Seattle skyline

Seattle Adventure 2026

Nathalie, Mei-Ye, and Katy — Seattle Adventure
July 1 - 9, 2026 9 Days / 8 Nights Base: Edmonds, WA

Explore

Must-Do (Tier 1)

Do Not Miss
Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market

All Three Free entry (food $) 2-3 hours 25 min from Edmonds

Iconic market. Fish tossing, flowers, the original Starbucks, the Gum Wall. Go early (by 9am) on a weekday. Park in the Market garage ($13 before 9am).

85 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101 • Map

Glass art

Chihuly Garden and Glass

All Three Adult $35-43 | Youth $30-38 | Senior $30-38 1-1.5 hours

Stunning glass art by Dale Chihuly. Even Nathalie will be wowed. Indoor and accessible — perfect for Mei-Ye. Combo with Space Needle saves ~$15.

305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109 • Map

Airplane

Boeing Factory Tour

All Three ~$25/person 80 min tour 20 min from Edmonds

World's largest building by volume. Watch 747s, 777s, 787s being assembled. Min height 4ft. No electronics on factory floor. Entirely indoors.

8415 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, WA 98275 • Map

Mountain hiking

Mt. Rainier National Park

Katy + Nathalie $30/vehicle Full day 2.5 hrs from Edmonds

Paradise area, Skyline Trail. Stunning wildflower meadows in July. Mei-Ye stays with family. Check webcams day before. Cashless entry.

Space Needle

Space Needle

All Three Adult $38-49 | Youth $32-40 | Senior $34-44 1 hour

Iconic 605-ft observation tower. Rotating glass floor. Buy combo with Chihuly to save ~$15. Book online for time slot.

400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109 • Map

MoPOP (Museum of Pop Culture)

Nathalie Adult $33-38 | Youth $22-26 | Senior $30-34 2-3 hours

Music, sci-fi, video games, horror, fashion. Nathalie's museum. 3-4 hours easily. Next to Space Needle & Chihuly.

325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109 • Map

Day Trips

Vancouver

Vancouver BC Day Trip

All Three $120-180 total 2.5-4 hrs each way (incl. border)

Stanley Park, Granville Island, Richmond for incredible Chinese/Taiwanese food. Mei-Ye will feel at home. Everyone needs valid passport. Nathalie's Belgian passport is visa-exempt.

Waterfall

Snoqualmie Falls

All Three FREE 40-50 min from Edmonds 1-1.5 hours

268-foot waterfall, taller than Niagara. Short walk to viewpoint, accessible for Mei-Ye. Combine with Boeing Tour (Day 6 plan).

Leavenworth

2 hrs east Half day

Bavarian-themed village in the Cascades. Cute shops, German food, mountain scenery. Best if combined with a day when less is planned.

Whidbey Island

Mukilteo ferry, 20 min Half day

Scenic island with Deception Pass State Park, lavender farms, charming Langley and Coupeville.

Activities by Audience

All Three Nathalie + Mei-Ye + Katy

  • Pike Place Market — adjustable pace, places to sit
  • Chihuly Garden and Glass — indoor, accessible, stunning
  • Seattle Waterfront Park — flat, benches, beautiful
  • Edmonds-Kingston ferry — sit and enjoy Puget Sound views
  • Snoqualmie Falls — short walk to viewpoint
  • Boeing Factory Tour — fascinating for all ages
  • International District food tour — Mei-Ye will love this
  • Vancouver: Granville Island, Richmond for food

Active Katy + Nathalie

  • Mt. Rainier day trip — Paradise area, Skyline Trail
  • Hiking: Rattlesnake Ledge (4 mi), Twin Falls (easy), Mt. Si (strenuous)
  • Kayaking on Lake Union ($20-30/hr)
  • Vancouver: bike the Stanley Park seawall (10km, flat)

Teen Nathalie

  • MoPOP — music, sci-fi, video games. HER museum.
  • Pacific Science Center laser shows (Taylor Swift, SZA, Dua Lipa)
  • Seattle Great Wheel — 175-ft Ferris wheel (~$18)
  • Fremont Troll — weird/cool photo op
  • Capitol Hill — trendy shops, street art, youth culture

Mei-Ye Mei-Ye-Friendly

  • Edmonds boardwalk — flat, scenic, benches everywhere
  • Ferry rides — sit and enjoy, no walking required
  • International District — familiar food, Mandarin/Cantonese spoken
  • Vancouver: Richmond — huge Chinese/Taiwanese community
  • Family gatherings — what she values most
Tips for Mei-Ye:
May tire by 2-3pm — plan active mornings, gentle afternoons. Carry a light blanket for evenings (into the 50s F).

Eat

Food preferences: Taiwanese (esp), Japanese, Korean, Tacos, Steak, Indian (Katy). Mei-Ye especially loves familiar Chinese/Taiwanese food.

