Cloudless in Seattle

I’m a big believer in farmer markets, especially since I don’t want my kids thinking that all food is grown in the grocery store. This market is a gem and has a little bit of everything from flowers to fish to fresh produce. It can get very crowded (your stroller may cause a traffic jam) during the weekends so try to go during the week or early in the morning on the weekends.

This is the place to go to see the “flying fish” where workers fling fish back and forth. If you stay long enough, the fish may talk.

For less than $3, you can get a dozen hot donuts from an automatic donut maker that fries them right before your eyes. And if you are lucky enough, the server will juggle them into your bag before you pay. It’s a good thing the donuts are miniature size so you won’t feel guilty eating the entire dozen. These donuts are not for savoring so eat them while they are hot.

The original Starbucks is at Pike Place Market. There is always a line here so the only thing I go away with was the picture.

Everyone told me I had to have a crumpet. Now that I’ve had one, I still have mixed reviews on it. If you have to slather it with butter and then drench it with sugar, why not just have a piece of chocolate cake? The kids liked them especially when their “stiff pancakes” were drenched with jelly.

Great aquarium with interactive areas including several large touch tanks. Save some money and purchase a combo ticket to the aquarium and for the Argosy Cruises.

You know that tourist trap where they take your picture before you get on the boat? Well, this is it. However, the hour long tour was interesting and gave brief history on Seattle with some great views that we would not have otherwise seen. And yes, we did buy the picture.

On the pier by Argosy Cruises, this shop offers every kind of trinket you might need (yes, this is the place to buy bags of rocks and shrunken heads). They also display a collection of very unusual dead things like animals and some petrified mummies named Sylvie and Sylvester (if your kids scare easily, you may want to avoid the back of the store).

The site of the original world’s fair, the Seattle Center is a large park home to the famous Space Needle and many museums including the Children’s Museum, Pacific Science Center, Science Fiction Museum and Experience Music Project. Even if you don’t go to any museums this park is a must see. It is a great place to spend a few hours running around fountains, riding the carousel, walking through the gardens or eating at the indoor food court (plus the bathrooms were clean).

Great museum with lots of hands-on exhibits including dinosaurs, small touch tank and a play area geared just for toddlers. The Butterfly Pavilion was a big hit where they could wander around and try to feed the butterflies. The museum is part of the ASTC network, so if you are a member of any participating museum you will receive free admission.

Need a place to burn off energy when the weather is bad (or even if its good), then hit the Children’s Museum. Climb, jump and run…a great place to explore. Geared for children under the age of 10.

Tour an old concord, sit in the seat of a fighter plane or try to land a hand-glider, the Museum of Flight is fun and informative. The original Boeing Factory is now part of the museum with many interesting artifacts. The on-site restaurant is reasonably priced and offered some healthy choices.

Ok, I’ll have to admit that we ran out of time and didn’t make it to the zoo; it was on the list but we were on kid time (you know need to stop every 5 minutes for a snack or a bathroom). This heavily wooded zoo showcases animals as well as many native plants and shrubs. They even offer a “rainy day tour”.

For endless array of questions from your kids, stop by to see the “Troll Under the Bridge” in the Fremont neighborhood. This giant-size troll is crushing a VW Beetle and is a perfect place to explore and have your kids ask you…
- Why does he only have one eye?
- Why is he holding a car?
- How come he lives under a bridge?
- What does eat for dinner?
- Where does he sleep?