Seattle CityPass with Kids: Top Attractions to Visit

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by CityPASS. As always, all opinions are my own, and I only share products and experiences I truly use and recommend.

Seattle CityPASS with kids is one of the easiest ways to explore Seattle without blowing your budget. Seattle has a TON of family-friendly activities, but those activities can add up QUICKLY. We took our children, ages 7 and 10, over Christmas Break to visit family. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Seattle using credit card points, and we wanted to explore the city – enter CityPass

What is the CityPass?

It is a bundled ticket that you can purchase to visit Seattle’s top attractions. This pass includes the Seattle Space Needle, the Seattle Aquarium and then you can select three of the following attractions:

• Museum of Pop Culture
• Pacific Science Center
• Woodland Park Zoo
• Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour
• Chihuly Garden and Glass

If you did just the Space Needle and the Seattle Aquarium, it would cost an adult $126, and that doesn’t include any of the other attractions.

The CityPass costs an adult $129, and not only includes the Space Needle and the Seattle Aquarium, but up three other attractions. If you’re spending time in the city, this is truly a no-brainer.

Our Experience Using the Seattle CityPASS with Kids

We visited four of the attractions, and I wish we had time for more. If you have children, I will say the Pacific Science Center is a must do-according to my own children.

Space Needle

We planned to do the Space Needle and the Pacific Science Center the same day since they are right beside each other (with the BEST playground in the middle). We only waited five minutes, and then we took the elevator up to the top.

The views were STUNNING, and my kids loved the glass floor. Although my husband and I could have spent a lot more time here, and maybe enjoyed a cocktail, my kids were over it in about 30 minutes.

TIP: When you’re planning, try to pick a day that looks like it may be clear. I would also recommend going up in the afternoon for a better chance of view of Mount Rainier and the beautiful mountains that surround Seattle.

Pacific Science Center

If you have kids, this is a MUST. In fact, this was my kids’ favorite attraction. They had so many fun exhibits for the children that were all interactive. They felt like they could run, learn about space, levers, and even butterflies.

I will say, we did the laser show, and we all wish we would have skipped it. I felt like I was looking at a Windows 95 screensaver, and my kids thought it was incredibly boring. So, if we went back, I would opt for the IMAX screening instead.

TIP: Spend the whole day at the Seattle Center. Go to the Pacific Science Center first, then grab lunch at one of the many restaurants inside the Armory, let the kids run around on the playground (which is the best FREE playground we’ve ever been to) and end the afternoon at the Space Needle.

Seattle Aquarium

This was a hit with the whole family. They have two buildings, one that features animals native to the area, and another focused on tropical reefs. My kids’ favorite part was the touch tanks where they actually recycle the water from the Puget Sound (I found this so fascinating).

In the other building, the aquarium was breathtaking. The tank is probably the biggest I’ve ever seen. I could have sat there for hours (I’m an ocean lover at heart). I can’t really describe how impressive it is in words; you really just have to experience it for yourself.

TIP: Get to the aquarium before it opens, and do the touch tanks before it gets crowded. After you’re done at the aquarium, spent some time at the playground right next door, and walk down the waterfront and get some famous chowder from Ivar’s takeout location right next to the sit-down restaurant. After lunch, and some necessary playground time, walk back through Pike Peak’s market and watch them throw the fish.

Woodland Park Zoo

My children loved the zoo, but I will say there wasn’t anything about the zoo that stood out to us. They had lots of animals, and the otters and Komodo dragons were two of my children’s favorites. This is a nice zoo, but of all the attractions we visited, this was probably our least favorite.

We didn’t have time to do all the attractions, but if I could have done one more, it would have been the harbor tour. I’ve heard great things, and I’m sure the views of the city are amazing.

Our Tips for Using CityPASS

Plan to hit at least three of the big attractions so you get more bang for your buck. You can easily do three in one day, but I’d recommend splitting it into two to three days so the kids have more downtime and can also really enjoy those amazing playgrounds.

Click here to purchase your Seattle CityPASS to enjoy the top attractions in the city.

If you’re visiting Seattle, using the Seattle CityPASS with kids is one of the easiest ways to save money on top family-friendly attractions, and an added bonus, it makes the planning much easier.

Want to Stay for Free Too?

CityPass can save your family a ton of money, but another great way to save is to stay on credit card points. If you want to learn how we saved over $1,000 dollars on our stay, check out the Introduction to Credit Card Points.

If you are not familiar with credit card points, the Chase Sapphire Preferred sign up bonus can get you five free nights at the Hyatt Regency Seattle.