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What’s the perfect recipe for a summer day trip? Each family will have a different answer to that question, but I’m willing to bet there are some common ingredients, at least for us Puget Sound–area parents: not too long of a drive; water to splash in; and a town to explore that offers history, whimsy and grown-up-worthy grub.
If you study the map, any direction leads to tantalizing day-trip destinations. Some are well-known and worthy: La Conner and Langley to the north; Gig Harbor to the south; Snoqualmie and Enumclaw to the east. We’ve uncovered three lesser-known small towns (and one enclave of a very big town) that offer big fun in all four directions — and all within a 90-minute drive of Seattle.
North: Foodie fun in Edison
Talk about grown-up-worthy grub: The tiny Skagit Valley hamlet of Edison, Washington, which sits prettily along the Samish River near Chuckanut Drive, has become a celebrated destination for art-loving foodies. But many families still haven’t checked it out, figuring it might be best saved for older kids with actual table manners. Our tip: There’s no need to wait. Sourcing ingredients from Skagit County farms, its eateries are as inventive as they come, but also informal, welcoming and packed with picnic fare the kids will love.
Foodie fun: Stop and savor. Make those words your mantra as you exit I-5 at Burlington and head west, admiring weathered barns, endless fields and big sky along the way (this area is a birding mecca, so keep your eyes up). About 2 miles east of Edison, stop at Bow Hill Blueberries to pick a peck of luscious, certified-organic blueberries (typically open for picking mid-July to early September; the farm store is open Wednesday–Sunday in the spring). Your next stop might be the vintage Farm to Market Bakery for espresso, cinnamon rolls and a game of chess. Just down the road, Samish Bay Cheese sells cheeses made on the premises (as well as meat, drinks and artisan goods). A few of these are stops along the Farm to Table Trail, Follow the Treats in a Row From Edison to Bow. Sign up in advance and check in at each stop for special discounts, treats or prizes.
About a mile past Samish Bay Cheese, you’ll arrive at the colorful patchwork of streets that make up Edison. Park and wander, admiring the blooming gardens and art everywhere. Pick up a couple of pastries and a loaf of Samish River potato bread at Breadfarm; share a hearty frittata at lovely Tweets Café; or enjoy tacos at Mexi-chic Mariposa Taqueria. (Pro tip: Bring cash.) Artsy families will also want to browse the antique and vintage stores, such as The Lucky Dumpster collective for one-of-a-kind garden art and recycled-lumber furniture and eco-fixtures. On your way out, pick up picnic supplies at Slough Food and head to a nearby scenic spot.
Nearby nature: Just 10 minutes south of Edison, Bay View State Park offers brilliant views of the San Juan Islands and opportunities for kiting, boating and beach fun. Just a half-mile away, visit the Padilla Bay Breazeale Interpretive Center to learn about the 11,000-acre protected Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve through its marine exhibits; or walk (or bike) the scenic Padilla Bay Trail, a 2.2-mile trail along a dike and mud flats.
Other destinations north: Closer to Seattle, steer toward Snohomish for some of Edison’s charm, including good eats, uncrowded biking on the Centennial Trail and berry picking.
South: Local history in Steilacoom
Early settlers had big dreams for Steilacoom, which became the first incorporated town in Washington state in 1854, and also opened the state’s first post office and public school. Its economic heyday didn’t last long, but this postcard-worthy town on Puget Sound, just a bit south of Tacoma, offers lots of history, views and Puget Sound fun.
Living history, eats included: Steilacoom is fairly walkable; park in the vicinity of Main Street and you’re set for most attractions. If your kids are into local history, check out the self-guided tour map of historic homes at the corner of Lafayette and Wilkes Streets, and definitely make a stop at the Steilacoom Historical Museum. It has nicely laid-out exhibits of the town’s origins, including a few hands-on exhibits. It also operates The Wagon Shop, a restored wagon-making business and blacksmith shop open on select days. Down the street, Bair Drug & Hardware, built in 1895, is a combination restaurant and “living museum” where you can peruse antique tools and medicine bottles while you sit at the long soda fountain counter and enjoy burgers, fragrant clam chowder and handmade sweet potato fries — or just go straight for the milkshakes.
Beach time: Steilacoom is home to a nice beach park just north of town, Sunnyside Beach, where kids will enjoy jumping off driftwood, digging and watching the trains go by.
Other destinations south: About a 15-minute drive north of Steilacoom, University Place is home to one of the South Sound’s most scenic playgrounds, Playground by the Sound. The playground is part of the huge Chambers Creek Regional Park, with trails, a dog beach and more spectacular views.
East: Rustic eats, farm country and biking in Duvall
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, Grateful Bread Bakery & 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, 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 I-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.
West: Nature in the city in West Seattle
Where can you visit old-growth forest, a working lighthouse and a whale-watching beach — all without leaving the city? That’s right, we’re talking about that section of Seattle across the Duwamish River known as West Seattle. Of course, West Seattle is not technically its own town, much less a small town. But if you don’t live in West Seattle, a trip across the bridge always feels like a fun mini-getaway.
Snacks first: I’m usually a hike-first, snack-later kind of mom, but when in West Seattle, we stop first at Husky Deli because when the tsunami hits, we want to make sure we’ve already had our 12th Man grilled panini (pastrami and Swiss) and handmade ice cream at the deli counter. The 80-plus-year-old West Seattle institution boasts an old-fashioned candy counter, where kids can go to pick out their après-hike reward (mine is Kookaburra black licorice).
Trees and creeks: You already know about Alki and its wonders — that sandy beach, perfect for California-style people watching, and the wide Alki trail, perfect for scootering. But did you know that just a few blocks from Alki, you can find a 53-acre preserve of old-growth trees that seems like it was designed for young hikers? Park at Southwest Admiral Way and Southwest Stevens Way to access Schmitz Preserve Park, formed from land donated to Seattle in the early 1900s. Kids will love wandering its 1.7 miles of trails, which crisscross Schmitz Preserve Creek and offer a window into Seattle’s forested history.
Tides and whales: Just around the lighthouse from busy Alki Beach Park, another hidden gem of a park, Charles Richey Sr. Viewpoint, which includes Constellation Park, offers a quieter spot to learn about intertidal life and astronomy. Stroll the rocky beach at low tide, enjoy the tidal-themed art and look for the constellation studies placed in the sidewalk. And though you’re unlikely to see whales in the summer, remember this spot for winter whale spotting. This park is on the Whale Trail.
Got kids who climb? Add Camp Long to your itinerary. This 68-acre park and outdoor education center, not far from the West Seattle Bridge, has many attractions, but its star is probably Schurman Rock, a Works Progress Administration–era “mountain” designed to incorporate every kind of rock-climbing problem into its design.
Editor’s note: The Alki Point Lighthouse and its grounds are currently closed to the public for necessary remediation work.
Other destinations west: Just south of West Seattle, White Center is playful and culturally interesting, with vintage roller-skating at Southgate Roller Rink. Or, hop the ferry to Vashon Island for inspired eats at The Hardware Store and beach time at Point Robinson Park.
More fun day trips for Seattle-area families:
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2018 and updated most recently on May 18, 2026, by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with a thorough fact-check and new details for families planning their next adventure.
