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The Engineering Zone is one of the places kids can keep learning when the Boeing Factory Tour ends. Photo: courtesy Boeing
Greater Seattle area tours, where both kids and parents can learn something, are a great way to get out and experience new things as a family. But it can be hard to find tours that are interesting for both parents and kids. That’s where we come in. Spend a day touring a Navy destroyer that’s been transformed into a floating museum, taste different cuisines in Chinatown-International District (C-ID) or see airplanes being assembled at the largest factory in the world. No matter where you end up, we know everyone in your family will learn a little something along the way.
Wing Luke Museum, Seattle
This museum in the C-ID offers indoor tours of its on-site historic hotel, neighborhood walking tours and even food tours. Take the kids on one or all. You won’t be disappointed.
Indoor Historic Hotel Tours
Free with admission, you can join a tour of the East Kong Yick building, home of the museum. Dating back to 1910, the building once contained stores, hotels and even family apartments. Step into the past to see the single bedrooms where laborers stayed, and a Chinese import/export shop. Staff say that kids especially love seeing the dried goods and other wares in the historic store, and parents will enjoy learning about the building’s rich history.
Tours run Wednesday–Sunday, three times daily. First come, first served with a maximum of 15 people per tour.
Hometown Chinatown Tour
On Saturdays at 11:30 a.m., the Wing Luke Museum runs Chinatown Discovery Tours. These are walking tours that explore some of Seattle’s oldest historic neighborhoods. Tours last about 90 minutes and are stroller-friendly. Led by a docent, visitors will wind through Chinatown or Japantown to explore the challenges of early immigrants. These tours also offer access to spaces not usually open to the public. The focus of the tours change every few months, so check the website for the current theme and costs before signing up.
In an interview, staff said that the docents are very friendly and flexible, and are happy to accommodate questions not covered by the current theme. They recommend these walking tours for kids ages 7 and older, and explain that younger children may also enjoy the experience, depending on their tolerance for walking and attention spans. Folks often enjoy a tour and then stop for lunch at a restaurant in the C-ID, they added.
Tastes of the Chinatown Seattle International District
One of the best ways to explore the C-ID is through your taste buds. The Wing Luke Museum’s popular food tours offer unique insight into the various cooking styles and flavors of the C-ID. Each tour is different and visitors will sample cuisine from five different restaurants. Tours last about 2.5 hours and are packed with flavor and information regarding the historical context of the food you sample. Staff say these tours are popular with kids ages middle school and up and of course, adults.
They are able to accommodate vegetarian diets with prior notice, but not vegan. They are not able to accommodate gluten, nut or soy allergies either.
The museum itself is also well worth a visit, with a great Bruce Lee exhibit. The museum allows visitors to leave and return during the same day, a helpful accommodation if kids need to get the wiggles out or get a snack. They participate in the Junior Ranger Program as an affiliate to the National Park Service, where kids can complete tasks to earn a badge.
USS Turner Joy, Bremerton
The USS Turner Joy is a naval destroyer museum ship moored in Bremerton. This floating museum offers a peek into the ship’s interior as it was when it was commissioned, between 1959–82. Tours are self-guided and allow families to look around at their own pace, but there are docents available for questions.
Staff members say that kids are especially excited to climb the ladders, and explore the engine room, the bridge and the gun mount interior. Kids and adults will also enjoy seeing the bunks where sailors slept and other living areas to get a feel of what it was like to be stationed on a destroyer. Outside of the ship, there is a 70-pound projectile (the Navy term for bullet) in a sling that visitors can touch to get a feel for how truly enormous the artillery is. Online reviewers praise the extensive signage and information that tourists can read for information and historical context.
Tips for a successful visit:
- Allow 1.5–2 hours to fully explore the ship, especially if guests are maritime history buffs. However, you can divide your time on the boat if you like, if kids need a break or a snack. Simply save your ticket receipt and you can leave, go have lunch and then return.
- Currently, the ship is open seven days a week, with fewer days November–February.
- This is not stroller-friendly. (You can leave a stroller at the gift shop.) If you are bringing a small child, be aware that you will have to help them on the ladders. If you have an infant, using a sling or other carrier would be helpful to keep parents hands-free.
- Those with mobility issues may have trouble with ladders.
- Wear walking shoes as surfaces can be slick, and dress in layers — the ship can get cold.
- If you decide to leave and return to the museum, be sure to return by 4:30 p.m. so that you have time to look around before the museum closes at 5 p.m.
Boeing Future of Flight and Boeing Everett Factory Tour, Everett
Led by knowledgeable tour guides, this 80-minute tour takes you into the largest manufacturing facility in the world. The tour starts with an informational video detailing the milestones and timeline of aviation. In the factory itself, visitors will enjoy panoramic views from an observation deck of the factory floor and the different stages of wide-body airplane assembly. Tour guides share information on Boeing innovations and advanced manufacturing methods, and answer questions.
A Boeing spokesperson says that kids and adults alike are just in awe at the sheer magnitude of the facility, which could hold 75 football fields. Kids also enjoy seeing the 777 and 777X being produced. Don’t miss the mural on all six south side doors that holds the Guinness World Record for the largest digital graphic.
After the factory tour, visitors can check out menu items from Ivar’s, Caffe D’arte and Alki Bakery at the Paper Plane Cafe, or take in the views from the Sky Deck. Kids will love the Future of Flight Gallery, where they can take part in the hands-on activities available in the Boeing Engineering Zone, Boeing Aerospace Adventure Exhibit and Kids’ Zone.
There are height/age recommendations for the factory tour. If you have younger kids, you can still enjoy general admission to the Future of Flight which includes the gallery, Sky Deck and café, just not the factory tour.
Restrictions for the factory tour:
- Children must be at least 4 feet (122 cm) tall to go on the tour.
- Carrying children on the tour is not allowed for safety reasons.
- Children younger than the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- For safety reasons, no items are allowed on the Boeing Everett Factory Tour. Complimentary lockers are available to use in the lobby. Please store all belongings before your tour time begins, including:
- Purses, handbags, waist pouches or backpacks
- Electronics, cameras, video equipment, phones or tablets
- Pens, pencils, notepads or binoculars
- Food or drinks, weapons, smoking or vaping are not allowed
More places for families to explore in Puget Sound: |
