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It had been a while since our family visited the Seattle Waterfront, so we decided to play tourist for a day and make a trip downtown to see the attractions. We didn’t end up being very good tourists — we forgot umbrellas, and no one said “Pike’s Place” when referring to the market — but we did have an epic day taking in the sights.
We had a simple goal for the day: Eat great food and have an iconic Seattle family adventure.
And we did just that. We walked, played, shopped and ate our way through Pike Place Market and the Seattle Waterfront, turning the day into one we will remember for a long time. If you’re planning your own visit, follow our jam-packed itinerary to discover all our favorite stops.
Editor’s note: The FIFA World Cup has landed in Seattle. If you head to the waterfront in July, you can expect crowds, special events and more leading up to the final World Cup match on July 19.
My family’s list of the best attractions
Before I get into all the details, here are my family’s awards and must-see attractions:
- Best treat: Pufftown Bakehouse
- Best coffee: Anchorhead Coffee
- Best attraction: Sasquatch Mountain
- Best food: Old Stove Brewing Co.
- Best play stop: Pier 58 playground
- Biggest splurge: The Seattle Aquarium
Start the day at Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is an obvious location to start if you’re a foodie family like ours. Founded in 1907, the market is one of the oldest and largest continuously operating public markets in the United States. It’s teeming with people, obviously, but the market offers a huge array of restaurants, shops, crafts, produce, flowers, seafood, treats and more. It can feel a bit overwhelming, but I love the market because it’s the kind of place you can wander without much of a plan and find something everyone will enjoy.
Insider tip: Dress your kiddos in bright colors so you can easily spot them in the crowd. I always like to take a photo of what they are wearing before we head out so I can pick them out in a sea of people.
Grab coffee and a pastry for breakfast (and skip Starbucks)
Head to the market hungry and start the day with Pufftown Bakehouse. If you like croissants — or even if you don’t — you have to stop here. You might be thinking, “What’s the big deal about a croissant?” But trust me: These are not your average flaky pastries. The flavors and presentation will wow you. Every few months, Pufftown changes its menu, and I got the inside scoop that the next one will be reminiscent of fair food, which means we will be going back very soon!
When you see Starbucks, keep walking. I understand it’s historic, but you can find cooler coffee vibes elsewhere. Don’t stand in the line that entraps real tourists.
My favorite coffee place is a bit off the beaten path, but it’s worth the walk if you want caffeine with a twist. It’s not on the main Pike Place drag. Anchorhead Coffee has a unique menu, balancing classic espresso offerings with more creative concoctions like their salted brown butter caramel latte. Personally, I really like their berry matcha with oat milk. The ambience is also something to write home about: cool, modern, and just hidden enough to feel like you stumbled into a gem.
If doughnuts are more your style for breakfast, swing by the Daily Dozen Doughnut Company. The small, unassuming stand is a crowd-pleaser, and it’s located near the main Pike Place Market neon sign. They make the doughnuts right in front of you, so you’re guaranteed hot, fresh bites straight from the mini doughnut-making machine itself. Maple bacon doughnuts might sound a little odd, but this is another thing you just need to try.
If sweets aren’t your thing, that’s okay. Piroshky Piroshky has savory options that are worth the long lines. The shop is located on the main drag near Starbucks and Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. Try the smoked salmon pâté piroshky. It’s like a turnover packed with smoked salmon, cream cheese, dill and onion.
Keep an eye out for flying fish
After breakfast, meander around Pike Place Market for a bit. Take in the sights and sounds of the fishmongers. Watch the famous flying fish, where fishmongers literally fling fish through the air. Take a photo with the brass pig. Visit the Gum Wall — it’s exactly what it sounds like. It’s somewhat disgusting, but the colorful display of gum is eclectically cool. You’ll want a photo here.
Take Overlook Walk to the Seattle Waterfront
Once we checked all the boxes at Pike Place Market, we headed toward the waterfront via Overlook Walk, which connects the market to the water.
It feels like a different Seattle Waterfront than the one I grew up visiting as a child — and I mean that in the best way possible. It’s completely reinvigorated. The pedestrian bridge is beautiful, and there is plenty of room to walk as you make your way toward the bay.
You’ll walk a lot if you’re making your way between the waterfront and Pike Place, so plan a few stops for little legs. The built-in benches and public tables are great for a quick rest, and the small play area gives little ones a place to get the wiggles out. Elevators are located at the end of the overlook if you don’t want to take the stairs or need easier access.
