13 Gorgeous Gardens to Explore Now

by Allison SutcliffeAugust 26, 2021

There’s no denying Seattle is chock-full of green spaces and gorgeous views. But if you’re looking for a peaceful spot where you can picnic or let the kids roam, it doesn’t get better than our city’s botanical gardens. While you won’t find play equipment or splash pads here, you will find vibrant flowers, secret waterfalls and plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. If quiet time is what you’re craving before school starts, read on for the best places find it.

Seattle Japanese Garden

Located within the Washington Park Arboretum, this garden is a must-see no matter what the season. In summer, the colors are vibrant and surround visitors under blue skies. Kids will love the bridges to cross over, koi fish to spot and turtles to admire. It’s basically a wonderland of adventure for little explorers. In order to preserve the beauty of the park, picnics and pets are not allowed. You'll need timed tickets to visit Friday through Sunday and they must be purchased 24 hours in advance. Walk-in visits are welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis Tuesdays through Thursdays in the summer.

1075 Lake Washington Blvd. E.
Seattle, WA 98112
206-684-4725
Online: seattlejapanesegarden.org

Admission: $8/Adults (18-64); $4/Youth (6-17), Seniors (65+); Free for kids 5 & under
Hours: Times vary depending on the season, check their website for the specifics.

Center for Urban Horticulture

Home of the Miller Library (who else misses storytime there?), the Center for Urban Horticulture is a city refuge that's worth a visit if you've never been (or even if you have). It's part of the University of Washignton Botanic Gardens and also includes the Union Bay Natural Area along Lake Washington. Bring the kids to explore the 16-acre garden that includes Goodfellow Grove and the Fragrance Garden, that invites you to use your sense of smell as well as sight. Although the buildings are currently closed, families will still find plenty to do here.

3501 N.E. 41st St.
Seattle, WA 98105
Online: botanicgardens.uw.edu/center-for-urban-horticulture

Admission: Free
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk

Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden

Located adjacent to the popular Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, this garden may be small in size, but it’s big on ambiance and green space. You’ll find English-style gardens and historical architecture. After exploring the garden, keep the fun going by checking out the nearby fish ladder and boats. We’re sure your little sidekick won’t mind at all!

3015 N.W. 54th St.
Seattle, WA 98107
206-783-7059
Online: ballardlocks.org/carl-s-english-garden

Admission: Free
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

Kubota Garden

This beauty located in South Seattle covers 20 acres and combines Japanese gardens with plants local to the Northwest. It is an impressive mix of hills, valleys, streams, ponds, bridges and plants. Kids will love seeing what's around the next corner and finding the hidden waterfall then hiking to the top (it's the perfect distance for little legs) where they can take in the view. There are no drinking fountains here, so be sure to pack drinks to keep the wee ones hydrated. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash.

9817 55th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98118
Online: kubotagarden.org

Admission: Free
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset

Seattle Chinese Garden

Located on the campus of South Seattle Community College high atop a hill in West Seattle, this little-known botanic garden is a true hidden gem. After you enter through the ornate entrance, you'll feel like you've been transported to another world among the blossoming plants, stones and water features that showcase traditional Chinese garden elements. Whether you tour the grounds or just find a quiet place to sit and relax, you'll be glad you made the trip.

5640 16th Ave. S.W.
Seattle, WA 98196
Online: seattlechinesegarden.org

Admission: Free
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk

Woodland Park Rose Garden

You're probably familiar with Woodland Park Zoo, but do you know about the secret garden (a.k.a. Woodland Park Rose Garden) located nearby? It is full of rose bushes, hidden pathways, butterflies and birds. For inquisitive kiddos, be sure to check out the sensory garden where it’s possible to smell and touch different plants and flowers. And be sure to find the center pond and count how many water lilies you can spot.

Good to know: The ideal time to visit for the best blossoms is May-August.

750 N. 50th St.
Seattle, WA 98103
206-684-4075
Online: seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/woodland-park-rose-garden

Admission: Free
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Volunteer Park Conservatory

First built in 1912, this over 100-year-old garden complete with a glass-paned greenhouse is an awesome way to spend a day, rain or shine. You’ll see many varieties of plants including cacti, ferns and other carnivorous plants. Each plant has a brief summary beneath it, so it’s not only a cool place to hang, but also educational. Fun and learning is a win-win in our book!

