Spend a week in Seattle

Jacqui publishes Red Tricycle, a newsletter and website dedicated to finding the cool stuff for kid-focused people in Seattle.

She shares with us some of her favorite activities for moms and new babies around the city as inspired by her own son, James Hudson:

Day One: Downtown
You can’t come to Seattle to without checking out the attractions. Shoot for mid-week, early morning/afternoon visits to Pike Place Market and Seattle Center to avoid the crowds.

• Olympic Sculpture Park is the latest & great Seattle attraction (always open). Very easy to navigate with a stroller.
• Pike Place Market – would definitely use a baby carrier, unless you go very early in the morning.
• Seattle Center: ­ If it’s sunny, play in fountains. If it’s rainy, wander through Pacific Science Center There are many festivals going on through the summer, check Seattle Center’s calendar.

Day Two: Madison Park / Madison Valley
Great neighborhood-y feel. Fun boutiques to check out.

• Grab some sandwiches from Essential Bakery and have a picnic in the Arboretum or at Madison Park beach. My Coffeehouse is a cool mommy hangout On E Madison between 28th & 29th (it’s just not Seattle without a coffee shop visit).
• The Original Children’s Shop at Madison and 41st features­ high-end children’s clothes, toys, and more.
• If you have a toddler, there is a playground in downtown Madison Park across from the Bakery.
• If you get out of the house in time on a Thursday or Sunday, breathe through a mom & baby yoga class at Santosha Yoga (by appointment). Treat yourself to a donut after yoga class at Madison Park Bakery.

Day Three: Ballard
Ballard boasts boutique shops, neighborhood pubs, eclectic restaurants, and waterfront parks. But what about Ballard for babies?

• Check out the Locks, the #1 tourist destination in Seattle ­ beautiful park grounds and easy to get around with a stroller.
• Firehouse Coffee – has a kids play area and is right next door to Gymboree
• Me & moms – huge kids’ consignment store with­ lots to look at
• Archie McPhee – fun, over-the-top novelty store

Day Four: Columbia City

• On Tuesdays, Columbia City Cinema shows movies for babies and parents. Call for current showings.
• On Wednesdays, Check out the Farmers Market with Kids Activity area from May to October.
• On Thursdays, Lotus Yoga has a great Mom & Baby yoga class
• Also check out the art classes at Retroactive Kids, Columbia City Bakery and Tutta Bella Pizzeria, Sweet Peas Consignment Shop.

Day Five: Queen Anne
Upper Queen Anne has evolved from a singles marketplace to a kiddie haven. Enjoy wandering through the shops & cafes.

• Queen Anne Books story time the first and 3rd Sunday
• Urban Kids Play – cool kids shop that offers a range activities from yoga to story time in English and Spanish
• Lily’s -­ just peek your head into this salon that focuses on updos, manis & pedis for kids

Day Six: Snoqualmie Falls
You should definitely take a trip out to Snoqualmie Falls a spectacular site to see — even taller than Niagara Falls.

• A hike around the falls is doable with a stroller or baby carrier.
• In Snoqualmie Ridge, there are some fun shops including­ Zeebis, a cool toy store
• Peanut Butter & Lili sells­ high-end baby accessories

Day Seven: Capitol Hill
Playtime, swimming, excellent food, and an art museum with free admission. So much for resting.

• Vios Café ­ THE most kid-friendly restaurant in Seattle, On any given day the place is overflowing with kiddies from newborn through toddler. Great Mediterranean food as well.
• Miller Community Center ­has a drop-in play
  time for infants 6 months and up, wading pool in Summer
• Volunteer Park beautiful grounds to stroll­ checkout the conservatory or the Asian Art Museum (free on first Thursday and first Sunday)

A few more resources for visitors:
Crybabycomforts.com – rents baby gear, from strollers to high chairs and car seats, even co-sleepers and Amby Hammocks. Picks up and delivers from hotels. Daily or weekly rentals.

Bestsittersinc.com – very reputable Seattle-based baby sitting service that works with many top hotel concierge. I use them myself when my babysitter is sick or I need a last minute sitter. I trust them. $62 for 4 hours (minimum), $12/hour after that.

Wow! Well — if that’s not enough for you — Seattle residents and visitors alike can check out Red Tricycle at red-tri.com for an update on the weekly events & activities for kids under 5.

Tagged as: babies, Seattle, toddlers