If you have enough trouble simply getting your kids out of the house in the morning, dragging them thousands of miles away may seem like an insurmountable challenge. But family travel can be immensely rewarding, giving you new ways of seeing the world through smaller pairs of eyes.
To locate accommodations, restaurants, and attractions that are particularly kid-friendly, refer to the "Kids" icon throughout this guide.
Many hotels in Seattle allow kids to stay free in a parent's room; some budget properties also allow children to eat for free in the hotel dining room. Keep in mind that most downtown hotels cater almost exclusively to business travelers and don't offer the sort of amenities that appeal to families -- like swimming pools, game rooms, or inexpensive restaurants..
Many of Seattle's larger restaurants, especially along the waterfront, offer children's menus. You'll also find plenty of variety and low prices at the many food vendors' stalls at Pike Place Market. And there's a food court in Westlake Center shopping mall..
Recommended family travel websites include Family Travel Forum (www.familytravelforum.com), a comprehensive site that offers customized trip planning; Family Travel Network (www.familytravelnetwork.com), an online magazine providing travel tips; TravelWithYourKids.com (www.travelwithyourkids.com), a comprehensive site written by parents for parents offering sound advice for long-distance and international travel with children.
Frommer's National Parks with Kids (Wiley Publishing, Inc.) has tips for enjoying your trip to Olympic National Park.
Note: If you plan to travel on to Canada during your Seattle vacation, be sure to bring your children's passports with you.
