Arrive by Monorail
Seattle Center sits roughly a 20-minute walk from the heart of downtown, but the faster and more memorable way in is the monorail. Hop aboard at Westlake Center and you will arrive in about two minutes.
Grab a window seat for a good look at downtown as you glide above the streets. During the holidays, watch for the decorations and the tall fir tree in Westlake Park as you pull away.
A Ride With a Story
Built for the 1962 fair, the monorail was the first full-scale commercial monorail system in the country, and it carried more than 8 million riders in its first six months. These days it moves about 2 million passengers a year.
Its two trains, the Red and the Blue, have each logged more than a million miles over six decades of service. Film fans may recognize the Red Train from the 1963 musical It Happened at the World's Fair, where Elvis Presley performs on board.
Fares for Kids
A state program lets riders under 18 use transit for free, but on the monorail, children ages 6 to 18 need a Youth ORCA card to get that free fare. Bring one along, or pick up a youth ticket on site. Fares can change, so check the official monorail website before you go.
Explore the Museums and Attractions
MoPOP
You cannot miss the Museum of Pop Culture, wrapped in a swooping metal exterior designed by architect Frank Gehry. Head inside for permanent and rotating exhibits on science fiction and horror films, along with the story of Seattle music. That story runs from Jimi Hendrix to Nirvana, making this a strong stop for music lovers.
The Glass Garden and Glasshouse
Some of the most striking spaces on campus belong to a glass art collection that flows indoors and out. Look up at the Persian Ceiling for a burst of color and fluid shapes, then step into the Glasshouse, modeled on a Victorian conservatory, where a suspended sculpture stretches about 100 feet and twists through the air.
Wander outside and you will see glass forms rising among the garden's plants as if they had grown there. The artist drew on Native American basketry, the waters of the Northwest and his mother's gardens, and you can spot those influences throughout.
Seattle Children's Museum
Tucked below the food hall in the historic Armory, this museum is made for children up to their pre-teen years, with exhibits meant to be touched and played with. Kids can hear traditional stories and see Indigenous art in Tribal Tales, climb into the grinning mouth of a giant whale in Orca Cove, or join a show at the Bijou Theatre, either on stage or behind the scenes.
The Science Museum
Spend an afternoon at the nonprofit science museum on the grounds, where more than 200 interactive exhibits engage kids and adults alike. The Tropical Butterfly House is a perennial favorite. You can also catch IMAX films, laser shows set to rock music and planetarium programs.
Gates Foundation Discovery Center
Next to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation campus, this visitor center explores global public health challenges and efforts to reduce inequality in health, education and income. Questions placed around the exhibits invite you to imagine what you would do with a foundation, or which of your own skills could help change the world. It is a good fit for older kids and adults who enjoy ideas-driven exhibits.
Catch a Show
Seattle Center is one of the main hubs for the city's performing arts. If you are holding tickets to the opera, ballet or theater, there is a good chance your venue is right here.
- McCaw Hall dates to 1927 and was renovated and expanded in 2003. It is home to Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet, which performs more than 100 times a year.
- Cornish Playhouse occupies a mid-century modern building and presents dance, music and visual arts with community partners.
- Seattle Rep is the largest nonprofit theater in the Pacific Northwest, staging mostly contemporary plays with some classics.
- Book-It Repertory builds its productions entirely from works of literature.
Check each company's official website for current season schedules and tickets.
Celebrate the Holidays
Winter adds a few more reasons to come. Dates and hours shift each year, so confirm the details on official event pages before you plan around them.
Winterfest in the Armory
Step off the monorail and walk straight into the Armory, where Winterfest has been a family tradition for more than 40 years. At its heart is a model train and winter village, and kids can even drive the train as guest operators, guided by community volunteers.
Families can follow a scavenger hunt around the village in search of answers, then turn in completed sheets at the customer service desk near the stage. On weekends, live performances fill that stage, so check the schedule.
Winter Market at the Children's Museum
Head downstairs to find the Children's Museum's seasonal Winter Market, full of indoor snow-themed play. Kids can dress up a felt snowperson, roast a pretend s'more over a realistic fire and glide across a sock skating rink.
Seattle Christmas Market
Out on the South Fountain Lawn, a German-style Christmas market fills the grounds with artisan stalls, carolers and a carousel. Look closely at the carousel, which features more than ponies, with an ostrich, a billy goat, a rooster and a teal dragon in the mix.
Adults can sip Glühwein, while kinderpunsch offers an alcohol-free option, and food ranges from roasted nuts and pretzels to heartier meals. Find the mistletoe along Lover's Lane and walk through the giant tree strung with lights. Entry has used timed tickets, so book ahead.
