Where to base yourself for a short family trip to Seattle

So, to help you out, here’s a guide to the major Seattle sightseeing neighborhoods. Think about what you and your family want from your trip to Seattle, and use this guide to pick the perfect base for your family vacation.

Lower Queen Anne for the easiest start

Lower Queen Anne is a good choice for a short stay with younger children. When you’re looking for cheap hotel rooms in Seattle, Queen Anne may not top the list, but families staying in Queen Anne will save money on things like transport and eating. 

Lower Queen Anne is within walking distance of Seattle Center, but it is uphill, so bear that in mind if you’re likely to be pushing strollers or if your kids get tired easily. There are several child-friendly stops and green spaces dotted around, though, so there’s plenty of scope to rest and let kids blow off steam. 

You can easily get to the Space Needle from Lower Queen Anne, and then move on to other nearby attractions like Chihuly Garden and Glass. You’ll also find wider, more peaceful sidewalks here than you would in busier downtown blocks, which is useful when you’ve got strollers with you or are carrying a lot of extra items. 

Downtown for the market and waterfront

Downtown will suit your family if Pike Place Market, the waterfront, and other central attractions are at the top of your to-do list. Downtown is walkable, with plenty of sights within easy walking distance, and it’s well-served by transit to other parts of the city. There’s also a wealth of food and entertainment options within striking distance of most hotels.

The downside of Downtown is that it’s busy, and it can be pricey. If your family values peace and quiet in the evening, this may not be the best location for you. Weigh up whether nighttime noise and daytime crowds are worth it for easy access to attractions and good transport links.

South Lake Union for shorter daily outings

South Lake Union is good for families who want plenty of shorter daily outings rather than long days of wandering around the city. It’s outside the busiest part of Downtown, which means it’s less crowded and less noisy, but it’s also near enough to major Seattle attractions to be a useful base. For example, you could head out to see the Space Needle, head back to your hotel for a break, and then venture out again to visit a museum or do some shopping.

SLU is also handy for everyday services like grocery stores and pharmacies. This makes it very convenient for dealing with the unexpected things that family vacations like to throw at you. You can grab most things you find yourself in need of quickly, within walking distance, without having to trek across the city.

 

Belltown for older kids and simple evenings

If you have older children who can handle longer walks and later evenings, consider booking a hotel in Belltown. Belltown is close to Downtown, so within walking distance of major attractions, but it’s also free of the busy daytime office traffic that fills central Downtown streets. You can easily move between key areas without lengthy hikes, and there are plenty of dining and entertainment options for the evenings.

Do check out your exact hotel location if you’re thinking of booking in Belltown, as some streets are noisier than others, especially at weekends. 

Capitol Hill for a different daily rhythm

Capitol Hill is good if you want a relaxing base away from the city's main sightseeing core. It’s a calmer neighborhood, with plenty of parks and smaller streets to break up the pace of a busy trip.

There are good transit links to the major Seattle sights from Capitol Hill, and Seattle’s public transport system is relatively child-friendly, but if you think your kids won’t be able to cope well with buses and light rail, it might be worth looking into rideshare or taxi options. 

Ballard for slower days and local culture

Ballard is a good fit for families who plan to mix sightseeing with relaxed exploration of a local neighborhood. Ballard is further from the main attractions, so you will need to work out travel and transit options for days out, but there’s plenty to see and do around Ballard itself when you feel like a lazy local day. There are lots of parks, independent venues, and the Nordic Museum, which is designed like a fjord and has some gorgeous exhibits.

Picking the right base for your family stay in Seattle

Seattle is full of child-friendly neighborhoods with plenty to offer vacationing families. The neighborhood that suits you best depends on what you and your family want to get out of your trip to Seattle. If you want easy access to major attractions like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, and don’t mind a bit of nighttime noise, a more central location will be perfect for you. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a slower, more relaxed stay, you could stay further out and spend your days exploring in a leisurely fashion. Work out what’s most important for you, and get planning!