Good to know: Volunteer Park Conservatory is still closed to the public, but has plans to reopen September 1, 2021.

1400 E. Galer St.
Seattle, WA 98112
Online: volunteerparkconservatory.org

Admission: $4/Adults; $2/Youth (13-17); 12 & under Free. Admission is always free the first Thurs. & Sat. of the month

Parsons Gardens

Few people know about this quaint garden located on Queen Anne, but it’s one definitely worth checking out when the need to become one with nature strikes. It may be small, but it is big on green foliage and beautiful flowers. Plus, you can’t beat the view of the city from the popular Kerry Park located right across the street.

650 W. Highland Dr.
Seattle, WA 98119
206-684-4075
Online: seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/parsons-gardens

Admission: Free
Hours: Daily, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.

Bellevue Botanical Garden

A beautiful 53-acre garden located in the heart of Bellevue that has a suspension bridge? Sounds amazing, right? We couldn’t agree more, which is why we highly suggest checking out this garden full of dahlias, rhododendrons, ferns, roses and so much more. Take the Tateuchi Loop Trail and be sure to look for the troll house. Psst...for a completely different experience, check out Garden d’Lights, the garden's stunning light show that runs from the end of November until the first of January.

12001 Main St.
Bellevue, WA 98005
425-452-2750
Online: bellevuebotanical.org

Admission: Free
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk

Point Defiance Rose Garden

If roses are one of your faves, be sure to check out this piece of heaven in Tacoma that's just down the hill from the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. It boasts over an acre of rose bushes, the oldest dating back to 1895. In addition to roses, you’ll also find a wishing well and picturesque gazebos, and a six-story slide that's just across the way. Grab your cameras and plan on staying awhile!

5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, WA 98407
Online: metroparkstacoma.org/point-defiance-rose-garden

Admission: Free
Hours: Daily, sunrise to sunset

Krukeberg Botanic Garden

This Shoreline garden, set in a wooded area over 4 acres, will make you feel as though you are in the mountains rather than the city. With over 2,000 species to see and learn about, you’ll most likely need to visit again and again to cover everything. Pack your hiking shoes and get ready to learn about native Northwest plants and exotic plant species not common to our area. Psst...check their website to learn about fun events suitable for the whole family.

20312 15th Ave. N.W.
Shoreline, WA 98177
206-546-1281
Online: kruckeberg.org

Admission: Free
Hours: Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Mar. through Oct.); Fri.-Sun., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (Nov. through Feb.)

Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden

This hidden gem located one mile north of the SeaTac Airport might not get a lot of attention, but it is one of the top botanical gardens around. A few of the highlights are Elda Behm’s Paradise Garden and the Seike Japanese Garden. Psst... dogs are allowed here, so bring that pandemic pooch along (remember your leash, please).

13735 24th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98168
Online: highlinegarden.org

Admission: Free
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk

Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

This Federal Way attraction is one of the largest rhododendron gardens in the world that showcases over 700 of the 1,000 species. In addition to rhodies, you’ll find azaleas, a bonsai garden, an iris field, a fern garden, a conservatory and blue poppies. Bring a pair of good walking shoes and get ready to do some good ol' plant learning.

Good to Know: Peak bloom time for the rhododendrons is mid-March through mid-May.

2525 S. 336th St.
Federal Way, WA 98003
Online: rhodygarden.org/cms

Admission: $8/Adults; $5/Seniors and Students with an I.D.; Free for kids 12 & under and military personnel
Hours: Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Closed Mon.

—Allison Sutcliffe, Kristina Moy, Jeffrey Totey & Allison Rasmussen

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Featured Creatures: 7 Incredible Animal Encounters

by Allison SutcliffeFebruary 23, 2021

Calling all critter-loving kiddos! If animal meet-and-greets are what you’re after, these just-for-families experiences should do the trick. Kids will learn lots as they watch crocodiles eat dinner, train landmine sensing rats and frolic with otters in the great outdoors. Here’s where to take your wild bunch.

Friday Night Feedings

If your kids have ever wondered how a snake eats without any hands, they’ll get their questions answered on this educational experience. It’s feeding time at the Reptile Zoo, and families are invited to book a front row seat to see slithering snakes, leaping lizards and cool crocodiles eat their dinner. Along with watching these reptiles chow down on dead rats, mice and fish, you’ll learn about the animals and have a chance to ask questions too. Plan on spending 90 minutes making the rounds. Call 425-971-0435 to reserve your spot.

