Seattle

Seattle, Washington

  • pike place market sign, a good place to take kids
    Portland,  Seattle,  Vancouver,  Victoria

    Four Family-Friendly Markets in the NW & BC

    We have markets by the bushelful here in Casadia and traveling families are always welcome. Bring the kids, $30 and a sense of adventure to these farmers’ markets. It’s a cheap vacation solution and a memorable excursion, all rolled into one afternoon. Here are my favorite four markets — indoor and outdoor, large and small. Don’t miss them when you’re visiting! Portland Farmers Market, Portland. This weekend, the Saturday Portland Farmers Market reopens for the growing (and grazing) season. The outdoor, downtown market features dozens of local-vendor booths, great food trucks (I like Pine State Biscuits) and musical performers. Chefs put on cooking demos, and children’s cooking classes take center…

  • Green Bean Books, Portland.
    Seattle,  Vancouver Metro,  Victoria

    The Best Kids’ Bookstores in Cascadia

    Cascadia is one of the most-literate regions in North America. Don’t just take my  word for it – check out where Seattle and Portland rank on “America’s Most Literate Cities” — number one and number six, respectively. Arts groups in Vancouver are working on getting the city designated as one of UNESCO’s “Cities of Literature.” Readers tend to raise kids who love to read. We also support our independent children’s bookstores, which offer a great combination of wise advice and the best of kids’ books. Kids bookstores sell unique souvenirs; you won’t find these region-specific titles at home. Better than just another t-shirt! Here’s the list of my favorite children’s…

  • Greenwood Space Supply
    Seattle

    Seattle Pick: Greenwood Space Supply

    In Seattle, take your little space alien to Greenwood Space Travel Supply Company. Because there isn’t anywhere else to find a portable oxygen pocket or a black hole starter kit. And where else can you hop into an atomic transporter? (And hopefully, you’ll hop back out again, bwa ha ha) Located in Seattle’s bustling Greenwood neighborhood, this spaceship-sized store provides fun toys, gag gifts and t-shirts, including near-death ray guns, dried space foods and other quirky items. The store’s a non-profit, so all profits fund on-site school programs, after-school tutoring and weekend workshops. You’ll also see cool, workshop-produced books penned by Seattle-area students on the shelves, alongside works by local…