Best 8-DAy Washington Itinerary with kids
We've spent a lot of time in Washington State, and this is our favorite Washington Itinerary:
8-Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Early flight-Whidbey Island- Stay in Seattle
Day 2: Seattle
Day 3: Seattle- (Late afternoon Ferry to Bremerton) Stay in Sequim
Day 4: Sequim & Hurricane Ridge- Stay in Olympic National Park
Day 5: Olympic National Park- Stay in Olympic National Park
Day 6: Olympic National Park- Stay at the Great Wolf Lodge
Day 7: Spend the day at Great Wolf Lodge- Spend the night near Seatac.
Day 8: Flight home
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DAY 1- Whidbey Island
We visited Whidbey Island on a Saturday in July... along with everyone else in Seattle😳. Whidbey Island is accessible by car via the Deception Pass Bridge, connecting the mainland, or you can take the ferry. We drove over Deception Pass Bridge and took the ferry to leave the island. We were going against traffic so we didn't have to wait in long ferry lines. 🙌
Take the Deception Pass State Park trail and enjoy beautiful bridge views.
Explore Couperville’s historic waterfront town with charming shops, galleries, and restaurants. You can also learn about the town's maritime history at the Coupeville Wharf and Museum.
We stopped at Greenbank Farm for some yummy pie! It’s also popular for its wine and cheese tasting.
We left Whidbey Island by ferry from the Clinton Ferry Terminal. It’s a 20-minute ferry ride to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal. Click here for the ferry schedule. The Mukilteo Ferry Terminal is a 30-minute drive from Downtown Seattle.
Day 2- Seattle
Greg visited the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, also known as the Ballard Locks when he was a child. He was excited for our girls to check it out. The locks have a visitor center where you can learn about the history and operation of the locks through exhibits, displays, and interactive activities. It's a great place to gain insight into the engineering marvel of the locks and their importance to the region.
The locks are a vital part of the Lake Washington Ship Canal system, connecting the Puget Sound with the freshwater of Lake Union and Lake Washington. You can watch boats and ships of various sizes passing through the locks, which is an impressive sight.
Adjacent to the locks, are beautiful gardens maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden features a variety of plants, flowers, and trees, making it a lovely place for a stroll.
The locks feature a fish ladder that allows salmon and other fish to migrate between saltwater and freshwater. It's fascinating to watch the fish swim through the ladder, especially during the salmon migration season.
There are picnic areas and benches where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the view of the locks, boats, and gardens. It's a popular spot for locals and tourists alike to unwind and soak in the atmosphere.
Theo Chocolate Factory
We loved the Theo Chocolate Factory. We took the "Kids Chocolate Story Time Tour". It was just us and another family. The guide shared a really cute story, gave us lots of chocolate samples then we toured the factory and learned the chocolate-making process, from bean to bar. Loved seeing the artisans at work. ... My girls were in Heaven!
Fremont Troll
How could you not want to see this?! The Fremont Troll is a unique and iconic attraction in Seattle, located under the north end of the Aurora Bridge in the Fremont neighborhood. It's a large sculpture of a troll clutching a real Volkswagen Beetle, and it's a popular spot for visitors to take photos and admire the creativity. You can visit the Fremont Troll to snap some pictures, explore the surrounding area, and perhaps even participate in the Fremont Sunday Market if you're there on a weekend.
Lake Union
What to do in Lake Union:
Not too far from the Fremont Troll is the "Sleepless in Seattle House Boat"!
Rent a kayak or canoe
Boat Tour: Take a guided boat tour to learn more about the history of Lake Union and its surrounding area.
Seaplane Tours: Experience the thrill of taking off and landing on water with a seaplane tour. You’ll get breathtaking views of Seattle.
Picnicking: Pack a picnic and relax at Gas Works Park, which offers great views of Lake Union.
