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USA Today
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
10 epic things to do in Seattle with kids for guaranteed family fun
Pike Place Market is a family-friendly farmer's market in the heart of Seattle – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi From museums that explore pop culture and pinball to a ride to the top of the towering Space Needle, there's something for everyone in Seattle — kids and adults alike. A Pacific Northwest panorama of evergreens, majestic mountains, Elliot Bay, and the Puget Sound makes it easy to enjoy fresh air fun while staying within the city limits. I first discovered Seattle when our family's cruise to Alaska departed from the busy port, and I was instantly smitten. My children and I return often, forever discovering new fun things to do in Seattle with kids, including iconic attractions, outdoor adventures, and more. Here are 10 of our favorites. Space Needle The Space Needle is a must-see for kids and adults alike – Photo courtesy of Space Needle Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle observation tower is an icon of the Seattle skyline. Located in the heart of City Center with numerous other main attractions, you can ride the lightning-fast elevator for impressive views of the cityscape, Olympic and Cascade mountains, and Puget Sound islands from your perch 520 feet above ground. Advertisement Just below the observation deck is The Loupe, the world's first revolving glass floor with a slow spin that makes you feel like you're a record on a turntable. Olympic Sculpture Park Olympic Sculpture Park is a low-stakes way to introduce kids to art – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi I introduced my children to the Olympic Sculpture Park along the waterfront when they were very young. Even if they don't appear interested, kids absorb color, form, and the ever-changing dialogue between art and the environment as they run and play outdoors. It's a low-stakes activity because it's free of charge. Works include Alexander Calder's immense "The Eagle," a 6-ton steel sculpture with soaring curves and spikes that somehow manages to capture the delicacy of an origami bird. When little legs need a rest, they can sit on a series of granite "Eye Benches," surrealist eyeballs that double as surprisingly comfortable benches. Advertisement Chihuly Garden and Glass Chihuly's glass works have loads of kid appeal – Photo courtesy of Greg Balkin / State of Washington Tourism Dale Chihuly has been expanding the boundaries of glass as an artistic medium for decades. His imaginative glass sculptures and installations are on display indoors and outdoors at Chihuly Garden and Glass. Chihuly's bold interplay of whimsy and luminous color is a winning combination for many children. Glassblowing demonstrations throughout the day are captivating, and young visitors can touch real tools and materials used in the glassblowing process at the hands-on Curiosity Station. Seattle Pinball Museum The Seattle Pinball Museum offers retro fun for kids – Photo courtesy of Alabastro Photography/Visit Seattle Families can spend hours enjoying unlimited play for one price on dozens of vintage and modern pinball machines at the Seattle Pinball Museum in the International District. My kids love the machine's low-tech flippers and retro arcade setting. Order a soda in a vintage glass bottle to complete the throwback experience. Advertisement Museum of Pop Culture The Museum of Pop Culture pays tribute to Seattle's seminal role in pop culture – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi If you're traveling with a tough-to-please teenager, the Museum of Pop Culture is an oasis of cool that should appease even the moodiest. The Frank Gehry-designed building is a testament to rebel architecture at its finest, wrapped in shimmering sheet metal that resembles a smashed electric guitar. Permanent and temporary exhibits explore the influence of pop culture in music, film, fashion, sports, and gaming. Seattle's role in music, particularly grunge and alternative rock, is evident in the Guitar Gallery, an homage to the instrument and the musicians who play it. Glimpse the guitar of hometown rocker Jimi Hendrix and clothing worn by Washington-born Kurt Cobain. The Sound Lab lets kids create music with real instruments, while the Next Gen Gamers exhibit tests their skills as they play trailblazing video games. Pike Place Market The Gum Wall at Pike Place Market is quirky fun thing to do with kids in Seattle – Photo courtesy of Alabastro Photography / Visit Seattle Since 1907, Pike Place Market has supplied farm-fresh produce and boat-to-table seafood to generations of Seattleites and hungry tourists. Hundreds of farmers, fishermen, and artisans sell their goods in the heart of downtown. Watch the fishmongers throw fish into the waiting arms of customers — an entertaining and unusual market ritual. If you're visiting in summer, sample yellow-hued Rainier cherries, a Washington treat. More than a marketplace, it's a community center. Public art, including the Instagram-favorite Gum Wall, adds quirky eye candy. Kids particularly enjoy exploring the Magic Market Shop (the third oldest magic shop in the country) and eating mac and cheese from Beecher's while watching cheese get made. Advertisement