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Eyeing to spend the day at Pier 57 in Seattle? Read through the end of this blog and discover how it can be a fun day trip for you and your family.

This Pier 57 in Seattle with Kids post was written by Seattle family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

Whether you are visiting Seattle with kids on a family vacation, or you are a local Seattle family, Pier 57 in Seattle’s Central Waterfront is the ultimate spot for family fun in Seattle.

I mean, they really thought about everything! My husband and I had our 2nd date on the Seattle waterfront.

And I rode The Seattle Great Wheel on my birthday, a few days after it opened to the public. It’s a place that is very special to me. 

After our kid-free getaway to New York City last month, my husband and I thought it would be fun to plan a family outing in Seattle.

We figured we’d focus on Pier 57 since that’s home to The Seattle Great Wheel, Wings Over Washington, a waterfront carousel, the coolest souvenir shops, and several ice cream shops.

We are so lucky to live in the Seattle area so we can enjoy these Seattle attractions. But these are also fabulous places to check out during a Seattle weekend getaway!

Read all about how to plan an awesome Seattle date night at Pier 57!

The Seattle Great Wheel

Our first stop on our Seattle waterfront was The Seattle Great Wheel. It’s that big Seattle ferris wheel you can see when you drive practically anywhere near the Seattle waterfront.

It’s Seattle’s version of the London Eye.

Family-Friendly Experience

Anyway, the Seattle Great Wheel is a family-friendly activity in Seattle. The ride is slow and smooth, and it’s safe for people of all ages, pregnant women and babies.

Plus, kids ages two and under can ride for free. We brought our 18-month-old, and he sat on our laps during the ride. But babies and young toddlers can also be worn in a carrier.

Souvenirs and Memories

The first thing we did was pose for a family photo with their green screen. The photo featured The Seattle Great Wheel, which was available for purchase after the ride. It’s an easy way to get a memorable souvenir!

Our Seattle Great Wheel Ride Experience

The Seattle Great Wheel in Seattle is baby-friendly. We had our son in a stroller through the line.

You can’t bring the stroller into the gondola, so you park it by the entrance, and a staff member moves it to the exit so it’s ready for you when you’re done.

Standing 175 feet tall, the Seattle Great Wheel is the largest observation wheel on the West Coast. There are 41 regular gondolas and 1 VIP gondola. Each gondola is fully enclosed and can fit 8 people.

We went in the late afternoon, and the lighting was really pretty! But it would also be cool to come at night and see the Seattle skyline all lit up!

I’ve heard some people ride it once during the day and then return at night to get the full experience.

My kids loved looking at the buildings, the cranes, the boats, and everything else. We even switched sides halfway through to see if there was a “better” side. We thought they were equally cool!

The whole experience lasts about 12-15 minutes. It takes a while to load all the passengers, and then the ride typically does three rotations.

On the day we were there, they did four rotations. Then, they had to get everyone off the ride, which takes longer during peak seasons.

If you are on the Seattle waterfront at night, make sure to take a look at the Seattle Great Wheel. Typically, the wheel is lit up with standard white lights.

However, they have LED light shows for special occasions and holidays. They also do light shows for the UW and Seattle Seahawks home football games.

[irp posts=”6529″ name=”Best Kid-Friendly Weekend Getaways from Seattle”]

Wings Over Washington

Our next stop was Wings Over Washington. It’s the newest addition to Pier 57 and features the latest technology.

They use 5K cameras, laser projection, drones, and surround sound to take you on the adventure of a lifetime without leaving your seat.

This ride is for people 40″ or taller. That means my 18-month-old had to sit this one out. Babies aren’t allowed in carriers, and kids aren’t allowed on laps.

But, they do offer a “rider swap” option so families with babies can still enjoy Wings Over Washington.

I took my 4-year-old, and we were ushered into a waiting room. It felt like we were in a log cabin, and there were totem animals around.

Historical Context and Pre-Ride Experience

Then, after we were seated, a video started playing with a park ranger moving from screen to screen, welcoming us to Wings Over Washington.

He gave us some history of Washington State and provided safety tips for the ride itself.

The totems started moving throughout the presentation, and my son was thoroughly entertained by it!

It was kind of like a Pacific Northwest version of Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.

Then, we headed into the ride. It was so COOL! It’s a lot like the Disney ride “Soarin’ Over California” with the sights, sounds, and smells. But it’s from Washington State.

We saw the Olympic National Forest, Mt. Rainier, the San Juan Islands, Snoqualmie Falls, Husky Stadium, and many other Washington sights.

My 4-year-old held my hand during the ride and kept laughing and yelling, “Oh no! We’re going to crash!” It was just the right amount of excitement for us.

I’m usually not much for rides, but I loved every minute of this.

I’d go back in a heartbeat—in fact, my son has been asking when we can go back!

[irp posts=”6919″ name=”Family Weekend Getaway to Winthrop, WA: A Wild West Town”]

Miner’s Landing

Miner’s Landing is located on the historic Pier 57 in Seattle. It’s called Miner’s Landing because it was originally part of the Klondike Gold Rush.

This was the site of the first gold to be carried back to Seattle, and it inspired many more to strike out to make their riches.

Now, Pier 57 is home to many of Seattle’s top attractions and waterfront dining. We love browsing Pirates Plunder.

While it has your typical Seattle souvenirs, it also has a massive selection of pirate-themed shirts, costumes, party supplies, toys, etc. It also has mermaid-themed stuff, and it’s just fun to walk around.

The Seattle Waterfront Carousel

My 4-year-old hasn’t met a carousel he didn’t like. When he saw a Seattle waterfront carousel inside Miner’s Landing, he insisted we check it out.

So the whole family climbed aboard! What makes this carousel extra fun is that it’s housed inside near some vintage carnival games. And the whole experience has a retro vibe!

