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Jetty Island ferry. Photo: Meredith Charaba
It happens every year. I blink and the end of summer break is right around the corner. With Labor Day weekend in sight, the pressure is on to make the most of the time off left. But you say you didn’t get around to making reservations for a last-hurrah family camping trip or quick getaway for the long weekend? That’s ok, neither did I. So, for those of us sticking around town, I have rounded up all the best things to do during Labor Day weekend around Seattle for families to enjoy.
1. Explore Jetty Island
Jetty Island is a man-made summer paradise of sand and water. It’s open daily through its last day of the season, Sunday, Sept. 1. Head to the 10th Street Boat Launch in Everett to catch the ferry — the ride takes five minutes — and make it a glorious family beach day.
Cost: $5 per person; ages 2 and younger are free
2. Visit the new Ocean Pavilion at Seattle Aquarium
Get up close and personal to an array of aquatic life from sharks to rays, mangroves to schooling fish, and nearly 30 species of coral from the tropical Indo-Pacific waters of the Coral Triangle — 3,500 plants and animals in all. Be one of the first to visit the Seattle Aquarium's highly anticipated, newly opened Ocean Pavilion over Labor Day weekend. This exciting new exhibit opens to the public Aug. 29.
Cost: Included with admission; ages 3 and younger are free
3. Go on a train ride
Who doesn’t love trains? It’s a great weekend to hop on a scale mini train on the Great Northern & Cascade Railway, or aboard Kitsap Live Steamers’ mini trains. For a scenic ride, the Northwest Railway Museum is running Labor Day Weekend trains between North Bend and Snoqualmie Falls, Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad’s steam train journeys from Elbe to Mineral, and the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad's restored railcars run through the beautiful Chehalis River Valley.
Cost: Varies by location
4. Take a scenic chairlift to The Summit at Snoqualmie
It's your last chance this season to catch the amazing summer views of Snoqualmie Pass from the vantage point of a ski chairlift. Hop on at Snoqualmie Summit and ride up and down as many times as you want on your ticketed date. The last day to catch a ride is Sept. 2.
Cost: $20 adults; $15 youth ages 6–12; ages 5 and younger are free
5. Experience Olympia Harbor Days
Tour the super cool vintage tugboats and tall ships docked at the harbor, then watch the tugs race around Budd Inlet at fun-filled Olympia Harbor Days. Spanning the Olympia waterfront, this three-day festival offers a little something for everyone. From sand carving to makers markets (there will be four in total at the festival) to tugboat tours, there's always something going on whenever you visit. Plus, the Friday night drone light show is something to behold. Hint: There's a rehearsal planned for Thursday night if you can't make Friday's display.
Cost: Free
6. Visit a fair
Fair options abound over Labor Day weekend! Check out the lumberjacks, frolicking goats, carnival rides and Demolition Derby (extra fee) at the last weekend of The Evergreen State Fair.
It’s the opening weekend to “do the Puyallup” at the Washington State Fair, and kids enter for free all weekend. Check out a new pop culture exhibition, in addition to adorable farm animals and arena competitions, such as the rodeo.
For extra Western atmosphere, saddle up and head over the mountains for pro rodeo action and county fair fun at the Ellensburg Rodeo and Kittitas County Fair. There’s a pancake breakfast and parade Saturday, plus families will love historic Frontier Village at the fair.
Cost: Varies by location
7. Bring the kids to Bumbershoot
A Seattle Labor Day weekend tradition held at the Seattle Center, Bumbershoot promises to be more kid-friendly than ever with plenty of music and dance performances, visual spectacles and art for all ages. While you're there, take a dip in the International Fountain, climb the tower at the Artists at Play playground, and marvel at the Space Needle. Tickets can be pricey, but kids ages 10 and younger enter free.
Cost: Single day tickets cost $85; weekend passes are $150; ages 10 and younger are free
8. Go for a family swim
Cannonball! Labor Day weekend is the last open weekend for many of our region's super outdoor swimming pools, including Seattle’s scenic Colman Pool, Kirkland’s Peter Kirk Pool, Henry Moses in Renton, and Tacoma’s Stewart Heights and Kandle pools (closing dates may change so be sure to check individual pool schedules). A little further out, but worth the drive, check out the newly reopened historic Tenino Quarry pool south of Olympia. And if waterslides are your jam, Wild Waves is nearing the end of its summer season.
Cost: Varies by location
9. Ride together during Bicycle Weekends
There are only a couple more Bicycle Weekends left during which families can practice pedaling skills on a car-free ride along Lake Washington Boulevard. Bring the kids over Labor Day weekend or enjoy the final weekend, Sept. 21–22. Pack a picnic for a stop at Seward Park.
Cost: Free
10. Bremerton Blackberry Festival
Berries are a staple of our Northwest summer, and the Bremerton Blackberry Festival serves up all manner of delicious family fun on Bremerton’s Boardwalk. In addition to tasting blackberry desserts (and wine for grown-ups), there’s live music, loads of fun family activities and the chance to ride the foot ferry over to Port Orchard.
Cost: Free
11. Spy salmon at Ballard Locks
Explore the Ballard Locks, one of our area’s top-visited tourist attractions. Go see the humongous salmon swimming through the fish ladder with a trained naturalist and listen to the pleasant sounds of free outdoor concerts, the last few of this season. Musical acts play Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 2 p.m. Tip: Show up for a Van Morrison tribute band on Labor Day!
Cost: Free
Editor’s note: This article was originally published several years ago and updated most recently in August 2024 by ParentMap's calendar editor, Julie Dodobara, to include new ideas and fact-check recurring fun things for families to do over Labor Day Weekend in and around Seattle.
