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Dine Around Seattle Sets the Table for Families
During the month of March, Sundays through Thursdays, many travelers and locals take advantage of “Dine Around Seattle.” Frugal foodies can choose from an appetizer, dinner and dessert at some of Seattle’s best restaurants – all for $30. Some restaurants also offer lunch, and the price drops to a sweet ‘n’ cheap $15. I’d (foolishly) assumed that many of these refined restaurants wouldn’t welcome families. So I called the participating restaurants and asked whether they could put out high chairs and children’s menus. All offered the former — although Chez Shea needs to borrow the high chair — and many also provided the latter. This is a good sign. When…
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The Best Kids’ Bookstores in Cascadia
Cascadia is one of the most-literate regions in North America. Don’t just take my word for it – check out where Seattle and Portland rank on “America’s Most Literate Cities†— number one and number six, respectively. Arts groups in Vancouver are working on getting the city designated as one of UNESCO’s “Cities of Literature.†Readers tend to raise kids who love to read. We also support our independent children’s bookstores, which offer a great combination of wise advice and the best of kids’ books. Kids bookstores sell unique souvenirs; you won’t find these region-specific titles at home. Better than just another t-shirt! Here’s the list of my favorite children’s…
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Save Money with Museum Reciprocal Memberships
Here’s one way to slice the travel-entertainment budget — join your local science center. Pacific Northwest and B.C. families have three stellar museums in Portland, Seattle and Vancouver to choose from, and even out-of-town visitors can get in on the fun. If you’re a member of your local science museum — in the U.S. or Canada — check to see whether the museum is part of the ASTC Passport Program. Passport Program members receive free reciprocal admission to other ASTC museums. So if your family’s members of OMSI, you get into the Pacific Science Center for free. If you’re members of Science World, you get into OMSI for free. See? You’ll…
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Victoria Clipper with Kids: 8 Tips for Families
One of my favorite ways between Victoria, B.C., and Seattle, Wash., is via Victoria Clipper.
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Seattle Pick: Greenwood Space Supply
In Seattle, take your little space alien to Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company. Because there isn’t anywhere else to find a portable oxygen pocket or a black hole starter kit. And where else can you hop into an atomic transporter? (And hopefully, you’ll hop back out again, bwa ha ha) Located in Seattle’s bustling Greenwood neighborhood, this spaceship-sized store provides fun toys, gag gifts and t-shirts, including near-death ray guns, dried space foods and other quirky items. The store’s a non-profit, so all profits fund on-site school programs, after-school tutoring and weekend workshops. You’ll also see cool, workshop-produced books penned by Seattle-area students on the shelves, alongside works by local…
