PARENTING ON THE PLATEAU - KIDS IN THE CITY

Recently, I was talking to a close friend with children of similar age.  As we were talking about new and fun things to do with the kids, the topic of taking them into Seattle came up.  She lamented that she would do that if it wasn’t so hard.  She admitted to it being about the unknowns of city happenings  and the overwhelming idea of packing up half the house for a day trip with two kids under age 6.  It makes me sad that any mom might think exposing their kids to the downtown core of Seattle has to be this hard.  I love the city and love the chance to bring my little ones here to experience the excitement that a major city entails.  Here’s my attempt at demystifying the city trip with kids and breaking the myth that it has to be hard to enjoy.

Cost: A major factor in any family when considering a day long outing, but seeing the city can be done on nearly any budget.  Whether you spring for tickets to Riding the Ducks or not is going to increase your spend for sure, but that’s not all there is to do in town.  The buskers and market stall entertainment of Pike Place Market doesn’t cost more than perhaps a dollar in the bucket and with options that range from fish throwers to produce education (and sample bites), to guitar players and one-man-acts, the kids are always enthralled.  A warm day will offer up free entertainment at the Seattle Center where kids can splash and play in the Center House Fountain where the erratic water streams will soak and surprise – all for free.  The lush lawns surrounding the fountain make for a great picnic sprawl.

Another cheap option is the Waterfront where my kids repeatedly ask to be taken.  Start at the North end, near the aquarium and walk the entire waterfront at a child’s pace where you’ll find them looking into the sound, peering through the cracks in the boardwalk at the water below and spending as many minutes as you can spare at the public fountain.  Continuing on the waterfront path may find you street artists and musicians as well.  Making your way to Ivar’s for a classic Seattle lunch stop provides non-stop entertainment as the seagulls fight for your French fries.

Transportation: I’m going to start by refusing the arguments that driving in the city is too hard, or parking is too expensive.  Sure we have hills and one-way streets, who doesn’t?  Mapping your trip will relieve the pressure of the unknown, but Seattle really is driver friendly.  But instead of fighting I-5 traffic, which I cannot argue with, take the Sounder train to Seattle (schedule permitting) or park at Sea-Tac and take the Light Rail.  Both these options are cost effective, possibly equaling less than a day’s city parking, and the train reduces all parking and driving concerns.  Trains and train stations are fun for kids and this alone will be an educational sightseeing experience.  Get off the train at the Stadium Station, for access to the south end of the waterfront (or if you want to spend any time at the stadiums).  If you take the Light Rail another few stops, to Westlake, you’ll be in prime location for a jaunt to Pike Place Market. And for those worried about timing and getting stuck downtown, the Light Rail runs every 10-15 minutes through the day – giving you an easy out at any meltdown point.

Bathrooms: This was a major concern of a few mom’s I spoke with in regard to bringing kids into the city.  If you take the Sounder, you have bathrooms on the train, but spending a day on foot seems to present a problem, no?  Not if you plan it right.  Some of our greatest city attractions offer the perfect potty break.  Taking kids into the Westlake core of downtown should warrant a trip to Seattle-famous Nordstroms (especially during the Anniversary Sale, going on now…).  Their lounges are large, clean and easily accessible, especially if you’re changing diapers.  Tully’s and Starbucks coffee houses pepper the city (Think that “every corner” thing is a joke?  Think again.) and can be very accommodating.  Pacific Place also makes for a great central stop – whether for Barnes & Noble, or for a sit-down lunch – and has large bathroom facilities as well.  And if spending time near the fountain, you’ll also easily find public restrooms in the Center House.  Note: the famous first-Starbucks located in the Pike Place Market does not have a bathroom for customers.

Food: Seattle is great for food and although you could break the bank on a meal if you wanted to, some of our greatest eats are cheap.  Introduce the kids to Dick’s Hamburgers for a local gotta-try-it meal.  The Queen Anne location has indoor seating, restrooms and is located within a block of the Seattle Center.  Other local favorites on the cheap is Pagliacci’s Pizza for New York-sized slices and keep an eye out for the mobile-eateries roaming the city streets.  This mobile-market also includes ice cream and pastries. 

What to bring: Aside from a pocketful of change and some cash for lunch, there really isn’t a lot required.  Maybe some wipes and a couple granola bars tucked in your purse – and for those extra-cautious, a change of clothes for potty accidents.  If your kids are in diapers or bottle-feeding, then obviously your packing considerations change but for the most part, your need to schlep half the house is a non-essential part of enjoying the city.  And who wants to be bogged down with all that extra stuff anyway?

So there you have it – easy tips and ideas for bringing the kids into the city. 

What did I miss?