Dates & Times: Fri., 6:30-8 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $25/person

Reptile Zoo
22715 U.S. 2
Monroe, WA
360-805-5300
Online: thereptilezoo.org

Heroes of Unusual Size

You know about R.O.U.S.es. Now meet the HeroRATs (a.k.a African giant pouched rats) of Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium at this hands-on experience that tests your training skills. These rats are known for their detective skills—they’re used to find buried landmines and sniff out tuberculosis. Now, you’ll have a chance to help them hone their skills as you walk them through a training exercise during a private 30-minute session. You hide. They seek. And hopefully earn a reward.

Good to know: Not super keen on rats? Try booking a private goat grooming session instead.

Dates & Times: Sun., 1-3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $150/household; $100/member household

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, WA
253-404-3800
Online: pdza.org

Wild Meet and Greet

Meet an amazing animal ambassador from Woodland Park Zoo when you and the kids book this private animal experience for up to five people. Your group will have 20 minutes to get to know hawks, owls or pot bellied pigs at the Wildlife Theater. Or choose to spend time with an armadillo, kookaburra or porcupine (to name a few) at the Broadleaf Theater. (Reptile visits are an option too, but it’s got to be at least 65 degrees.) Which animal is on your can’t-wait-to-meet list?

Date & Time: Daily, except Weds., 1-3 p.m.
Ages: All
Cost: $300

Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave. N.
Seattle, WA
206-548-2500
Online: zoo.org/meetandgreet

Otter Encounter

Ready for an otter-ly adorable meet and greet? Spend one-on-one-time with the playful otters at Debbie Dolittle’s petting zoo. It’s a year’s worth of cuteness packed into 30 minutes. Kids will have the chance to watch and play with the otters before moving on to the rest of the outdoor petting zoo, where they’ll find capybaras, kangaroos, sheep and other friendly animals. We suggest adding the $5 feeding cup when you book so you definitely get to interact with the animals when you visit.

Good to know: This experience runs through February 28, so grab your spot before it’s too late.

Dates & Times: Thurs.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ages: 5 & up
Cost: from $100

Debbie Dolittle Indoor Petting Zoo
120 138th St. S.
Tacoma, WA
253-539-5011
Online: indoorpettingzoo.com

Eye-to-Eye Shark Dive

You won’t need a bigger boat for this jaw-dropping experience. But you will need nerves of steel to cage dive with sand tiger sharks, black tip reef sharks and other creatures from the deep during this unbelievable underwater adventure. It’s a chance to see some of the ocean’s most elusive creatures up close. When you’re done, you’ll learn about sharks, the dangers they face and how to support their survival in the wild. Everything you need—from a dry suit all the way through to the keepsake video—is provided as part of the experience.

Ages: 8 & up
Cost: $255/non-member household (up to 4 people); $210/member household

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, WA
253-404-3800
Online: pdza.org

Sanctuary Visit

If your kiddos have a soft spot for rescue animals, barnyard dance your way to Second Chance Ranch. Here, kids can pet and snuggle with friendly goats and adorable bunnies, or wander over to meet Amelia, the darling blind calf in her bright red barn. With four acres to roam and dozens of animals to interact with (meet the menagerie here), you and the kids will have lots to do during your two-hour visit. Don’t forget to bring cut carrots, sliced apples and lettuce snacks for your new farm friends!

Good to know: The Sammamish Animal Sanctuary is completely volunteer driven, and 100% of its donations are used to care for and feed the animals.

Dates & Times: Weds. & Tues., Fri.-Sun., times vary
Ages: All
Cost: Free, donations appreciated

Sammamish Animal Sanctuary
20727 S.E. 24th St.
Sammamish, WA
Online: sammamishanimalsanctuary.com

Keeper Tour

Ready to take a Jeep safari journey Pacific Northwest style? Book a personal Keeper Tour with Northwest Trek. It’s a chance for families to drive the rarely used paths and go off-road around the 435-acre nature preserve in search of bison, moose, elk and other woodland dwellers. Along the way, your guide will dish out fun facts and figures about the animals you encounter, delivered directly to you through the wireless speaker in the back of the Jeep. It’s the 90-minute joy ride you’ve been looking for!

Good to know: Northwest Trek still offers their Wild Drive tours through the park.

