seeing Seattle from a different perspective would be a fun experience with kids.
For this itinerary, I would plan to walk onto the ferry rather than bring a car.
There are several places you can explore on foot once you arrive on Bainbridge Island, so you don’t necessarily need a vehicle for a shorter visit.
Tip: Check the Washington State Ferries schedule before your trip. I would aim for a morning ferry so you have plenty of time on Bainbridge Island and still have the option of returning to Seattle for another activity later in the day.
Spend a Few Hours Exploring Bainbridge Island
Once you arrive, walk toward downtown Winslow and spend some time exploring.
For our family, I would keep this part of the day fairly simple. I would walk around downtown, check out some of the shops, find somewhere for lunch, and enjoy being on the island.
One fun stop families might want to add is Pia the Peacekeeper, a giant wooden troll located in Sakai Park.
We haven’t seen Pia ourselves, but this is exactly the kind of quirky stop my kids would enjoy!
Keep in mind that the troll is about a mile from the ferry terminal, so you’ll want to factor the extra walking and time into your plans.
Waterfront Park is another easy stop while you’re exploring. It’s just a short walk from the ferry terminal and downtown Winslow, so it’s easy to add without going out of your way.
Depending on what interests your family, you could spend a few hours on Bainbridge Island or stay for most of the day.
Head Back to Seattle
When you’re ready, catch the ferry back to Seattle.
If you return with several hours left, I would keep the rest of the day flexible.
This could be a good time to visit something you skipped earlier in the trip, such as the Pacific Science Center or Chihuly Garden and Glass.
You could also head back to Seattle Center, let the kids play at Artists at Play again, grab dinner, or simply enjoy your last evening in Seattle.
There’s no need to plan every minute. I like having this last part of the itinerary open so you can decide what sounds good once you know how much time and energy your family has left.
Where to Stay for This Seattle Itinerary
For this itinerary, I loved staying near Seattle Center.
We stayed at the Hyatt House Seattle/Downtown, right across the street from the Space Needle, and the location made getting around incredibly easy.
We had a car because Seattle was part of a larger road trip, but we kept it parked during our time in the city.
We could walk to everything at Seattle Center and hop on the monorail when we wanted to head downtown.
Having so much within walking distance also made it easy to return to our hotel for a break when we needed one.
If you’re trying to decide where to stay with your family, I have a separate guide to where to stay in Seattle with kids, including more about why we liked staying near Seattle Center, our experience at the Hyatt House, and what to look for when choosing a Seattle hotel with kids.
Tips for Spending 3 Days in Seattle with Kids
A little planning can make exploring Seattle with kids much easier. Here are a few things I would keep in mind when planning your three days.
Stay Somewhere Walkable
Where you stay can make a big difference in how easy it is to explore Seattle with kids.
Staying near Seattle Center worked especially well for us because so many of the places we wanted to visit were within walking distance.
Purchase Tickets for Your Must-Do Attractions Ahead of Time
If there’s an attraction your family definitely wants to visit, I recommend purchasing tickets ahead of time.
We bought our Space Needle tickets the day before our visit and chose a morning time slot. Having that planned made it easy to start our day without having to figure out tickets that morning.
You don’t necessarily need to book everything in advance, though. I like having one or two things planned and leaving the rest of the day somewhat flexible.
Don’t Pack Every Minute of Your Day
There is a lot to do in Seattle, but you don’t need to squeeze an attraction into every available hour.
Some of our favorite moments were the simplest ones, like letting the kids spend more than an hour at Artists at Play or hanging out around Seattle Center in the evening.
Leave some room in your itinerary for the things your family ends up enjoying more than expected.
Take Advantage of Seattle’s Free Activities
Not everything you do in Seattle needs to require a ticket.
Artists at Play, exploring Pike Place Market, walking along the waterfront, and simply spending time around Seattle Center can all be worked into your trip without adding another paid attraction.
Mixing these experiences with bigger attractions like the Space Needle can also help keep the cost of three days in Seattle more manageable.
Be Flexible With This Itinerary
Use this 3-day Seattle itinerary as a starting point rather than a schedule you have to follow exactly.
Choose the attractions your family is most excited about and rearrange things if needed. Weather, energy levels, and even how long your kids want to stay at a playground can change your plans.
We moved between Seattle Center and downtown more than once during our trip, and it worked well for us. You don’t have to plan your days perfectly to have a great time in Seattle.
Is 3 Days in Seattle Enough?
Yes, I think 3 days in Seattle with kids is a great amount of time!
Our family actually had just under two days in Seattle, and I was surprised by how much we were able to see and do without feeling like we were rushing from place to place.
With three days, you’ll have time to explore Seattle Center, visit Pike Place Market and the waterfront, and still have another day for an experience like taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island.
Could you spend longer in Seattle? Absolutely. There are plenty of other neighborhoods, attractions, and day trips you could add.
But if you’re trying to fit Seattle into a larger Pacific Northwest trip or simply don’t have a full week to spend in the city, I think three days gives your family plenty of time to experience many of the things that make Seattle fun to visit.
Planning Your Family Trip to Seattle
Seattle ended up being one of our favorite stops on our Pacific Northwest road trip, and I would absolutely go back with our kids.
There are plenty of iconic Seattle experiences to fit into three days, but there’s also room to let the kids play, spend time exploring, and change your plans when something ends up being more fun than you expected.
If you’re planning your own trip, you can find even more ideas in my Seattle with Kids: The Ultimate Family-Friendly Guide.
And if you’re still deciding where to stay, check out my Where to Stay in Seattle with Kids for more about staying near Seattle Center and what to look for when choosing a hotel for your family.
I hope this itinerary helps make planning your own three days in Seattle a little easier.
May you LOVE. your adventure! KW