Splurge on tickets to the Seattle Aquarium
The main entrance to the Seattle Aquarium is located on Pier 59. A ticket includes access to the full campus: Pier 59, Pier 60 and the newest addition, Ocean Pavilion. It’s a great stop for families, and we decided to head in to see the colorful fish and sea life.
I’ll be honest: The admission price made me pause — okay, almost pass out — while handing over my credit card, but the kids had a fantastic time. For a family of five, it was a splurge. The aquarium uses timed ticketing and plan-ahead pricing, so the cost can vary by date and entry time. Pricing is reduced for youth ages 4–12, and admission for kids 3 and younger is free with the purchase of an adult ticket. General admission ranges in price, but when we visited, admission for adults cost $49.95, and $39.95 for kids. I recommend purchasing tickets online in advance. If you think you’ll visit more than a couple of times a year, I’d seriously consider getting a yearly membership.
If you want free views of the fish, stop outside the Ocean Pavilion entrance and look up! The plaza has a circular window overhead that looks straight into the aquarium’s largest habitat, meaning you can get a peek inside the reef ecosystem without a ticket.
Inside the Ocean Pavilion, my daughter and youngest son could have sat watching the fish swim by for hours — and for the price we paid, maybe we should have let them. They really enjoyed the new space. It is a great addition to the aquarium, which always felt a little small before the expansion. The sharks are neat to watch as they swim among the other creatures, although I think the divers stole the show. My kids loved interacting with the divers inside the tanks, and they waved as the divers brushed the coral.
Some of our favorite aquarium exhibits are the touch pool and the octopus tank. Pier 60 is also a kid-approved place to linger, with popular habitats featuring sea otters, river otters, harbor seals and fur seals. The Underwater Dome is another memorable stop, aptly named because it gives a 360-degree view into a 400,000-gallon habitat filled with Puget Sound fish.
The downside: The price is a lot for a family. The aquarium is also very busy on weekends, so expect crowds.
Get the wiggles out on the Pier 58 playground
When we left the aquarium, we headed straight for the Pier 58 playground. The adorable sea-themed play area is so well done, giving kids plenty of space to climb, slide and explore. The giant jellyfish-inspired climbing structure is truly impressive. My kids loved the playground so much that they asked to go back after almost every activity we did. For adults, the seating around the large play structures was a nice bonus.
If you need to break up the day, this is an easy place to reset between stops — and it’s free, which is a huge win.
Check out the waterfront’s newest attractions
My kids really wanted to ride the Great Wheel, but we put a limit on the small fortune we were willing to spend on our waterfront “yes” day. So we had the kids pick between the Great Wheel, Sasquatch Mountain and Wings Over Washington. They chose Sasquatch Mountain, in large part because of the giant animatronic creature roaring by the entrance. The newest attraction at Miner’s Landing on Pier 57 was entertaining, interactive and just the right amount of wild for adventure-loving kids. (I might not recommend it for very young kids because parts could feel a little scary.)
The ride uses VR headsets and 4D motion seats to make you feel like you’re driving through the Pacific Northwest on a mission to find the elusive Sasquatch. You start in one room where you put on the headsets and listen to the mission brief. It’s actually pretty educational.
After the headsets are on, you walk to another room that feels larger than life. You hop in a virtual truck — that feels very real — and then you’re off, driving through dense forests, cavernous volcanoes and mines, and along raging rivers.
When I say you feel like you’re there, I mean it. The ride incorporates movement, wind, mist, heat and even forest scents to make it feel like you’re bumping through mountain landscapes. If you get motion sick easily, you may want to sit this one out. Note that there are sudden movements, flashing lights, plenty of simulated mountain tremors and — without spoiling too much — a misty blast of water to the face, which I was not ready for.
Good to know: Sasquatch Mountain is open daily from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall. Tickets currently cost $25 for adults and $20 for youth.
If your family still has energy (or money), you can choose one more Pier 57 attraction, including Wings Over Washington, a family-friendly flying theater that makes you feel like you’re soaring over Washington. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall for this ride, too. Personally, I would pick either Sasquatch Mountain or Wings Over Washington. Doing both felt like it would be a bit too much.