Dates & Times: Fri.-Sun., 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Ages: 5 & up
Cost: $400/household (up to 5 people)

Northwest Trek
11610 Trek Dr. E.
Eatonville, WA
360-832-6117
Online: nwtrek.org

—Allison Sutcliffe

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Splash, Ride & Play: 10 Can’t-Miss Things to Do at Point Ruston

by Allison SutcliffeAugust 17, 2020

Editor’s note: Please remember to recreate responsibly by wearing masks, socially distancing and following group size guidelines as recommended by local and state authorities. Stay healthy, have fun!

Hot summer days call for seaside activities. Families will find plenty at Point Ruston, especially if you’re looking for a waterfront walk that boasts gorgeous views and offers plenty of space to picnic and play, alongside paved paths that were made for strollers and bikes and family eateries. It’s Tacoma’s coolest waterfront, resort-inspired village that is now also home to a brand-new 40-acre park. Scroll down to learn more!

1. Marvel at the View

There’s no denying Point Ruston has one of the best views in town, spanning Commencement Bay from the Olympics to Mt. Rainier, peeking up over downtown Tacoma. You can take it all in, unobstructed, along the Point Ruston walkway, a paved path that runs for miles in either direction without interruption. It’s the perfect spot to bike, jog, walk, scoot, blade or board. Pack your wheels or walking shoes or rent a sweet ride from Wheel Fun, located by the waterfront, and take in the view!

2. Get Connected

You'll definitely want to check out the recently-opened Dune Peninsula and the Wilson Way Bridge. This new 40-acre park connects Point Ruston to Point Defiance Park, so you can now ride, walk, jog or roll for miles between the two points. Beyond taking in the views from the bridge, you can also picnic here, play on the beach and ride the slides. That’s right! There are six consecutive slides that take riders from the bridge down to the parking lot in no time flat. Ride them again and again to keep the little ones entertained on your outing.

3. Cool Off at the Splash Pad

Editor's note: The Children's Spray Park on the Grand Plaza is closed due to Covid restrictions.

There’s no better way to cool down on a hot summer day than splashing in the water feature at Point Ruston. Designed to mimic salmon swimming upstream, this mechanized fountain features leaping water that begs kids to chase it as it moves from point A to point Z. Add in plenty of seating for parents and a breathtaking view, and you’ve got a relaxing spot to soak up the sun while the kiddos get soaked. Psst! Stay 'til it’s dark to check out the water feature with laser lights. It’s an otherworldly experience your kids will love!

4. Play on the Playground

It makes sense that the Point Ruston play structure is shaped like a ferry, since visitors can watch the Washington state ferries make frequent crossing from Point Defiance to Vashon Island from this vantage point. There’s plenty of places to climb, slide and swing for kids ages two and up. Plan to take a break here during your day.

5. Enjoy a Summer Concert

Editor's note: The Summer Concert Series is canceled for 2020.

Starting in July, you can add live music to your Point Ruston experience. On Saturdays from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., free all-ages shows take place right on the water. The steps down to the mural double as amphitheater seating, but if you want to be extra comfy, bring a stadium chair to use. Then, plan on a full lineup of rock, hip-hop, blues and country this summer.

6. Shop the Farmers Market

Get all things fresh at the Point Ruston Farmers Market on Sundays from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Peruse the vendor tents to find the best in fresh, local goods served up from now through September. See the full events calendar here.

7. Cast a Line

Pack your fishing license and your pole, so you can try to catch tonight’s dinner to top off your day at Point Ruston. Les Davis Pier is just a short walk down from the Grand Plaza, and you’ll find plenty of spots to drop a line along the pier. Psst! With an artificial reef down below, your chances of making a catch are pretty good.

8. Grab a Bite to Eat

Because you know at some point someone in your crew will get hungry, you can find plenty to eat at Point Ruston. We’re fans of Farrelli’s Pizza, and not just because of the view. It’s a spot where kids can not only DIY their own pizza at the table, but pass time in the small arcade in the back of the restaurant. WildFin is another seaside option with upscale fare that works best with older kiddos. If casual and outdoor is more your vibe, check out What a Catch Fish Bar for newspaper-wrapped fish and chips that are easy to eat while the kids play in the splash pad. And you can't go wrong at Kobrew which offers a fantastic Korean dining adventure or sushi from Mio Sushi. Since Point Ruston offers a little something for everyone, you can stay and play all day!

