Top Attractions

Seattle is an eminently livable city with great coffee and music, but do your kids care? Perhaps not, but the Emerald City, particularly because of its proximity to so much water, will embrace the interests of several age groups. Here are our top seven sights for kids in the city.

The Children's Museum. A Northwest wilderness motif sets the stage for this eminently kid-friendly space in the Queen Anne neighborhood. The highlight: Cog City, a giant game of pipes and pulleys.

Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center. On the waterfront in Belltown, this facility has hands-on exhibits that include kayaking over computer-generated waters.

Seattle Aquarium. This downtown aquarium should call itself Otters R Us -- you could spend hours just watching the delightful antics of the sea otters and their river cousins.

Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture. Dinosaur skeletons. Okay? It's one big reason kids will enjoy this sojourn to the University District.

Gasworks Park. A hungry lake of ducks and a sand-bottom playground are two ways to amuse the kids at this Fremont gem.

Woodland Park Zoo. Animals aplenty and stroller-friendly flat terrain make this Phinney Ridge oasis a family pleaser.

Pike Place Market. Sure, it's crowded, but the frenzy of this downtown institution is appropriate -- and memorable for all ages.