Kids and the City

Holidays in the City . . . With Kids! (Where to go and What to do)

Seattle is a glorious lit city all year long, but it really turns on the sparkle during the holidays!  What better time to enjoy our fair city with your family than when it’s dressed up in holiday finery while cheerful folk mingle and enjoy the festive spirit that seems to encompass every street corner?

Winter, especially during the holidays, is the ideal time to enjoy Seattle with your kids.  It is a chance to revisit some favorite traditions you may have had as a child growing up in the area, or a chance to create entirely new ones for yourself and your family!  Either way, Seattle will not disappoint during this most festive time of year!

Of course, there are the obvious stops at Westlake Center, which should always include a visit to Starbuck’s for a White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha.  But there are some hidden holiday treasures to be found as well, if you know where to look!

For instance, did you know that it snows inside of Pacific Place every night at six o’clock during the holidays?  Well, it does.  Chances are that if you drag your little rugrats cherubs there around that time, you will amaze them with this impressive sight.  You can check out all the details about it here.

One of my favorite and most “secret” places to visit in Seattle during the holidays is Candy Cane Lane.  It isn’t necessarily “downtown”, but it is worth the drive, believe me.  For as long as I can remember, my Dad would drive us through this adorable, quaint and extremely charming little neighborhood to see their impressive holiday displays.  It was incredible to see the tradition come full circle when we took our kids to Candy Cane Lane last year for the very first time.  I am sure they will be begging to go again this year too! 

A more well-known place to take your kids in Seattle for a little holiday cheer, is, of course Winterfest at the Seattle Center.  This festival goes on for much of December and, I believe, into January.  There is never a lack of all things “holiday” at this all-inclusive celebration of all things winter!  Details can be found by clicking here.

The Pike Place Market is a whirlwind of activity on any given day.  It is made more special with the arrival of the holiday season and all it’s festive family fun, great food and unique shopping.  Just think, you can create wonderful holiday memories with your family and get ALL that Christmas shopping done in one day!  Holiday activities at the market include Dickens Carolers every Friday, from noon-2pm, and Saturdays, 2-4pm through December 22nd!  Santa will be holding court every Saturday from noon-4pm also through the 22nd, just in case you have any last minute requests for the jolly old soul. 

In addition to all of the free holiday cheer, the market’s food drive and free parking offer continues each day from noon-4pm.  Please share your good fortune and give to the food bank.  The collection is taking place under the giant clock, you can’t miss it!

I can’t visit Seattle during the holidays without making a stop in eclectic and funky Fremont either!  The statue at the bus stop is always decorated in an original, often thought-provoking, sometimes controversial manner.  While you are there, why not take the kids up to see the Fremont Troll?  This sight will astound children of all ages, I promise, and he may even be decked out in holiday garb, you never know!

Whether you are strolling through the beautifully lit streets or along the water, as many of the boats are lit for the holidays, Seattle won’t let you down when it comes to making special holiday memories for you and your family.  Just standing in the cold air looking up at the tree on top of the Space Needle is one of my favorite things to do and my kids never seem to tire from it either as they proclaim, every time they see the needle, “Look!  There it is!” 

Remember, holiday memories aren’t about what they cost, they are about the enjoyment of looking at the faces of the ones you love and nurture all year long as they see the magic for the first (or 31st!) time.

Make sure you don’t overlook the parks either during the holidays, as they boast a treasure-trove of breathtaking views of the city, Lake Union and Elliott Bay.

For more helpful holiday guides in Seattle, click here and here.  And do tell, what are your favorite things to do & see with your family in the city during the holidays?

Wherever your holiday festivities may take you, I hope you enjoy the magic of the season and create some wonderful memories for your children.

Carrie is a stay-at-home mother of three and wife to one busy firefighter. You can read more of Carrie’s mothering meanderings at her personal blog, Third Time’s a Charm?, or send questions, topics or suggestions to carrieb{at}seattlemomblogs.com.