Best Things to Do With Kids on the Seattle Waterfront

Find it: 2901 Western Ave.

Maybe on your Harbor Cruise you noticed a park with a zig-zag path? And a giant red sculpture? That’s the Olympic Sculpture Park on the north end of the waterfront, named for the beautiful mountain range to the west. Wander among sculptures by world-class artists (Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois, Richard Serra) and even explore a pocket beach.

Every hour on the hour, a bell chimes and the Father and Son water fountain reverses. Take the walkway over the railroad tracks, where transportation-obsessed kids will love that you can watch train, car, plane and boat traffic all from the same vantage point.

The park is open dawn to dusk daily, and it is always free. The pavilion is open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. daily.

Editor's note: This article was originally published in 2020 and updated for 2023.