Favorites (Edmonds Dining)

Upscale dining

Salt & Iron

$$$Splurge dinner

Fresh oysters, steaks. Upscale PNW cuisine. Edmonds waterfront.

320 Railroad Ave, Edmonds • Map

Rory's of Edmonds

$$

Deck overlooking beach and ferry. Sunset views. Casual bar & grill.

102 Railroad Ave, Edmonds • Map

Taiwanese & Chinese

Dumplings

Dough Zone Dumpling House

$$Family Favorite

Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), Taiwanese pork buns. Familiar comfort food. Multiple locations.

504 5th Ave S, Seattle • Map

Din Tai Fung

$$$

World-famous soup dumplings. Mei-Ye will know the name. Can be a long wait — go off-peak.

University Village & Pacific Place

Facing East (Bellevue)

$$Taiwanese must-try

Authentic Taiwanese. Oyster pancake (蚵仔煎) and vermicelli (米粉) — call ahead to ask about ba wan (肉圓). Bellevue, 30 min from Edmonds.

Bellevue • Map

Note: Rocking Wok is permanently CLOSED.

Japanese & International District

Jade Garden

$$Dim sum carts weekends

Excellent dim sum. Mei-Ye will love this. International District.

424 7th Ave S, Seattle • Map

Tai Tung

$$

Seattle's oldest Chinese restaurant (1935). Bruce Lee's favorite booth!

655 S King St, Seattle • Map

Uwajimaya

$

Huge Asian grocery + food court. Mei-Ye can browse familiar ingredients. Great for snacks to bring home.

600 5th Ave S, Seattle • Map

Seattle Classics

Pike Place Chowder

$$

Award-winning clam chowder. Get a cup, not a bowl — it's rich!

1530 Post Alley, Pike Place Market • Map

Ellenos

$Life-changing!

Life-changing Greek yogurt. Get the passion fruit. Nathalie will love it.

1500 Pike Pl, Pike Place Market

Piroshky Piroshky

$

Savory and sweet Russian pastries. Cheap, filling, delicious.

1908 Pike Pl, Pike Place Market

Ivar's Fish Bar

$

Iconic Seattle fish & chips on the water. Feed the seagulls (carefully).

1001 Alaskan Way, Pier 54 • Map

Dick's Drive-In

$

Seattle's In-N-Out. Full meal under $8. Multiple locations.

Budget Tips:
Pike Place has cheap eats ($3-5 pastries). International District: $10-15/person. Dick's: under $8. Use hotel breakfast (Best Western includes it!) every day. Pack lunches for day trips.

Shop

Sales Tax Warning: 10.55%
Washington state has 10.55% sales tax (state 6.5% + local 4.05%). Clothing IS taxed. Save major shopping for Boston (MA has no clothing tax under $175/item).

Seattle Premium Outlets (Tulalip)

Shopping

Seattle Premium Outlets

2-3 hours 20-25 min north of Edmonds on I-5

130+ outlets — Nike, North Face, Coach, Kate Spade, Under Armour, Arc'teryx. Up to 65% off. Good for rainy day or combine with family visit.

10600 Quil Ceda Blvd, Tulalip, WA 98271 • Map

Shopping Notes: Pike Place Market has unique artisan gifts (not tourist junk). Uwajimaya (International District) is great for Asian groceries/snacks to bring home.

Plan

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Tue, July 1 — Arrive
  • JetBlue B6 397 arrives SEA 10:33am PT
  • Pick up Avis rental car at 11am
  • Drive to Edmonds (~40 min), check in at Best Western at 3pm
  • Settle in, light dinner at Rory's or Chanterelle
Day 2: Wed, July 2 — FamilyFamily
  • Family day with cousins in Edmonds. Flexible schedule.
  • Edmonds waterfront walk, explore the neighborhood
Day 3: Thu, July 3 — Seattle Downtown

Morning

  • Pike Place Market (arrive by 9am for fewer crowds)
  • Ellenos yogurt + Piroshky Piroshky + Pike Place Chowder
  • Seattle Waterfront Park

Afternoon

  • Chihuly Garden and Glass
  • Space Needle (combo ticket)
  • MoPOP
View Route on Google Maps
Day 4: Fri, July 4 — Family: Kingston FerryFamily
  • Cousin's plan. Edmonds-Kingston Ferry. Explore Kingston waterfront.
  • Car + driver ~$15, Adult passenger $9.75, Senior $4.90 (westbound only)

Evening (Optional)

  • July 4th fireworks options: Gas Works Park (arrive 3-4pm) or Bellevue Family 4th (less crowded)
  • Fireworks ~10:15pm. Pack blankets, picnic, layers.
View Route on Google Maps
Day 5: Sat, July 5 — Family: Bainbridge IslandFamily
  • Cousin's plan. Bainbridge Island / Winslow. Charming downtown, waterfront, shops.
  • Optional: Bloedel Reserve ($20 adult, $15 senior, $8 youth) — 150-acre garden, peaceful
View Route on Google Maps
Day 6: Sun, July 6 — Boeing + Snoqualmie Falls

Morning

  • Boeing Factory Tour (Mukilteo, 20 min from Edmonds). 80-min tour.