Chihuly Garden and Glass & Space Needle
You can buy a combo ticket for Chihuly Garden and Glass and the Space Needle Observation Deck. We loved the different galleries and gardens! It was amazing to see how his glass framed the Space Needle beautifully. Chihuly is a Washington native... I've been a fan for a long time. You can read about me meeting him here, or see some pics from his exhibit at the Desert Botanical Garden.
You can purchase your combo ticket here.
Space Needle Observation deck
Day 3- Seattle-Sequim
I was excited to do an Underground Tour! The tour takes visitors beneath the streets of Pioneer Square to explore the city's underground passages and learn about its colorful history, including tales of early settlers, the Great Seattle Fire, and the city's quirky past. It's a fascinating way to discover Seattle's hidden depths and hear stories that you won't find in the history books. If you're bringing kids I recommend bringing a small flashlight. There are lots of dark areas and it will make the tour more enjoyable for them to see what's in some of the dark corners.
Click here to reserve your Underground Walking Tour.
Gum Walls, Trolls, Underground Tours, Vampires... Washington state has a little bit of everything! The Gum Wall in Seattle is a quirky and colorful attraction located in Post Alley near Pike Place Market. It's famous for being covered in layers of chewing gum, which visitors stick to the wall as a form of art or simply as a fun activity. Some people create intricate designs, while others just add their gum to the mix. It's definitely a unique sight to see and a popular spot for photos. Just be prepared for the sweet and slightly sticky aroma that fills the air!
We stopped at Pike Place Market, watched them throw fish around, then ate yummy Macaroni & Cheese from Beecher's Handmade Cheese. We wanted to try dessert from the Russian Bakery Piroshky Piroshky but the line was too long! We took a late afternoon ferry from Seattle to Bremerton. We took the Bremerton ferry instead of Bainbridge Island because it’s a longer and prettier ferry ride. We stayed in Sequim since we had a lot planned the next day. Click here for the ferry schedule.
DAY 4- Sequim & Olympic National Park
Sequim, often referred to as the "Lavender Capital of North America," is a charming town on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state. It's renowned for its lavender fields, which bloom in vibrant shades of purple during the summer months. Visitors can explore lavender farms, participate in lavender festivals, and purchase a variety of lavender products, including oils, soaps, and sachets. The mild climate and fertile soil make Sequim an ideal location for growing lavender.
Olympic Game Farm
One of our favorite finds... Olympic Game Farm in Sequim. The Olympic Game Farm is a wildlife exhibit located in Sequim, Washington, near the northern entrance of Olympic National Park. It offers a unique drive-through experience where visitors can observe and feed a variety of animals from the comfort of their vehicles. You'll encounter animals such as Roosevelt elk, American bison, Rocky Mountain goats, deer, llamas, and more as you drive through the park. Our girls loved the walk-through areas where they interacted and fed smaller animals such as peacocks, ducks, and rabbits. You purchase the bread to feed the animals when you enter the park… we got 5 loaves. It was a rush!
Hurricane Ridge- Olympic National Park
We got lunch in Port Angeles and then made our way to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. It takes about 45 minutes to get from Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge. The drive is curvy and windy and deer tend to pop out of nowhere so drive carefully. The area has great hikes and incredible views. Near the visitor center are short hikes: Cirque Rim Trail, Big Meadow Trail, and the High Ridge Trail. Our girls were excited to find snow especially snow in a heart shape! Most of these hikes are fairly easy, and deer are wandering through the trails!
Whiskey Creek Beach NW
We spent two nights at Whiskey Creek Beach NW. They have rustic cabins, RV spots, tent camping, and cottages to rent. Our girls enjoyed s’mores and long walks along the beach. We loved it so much we wish we could have spent more time here. If you can add another day to your trip spend it here. You can stay at a few of the different Lodges in the park but they fill up fast and are pricey (in July).
DAY 5-
Olympic National Park
A short drive from Whiskey Creek is the Lake Crescent Lodge. Behind the Lodge is an easy 1.8-mile round-trip hike to Marymere Falls. The trail winds through lush old-growth forests, crossing over charming bridges and offering glimpses of Barnes Creek along the way.
