National Geographic said these are the 8 best things to do in Seattle with kids: See the list

Families looking for things to do in Seattle have an endless number of choices.

From exploring Puget Sound to spending a day at some of the city’s best-known attractions, the options can be hard to narrow dow.

Luckily, National Geographic recently released a 2026 list of eight of the best things to do in Seattle with kids, highlighting outdoor recreation, wildlife, sports, and some of the city’s most popular destinations.

National Geographic noted that Seattle’s location between Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and the Cascade Mountains gives families opportunities to combine city attractions with outdoor experiences.

Here’s what to know about the eight Seattle experiences that made the list.

#1: Walk the Seattle Waterfront

The Seattle Waterfront along Elliott Bay underwent a major revitalization that was completed in 2025, creating new public spaces and pedestrian connections along the shoreline.

Visitors can reach the waterfront through Overlook Walk, an elevated pedestrian connection linking Pike Place Market with the waterfront.

Along the promenade, visitors can find public art, educational exhibits, cultural installations, viewpoints, and places to stop along Elliott Bay.

Families can also visit the Seattle Aquarium, which features approximately 400 species of aquatic life and gives children a chance to learn about the Salish Sea, the wildlife that inhabits it, and marine ecosystems through hands-on tide-pool experiences.

Also found along the waterfront is the Seattle Great Wheel, a 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel offering views of Elliott Bay and the city skyline, as well as easy access to Pike Place Market, one of Seattle’s most-known landmarks.

Explore hotels near the Seattle Waterfront on Booking.com and Expedia.

#2: Spend a day at Seattle Center

Seattle Center was originally developed for the 1962 World’s Fair and today gives families plenty of ways to spend a few hours or an entire day.

The 74-acre campus includes the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, Seattle Children’s Museum, MoPOP, Chihuly Garden and Glass, the International Fountain, and the free Artists at Play playground.

Families can explore hands-on science exhibits, make music at MoPOP, see colorful glass art, or take in views from the Space Needle.

Visitors coming from downtown can also ride the Seattle Center Monorail from Westlake Center, which reaches the campus in about two minutes.

#3: Explore Seattle’s outdoor spaces

National Geographic highlighted Discovery Park and Green Lake Park among Seattle’s nearly 500 parks, which span more than 6,400 acres across the city.

Discovery Park covers 534 acres with forests, beaches, trails, and views of Puget Sound, while Green Lake Park features a 2.8-mile paved loop, swimming beaches, playgrounds, and several ways to get out on the water.

#4: Go to a Seattle sporting event

With professional teams playing throughout much of the year, families can plan a Seattle trip around a game or take a behind-the-scenes stadium tour.

The report highlighted Seattle’s football, baseball, hockey, soccer, basketball, and rugby teams. Families can also tour venues such as T-Mobile Park and Climate Pledge Arena, with opportunities to see areas that are typically off-limits during games.

#5: Take the water taxi across Elliott Bay

The King County Water Taxi makes the roughly 15-minute trip across Elliott Bay from downtown Seattle to Seacrest Dock in West Seattle, with views of the city skyline along the way.

From there, families can take a free shuttle to Alki Beach for shoreline walks, beach time, and views across Puget Sound.

The roughly 2.5-mile waterfront also has a paved path for walking, biking, and rollerblading.

#6: Visit Woodland Park Zoo

The 92-acre Woodland Park Zoo has more than 800 animals representing more than 250 species, with habitats ranging from the African savanna to tropical rainforests.

National Geographic specifically pointed to animal keeper programs and the zoo’s Forest Trailhead, which features red pandas and tree kangaroos.

Families can watch training sessions and learn about the animals’ behaviors, personalities, and feeding habits from zoo educators.

#7: Watch the Ballard Locks in action

Families can watch boats move between saltwater and freshwater at the Ballard Locks, which connect Puget Sound with Lake Union and Lake Washington.

Visitors can see the lock gates close and water levels rise or fall as boats pass through.

During salmon migration season, generally from mid-July through September, visitors can also stop at the fish ladder to watch migrating salmon make their way upstream.

#8: Go whale watching

National Geographic rounded out its Seattle list with a whale-watching trip into Puget Sound and the Salish Sea.

Seasonal excursions can offer opportunities to see orcas, humpback whales, porpoises, seals, and sea lions.

Tours typically run from May through early November, with naturalists sharing information about local wildlife and the Salish Sea along the way.

Ready to get out on the water? Explore whale-watching excursions from Seattle and find available tours on Booking.com.