It’s time for some household pleasant issues to do in West Seattle as a result of the bridge is lastly open! After greater than two years of restore work and closures, the bridge opened on September 17. The bridge opening makes for a simple day journey to discover West Seattle with children. There’s no extra driving round, timing decrease bridges or paddling forwards and backwards just like the Denny Occasion did in 1851. Exit and discover a few of our favourite locations.

Iconic seaside

Alki Seashore
Deal with: 2665 Alki Ave SW

Often known as the birthplace of Seattle, you don’t wish to miss a visit to Alki Seashore! This sandy stretch of seaside, with its beautiful views, is hottest in the course of the summer time, however has one thing to supply year-round. Pack your shovels and buckets to construct sand castles, hunt for sea glass alongside the shore and spot a (mini) Statue of Liberty. In hotter climate, splash and paddle in Puget Sound or take a refreshing dip by doing the Polar Plunge on New Yr’s Day. On wet days, youthful children have a blast at Outer Area Seattle’s indoor playground.

Bonus: Up for exploring a bit extra? Get strolling or rolling alongside Alki Path, a 4-mile paved path that goes from the seaside to the West Seattle bridge. Lease surreys and bikes seasonally at Wheel Enjoyable Leases—the chopper bikes are particularly enjoyable—or carry your personal.

Tip: A block off the seaside is Alki Playground, recognized regionally as Whale Tail Park, named after the favored steel sculpture children like to climb. The nautical theme additionally features a dory boat, lighthouse-inspired climber, plus swings, a big subject and restrooms.

Iconic park

Lincoln Park
Deal with: 8011 Fauntleroy Approach SW

One other iconic West Seattle spot is Lincoln Park. Discover its rocky seaside for sea life at low tide and construct driftwood forts as you watch ferry boats come and go. A paved path working parallel to shore is ideal for scooters and bikes. The trail results in Colman Pool, an outside saltwater pool open in the course of the summer time. It’s additionally the right spot for recognizing whales. Within the higher a part of the park, pay attention for owls as you stroll beneath a cover of forested trails, splash in a wading pool, open seasonally, and uncover a improbable playground with tree house-themed play constructions, slides, swings and a zipper line.

Bonus: Simply north of Colman Pool, on high of an enormous rock, is an ever-changing piece of group artwork spelling the phrase LOVE. Made out of rocks, sticks, flowers, shells and different items of nature that passersby discover within the park.

Tip: Parking- probably the most southern lot is best for reaching the seaside and the northern lot is closest to the play fields, playground and wading pool. There’s loads of road parking, however make sure that to observe for the parking restrictions.

Native residing

Alaska Junction
Deal with: Intersection of California Ave SW and SW Alaska Avenue

In search of the middle of exercise in West Seattle? Head to the Alaska Junction! Inside a number of blocks you’ll discover native outlets and eating places, a Sunday farmer’s market, month-to-month artwork walks, summer time out of doors motion pictures and particular occasions all year long. Dad and mom and children will love purchasing for toys at Curious Kidstuff and searching for new and used finds at each My Three Little Birds consignment store and Pegasus Guide Change. Older children will take pleasure in exploring music at Simple Avenue Data or strive one of many escape rooms at The Escape Artist. Everybody will take pleasure in a scoop of house-made ice cream at Husky Deli and scrumptious French treats at Bakery Nouveau.

Bonus: Preserve your eyes open for big murals that includes historic photographs of West Seattle’s previous on a number of of the buildings. Every has a narrative to inform—like “The Outdated Mud Gap” that will go on to change into Colman Pool (4520 forty fourth Ave SW, north aspect of the constructing).

Step, hike or stroll into these adventures

Climb to the very best level within the metropolis
Deal with: Myrtle Reservoir Park, 3600 SW Myrtle Avenue, Seattle, 98126

Myrtle Reservoir Park is residence to the very best level and the very best stairs within the metropolis. In solely 40 steps, reaching 520-feet above sea stage, the views of downtown and the Cascade mountains are wonderful. A set of markers factors out different, shorter hills, every noting their elevation. Since this can be a fast climb, you’ll have loads of time to benefit from the fantastic playground. It has two areas for various ages and a super-fun climbing construction. Plus, there’s a flat round path on the high of the park, particularly good for starting bike riders.

Bonus: When you’re up for extra stairs, strive the close by Thistle Avenue Stairs (367 steps) which features a stunning mural by native artist Desmond Hansen.

Hike by an old-growth forest
Deal with: Schmitz Protect Park, 5551 SW Admiral Approach

Schmitz Protect Park, positioned simply above Alki, on the north finish of West Seattle, consists of an old-growth forest that provides you a glimpse of what issues seemed like earlier than the Denny Occasion arrived in 1851. With slightly below two miles of trails, bridges and boardwalks, a creek, and a log painted to seem like an alligator, it makes the right spot for a hike within the woods in any climate.

Bonus: Look out for a number of giant stumps with deep notches. These indents have been created by the “spring-boards” that loggers would stand on when chopping down a tree earlier than it grew to become a park.

