A Weekend in Seattle With Two Under Three (From a First-timer)

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The summer of ‘25 marked a year and a half since our little family had left the Midwest and returned to the PNW — and we still hadn’t been to the westside save a few layovers at SEA/TAC. On the top of my Seattle with kids bucket list? Woodland Park Zoo and Pike Place Market.

So, we packed up the people mover, got my mom to come along as a nanny, and headed out on a family trip to Seattle.

Here’s how it all went.

Packing for travel with kids

I’ve become somewhat of an expert on packing for kids when traveling. From the time he was born, my oldest son took hours-long road trips every other month and flew across the country at least three to four times a year.

My best advice? Pack with your head, not your heart.

Extra undies? Yes.

Another stuffed animal? No.

Medicines, nose suckers, and nail clippers (trust me on the nail clippers, please)? Yes.

That cute pair of shoes, they only wear on Sundays? No.

Snacks on snacks on snacks? Yes.

Be brutal, momma. You’ll thank me later.

Select outfits for the number of days you’ll be away, and then pack one or two extras (and include one in your diaper bag). One or two books, their security stuffy, and ONE new toy. And that should do it. Here’s what we got for our oldest.

I’ve trusted that Amazon influencer one too many times, purchased a whole set of silly little toys, only to find myself playing maid and referee while zooming down the interstate or flying 35,000 miles in the air.

For this Seattle weekend trip with kids, we were going to be gone for three days in Seattle. So I packed a total of five outfits for each kid. I also always make room for more diapers and wipes than I’ll need. That’s never something I want to smack myself in the head for and say, “If only I had left this monster truck at home and thrown in a few more diapers.”

I picked up a great tip from Jess, owner and operator of Golden Hour. She and her husband will take their kids to a consignment store in whichever town they’re staying in and let them pick out a couple of toys and books. At the end of the trip, they donate the items back to the store!

Driving from Wenatchee to Seattle with kids

We are not an iPad family in our daily lives. BUT that all goes out the window on road trips with kids. Always download your kids’ favorite shows and movies before you head out, so they’ll work offline. I try to wait as long as possible to break out the screens, though. My oldest was able to make the entire 3-hour drive to Seattle without a screen — he looked out the window like we used to do.

But I get that it’s not an option for everyone, so do what you gotta do to get to your destination.

Traveling from Wenatchee to Seattle with kids isn’t too tough. You go through a couple of passes, so if you’re traveling in the winter, be incredibly careful and check for road closures and conditions. Some of the most popular routes take you through Snoqualmie Pass (I-90) and then Blewett Pass (US-97) for the last leg, or Stevens Pass (US-2).

Once you get to Seattle and make your way toward the zoo, you will be incredibly surprised at how residential it is. I remember thinking to myself, “So, a 92-acre zoo is just going to pop up in the middle of this neighborhood.”

And it did.

It was pretty cool, and I became mildly jealous of those people living across the street from a great zoo — I would take my kids there every week!

The streets are narrow and packed with other folks, so keep your eyes on the road and your GPS turned all the way up.

We got to the zoo at probably the worst time of day: 11AM. The main parking lots were completely full, and we wound up in the Flamingo Lot, which is NOT suited for our ‘02 Sequoia. Fortunately, a spot opened up with a pedestrian walkway on one side, giving us a little breathing room.

Visitng Woodland Park Zoo with kids

Once we parked (not without a bit of stress), we unpacked our stroller (we love this one) and our favorite carrier and walked about a quarter of a mile from the Flamingo Lot to the South Entrance of the zoo. We bought our tickets ahead of time and walked straight into the zoo through the ticket holder’s line. At that time of day, there wasn’t a huge line anyway — phew.

After a quick potty break, we followed the map to the right and hit the Savannah animals first. This was really the only disappointing part of the trip. The animals in this exhibit are really far away, and the viewing areas are small and cramped. But most of the rest of the zoo was out in full force. One of the best exhibits was the otters. We were there at feeding time, and those little suckers can’t get any cuter.

We did pay extra for the Dinosaur Discovery exhibit. I’d give it a solid B-. It was cool for my three-year-old, and they had a fun fossil excavation area, but it wasn’t very long. You could take or leave it.

Things to do in Seattle with Kids (beyond the zoo)

You have to check out Pike Place Market if you have the time. It’s not little kid-friendly, but it can still be fun. This (IMO) is a no-stroller zone. There are so many stairs, cobblestone streets, and narrow sidewalks. I toted around my youngest in my carrier, and my oldest cycled through walking, running, and being carried. We ate at The Crumpet Shop, strolled through fruit and produce stands, and watched the fish guys toss big ole fishes to each other.

Thankfully, they’ve added little seating areas with picnic tables around the market.

Down by the Seattle Aquarium (which has a cool fish-viewing window right in front of the entrance — highly recommend stopping there for a sec) is a massive playground and a great spot for a family photo with the Seattle waterfront in the background. You can watch cruise ships and ferries come in. We also stumbled on a random play area built into the walkway ramps back up to the market that was so fun!

Hotels and Restaurants in Seattle

We stayed at the Staybridge Suites Seattle Fremont, which ended up being within walking distance of the Fremont Troll and the adorable Fremont neighborhood (we ate at Just Burgers). I will say, though, that there isn’t a whole lot of Seattle that’s kid-friendly. The restaurant we ate at didn’t have a kids’ menu or even a high chair. Woof. But we made it out alive and stopped at the cookie shop for a victory treat.

If it’s in your budget, I highly recommend getting a suite when you stay at hotels. It’s so nice being able to have your kids stay in their own area overnight. Also, bring your own pack ‘n play and crib sheets. I’ve used enough gross hotel cribs to swear off them forever.

Final thoughts: Is Seattle Kid-Friendly?

Truthfully, Seattle is not my favorite kid-friendly place to go, although we hardly scratched the surface. But the zoo is very well laid out, and the park down by the water was a huge hit. Pack smart, pack light, and don’t be afraid to get out there with your kids!

Looking for some other great weekend getaways? Check out our Destinations Guide.

FAQs about visiting Seattle with kids

Is Woodland Park Zoo worth visiting with kids?
Yes! Woodland Park Zoo is one of the best Seattle attractions for families. Most exhibits are easy to navigate with a stroller, and kids especially love the otters, penguins, and farm animals. Arrive early for easier parking and shorter lines.

How long does it take to drive from Wenatchee to Seattle with kids?
The drive from Wenatchee to Seattle usually takes about 3 hours. Families can take Snoqualmie Pass (I-90), Stevens Pass (US-2), or Blewett Pass (US-97). In the winter, always check road conditions before heading out.

Is Pike Place Market kid-friendly?
Pike Place Market can be fun with kids, but it’s not very stroller-friendly. Expect cobblestone streets, narrow sidewalks, and lots of stairs. A baby carrier works best here, and little ones will love watching the famous fish toss and exploring food stalls.

What are some kid-friendly things to do in Seattle besides the zoo?
Families often enjoy the Seattle Aquarium, the playgrounds and piers along the waterfront, and riding the Seattle Center Monorail. Discovery Park is another great spot for kids to burn energy outdoors.

Where should families stay in Seattle?
Look for hotels that offer suites or family-friendly amenities. The Fremont and Queen Anne neighborhoods are close to many attractions. If possible, bring your own pack ’n play or travel crib to ensure your kids sleep comfortably.