Craving a full day of adventure filled with hidden gems, offbeat finds and tasty treats? Look no farther than the industrial meets eclectic Georgetown neighborhood. With trains rumbling by and airplanes roaring overhead—some so close it feels like you could reach up and touch them—discover everything from historical landmarks to interactive art and unique events. Best of all, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Discover a neighborhood of hidden gems: Steam Plant
Kick things off at the Georgetown Steam Plant. Built in the early 1900s to power the city’s electric trollies (and a local brewery) it’s an engineering marvel. Giant turbines, enormous boilers and huge dials are eye-candy for all ages. It’s free to visit and you can explore on your own or join a guided tour to hear enthralling stories about it’s history. It’s only open once a month, on the second Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., but worth planning your day around.
Fun fact: The movie “Cheaper by the Dozen” is based on a book written by two (of the 12 children) of Frank Bunker Gilbreth Sr., who designed and managed the building of the steam plant.
Trailer Park Mall
Next, head to the neighborhood’s downtown area to find the charming and quirky Georgetown Trailer Park Mall. Among this colorful group of vintage travel trailers, each one a different business, find local crafts, yummy cookies and even a shotgun wedding chapel. Open weekends, but with later times on the second Saturday of the month for the neighborhood art walk. It also hosts the Georgetown Flea Market during the spring and summer months. Just down the street is Georgetown Records and Fantagraphics. Located in the same space, browse for used vinyls and CDs of local bands on a curated mix of comics and graphic novels on the other. Note: There’s an adult-only section in back, so keep an eye on wandering kiddos.
For older kids with an interest in STEM, swing by the Connections Museum to learn about Seattle’s telecommunications history. Open Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., giant panels of switching systems and a vast assortment of phones make for a unique experience. Explore its two floors on your own or hop on a volunteer-led tour. Free to visit, but donations welcome.
Family friendly events
Make sure to mark your calendars for two family-friendly annual events. On the last Saturday in March, nibble on local culinary delights at Georgetown Bites. Also on the second Saturday in June, experience the Georgetown Carnival—a street fair like no other with music, carnival games, circus sideshow and vendors of all kinds. Information posted here.
Dates for 2023: Georgetown Bites: Last Saturday in March—3/25/23, Georgetown Carnival: Second Saturday in June—6/25/23
Georgetown neighborhood’s art experience
Kids will love to stop and spin (and spin) the giant steering-like wheel on Revolution, an interactive sculpture on the northwest corner of Airport Way South and South Vale Street. Inspired by Georgetown’s industrial past it’s mesmerizing watch all the gears and chains moving.
For a fun family photo op, turn around to spot “Greetings from Georgetown”. A large and vibrant postcard-like mural located on the south of side of 5951 Airport Way South. Then look up to I-Spy something red: A 1964 Vespa scooter on the roof, a nod to the building’s former life as a scooter repair shop.
Stroll a few blocks north to spot more murals, one welcoming you to the oldest neighborhood in Seattle, and an intriguing mosaic full of fun finds like keys, dice and wrenches. To discover more artistic gems check out Art Attack, the monthly art walk held on second Saturdays.
Get those wiggles out at a Georgetown neighborhood park
Time to burn off some extra energy? Oxbow Park is home to the iconic, giant Hat n’ Boots that were once part of a cowboy-themed neighborhood gas station. Relocated to this tiny park years ago, these towering, captivating structures are worth a stop all by themselves, but there’s also a small play area, picnic spots and a p-patch where you can peek at what’s growing.
Georgetown Playfield and Spray Park, a larger park located closer to the main downtown area, has a whimsical airplane-themed play area and a spray park that’s open during summer. Parents can “play” on the outdoor exercise equipment and everyone can enjoy the recently re-turfed field.
Georgetown neighborhood eats: nosh on tasty treats and yummy food
Ready to fuel up? Why not start with dessert—cakes, cookies, chocolate and ice cream! At Fran’s Chocolate Factory watch deliciousness being made at the viewing window (generally 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday) before deciding your purchase from an array of tasty confections.
Across the street, but only open on weekends, choose from a menu of signature and monthly cookie flavors at Lowrider Cookie Company. Another must-stop is just down the street at Matcha Man Ice Cream & Taiyaki for ice cream in a fun fish-shaped cone. To have your cake and eat it too, check out Cakes of Paradise and Deep Sea Sugar and Salt. Both offer walk-up windows for day-of options or pre-orders on their website for slices and whole cakes.
For a bigger bite to eat, Fonda La Catrina, Flying Squirrel Pizza and Burbs Burgers are all go-to kid favs. More adventurous palates might like to try Bop Box for tasty Korean bibimbop bowls or Kauai Family Restaurant for take out Hawaiian yumminess. Or pick up Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches (and coffee) at Voi Cà Phê. If you’re in the mood for crepes, head over to The Hanger Cafe or for two-in-one fun, try Georgetown Pizza and Arcade where you can order square pizzas by whole, half and slices while playing a bunch of different pinball games.
Finally, wrap up your day by hopping into Georgetown Brewing on your way home. They don’t serve food, but they do hand out lollipops to kids while you enjoy a pint.
Bonus: Order a growler of your favorite beer to go. Enjoy it later while you remember your fabulous fun-filled day in Georgetown.
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