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Washington with 5 year olds
Hi all,
planning a family trip to washington for this summer (june 2010). we live in southwest florida and this will be a few and far between trip. we are spending a few days in seattle (conference) and then have 5 1/2 days to explore. i'm getting overwhelmed. the main thing we've promised the children is tidepooling. the main thing my husband wants is to just be outdoors exploring. main thing i want is to enjoy what we do and not be in the car driving place to place the whole time trying to do and see everything. olympic national park or san juans? pre children we explored the whole state and LOVED everything but it's all fuzzy now and totally different to plan with kids than as a newleywed couple..... what would you do??? |
The national parks are beautiful! 5 year olds might enjoy the pick your own berry fields. Or a ferry ride across to Victoria Island.
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Some things that five year olds may enjoy:
Space Needle Monorail Seattle Zoo Beaches at Olympic NP Hurricane Ridge Mount Rainier |
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Point Defiance zoo has a lovely view of Mount Ranier.
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They might be too young for this to be interesting, but if a boat is going through, then it's great -- the Hiram Chittenden locks.
http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Public...ename=mainpage |
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We've always enjoyed Port Angeles, or more specifically, Tongue Point, for tide pools. If you're coming from Seattle you can take the ferry to Bremerton or Bainbridge Island to break up the drive. We go through Bainbridge.
We're taking our almost 5 year old there in a couple of weeks. I know he's going to love it! |
Seattle/Washington state is a great place for kids. We have been a few times. Will one parent be taking them around town while the other is in the conference? I would echo the ideas above and also link you to a trip report I made: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-with-kids.cfm
A few more thoughts: 1. The aquarium is a good choice especially as something to do during the conference. Sea horses and sea dragons were a fave. 2. My kids loved the underground tunnel that runs along Seattle's main street by the department stores. 3. If they're 5, your kids may be tired after walking back into downtown from down at the waterfront. It's hilly. 4. If you have the rental car during the conference, Snoqualmie would be another easy day trip for one parent to handle. Easy freeways and signage. There are both the falls and the train depot. 5. When packing, remember that it could rain in June. Agree with the ideas above to take your kids on a boat ride. I'm wondering if you already have passports for your kids; if not, I wouldn't go to Victoria, as much as I love the ride from Port Angeles. There are much shorter-ride ferries to the Seattle islands, the Duck boats mentioned above, or the package deal to Tillicum Island I described in my report. I can't help you with the San Juans, having never been, but that is another option for a longer trip. For your touring after the conference, the one thing I'd lean against is Mt. St. Helens. My husband I remain fascinated by it, but our kids were not that impressed. Even though smoke was even blowing from the mountain at the time! And, it is farther away from Mt. Rainier, the Olympic peninsula etc. Good luck! |
A couple more things to do in Seattle:
Seattle Children's Museum http://thechildrensmuseum.org/ Pacific Science Center http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/ |
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