Seattle Center, located in the heart of downtown Seattle, hosts nearly 12 million visitors each year to its 74 acre campus. After countless trips to this Seattle tourist Mecca as a kid, a young adult, a married man, and now as the father of an active toddler, I can authoritatively say that Seattle Center is an excellent place to fulfill an entire range of diverse family entertainment needs.

International Fountain

Per its website, the center hosts “63 free and low cost public programs and over 5,000 shows and events annually – and is also home to more than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations.” I have personally taken advantage of several of those activities, ranging from music festivals and concerts to cultural events. My personal favorites include the excellent and free Northwest Folklife Festival held every May, the amazing Bumbershoot music festival held each year over Labor Day Weekend, and the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s version of The Nutcracker at McCaw Hall (with sets designed by Maurice Sendak, this is definitely something you should be added to your Bucket List).  One of my all-time favorite concerts, an unforgettable 1996 concert by Pearl Jam, was also held at Memorial Stadium in the Seattle Center.

The list of activities and events held at the Seattle Center is far too diverse and numerous to describe in a short blog post but, in addition to those mentioned above, I will briefly list a few of the major attractions that operate year round. Stay tuned to this blog, as some of these will certainly warrant their own more detailed future post. Enjoy, and remember, the next time you are looking for something to do in the city, look first to the Seattle Center.

The Space Needle – This most notable 610’ tall icon of Seattle is located on the Center grounds and features two restaurants, a gift shop and an observation deck with a stunning 360 degree view of the Emerald city as well as the surrounding natural beauty, including Mount Rainier.  It’s also great place for holiday fun! ($16 adults – $8 kids 4-13)

The Pacific Science Center – Two Imax theaters, a tropical butterfly house, five buildings of interactive science exhibit, and a planetarium are only part of the reason my family has a yearly membership to the Science Center. ($11 Adults; $6 kids 3-5; $8 kids 6-12)

Experience Music Project – This Paul Allen funded, Frank O. Gehry designed Museum, by smartly blending interpretative, interactive exhibition with cutting-edge technology, does an impressive job of reflecting the essence of rock ‘n’ roll. My favorite exhibit has to be the permanent exhibit dedicated to the sounds of Seattle music history including Jimi Hendrix and, of course the Grunge era. ($15 General Admission)

The International Fountain – With a large shiny silver dome that shoots water high into the air which is set into a concrete bowl, and with accompanying music, this free attraction is an especially big hit with kids during the warm summer months when they can treat it like a giant sprinkler and run under the mist to cool off.

Seattle Center Monorail

Seattle Center Monorail – Built for the 1962 World Fair, the Monorail departs every 10 minutes from Seattle Center on its 1.5 mile trip to the heart of downtown shopping, Westlake Shopping Center. (Round trip – $4.00 Adults; $1.50 kids 5-12).

Photo credits: Mrs. Flinger, cliff1066