9. Indulge in a Sweet Treat

Cool off on a hot day with Ice Cream Social, Tacoma’s locally sourced, small batch ice cream haven. They’ve got flavors that will keep you guessing, and vegan and dairy free options that will fool even the most trained taste buds. Fair warning: on a hot summer day, expect a line out the door no matter what the hour!

10. Catch a Flick

Editor's note: The Century Point Ruston and XD Theater is currently closed due to Covid safety measures.

It’s always good to have an indoor option on a hot summer day because rain happens, and so does air conditioning. At Point Ruston, you’re in luck. The Century Point Ruston and XD Theater plays all the hits, and it’s right around the corner from the waterfront. Your kids will love the luxe reclining seats and you can enjoy a glass or wine or beer while you’re there. A great way to beat the heat!

Good to Know: Parking at Point Ruston is essentially free; as long as you eat, shop or otherwise make a purchase, merchants will validate for two hours. If you take in a movie too, the Cinema will validate for up to five hours. Simply enter your license plate number at a Point Ruston business and you’re set. Get all the parking details here.

—Allison Sutcliffe

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Teen Activist Greta Thunberg Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

by Jennifer SwartvagherFebruary 4, 2020

Countless kids and young adults are trying to change the world. Swedish teen activist, Greta Thunberg, the founder of the Fridays for Future movement, has already inspired many to stand up for their beliefs. Now, the 17-year-old has been nominated for the Nobel peace prize for the second year in a row.

According to the Associated Press, Thunberg was nominated by two Sweedish lawmakers, Jens Holms and Hakan Svenneling, who are both members of Sweden’s Left Party. They said that Thunberg, “has worked hard to make politicians open their eyes to the climate crisis” and “action for reducing our emissions and complying with the Paris Agreement is therefore also an act of making peace.”

In 2018, at age 15, Thunberg sat in front of the Swedish parliament every school day for three weeks to protest the lack of action on the climate crisis. After posting her crusade on Instagram and Twitter she went viral, inspiring fellow students throughout the world to join protests demanding action on climate change.

View this post on Instagram

Just over a year ago, a quiet and mostly friendless teenager woke up, put on her blue hoodie, and sat by herself for hours in an act of singular defiance. Fourteen months later, she had become the voice of millions, a symbol of a rising global rebellion. The politics of climate action are as entrenched and complex as the phenomenon itself, and @gretathunberg has no magic solution. But she has succeeded in creating a global attitudinal shift, transforming millions of vague, middle-of-the-night anxieties into a worldwide movement calling for urgent change. @gretathunberg is TIME’s 2019 Person of the Year. Read the cover story by @charlottealter, @suyinsays and @justinworland—and watch the full video—at the link in bio. #TIMEPOY Video by @robson.alexandra, @juliamarielull, @arpane and @maxim_arbugaev for TIME

A post shared by TIME (@time) on Dec 11, 2019 at 5:28am PST

Thunberg was favored to win the award last year, but the prize ultimately went to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. If she wins this year, she will join Malala Yousafzai as one of the youngest people to receive a Nobel Peace Prize.

In 2019, Thunberg was named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year,” and was one of four people named as the winners of a Right Livelihood Award, aka the “Alternative Nobel.”

View this post on Instagram

This was the year the climate crisis went from behind the curtain to center stage, from ambient political noise to squarely on the world's agenda, and no one did more to make that happen than @gretathunberg. Meaningful change rarely happens without the galvanizing force of influential individuals, writes editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal, and in 2019, the earth's existential crisis found one in Thunberg. For that reason, she is TIME's 2019 Person of the Year. Read more about the #TIMEPOY choice at the link in bio. Photograph by @evgenia_arbugaeva for TIME; Video by @maxim_arbugaev for TIME

A post shared by TIME (@time) on Dec 11, 2019 at 4:45am PST

The Norwegian Nobel Committee will announce the winner of this year’s 2020 Nobel Peace Prize later in the year.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Greta Thunberg via Instagram

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Gotcha! Best Places to Play Pokémon GO in Seattle

by Natalia DottoJuly 26, 2016

By now you’ve seen them. Kids, teenagers and yes, the ahem, grown-ups, all walking around, staring at their phones and frantically swiping up. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock or a Poké Ball for the last couple of weeks, you likely know that they are playing the megahit game, Pokémon GO. If your family has jumped on this latest gaming phenomenon, we’ve searched the city for the best places to capture Pokémon and the safest PokéStops to explore.