The ride lasted about 2.5 minutes, I think. Only a few of us were riding that evening, and I’m pretty sure we got a few extra spins.

If you can, take a few moments to look around Miners Landing. I get a kick out of seeing all the wooden carved statues. Some feature celebrities or local icons.

But the coolest thing we saw was this giant gumball machine! We couldn’t even guess how many gumballs were inside!

Our kids aren’t used to carnival games, so even just looking at some was a treat. My 4-year-old seemed a little short for this shooting game, but he’s headed for a growth spurt.

Next time, we’ll bring some quarters and have some friendly competition!

The BEST Seattle Waterfront Treat

So, we ended up doing ice cream for dinner after our day at Pier 57 in Seattle.

My kids eat a lot of ice cream when we travel and we figured we would pretend like we were on vacation.

I mean, experiencing The Great Wheel and Wings Over Washington really felt like a vacation in Seattle.

There are a few ice cream stalls located right in Miners Landing at Pier 57, which is really convenient.

They also sell cotton candy, kettle corn, caramel corn, and other tasty treats.

Thanks to Pier 57 for providing tickets for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Seattle Waterfront Restaurants That Are Kid-Friendly

You can’t really go to the Seattle waterfront and not stop at one of their restaurants. I mean, this is where you can get some of the best seafood in Seattle!

THE FISHERMAN’S RESTAURANT & BAR

This is usually where I take the boys to eat after a day on the Seattle waterfront with kids. They have a grab-and-go option with fish and chips, which is usually a hit.

I usually order a crab louie salad to-go (it is SO good).

THE CRAB POT

This is a family favorite! If you’ve never done a seafood boil with your kids, try The Crab Pot. You can order seafood, potatoes, corn, etc., and they will dump them on your table. Kids love wearing the bibs and getting messy.

And don’t worry if your kids don’t eat seafood; they have a full kids’ menu available.

ELLIOTT’S

My husband and I had our second date here, so I always consider it a “romantic” spot. However, they do have a full kids’ menu.

We like to eat outside with the kids, so we don’t feel as bad when they are noisy. Plus, they like to watch the Argosy boats go in and out.

Extend Your Day With Additional Seattle Waterfront Activities

SEATTLE AQUARIUM

If your family likes aquariums, the Seattle Aquarium offers many programs throughout the year. It’s one of Seattle’s top attractions.

By 2023, the Seattle Aquarium will have completed its $100 million expansion.

WATER TAXI

If you want to go on a mini adventure, take the Seattle Water Taxi to West Seattle. Kids will love the little boat.

Plus, it drops you right at Marination Ma Kai, a top Hawaiian restaurant that serves shaved ice in the summer!

ARGOSY CRUISES

There’s really no better way to see Seattle than from a boat. Especially in the summer! We’ve done a few Argosy Cruises around Elliott Bay.

In fact, we rented out one of their boats for our wedding rehearsal dinner.

Their food is top-notch, and the views are incredible. They even have a cruise that goes to Tillicum Village for a whole Native American experience, which is pretty cool.

[irp posts=”7363″ name=”Take a Seattle Argosy Cruise to Kid-Friendly Tillicum Village”]

Hotels Near Seattle Waterfront

If you are planning a Seattle waterfront staycation or a family trip to Seattle, consider staying at a hotel near the Seattle Waterfront.

Pike Place Market and the Seattle Waterfront are two top areas to explore in Seattle with kids.

THE EDGEWATER, A NOBLE HOUSE HOTEL

The luxury Edgewater Hotel, with a stunning water view, has a perfect location right on Pier 67 in Milwaukee Pier. It’s the only actual Seattle waterfront hotel.

In fact, the Beatles fished from the window of one of the rooms back in the day.

INN AT THE MARKET

If you are looking for a Seattle waterfront hotel, the Inn at the Market is in the ideal location.

Recently renovated, the Inn at the Market is the only downtown Seattle hotel located directly in the famous Pike Place Market, just steps from the Seattle waterfront.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL SEATTLE

This is definitely a spendy option, but the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle is located so close to the waterfront.

Parents will love the childproofing materials, high chairs, cribs, baby toiletries, and on-site babysitting. Kids will love the child-size bathrobes and welcome treats.

HOTEL ANDRA

A bit further away, Hotel Andra is just blocks from Pike Place Market. This hotel features the Tom Douglas restaurant Lola and offers on-site cooking classes.

Seattle Family Photographer

Zoe Burchard took these amazing photos of our family exploring Pier 57 in Seattle. Now, you can’t tell, but my 18-month-old was in a “mood” and wasn’t super cooperative. Zoe was able to charm him off and get so many sweet faces!

The whole family felt so relaxed around Zoe, and she really captured our family dynamic to a tee. You can also check out her work on Instagram and Facebook.

Pier 57 in Seattle Wrap-Up

Pier 57 in Seattle truly encapsulates the essence of family fun in the city.

From the awe-inspiring views on The Seattle Great Wheel to the thrilling adventure of Wings Over Washington, every moment spent here is filled with excitement and discovery.

The nostalgic charm of Miner’s Landing, with its waterfront park carousel and vibrant gift shops, adds a special touch that both kids and adults will cherish.

Pier 57 offers something for everyone — an experience combining Seattle’s rich history with modern-day attractions.

So, whether you’re a local or visiting with your family, make sure to add Pier 57 to your Seattle itinerary for a day of unforgettable memories.

Things to do in Seattle with Kids

6 Tips for Enjoying the Pacific Science Center with Toddlers
Local Mom’s Guide to Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo
6 Reasons Your Kid Should Ride Seattle’s Monorail
Waterways Cruises Review
Seattle Aquarium Toddler Play Date

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