Refuel with scenic waterfront dining
For lunch, we went to The Fisherman’s Restaurant down by the Seattle Great Wheel, though if I’m honest, we always go more for the views than the food. The patio is hard to beat, so it feels worth the cost. The large windows overlook the bay, and I love watching the ferries pull in and out of port. You can also see passengers get on and off the Great Wheel, which is pretty spectacular. It almost feels like you’re on the wheel yourself; the enclosed cabins practically rotate above you.
If I wanted good food with a view, I would opt for Old Stove Brewing Co. They have great food and beers on tap for adults who might need a reset of their own. The patio provides a view of Overlook Walk, and the atmosphere is always lively. It’s centrally located, so it’s a nice place to stop either on the way down to the waterfront or coming back up to Pike Place Market. Their fish and chips are delicious, and it’s a good spot for shareables, including artisanal pizzas.
What to know before you go
Overall, the Seattle waterfront made for a full, fun family day. Between the treats at Pike Place Market, the bay views, the refreshed walking areas, the sea-themed playground, the interactive Miner’s Landing rides and the aquarium, there’s enough to keep kids entertained without overplanning every minute. From getting to the waterfront to picking which attractions to visit, there are a few extra ways to make your day on the waterfront go smoothly.
Parent tips and pointers
- Wear comfortable shoes for a full day of walking.
- If you visit Pike Place Market with kids, go in with a flexible plan. It can be busy, so choose one or two must-eat stops and leave room to wander.
- Check current hours and ticket prices before you visit, especially for rides and timed aquarium entry.
- Measure younger kids ahead of time if you’re planning on Sasquatch Mountain or Wings Over Washington, since both have a 42-inch height requirement.
- If anyone in your group gets motion sick, think carefully before choosing Sasquatch Mountain or take appropriate measures for motion sickness beforehand.
- Build in playground breaks. These gave our kids a chance to burn energy and gave the adults a chance to regroup.
- Use Overlook Walk as a reset point. The benches, public tables, elevator access and smaller play area make it a helpful place to regroup with little ones. There is an ice cream stand parked near the top, so be ready for the inevitable requests.
- If the aquarium is on your must-do list, look into memberships, discount passes or library museum passes if available.
- On sunny days, there isn’t much shade, so pack sunscreen and a hat.
- There are ways to make a trip to the waterfront more budget-conscious, but be prepared to splurge a bit — because apparently even pretending to be a tourist in your own city comes with tourist prices.
Parking at the Seattle Waterfront
Parking always feels like a hassle when you make a trip downtown. If you go on a Sunday, look for street parking because in most cases it’s free. We usually try to make trips downtown on Sundays purely for this reason.
If you want to park in a garage, I would suggest avoiding the garage located directly across the street from the aquarium. I could not believe the price per hour. If you spend all day at the waterfront, it can cost upward of $75, which feels criminal.
Pike Place Market has a parking garage with three entrances:
- 1531 Western Ave., Seattle
- 1901 Western Ave., Seattle
- 1530 Alaskan Way, Seattle
The garage is open seven days a week from 5 a.m.–2 a.m. If you are planning on spending the whole day at the waterfront, the early bird rate is a great deal. If you arrive before 9 a.m. and exit before 9 p.m., you’ll pay $17 for the day.
Public transportation
If you want to forgo a car altogether and take public transit, there are some options. The Link light rail has three stations that provide service to the downtown, including stops near Pike Place Market and the Seattle Waterfront.
Although some stations may seem geographically close, there are some downsides to consider. Westlake Station is a good option if you want to check out Pike Place Market first — it’s a straight shot down Pine Street. The walk from the station is about a third of a mile, albeit it’s a bit steep. If you have a stroller or limited mobility, you might not want to walk from the station. Symphony Station is a similar distance but also has similar considerations. The streets heading toward the waterfront and to Pike Place are hilly and congested. If you plan to take the Link light rail and walk, I highly recommend comfy footwear.
Although the Pioneer Square Station might not seem like the most obvious stop if you want to go to the waterfront, it arguably provides the best access. The free Waterfront Shuttle runs every 10 to 15 minutes and takes passengers to waterfront destinations – no hilly jaunts required. The shuttle drops riders at Alaskan Way and Pike Street, with easy access to the Great Wheel and more pier attractions. Note: The shuttle runs from May 21 through Sept.7.
Downtown Seattle restrooms
There are bathrooms in Pike Place Market, located below the main level. There are also public bathrooms by the Overlook Walk on the Seattle Waterfront and in Miner’s Landing by the Great Wheel.