photo: Natalia Dotto Photography

Pokémon Go or Pokémon No?
Pokémon GO is built on Niantic’s Real World Gaming Platform and uses real locations to encourage players to search far and wide in the real world to discover Pokémon. Played on a mobile device, the game allows players to find and catch more than a hundred different species of Pokémon, battle and train the virtual creatures, gain levels and eventually join teams and unlock achievement medals. If you are wondering whether you should allow your kids to Pokémon Go or Pokémon No, we can tell you that Seattle is chock-full of Poké-places to explore that will keep your pint-sized players safe while still satisfied at catching them all. The added benefit? Pokémon Go will have you and the fam playing tourist in your own city and discovering local landmarks you might not have known existed. And while your digital dynamos are looking for Zubats, Psyducks and perhaps a Pickachu to add to their Pokédex, they will be getting fresh air and exercise.

photo: Natalia Dotto Photography

Explore Your Neighborhood
Get Up, Get Out and Explore is one of the tag lines the game uses. By simply looking on the GPS-enabled map, you can find PokéStops and gyms at locations and landmarks throughout your neighborhood. Some of these PokéStops are well-known, others a little more random. We found them at a little free library, a local butcher’s shop and even a garden planter shaped like a boot. And the moms and dads we talked with said they are enjoying wandering their neighborhoods, discovering new ‘hoods and exploring new points of interests around town.

photo: Natalia Dotto Photography

Major Landmarks and Locations
Seattle Center
If you are new to the game, the Seattle Center has a plethora of PokéStops to get you going. We stopped counting at 12 just in and around the International Fountain. Of course, the Space Needle is a Gym. Because who doesn’t want to battle their Pokémon at a 605-foot tall icon of Seattle?

Why moms and dads like it: Little Pokémon fanatics can fling their Poké Balls to their hearts’ content and parents don’t have to worry about traffic or navigating busy streets.

305 Harrison St.
Seattle, Wa 98109
Online: seattlecenter.com

Cal Anderson Park
Rumor has it that someone caught a Dragonite at Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill. If you and the fam are headed to Cal Anderson Park, know that catching them all at this location is popular among the big kids as well.

Why moms and dads like it: Little Pokémon trainers don’t have to travel far to find multiple PokéStops. The park entrance happens to be near three PokéStop landmarks and the Cal Anderson fountain is said to be a great place for water Pokémon.

1635 11th Ave.
Seattle, Wa 98122
Online: seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=3102

photo: Kristina Moy

Green Lake
Take your little trainers to Green Lake to catch a Hitmonlee. What’s that you say, you have no idea what that means? Never fear, your little Pokémon player can catch you up on the game. The popular park has become a popular place for Pokémon GO. Just remember to stay on the correct side of the pathway and out of the way of bicycles, bladers and boarders.

Why moms and dads like it: Kids can walk around the lake safely and moms and dads can sneak in some exercise. The 2.8 mile walk around the lake is also far enough to hatch an egg or two. Score!

7201 E. Greenlake Dr. N.
Seattle, Wa 98104
Online: seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?id=307

Discovery Park
Word on the street is that a Nidoqueen was captured at Discovery Park! With its vast expanse of meadows, Discovery Park is ideal for letting the small frys wander, with watchful eyes of course.

Why moms and dads like it: With 534 acres to explore, Discovery Park offers plenty of places for kids to catch Pokémon characters while working off the crazies. Plus, the spectacular views, the two miles of protected tidal beaches and the tranquil setting can’t be beat.

3801 Discovery Park Blvd.
Seattle, Wa 98199
Online: seattle.gov/parks/environment/discovery.htm

photo: Woodland Park Zoo Facebook page

Woodland Park Zoo and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
If you’re headed to Woodland Park Zoo to see the sweet new baby gorilla, Yola, turns out there are some imaginary critters hanging out around the animal enclosures. Same holds true at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma. Pokémon trainers have spotted Pokémon characters around the carousel, near the baby goats and on the pathways near the South Pacific Aquarium.

Why moms and dads like it: Both locations offer paved walking trails and big grassy areas, perfect for pint-sized players to look for Pokémon characters.

