Seattle Visit Planner

July 8-15, 2025

A curated collection of Seattle activities for Miranda, Nick, Wesley & June.

Iconic Seattle Landmarks

Space Needle

Seattle's iconic observation tower offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding area.

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Chihuly Garden & Glass

Stunning exhibition of colorful glass art by Dale Chihuly, next to the Space Needle.

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Seattle Center Monorail

Historic monorail connecting Seattle Center to downtown, perfect for kids.

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Seattle Great Wheel

Ferris wheel on the waterfront providing excellent views of the city and Puget Sound.

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Pike Place Market

Historic farmers market with food vendors, crafts, and the famous fish throwers.

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Central Library (Downtown)

Architectural marvel with a unique glass and steel structure, featuring an excellent children's section.

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On-the-Water Fun

Boat Day

Take out a boat from our boat club (Freedom Boat Club) on Lake Union and Lake Washington.

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UW Canoe Rentals

Rent paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards on the Montlake Cut

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WA State Ferry (Seattle ↔ Bainbridge)

Scenic ferry ride across Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island with spectacular Seattle skyline views.

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Center for Wooden Boats Sunday sails

Free public sailboat rides on Lake Union every Sunday (first-come, first-served).

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Beaches & Waterfront Hang-outs

Madison Park Beach

Lifeguarded beach with a swimming area, playground, and picnic facilities.

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Alki Beach Park

Long sandy beach with stunning views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

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Golden Gardens Park

Popular beach park with swimming, fire pits, and spectacular sunsets.

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Discovery Park Beach

Secluded beach at Seattle's largest city park with trails and a lighthouse.

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Olympic Sculpture Park pocket beach

Small beach area at the waterfront sculpture park with art and shoreline access.

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Gene Coulon Park

Lake Washington beach park with swimming, playground, and restaurants.

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International Fountain (Seattle Center)

Interactive fountain with water shows choreographed to music, perfect for hot days.

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Parks, Trails & Splash

Volunteer Park (wading pool & Asian Art Museum)

Historic Capitol Hill park with wading pool, art museum, conservatory, and water tower.

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Cal Anderson Park (fountain jets)

Capitol Hill park with playfield, tennis courts, and interactive fountain.

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Interlaken Park

Forested park with walking trails between Capitol Hill and Montlake.

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Seward Park & Food Forest

Peninsula park with old-growth forest, beaches, and a 2.4-mile loop trail.

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Japanese Garden

Formal Japanese garden with koi pond, tea house, and seasonal events.

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Kubota Garden

Japanese garden combining Northwest and Japanese plants with streams and ponds.

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Green Lake Loop

Popular 2.8-mile path around Green Lake with playgrounds and water access.

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Museums & Indoor Play

Woodland Park Zoo

92-acre zoo with over 1,000 animals and award-winning exhibits.

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Seattle Aquarium

Waterfront aquarium featuring local marine life and hands-on exhibits.

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Pacific Science Center

Interactive science museum with exhibits, planetarium, and butterfly house.

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Museum of Flight

Aerospace museum with over 175 aircraft and spacecraft on display.

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Seattle Children's Museum

Kid-focused museum with hands-on exhibits for ages 1-10.

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MoPOP

Museum of Pop Culture with exhibits on music, science fiction, and pop culture.

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MOHAI

Museum of History & Industry showcasing Seattle's history and innovations.

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KiDiMu (Bainbridge)

Kids Discovery Museum on Bainbridge Island with hands-on exhibits.

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KidsQuest (Bellevue)

Children's museum in Bellevue with interactive play spaces.

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Seattle Pinball Museum

Interactive museum with playable vintage and modern pinball machines.

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Klondike Gold Rush NHP

National Historical Park about Seattle's role in the Klondike Gold Rush.

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Museum of Optical Illusions

Interactive exhibits and illusions that trick the eye and mind.

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Capitol Hill HQ Ideas

Volunteer Park Amphitheater Summer Series (Thu 7/10 opener)

Free outdoor concert series at the Volunteer Park amphitheater.

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Capitol Hill Art Walk (Thu 7/10)

Monthly art walk featuring local galleries and businesses.

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Elliott Bay Book Co.

Iconic independent bookstore with extensive collection and events.

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Ada's Technical Books

Bookstore specializing in science, technology, and computing, with a café.

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Farmers Market (Sun 7/13)

Weekly farmers market with local produce, food, and crafts.

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Treats

Local favorites include Molly Moon's ice cream, Salt & Straw ice cream, General Porpoise donuts, and Rachel's Ginger Beer.

Kid-Friendly Breweries & Wineries

Breweries

Optimism Brewing

Spacious, family-friendly brewery on Capitol Hill with food trucks.

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Stoup (Capitol Hill & Ballard)

Award-winning craft brewery with locations in Capitol Hill and Ballard.

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Fremont Brewing

Popular brewery with family-friendly Urban Beer Garden.

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Reuben's Brews

Family-owned craft brewery in Ballard with award-winning beers.

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Burke-Gilman Brewing

Brewery with taprooms in Ballard and Georgetown, named after the trail.

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Other local favorites

Lowercase, Flying Lion, Rooftop, Hellbent (Wenatchee tap).

Woodinville Wineries

Chateau Ste Michelle

Washington's founding winery with beautiful grounds and summer concerts.

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Matthews Winery

Farm-to-table winery with picnic grounds and tasting room.

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Métier Brewing (Woodinville taproom)

Award-winning craft brewery focused on community and diversity.

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DeLille Cellars

Renowned winery specializing in Bordeaux-style blends with tasting room.

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Columbia Winery

Historic winery with spacious tasting room and food options.

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Day Trips & Excursions

Mount Rainier NP + Crystal Mountain Gondola

National park with hiking, waterfalls, and scenic gondola ride with mountain views.

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Snoqualmie Falls & Day Out With Thomas (7/11-13)

Spectacular 268-foot waterfall plus special Thomas the Tank Engine train event.

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Remlinger Farm

Family farm with attractions, petting zoo, and berry picking.

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LeMay America's Car Museum

Massive collection of classic and vintage automobiles in Tacoma.

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Lake Sammamish State Park

State park with beaches, playgrounds, and trails east of Seattle.

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Time-Specific Events (7/8-7/14)

Dancing 'Til Dusk (7/8 & 7/10)

Free outdoor dance events with instruction and live music.

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Volunteer Park Summer Music kickoff (Thu 7/10)

Free concert series in the park's amphitheater.

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Ballard SeafoodFest (7/11-13)

Annual festival celebrating seafood with food, music, and activities.

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West Seattle Summer Fest (7/11-13)

Street festival with music, food, and family activities.

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Seattle Storm vs Connecticut Sun (Fri 7/11)

WNBA basketball game at Climate Pledge Arena.

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Seattle Storm vs Atlanta Dream (Mon 7/14)

WNBA basketball game at Climate Pledge Arena.

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Wooden O Shakespeare in the Park (7/10-13)

Free outdoor Shakespeare performances in various parks.

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Rain-Day / High-Energy Backups

Seattle Bouldering Project (Poplar)

Indoor climbing gym with kids' area and beginner options.

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DEFY & Altitude trampoline parks

Indoor trampoline parks with various jumping activities for kids.

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Snapdoodle Toys play rooms

Toy store with play areas where kids can test toys before buying.

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Community-center Tot Gyms

Indoor play spaces for young children at various community centers.

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