SeaTac Washington
A gorgeous day at Des Moines beach
After catching the Link Light Rail
A serene lagoon at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden
Indoor skydiving at iFLY
Splashing around at Angle Lake Spray Park
The harbor at Des Moines Beach Park
Checking out the suspended planes at Museum of Flight
Waterfront Farmer’s Market in Des Moines
Serving up gourmet-ramen goodness
Westfield Southcenter ready for evening shoppers
- Major Airports:
- Seattle-Tacoma (SEA)
- Kenmore (LKE)
- States:
- Washington
Exploring Seattle’s backyard communities of SeaTac, Tukwila and Des Moines
Up in the Air
It’s no surprise that this city centered around the Pacific Northwest’s biggest airport aims to take visitors on aviation-themed adventures. Start at The Museum of Flight, an air and space museum to rival the airport itself (it’s the largest of its kind). See 175 aircraft and spacecraft as well as thousands of related artifacts, a museum and a library. Take flight at iFLY Seattle Indoor Skydiving, where you’ll find yourself in a simulated freefall in a vertical wind tunnel (and just as enthralled by the technology involved in getting you there). Back on land, catch the Sounders FC soccer players training at Starfire Sports, or watch a match from stadium stands that get you as close as possible to the action.
Grounded Green Spaces
Explore verdant parks and nature areas in Seattle Southside, where the Emerald City nickname is well-earned. Head to Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, where four hectares of flora unfurl before you. Seven gardens await, including sensory, Japanese and rose areas. Don’t miss Seattle Southside’s stellar urban beach at Saltwater State Park, where you can dive the reef, lounge on the shore, hike or fish. Nearby Redondo Beach is a sweet beach community complete with a boardwalk, beloved seafood restaurants and gorgeous views of Puget Sound. There’s plenty of space to spread out at Des Moines Beach Park, which offers something to do for just about anyone, from walking trails to kayaking.
Shopping & Family-Friendly Fun
The region’s premier mall, Westfield Southcenter, is cherished for its wide range of stores and its accessibility, including plenty of parking. Treat the kids at the LEGO store or Build-A-Bear Workshop, followed by Taiwanese food and a movie. For dessert, you can’t beat nearby Seattle Chocolates. Tour the company headquarters for a truly delectable experience that includes tastings and insight on how the famed treats are made. Get moving again at Family Fun Center & Bullwinkle’s Restaurant. From bowling to batting cages to bumper cars, the center has more attractions than you can count (and for all ages).
Fun Fact
One of the most diverse regions in the USA, the students of the Tukwila School District speak over 80 languages.
Photo: Albastro Photography
To make way for a third airport runway, hundreds of local volunteers transported a historic home garden to Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden in the 1990s.
SeaTac takes its name from nearby Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the 9th busiest in the USA.