Afternoon

  • Snoqualmie Falls (40 min east). Quick viewpoint stop + late lunch.
View Route on Google Maps
Day 7: Mon, July 7 — Vancouver Day Trip
  • Leave early (6-7am). Cross border before 9am for shortest wait.
  • Morning: Stanley Park (drive perimeter, seawall walk near totem poles)
  • Midday: Granville Island (Aquabus $4 CAD, food market, artisan shops)
  • Afternoon: Richmond / Aberdeen Centre — Mei-Ye will feel at home. Incredible Taiwanese food.
  • Check border wait times before returning.
View Route on Google Maps
Day 8: Tue, July 8 — Mt. Rainier
Katy + Nathalie only. Mei-Ye stays with family.
  • Leave early (7am). 2.5 hr drive to Paradise.
  • Skyline Trail loop (5.5 mi). Wildflower meadows in July.
  • $30/vehicle, cashless. Check webcams day before.
View Route on Google Maps
Day 9: Wed, July 9 — Family + DepartureFamily
Full day available — flight not until 11:15pm!
  • Check out Best Western at 11am. Bags in car.
  • Full day with family at Kuo Residence or Edmonds area.
  • Head to SEA-TAC around 8:30-9pm (35 min drive).
  • Return Avis rental car. Delta DL 473 departs 11:15pm PT, arrives BOS 7:35am ET (+1 day).

Events (July 4th Fireworks)

Fireworks

Seafair 4th of July at Lake Union

FREEEvening event

Fireworks ~10:15pm over Lake Union. Best free viewing: Gas Works Park (arrive by 3-4pm). Alternative: Bellevue Family 4th (less crowded, family vibe, 30 min from Edmonds).

Practical

Weather

Seattle

24°C
70-83°F / 52-65°F
Rain: Very rare. Sunset ~9:10pm

Vancouver

23°C
72-75°F / 57-61°F
Occasional light rain. Sunset ~9:20pm
What to Pack:
Layers (warm days, cool evenings), light rain jacket (especially for Vancouver), comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen + sunglasses. For Mei-Ye: comfortable shoes, warm layer, hat. For Nathalie: photo-ready outfits for Chihuly, Fremont Troll, etc.

Driving Times from Edmonds

DestinationDrive Time
Downtown Seattle / Pike Place25-35 min
Seattle Center (Space Needle)25 min
Boeing Factory (Mukilteo)20 min
Snoqualmie Falls40-50 min
Seattle Premium Outlets20-25 min
SEA-TAC Airport35-45 min
Mt. Rainier (Paradise)2.5 hrs
Vancouver BC (incl. border)2.5-4 hrs

Budget Summary

CategoryEstimateNotes
Attractions$200-400CityPASS helps. Many free.
Food$500-800Restaurant + packed lunches
Gas$100-150Incl. Vancouver
Parking$50-100Downtown ~$13-20/day
Ferry rides$30-50
Total (excl. hotel, flights, car)$880-1,500

Logistics

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Flights

Outbound: BOS to SEA
FlightJetBlue B6 397
DateTuesday, July 1, 2026
Depart7:10am ET (Boston Logan)
Arrive10:33am PT (Seattle-Tacoma)
Duration6h 23m
ConfirmationLXGBKJ
Return: SEA to BOS
FlightDelta DL 473
DateWednesday, July 9, 2026
Depart11:15pm PT (Seattle-Tacoma)
Arrive7:35am ET +1 day (Boston Logan)
Duration5h 20m
ConfirmationHJIYZC

Hotel

HotelBest Western Plus Edmonds Harbour Inn
Address130 W Dayton St, Edmonds, WA 98020
Phone(425) 771-7373
Check-inTue, July 1 @ 3:00pm
Check-outWed, July 9 @ 11:00am
Room2 Queen Beds w/ Kitchenette
Confirmation7846181972

Car Rental

CompanyAvis
LocationSEA-TAC, 3150 S 160th St, 98188
Phone+1 (206) 433-5231
Pick-upTue, July 1 @ 11:00am
ReturnWed, July 9 @ 11:30pm
VehicleLarge, Group E (Camry or similar)
Confirmation1133-4103-CH-4

Family Address

NameKuo Residence
Address8120 Talbot Road, Edmonds WA 98026
Open in Maps

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