A Sweet Summer In Seattle

If you’re looking for a fun and easy family escape from Vancouver this summer, skip the long flight and head down to Seattle, our vibrant neighbour just a few hours south. Here are some insider tips for an unforgettable summer weekend escape. —Mark Sissons

Choose your home base wisely

For a taste of classic Seattle elegance, you can’t beat the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, especially as it celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. From the moment you step into the grand lobby with its shimmering chandeliers, marble floors, and ornately carved ceilings, you’ll feel transported to a bygone era of luxury. Kids will get a kick from the hotel’s old-world grandeur, while parents will appreciate the impeccable service and attention to detail.

Be sure to dine at The George, the Fairmont’s signature restaurant. It offers a special centennial celebration menu featuring archived recipes from the hotel’s illustrious past, updated with a modern twist. Savour dishes like the classic Crab Louie salad, a favourite of the hotel’s early patrons, or the Beef Wellington, prepared tableside for a touch of vintage theatricality. The restaurant’s elegant atmosphere, rich wood panelling, vintage photographs, and views of the Seattle skyline make for a truly memorable dining experience.

If your family prefers a more contemporary vibe, Hotel Andra is a great choice. Housed in a beautifully restored 1926 brick building, Andra balances modern Scandinavian style and welcoming Pacific Northwest warmth. The spacious rooms feature playful pops of colour, plush bedding, and Nespresso machines.

Fuel up for the day with breakfast at Lola, Andra’s beloved restaurant helmed by celebrated chef Tom Douglas. The menu showcases fresh, seasonal ingredients from local purveyors, with a nod to Douglas’ Greek heritage. Kids will love the fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes or the house-made donuts with seasonal jam, while parents can savour the smoked salmon hash or the Lola Breakfast Sandwich with avocado, bacon, and a fried egg on a soft pita. The bustling, convivial atmosphere and friendly service make Lola a neighbourhood favourite.

Add activities and stir

Pike Place Market is an absolute must – yes, it’s touristy, but there’s a reason it’s so popular. Watching the famous fish-tossing and sampling local goodies like chocolate-covered cherries, fresh donuts, and hot piroshkis will delight all ages. Be sure to snap a family photo in front of the iconic neon Public Market sign.

Head to the Pacific Science Center for many hands-on exhibits and immersive IMAX films. Kids can explore a real Navy submarine, get up close to a towering T-Rex skeleton, or design and test their own rockets. With themes ranging from the human body to outer space to dinosaurs, there’s something to spark every kid’s curiosity.

For a unique perspective on Seattle’s history, take Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour. You’ll explore the hidden labyrinth of passageways and basements that were once the city’s ground level before the Great Fire of 1889. Your engaging guide will regale you with tales of Seattle’s colourful past, from its early days as a frontier town to its speakeasy scene during Prohibition. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the city’s history that older kids and teens will especially appreciate.

Art-loving families should visit the Seattle Art Museum, home to the Poke in the Eye exhibition this summer. The show highlights the unconventional West Coast art of the ’60s and ’70s, which rejected East Coast formality in favour of traditional craft, bold colours, figuration, narrative, and irreverent humour. SAM’s permanent collection is also impressive, with galleries featuring Native American, African, Asian, European, and modern art.

Pop culture fans, meanwhile, will want to make a beeline for the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP). Housed in a striking Frank Gehry-designed building, MoPOP celebrates music, movies, TV, and video games with various interactive exhibits. Jam on electric guitars in the Sound Lab, explore the history of indie games in the Indie Game Revolution exhibit or geek out over iconic sci-fi and fantasy costumes in the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame. A whole section is dedicated to local legends Nirvana and the grunge movement. You could easily spend an entire day at MoPOP with so much to see and do.

Take it outside

After all that indoor stimulation, your crew will likely need to burn off some energy. Luckily, Seattle has fantastic parks and beaches. At Gas Works Park, you get the novelty of a playground built around old industrial structures, plus stunning skyline views. Pack a picnic lunch and spend a relaxing afternoon playing frisbee and watching boats cruise on Lake Union.

For a more natural escape, head to Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest green space. It features kilometres of tranquil hiking trails, sandy beaches, and dramatic sea cliffs. Watch for harbour seals bobbing offshore and bald eagles gliding on thermals high overhead.

Alki Beach in West Seattle is another family favourite when the weather cooperates. In addition to the usual sandy fun, there’s a great beachfront path lined with laid-back cafes, fish and chips spots, and ice cream stands. Rent bikes and cruise along the water, stopping to watch the volleyball players, skateboarders, and street performers.

For a truly unforgettable experience, book a Salish Sea Boat Tour. You’ll cruise through the breathtaking beauty of the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands, past rugged coastlines, dense forests, and hidden coves. A naturalist guide will help you spot marine life like playful seals, massive sea lions, and majestic bald eagles. You might even spy a pod of orcas breaching the surface if you’re lucky.

Also, the 75th annual Seafair will feature exciting events from late June through early August. Attendees can enjoy vibrant parades, encounters with Seafair Pirates, thrilling hydroplane boat races, and the awe-inspiring aerial acrobatics of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, all capturing the spirit of Seattle’s summer festivities.

All you can eat

Of course, food is a big part of any getaway, and Seattle’s dining scene caters well to families, with plenty of casual spots dishing up creative, locally sourced cuisine. Aside from Lola and The George, Tom Douglas’ other restaurants are always a hit, from the gourmet pizzas at Serious Pie Co to the to-die-for breakfast sandwiches and pastries at Dahlia Bakery (don’t miss the triple coconut cream pie!).

Before heading home, snag a waterfront table at Goldfinch Tavern in the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle for a splurge-worthy brunch before heading home. The views over Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains are stunning, and the buffet is legendary, with options to please everyone from vegans to omnivores. Think Dungeness crab eggs benedict, brioche French toast with mascarpone and berries, and chicken and waffles with spicy maple syrup. A decadent way to fuel up for the drive back up I-5.

Whether your kids are toddlers or teens, the Emerald City delivers with its balance of urban adventure, natural beauty, and cultural appeal. The quick trip and friendly Pacific Northwest vibe make Seattle feel familiar and easy. Still, the exciting experiences will leave you feeling refreshed and connected as a family. So next time you’re craving a change of scenery from Vancouver, keep our neighbour to the south in mind. With so much to explore, you might need to plan a return trip before you’ve even left.

For more info and summer itinerary ideas, check out Visit Seattle.