Tip: The primary entrance is off Admiral Approach on Stevens Ave SW. Search for a kiosk with a path map and park alongside the road.

Stroll by roses, rocks, conifers and all the best way to gardens of China

South Seattle Faculty Arboretum + Seattle Chinese language Backyard
Deal with: 6000 sixteenth Avenue SW Seattle 98106, North Parking zone

South Seattle Faculty Arboretum was created as an outside classroom for the school’s Panorama Horticulture program and is open every day to the general public without spending a dime. Meander paths by an oasis of various gardens—sensory, tropical, rock, rose, conifer and extra. Bridges, and landscaped streams will preserve children exploring with numerous room to run. Then uncover the adjoining Seattle Chinese language Backyard. A Sichuan-style backyard that includes the 4 conventional parts of a Chinese language backyard that are crops, stone, structure and water. Youngsters will love recognizing koi swimming within the pond, wandering by a bamboo forest and discovering the massive steel fish sculpture, referred to as Dragon Seeker.

Bonus: When you’re feeling hungry, the Alki Cafe on campus, a part of the varsity’s Culinary Arts program, is open weekdays for sandwiches, drinks and treats.

Hop a ferry to a different island or downtown

Fauntleroy Ferry
Deal with: 4829 SW Barton Avenue

Simply south of Lincoln Park is the Fauntleroy ferry dock, the place you’ll be able to float your method to a plethora of locations. Brief and candy is to easily catch the following boat that is available in, stroll on and trip it out and again, or enterprise to Vashon Island for a full day’s journey. Hop the Southworth ferry and be whisked away to the Kitsap Peninsula and past.

Bonus: Subsequent to the dock is the small however superior Cove Park that’s value checking to whereas ready for the following boat.

Tip: The schedule is at all times altering so greatest to verify occasions earlier than you go.

West Seattle Water Taxi
Deal with: 1660 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle 98126

When you’re searching for a simple and enjoyable possibility for attending to West Seattle from downtown, climb aboard West Seattle Water Taxi, a walk-on ferry operated by King County. It departs from Pier 50 alongside the Seattle waterfront and lands at Seacrest Park in West Seattle. As soon as right here, take pleasure in scrumptious Hawaiian-Korean meals and shaved ice at Marination ma kai whereas watching divers in a close-by cove. Proper subsequent door is Alki Kayak Excursions which affords guided excursions, courses and leases. Households with older kiddos may wish to hire cruiser bikes and pedal the 2 miles to Alki Seashore.

Bonus: The King County Water Taxi Shuttle has two free routes (#773 and #775) that may take you to the Admiral, Alaska and Morgan Junctions in addition to Alki Seashore.

Tip: An grownup fare is $5.75 ($5 w/Orca card) and children 0-18 now trip without spending a dime.

Hidden gems you don’t wish to miss

Camp Lengthy
Deal with: 5200 thirty fifth Ave SW

Tucked off a busy road is certainly one of our greatest native secrets and techniques. Created within the Thirties as a useful resource for metropolis children to be taught out of doors abilities, Camp Lengthy boasts a collection of forested trails, a small pond to discover, an enormous subject to play in and two mountain climbing areas. There’s additionally an environmental heart the place you’ll be able to decide up a path map and go on a enjoyable scavenger hunt. Lease rustic cabins for an in a single day (seasonally) keep and a take the ropes course, used for group constructing actions. It’s additionally residence to an outside preschool and hosts a number of nature-based occasions. This can be a excellent place to host birthday events too.

Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays

Jack Block Park
Deal with: 2130 Harbor Ave SW

Search for the steel, orange boat-like construction excessive within the air, marking the doorway to this Port of Seattle park. A improbable spot for watching cargo ships, cranes and containers at Harbor Island that is the right outing to your construction-loving lovers. A meandering paved path begins by a non-traditional play space (big steel buoys to climb on) and results in a small seaside earlier than ending at a raised viewing platform for shut up viewing of marine exercise and beautiful views of downtown.

Bonus: For teenagers fascinated by heavy equipment carry alongside this self-guided terminal tour for descriptions of all of the gear you may see.

Tip: From the principle parking zone to the viewing platform is a few 1/2 mile stroll alongside a paved path. A smaller lot near the seaside and viewing platform has a handful of spots with a 30 minute restrict.

Seattle Historical past

Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Heart
Deal with: 4705 W Marginal Approach SW, Seattle 98106

Alongside the east aspect of West Seattle runs the Duwamish River and an opportunity to be taught concerning the Duwamish Tribe. Study concerning the First Folks’s Nation. Begin by visiting the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Heart, the place you are able to do a self-guided tour of the normal longhouse, museum and gallery. Then cross the road to discover two riverfront parks the place their villages as soon as stood—həʔapus Village Park & Shoreline Habitat and Herring’s Home (Tualtwx). Uncover a collection of creative kiosks that inform the story of the river salmon. Spot the skeleton of a ship excessive within the air to learn interpretive indicators under explaining the historical past of the place you might be standing.

Bonus: For one more peek into native historical past, go to the Log Home Museum on Alki.

Tip: Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Free admission.

Learn extra

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Discover extra issues to do with the household