One of the most scenic road trips in the world, the Oregon Coast is a must see. This road trip is easily accessible from Portland and Seattle and is easy to do no matter who is in your group. The roads are well-paved, even if a bit windy, and the must-see stops are frequent. This road trip can be customized to fit the interests of your family - from focusing on nature and gorgeous photo spots to wildlife spotting to eating your way down the coast. Just a short extension and across the border into California, the Redwoods National Park and its moody forests are the perfect addition to the moody Oregon Coast. This guide will help you with planning your own trip along the coast.
Seattle is rich with day and weekend trips within a short driving distance. None I would rank more highly than the San Juan Islands. These magical, gorgeous and historic islands are just an 1.5 hour drive and a 1 hour ferry ride away from downtown Seattle. The San Juan Island archipelago is made up of 172 named islands, but only four are accessible by the Washington Ferry system
This list contains every possible thing you might need to make your trip to Oahu smooth and relaxing. I have included items from baby age on up, so if something doesn’t apply to you - ignore it. I’ve included items if you plan to spend all day on the beach or if you have reservations to hike up Diamond Head. Items that work great if you are staying at an apartment, but might be unnecessary if you are staying at a luxury resort. So take this list as a starting point and cross things off as you go to make your perfect packing list for your family on your trip to Oahu.
Over 40 spots around the greater Seattle area to enjoy the spring blooms and warmer weather. This article details all the popular spots to see the beauty that is spring around Seattle with kids. From flower fields, to beaches, festivals, and hikes. Great for locals and tourists visiting between the months of March and May.
Thomas Dambo’s giant trolls that have been scattered throughout the Pacific Northwest feel so at home here that is a surprise that have only been here since 2023. This guide will go through how to find the trolls, great places to visit near each of the trolls to extend your outing, and tips on visiting with kids.
Oahu was easily ranked my kids top places they visited in 2025. Despite not remembering many trips beyond that, it probably would still be their favorite trip they’ve ever taken. Just as importantly, it was also very enjoyable trip for us parents as well. Warm soft sand, calm beaches, spotting giant sea turtles, unique cultural adventures, and short but rewarding hikes. Oahu is an island packed with things to do with short easy drives between them. Below you will find our 7 day itinerary, activities we didn’t get to, and advice on where to stay on the island.
But no matter where you are coming from, San Diego in February is a great idea. It is pupping season for the seals in La Jolla, the main attractions like the San Diego Zoo and Legoland have lower crowds, and the weather is mild. Despite being one of the “wettest months”, we only experienced rain for an hour or two during our entire week long trip. This article goes over our 5 day itinerary, detailed information on great places to visit in San Diego with kids, where to stay and additional spots if you have more time.
Whidbey Island is one of our favorite day trips from Seattle for both locals of the Pacific Northwest and visitors. This picturesque island has it all - cute towns, hiking trails, nature to explore, public art displays, great food and spots to view wildlife. You can access the island both on the ferry or by going across the famous Deception Pass bridge.
There are a few must do things when visiting Seattle and getting out on the water is one of the top. My favorite way to explore the Puget sound is on one of the Washington State Ferries. They are a relatively affordable way to get great views of the city and mountains from the water, potentially see marine mammals that call this area home, and get transported to an island. There are dozens of island within the Puget Sound and at least 7 are accessible to the public thanks to ferries
The first two days of our Oregon Coast road trip took us from our home in Seattle to Newport, OR. We explored the cute towns, tide pools and gorgeous beaches of Oregon’s north coast and made it to the central coast. Below details each stop we took along the way, the best places to stay and additional stops to add to your itinerary. We did this road trip with our two kids, aged 3 & 4, but it can be modified for any group.