Woodland Park Zoo
5500 Phinney Ave. N.
Seattle, Wa 98103
Online: zoo.org

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, Wa 98407
Online: pdza.org

Seattle Street Car
Take your little monsters on the Seattle Street Car First Hill line from Pioneer Square to Capitol Hill to catch some virtual monsters. You can sit back and enjoy the ride, while your kids swipe away at the PokéStops along the way.

Why moms and dads like it: Seeing Seattle from the Street Car can be a fun and new way to explore the city, especially when someone else is doing the driving.

photo: Natalia Dotto Photography

While the popularity of this game has many people shaking their heads, there is no doubt it is getting people, young and old, out and about. And even making a few new friends, even if their names are Psyduck and Squirtel, along the way.

As with any screen time, it’s always good to set limits. Little players don’t need to have their heads down staring at the screen constantly, the game will buzz when a Pokémon is nearby. Also, remind kids to be aware of their surroundings, stay alert near roadways and never wander away to catch that elusive Pokémon!

Are you catching Pokémon characters with your kids? Tell us where you’re playing Pokémon GO in the Comments below.

— Natalia Dotto

To The Ones that Tell Me My Children Will Grow Up Too Fast

By Angela Glenn

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

July 1, 2016

You see me get my three kids settled at the table for our rare lunch out together or you’ll see me in the checkout line at the grocery store with my three children sometimes in states of obedience or in states of defiance. But more times than not no matter where I see you or even how well or not well behaved my children are the thing I always see is the faraway look in your eyes. I see the way you look at my children as a life that passed you by way too quickly. You’ll stop me with that wistful look in your eye and no matter if it’s a moment the children are being little angels or little monsters you’ll tell me how this time will go by way too fast and to enjoy it because they’ll be grown and gone before I know it. Even though I’ve heard it more times than I count I want you to know I still appreciate the wisdom because before I know it I will be you.

Here’s what I want you to know. When I’m at my wits end with the crying and the fighting I hear your reminder that before too long all the noise will cease and silence will be in its place. So I will take a deep breath, pick up the baby and hold him until the tears are no more. I will break up the fight between two little girls and remind them they are each other’s first and longest friend.

Here’s what I want you to know. When I’m fighting with my child at the dinner table to eat one more bite I hear your reminder that before too long we’ll be sitting at that table all alone with no more childish chatter and giggles so I’ll keep the peace at the table so we can enjoy these nightly family dinners that will pass far too quickly.

Here’s what I want you to know. When I’m up again each night because the baby is crying, a little girl is climbing in our bed, or I get a kick to the head from a little girl in our bed I remember your reminder that too soon we’ll be sleeping in this bed alone and the house will echo in that silence we once longed for. There won’t be any cries for momma or daddy to hold them until they fall asleep.

Here’s what I want you to know. When I start feeling overwhelmed from running to practices, games, Girls Scouts meetings, and school event nights I’ll hear your reminder that one day I won’t have much to do with my day. I’ll trade in all those moments of wishing I had more time for myself to wishing I wasn’t by myself so much of the time.

Here’s what I want you to know. I know this time is going to go by in a blink. I already mourn the time lost and gasp at the dwindling time that is left with each passing day, each passing month, each passing year. So I do my best to stop and just chat with them a little longer about the adventures taking place in their imaginative creative worlds they create. I do my best to get outside and play like a child with them. I do my best not to rush off to tackle the next thing on my to do list and sit and cuddle them a little longer. I do my best to capture as many of the moments that melt my heart on film for them and me to remember these beautiful and funny moments of their childhood. All too soon I know the house will be quiet, our schedule won’t be so full with three kids’ activities and interests, I do my best to be present right here, right now with them because I know one day too soon my children will be grown up too and I will be you wistfully looking at the young mother in the store or the restaurant with her hands full but in the moment of her life that I’ll wish I can just go back to for another day.

Angela Glenn

Tinybeans Voices Contributor

I am a teacher, wife, and mom to two daughters and a newborn son, as well as a pet mom to a dog and a cat.

Take the Plunge: A JAWsome Experience for Shark Enthusiasts

by Helen Walker GreenOctober 28, 2014

Got a budding Jacques Cousteau or Shark Week enthusiast? Luckily, you don’t have to venture to the ocean to get up close and personal with these toothy friends. At Sharkmania, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium’s latest exhibit, landlubbers can touch real live sharks, learn about buzz saw sharks, and walk through a life-size replica of a megalodon jaw. But for the real adventurous ones in your crew, it’s the Eye-to-Eye Shark Cage Dive that’s the main attraction. Read on for the scoop on this heart-pumping thrill—no experience needed.