Seattle Aquarium The Seattle Aquarium has interactive exhibits with a conservation message – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi The Seattle Aquarium combines dazzling sea life with a conservation message. Over 10,000 animals live here — from seahorses to a Giant Pacific Octopus — with an emphasis on those from the Pacific Northwest. Interactive touch tanks, a hands-on play space, and a crawl-through coral reef encourage kids to become stewards of the sea while having a ball. Seattle Great Wheel The Seattle Great Wheel has views for days – Photo courtesy of Rachael Jones/Visit Seattle Hop in a climate-controlled pod and take a sky-high ride on the enormous Seattle Great Wheel on Pier 57. On a clear day, this 175-foot Ferris wheel presents stunning vistas of the skyline and Mount Rainier. At night, it's illuminated with a half-million LED lights. A ride lasts for approximately 15 minutes. When you've landed back down to earth, take a spin on a painted pony at the carousel just a few steps away. Golden Gardens Park Seattle's Golden Gardens Park's sandy beach and tide pools are fun for kids – Photo courtesy of Rachael Jones/Visit Seattle If your family craves an afternoon at the beach, Golden Gardens Park in the Ballard neighborhood is a jackpot. This one-mile stretch of soft sand along the Puget Sound is perfect for Frisbee and beach volleyball, while the clear, cold water may tempt the brave to go for a summertime swim. At low tide, rocky sections at either end are a great place to view tide pools teeming with sea creatures, including anemones and starfish. Pacific Science Center Seattle's Pacific Science Center is a great place for curious kids – Photo courtesy of Rachael Jones/Visit Seattle Over the years, I've taken my kids to numerous science museums. As they grew older, they were often bored, as many catered to young children. Advertisement
USA Today
11-05-2025
- USA Today
11 stunning places for a stress-free destination vow renewal
Advertisement Hotels and resorts around the world are making it easy to say 'I do again' with destination vow renewal packages. Thirty years after our wedding, my husband and I had a vow renewal ceremony in Hawaii. We were vacationing at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, which offers guests a free, all-inclusive renewal of wedding vows on the beach. As we exchanged flower lei, a ukulele player strummed and a hula dancer swayed. I couldn't believe how relaxed our destination vow renewal was compared to the stress of our long-ago wedding. This time around, all we had to do was show up. My destination vow renewal in Hawaii was unforgettable – Photo courtesy of Allison Tibaldi There are many reasons for a couple to renew vows. It could be a milestone anniversary. Perhaps your first wedding was fabulous and you want to recreate the magic. Or maybe it was underwhelming and you want to do something more meaningful. Whatever the motivation, a vow renewal can signal a fresh start after the twists and turns that are part of marriage. Here are 11 resorts offering destination vow renewal packages that'll have you saying "I do" all over again. Advertisement The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada A Las Vegas vow renewal is easy – Photo courtesy of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas Tying the knot in Las Vegas is easy, so why not tighten the knot there? At The Venetian Resort, replicas of the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal look like you've landed in Venice, Italy, minus the jet lag. The Celebration Team at this glamorous property can help you plan a custom vow renewal, including a ceremony on a gondola complete with a serenade. Book Now When you check rates and book independently reviewed hotels through our site, we may earn a small commission. Carnival Cruise Line All aboard for a vow renewal at sea on a Carnival Cruise Line – Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line If you grew up watching 'The Love Boat,' you might recall that a ship's captain can marry you at sea, just as the show's Capt. Merrill Stubing did. On Carnival Cruise Line, the captain can officiate a vow renewal ceremony. Two levels of all-inclusive wedding vow renewal packages take care of all the details, with a two-tier wedding cake, a long-stemmed rose for the bride, a matching boutonniere for the groom, a sparkling wine toast, and so much more. Hotel Grand Galvez, Galveston, Texas Galveston is a popular spot for Texas vow renewal ceremonies – Photo courtesy of Visit Galveston Galveston Island is one of Texas' premier locations for wedding vow renewals. Spanish mission-style Hotel Grand Galvez is a top spot for lovers to reaffirm their relationship. The beachfront hotel was once popular for its annual June group vow renewal ceremony. These days, the hotel focuses solely on vow renewal celebrations for individual couples. A dedicated team works with couples to design a destination vow renewal ceremony that's unique to each couple. Book Now When you check rates and book independently reviewed hotels through our site, we may earn a small commission. