4 Fantastic Day Trip Destinations for Seattle-Area Families

Downtown Duvall has managed to cultivate a rural yet artsy vibe — look for murals, metal art and totem poles — without feeling too upscale. And it’s the starting point for a rail-trail bike adventure that’s perfect for families.

Coffee, candy and farm eats: Fuel up for that bike ride! Park on Duvall’s Main Street and everything is within reach. CC’s 2.0 Espresso & Ice Creamery is a fun caffeine, ice cream and penny candy stop, crammed with cheerful Formica tables, antique phones and toys, and funny signs. Nearby, The Grateful Bread Café (an outpost of the northeast Seattle institution) sells pastries and sandwiches made with farm-fresh ingredients. The beloved Grange Café has reinvented itself as a wood-fired pizza eatery. If you’re in need of cowboy boots, a saddle, antique water skis or old-timey tools, stop in at one of the funky shops in town. Rocking “E” Feeds will stock you in chicken feed and other pet supplies for life. If alpacas pique your interest, the charming Enchanted Farms is just a 15-minute drive from downtown and has a herd of friendly alpacas and more farm animals. 

A river runs through it: A mere block away and down from Main Street, McCormick Park is a sweet riverside spot; peer in at the antique train depot as you cross the Snoqualmie Valley Trail on the way to the park. At McCormick, there’s sand to dig in and, down a steep bank, and a popular swimming hole (there’s no lifeguard on duty, so life jackets are recommended for kids, and keep a close eye on them). McCormick is also the site of Duvall’s biggest summer festival, SandBlast, a destination in its own right. Held every summer, the festival showcases an international sand sculptor creating a sand work in real-time, as well as live music and an art fair.

Bikes away: If you’re used to ducking super-fast cyclists on the Burke-Gilman Trail, the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail will be a welcome outing. The rail-trail runs south from Duvall along the river for 31.5 miles through the lush agricultural valley, on to Carnation, Fall City, North Bend, Snoqualmie and all the way to Rattlesnake Lake. For families with strong, school-age bikers, a turnaround point might be Carnation, 9 miles away, where you can also visit Tolt-MacDonald Park, Remlinger Farms or the Carnation farmers market, open Tuesdays from 3–7 p.m., June–August. Note: The trail is crushed rock, so choose your bike accordingly. The staff at Duvall’s Pacific Bike and Ski is a good source of info about the trail.

Other destinations east: Just off Interstate 90, the town of Snoqualmie is always a fun stop for its Northwest Railway Museum, great eats and antique shops; Snoqualmie Falls is just a 2-minute drive away. 

Next stop: West Seattle