Helen Walker Green

A School of Sharks
Before taking the plunge, it’s time for shark school at the Dive Center. Your instructor will give you a talk on the rules of the cage dive and an introduction to the sharks you’ll meet (all 17 of them!). The rules are easy to follow, and the whole experience is carefully coordinated and safety-conscious. Psst! The instructors are brimming with shark facts and even have a way of keeping energetic 8-year-olds engaged.

Helen Walker Green

Shark Fact: Sharks have been around for 400 million years. They were here before the dinosaurs!

Getting Suited Up
After your get the important shark deets, the instructors will help you put on your dry suit, dive boots, and goggles. (Be forewarned: Letting the air out of the suits will cause much laughter). No need to worry about packing a swimsuit for this journey. The dry suit zips up over your clothes – the only things you’ll need to take off are your shoes and socks. Good to know: Your head, hands and feet will get wet during the dive.

Helen Walker Green

Shark Fact: Sharks have a sixth sense called electroreception. They can sense electricity in other living things (this comes in handy when they’re looking for their next snack).

Davy Jones’s Locker
When it’s time to head into the dive cage, your instructor will show you how to breathe through your scuba mouthpiece as well as add weights to your suit (to make sure you sink!). When everyone in your crew masters breathing like Darth Vader, it’s time to climb down the ladders and into the cage with the instructors by your side. Psst! If you don’t want your mouthpiece to fill with water, don’t smile on your way down – glug!

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Kris Sherman

Shark Fact: Sharks lose thousands of teeth in their lifetime! Bet they make a fortune from the Tooth Fairy!

Shark-Infested Waters
Plunging into the cage is an exhilarating experience for kids and grown-ups alike. Not only will you come face-to-face with these fascinating fish but you will get a shark’s-eye view of the aquarium – with friends and family looking at you through the glass. Don’t be surprised if the lemon shark playfully buzzes your cage a few times or the nurse sharks bask in a pile right by you. This is a great opportunity to try to spot the different sharks—can you see the blacktip reef shark with its signature blacktipped fin, and the unusual-looking Japanese wobbegong?

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Kris Sherman

The dive team will take video of your cage dive and will get a shot of each person waving to the camera (you can buy a copy on a shark-shaped USB drive). The cage dive lasts about 20 minutes, with the entire experience lasting an hour. Good to know: The instructors will continually check on you during the dive and can easily send you back up if you feel uncomfortable.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Dive Staff

Shark Fact: Shark babies are called pups.

Save the Sharks!
When you’re back on dry land, you will have the opportunity to find out even more about sharks and how important they are to our oceans. The dive instructors love sharks and they want you to love them too!

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Dive Staff

Good to Know
1. You don’t have to cage dive with your kids, but you are welcome to attend the pre and post dive talks with them.

2. Friends and family can watch the cage dive in the South Pacific Aquarium.

3. Although the shark tank is heated to 75 degrees, it can be chilly standing in the cage. The aquarium has fleece under-layers to loan divers – or you can bring your own.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Dive Staff

4. Everyone gets a free souvenir towel. T-shirts, baseball caps, and a video of your dive are also available for purchase at the Dive Center.

5. Certified PADI divers age 15 & up can go on a scuba dive with the sharks.

6. Allow time to enjoy all that Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has to offer – there are many wonderful animals to see, including polar bears, red wolves, Sumatran tigers, and elephants. You can also take a camel ride during the summer months and during the holiday season (that’s if you’re energetic enough to handle riding a camel and cage diving with sharks all in one day!).

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
5400 N. Pearl St.
Tacoma, Wa 98407
253-591-5337
Online: pdza.org/sharkmania
Reservations: pdza.org/dive (online reservations are required)

Rates
Members: $60
Non-members: $75
(Includes admission to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and souvenir towel)

Ages
8 and up

Cage Dive Times
Daily, 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.

Would your kids like to go cage diving with the sharks? Let us know in a comment below.

— Helen Walker Green

Seattle Japanese Garden

Center for Urban Horticulture

Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden

Kubota Garden

Seattle Chinese Garden

Woodland Park Rose Garden

Volunteer Park Conservatory

Parsons Gardens

Bellevue Botanical Garden

Point Defiance Rose Garden

Krukeberg Botanic Garden

Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden

Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

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