We had a picnic on the lake then rented a canoe at the Lake Crescent Lodge and tried to soak up all the beautiful views. The water was clear and calm and it was a relaxing way to spend the afternoon as a family. This was one of our kid’s favorite activities while visiting Olympic National Park!
Sol Duc Falls
The Sol Duc Falls is a 1.6-mile hike round trip. We hiked through a beautiful forest filled with moss and fern. A bridge over the falls allows you to get pictures from different angles.
Sol Duc Hot Springs
After the hike, we were ready to relax after a long day of fun. We soaked in the Hot Springs at the Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort until we were pruney... The girls loved this! Sol Duc Hot Springs is located in Olympic National Park near the Sol Duc River. They have four pools, three mineral hot spring pools and one fresh water that will melt all of your stress away. 😃 The pools range in temperature from 98 to 104, surrounded by gorgeous mountains and evergreen trees. We had dinner at the restaurant next to the springs and it was great. They also have a locker room with showers and lockers. If you stay at the Sol Duc Springs Resort, the entrance to the hot springs is included. Make sure to bring towels, or you can rent them.
DAY 6- Olympic National Park
We started our day with a stop in Forks... Made popular from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Novels. We came through years ago while I was reading the books and did a full-on Twilight Tour. Check that out here. We only made 2 stops this time. 😏 Before leaving Forks we went to Thriftway to get food for a picnic. You won't find food between Forks & the Hoh Rain Forest.
Hoh Rain Forest
We arrived at the Hoh Rain Forest at 11:00 am and had to wait about an hour to enter the park. They have limited parking near the visitor center. Arrive early or be prepared to wait during the busy summer months. One of my favorite hikes in Olympic National Park is in the Hoh Rain Forest… The Hall of Mosses. Just as described... lots of Moss! The trail is 0.8 miles round trip, making it suitable for most. We also took the Spruce Nature Trail, which is 1.2 miles round-trip. We liked that at one point this trail followed along a beautiful river.
I love moss, trees, rain, etc., 😏 and I think coming from the desert makes it EXTRA special!
Ruby Beach
Not too far from the Hoh Rain Forest is Ruby Beach. Pack a lunch and let the kids run around while you relax.
After leaving Ruby Beach we drove through Quinault Rainforest and hiked the Big Spruce Tree trail, 0.5 round trip. The trail goes through lush rainforest, leading to a massive Sitka spruce tree known as the “Big Spruce”.
DAY 7- Great Wolf Lodge
My girls have been begging us to visit a Great Wolf Lodge for the past few years. We were so excited to find one nearby on this vacation! We spent one night here and let the girls swim the next day as well (after you check out you can continue to swim). We spent the last night at a hotel near the Sea-tac Airport since we flew home early the following day.
Day 8- Flight Home 😭
Mount Rainier
Tours in Seattle:
Boeing Factory and Future of Flight Tour
Walking Chocolate Tour with Tastings
Whale Watching & Wildlife Tour
Seattle Mariners Baseball Game entry ticket
Henry Mural Tour
Pike Place Market Chef-Guided Food Tour
List of our Activities:
Whidbey Island: Deception Pass State Park, Coupeville- shopping. Greenback Farm for Pie.
Seattle: Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, Theo Chocolate Factory, Fremont Troll, Sleepless In Seattle House Boat, Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Underground Tour, Pike Place Market, Market Theater Gum Wall.
Sequim: Lavender Farms, Olympic Game Farm.
Olympic National Park: Hurricane Ridge (Cirque Rim Trail, Big Meadow Trail, High Ridge Trail), Hike to Marymere Falls, Rent canoes at Lake Crescent Lodge, Hike to Sol Duc Falls, Swimming at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, Stop in Forks for Vampire mania, Hoh Rain Forest: Hike Hall of Mosses, Ruby Beach, Quinault Big Spruce Tree hike.
Grand Mound: Great Wolf Lodge
*Remember to buy a cooler... Not a lot of food options in Olympic National Park. It was nice to have picnics.
