Are you making plans for last minute summer family activities? If you are a local or planning to visit Seattle anytime soon, I have some of the best family activities in Seattle Southside to enjoy.
These locations are in Seattle Southside which is literally right on the edge of the heart of the city. Making it easy to get around traffic and off the beaten path a bit from other top Seattle attractions.
Best Family Activities in Seattle Southside
I think this is what sets these family activities in Seattle apart. Each has a flavor of the Pacific Northwest but give a different experience than what you might expect from seeing other iconic locations.
From fabulous food to family fun, here are some of the best family activities in Seattle Southside.
Des Moines Waterfront
One of the best things about Washington State is just how much of everything you can see here. From rainforests to deserts, cities to mountains, oceans to lakes. There is such a beautiful variety of scenery here.
The Des Moines Waterfront is almost a secret gem here in Seattle Southside. You wouldn’t know it but just on the edge of the busy city of Seattle, there is a beautiful boardwalk and beaches here.
Walking the boardwalk, you can take in the breathtaking views of the deep blue-green waters and the fresh smell of the seaside. The hums of distant seagulls, families enjoying their time together, and boating off the marina fills the air.
You can fish right off the dock and even enjoy kayak rentals. A perfect way to spend an afternoon on the waterfront.
You can even enjoy sculptures and art along the main streets of Des Moines and near the marina and Redondo Beach. This waterfront is very much alive and offers so many activities and events to explore throughout the summer.
Our kids enjoyed exploring the sandy beach for seashells and other fun creatures of the sea. Who says summer learning can’t also be fun with these outdoor activities near Seattle?
Bai Tong Restaurant
After you spend the morning at Des Moines waterfront, Bai Tong is a perfect spot to have lunch as it welcomes you back close to the city side of Seattle Southside.
This Thai food restaurant is quaint but very popular. We joined them for lunch on a Monday afternoon and you can tell the locals love it here. A good sign that the food is stellar.
I personally enjoyed the deep fried white fish on their menu. The dish is sweet and a perfectly fried texture. I recommend it. All of their dishes are crafted with fresh ingredients.
Bai Tong is the perfect spot to enjoy authentic Thai dishes and atmosphere. They even offer a great kids menu with a variety of dishes for the entire family to enjoy.
The minute you step inside, you will look around to see people smiling and enjoying their meals with friends and family. A feast for the senses is sure to greet you. Don’t let the location fool you, Bai Tong is a beautiful place to enjoy.
The Museum of Flight
This is a place is one of my favorite spots in Seattle Southside. It is one of the best family activities near Seattle. The Museum of Flight offers a perfect blend of learning, exploration, and wonder.
I have been going to The Museum of Flight since I was a kid and now getting to bring my own children here is a real treat. During the summer, this is a great spot to get out of the heat and let the kids stretch their legs with over 175 aircraft and spacecraft to explore.
At The Museum of Flight, your family literally blasts off with tours of Space Shuttles, flight simulators, and a 3D Movie theatre. You can spend an entire day here taking in all of the amazing histories in the exploration of the horizons.
Plus, be sure to check out the Aviation Pavilion. The adorable KidPort is a fun play area for kids. Our 4-year-old son enjoyed pretending to book our flights to just about anywhere. According to him, First Class is free so I’ll be flying with him in the future.
You might even catch activities for kids to learn more about the science and technology of engineering. Our 6-year-old daughter loved learning about 3D printing and how to put together circuits.
Be sure to also look up when exploring at The Museum of Flight. You never know what you might see and you may even catch a glimpse of planes arriving toward SeaTac airport or Boeing Field.
This museum is bright, open, and buzzing with experiences of flight. It is right in the heart of some of the most fantastic aviation technologies and it inspires imagination at every turn. Well worth a summer afternoon where you can get close to some of the most well-engineered machines on the planet.
ACME Bowling, Billiards & Events
This is the perfect place to get everyone in the family moving and having fun. Our kids had never bowled when we first visited here but they were hooked from the start.
One awesome technology that I will point out is that you can set each player’s settings. This gives the ability to add bumpers to the lane when someone who needs them is up for their turn. The bumpers will then drop for anyone who does not need them. A perfect way to let both kids and adults enjoy the fun!
Right near Westfield Southcenter Mall, this place is awesome. The Seven10 Private bowling lounge is a great feature here that is perfect for events and bringing the entire family for fun. One time of reserving one of these lounges for your family and you’ll understand why it is one of the best family activities in Seattle Southside.
Order food with your very own server who will deliver it all right to your lounge. There is an excellent kids menu that included a grilled cheese sandwich that our kids devoured. There are even milkshakes to sweeten that sweet tooth.
Our server was fabulous and even took the time to help us understand more about how to set up our touchscreen. She was interactive and great listening to our kids telling her all about our day. A wonderful staff is at ACME Bowling, Billiards & Events. Not to mention grubbing food.
These lounges offer comfy seating and the perfect space to victory dance with family. We enjoyed the screen backdrops on the lanes with music videos and other fun channel options. Bowling was just half of the fun.
If lounges are not your style, no worries! There are also 30 state-of-the-art public bowling lanes to get your game going on. Billiards are available and even a fairly large arcade. During the summer, they even offer movie nights for families to enjoy while bowling.
We had a blast here and I know you will too. Come for the food and fun, leave with a lot of laughs and memories with family.
No matter if you are a local and have never experienced these places before or if you are visiting the area, Seattle Southside has an entire lineup that is not to be missed. Enjoy summer fun in Seattle Southside with your family this year. Plan your trip and make the summer last just a little bit longer.