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Orlando, Florida A Disney wedding vow renewal feels like a fairy tale – Photo courtesy of Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons If you dream of being a fairytale prince or princess, say 'I do again' at Disney's Grand Floridan Resort and Spa. Couples may renew their vows at Disney's Wedding Pavilion, where spires, vaulted ceilings, and a cupola add Victorian grandeur. The epic view of Cinderella Castle is icing on the (wedding vow renewal) cake. Book Now When you check rates and book independently reviewed hotels through our site, we may earn a small commission. The Whaler's Inn, Mystic, Connecticut Tighten the knot in Mystic with a destination vow renewal – Photo courtesy of Jennifer Cardinal The The Whaler's Inn is a great catch for couples seeking low-key romance. Décor reflects the town's maritime character with just the right touch of nautical accents. The inn's all-inclusive vow renewal package does all the work for you, including a ceremony, fresh floral bouquet, sparkling wine, and a custom cake. Continue celebrating with a delectable chef's tasting at the inn's award-winning, farm-to-fork restaurant. Book Now When you check rates and book independently reviewed hotels through our site, we may earn a small commission. The Hythe, Vail, Colorado A vow renewal ceremony in the Rocky Mountains is as epic as the view – Photo courtesy of Gabriela Mata Photography Love hits differently in the Rocky Mountains, where bluebird skies and tall peaks paint a majestic picture. The Hythe, Vail is a slice of alpine heaven for those who want to renew their nuptials al fresco. The hotel can curate unusual pre-and-post ceremony experiences, such as mushroom foraging or guided heli-skiing with an Olympic athlete. Certainly a wedding vow renewal ceremony for the books! Ocean Edge Resort and Golf Club, Brewster, Massachusetts A seaside vow renewal ceremony on Cape Cod – Photo courtesy of Anna Greenlaw Photography Cape Cod is coastal New England at its finest. Breathtaking beaches set the stage for unforgettable vow renewals, especially in the quieter fall and spring seasons. Ocean Edge has long been a favorite with brides and grooms, some of whom return for a renewal of vows. Consider a vow renewal ceremony on the sand followed by a gourmet picnic. Or perhaps you'd prefer to say "I do again" in front of the fire in the Nickerson Mansion. The team can integrate wellness practices, such as floating sound baths and beach yoga, into your special day. Advertisement Joia Aruba by Iberostar, Eagle Beach, Aruba Plan a romantic vow renewal on Aruba's Eagle Beach – Photo courtesy of Demian Gibbs / Aruba Tourism Authority With Caribbean beaches fringed by divi divi trees and cosmopolitan capital Oranjestad, Aruba is an enticing destination for a vow renewal. What really got my attention is its annual summer Aruba I Do Vow Renewal Ceremony, a gathering of hundreds of married couples from around the globe confirming their love in a group renewal ceremony. If you're seeking something more intimate, Joia Aruba by Iberostar aims to help you celebrate your love all over again. This swanky hotel is directly across from Eagle Beach, rated one of the 10 best beaches in the Caribbean. The resort will tailor a vow renewal ceremony to represent your unique love story, freeing you to enjoy the sun and surf. Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Mexico Nothing but dreamy vibes at an all-inclusive vow renewal in Mexico – Photo courtesy of Velas Resorts I've been to numerous all-inclusive resorts along Mexico's Riviera Maya; Grand Velas Riviera Maya stands out for its efforts to connect guests with the traditions of Mexico. Couples interested in a destination vow renewal can relax as a coordinator helps them weave ancient Mayan rituals into their ceremony, from drinking cacao to the musical accompaniment of Mayan trumpets. A seaside dinner for two makes for a romantic finale. Book Now When you check rates and book independently reviewed hotels through our site, we may earn a small commission. Villa Igiea, Palermo, Italy Villa Igiea offers a destination vow renewal you won't soon forget – Photo courtesy of Villa Igiea, A Rocco Forte Hotel Want "The White Lotus" vibes at your vow renewal? Fans of the popular television show are flocking to Sicily, where Season 2 was filmed. I lived in Italy and am acquainted with the country's abundance of romantic spots. Sicily's sunbaked beauty is indisputable. Capital Palermo effortlessly blends elegance with vibrancy. Villa Igiea is the city's most amorous hotel, a belle epoque oasis meticulously restored to preserve its frescoes and regal ballroom. Striking architecture offers a dreamy backdrop for a wedding vow renewal ceremony. Enjoy views of the Gulf of Palermo or renew your commitment in the lush garden with the floral arches. All experiences are curated by the can-do staff. Book Now When you check rates and book independently reviewed hotels through our site, we may earn a small commission. Sandals Ochi, Ocho Rios, Jamaica Bliss out with an overwater vow renewal with views of the Caribbean – Photo courtesy of Sandals Resorts Sandals offers a ReTie the Knot package for up to 10 guests. At Sandals Ochi, the overwater chapel provides a view of the crystal-clear water below. The all-inclusive vow renewal package includes planning services, a ceremony, a cocktail reception, and more. Book Now When you check rates and book independently reviewed hotels through our site, we may earn a small commission.
