Travel Tips

Seattle’s Rich Train History Brings out the Inner Child in us All

Boys and girls of all ages love trains and trains have played a vital role in the history of this country and Seattle Washington and the Northwest in particular. In fact, the roles of trains on this part of the country have in the past been so vital that there are a few museums dedicated to that very important mode of transportation. Trains were essentially lifelines for the populations here for many years. While their importance seems to be diminishing in today’s society, their importance throughout the history of our country remains.

If you truly are a train lover, then it shouldn’t be difficult to talk you into stopping by Seattle’s Train Center before and after touring the museums dedicated to trains and their importance in history. The Train Center offers a wide selection of model train parts and pieces that would make excellent additions to your collection or a great beginning to a collection for you or your little one.

After you’ve whetted your appetite for trains and gotten your little one all excited about them, it is time to talk a walk back in time to the Northwest Railway Museum. Here you can learn about railway history or even choose to take a ride on one of the trains that departs for several excursions throughout the day. Most of the trips are 65-75 minutes long and a great treat for young and old alike. Perhaps the greatest thing about this museum is that their main objective is to educate the public about the important role that railroads had in the development of this part of the country.

If you’re really interested in sharing your love of trains with the ones you love, you may consider taking a turn on the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train. This is a great way to not only get the experience of riding the rails but to take in some of the beautiful Washington scenery and have a gourmet meal in the process. During the months of November through April up to two children ride free with a paying adult. There are certain restrictions as to the type of seating, but it is a great time to enjoy the experience at a greatly reduced price. There are also special events such as Murder Mystery Trains and Magic and Illusion shows in addition to certain holiday events as well. Be sure to check out what’s going on while you’re visiting Seattle and see if this is something that might interest you and your family.

If you are up for a not so short drive to Pasco (about three and a half hours from Seattle), you might find the Washington State Railroads Historical Society Museum well worth the trip. Be sure to remember that the museum is only opened on Saturday and that the hours are limited so this is a trip you need to plan in advance to take. The greatest thing about this museum to me is the fact that there are neat little stories, like the blackboard that recorded the first snowfall at the depot each year and others such as this. It’s the little stories that don’t necessarily make history that do make lasting impressions and I’m glad to see this particular story is being shared. Just remember, when visiting any of these depots, museums, and train tours that you absolutely must bring your inner child with you in order to properly enjoy them.

Visiting Seattle Washington is like walking into a refreshing spring rain. Well, it is about half of the year at any rate. The climate here is great for being outdoors as long as you don’t mind getting a little wet. My recommendation is not to even bother with an umbrella, wear comfortable waterproof shoes, and hide your hair beneath a funky hat of some sort that will handle getting a little wet.

Whatever you do, don’t let the rain spoil your good time. Rain is a fact of life in Seattle and most of the locals are quite accustomed to it. If it really does bother you, you may wish to plan an alternate indoor activity for every outdoor activity you are considering. The good news is that there are plenty of both to choose from so you really shouldn’t ever run out of things to do while on vacation here.

If all else fails, there is plenty of great shopping in and around Seattle that will get you off the streets and into the stores. While I love shopping, unless we are talking small local stores, I can do that for the most part at home. I love visiting the local shops and galleries and buying pieces of pottery or art by local artists, other than that, I have shopping malls and chain stores at home and have rarely found something new and rare at one of these stores that I couldn’t have found at home or online. But some of us are addicted to shopping in any form and really; there is no shame in that. I have a serious weakness for shoes so I can completely relate on some level.

Other than shopping the local shops and stores, there are a few other indoor activities I recommend checking out. First of all there is the Experience Music Project, The Seattle Children’s Museum (surprisingly fun for all ages), the Pacific Science Center, the Spirit of Washington Dinner train, Redhook Brewery tours, SeaBear Smokehouse tours, and a ride up the Space Needle which is a must for any trip to Seattle (I suggest getting dinner elsewhere and simply taking the ride up if cost might be a factor).

In addition to these you can take the Boeing tour and see how these huge planes are made or trek to the Museum of Flight, which consistently ranks among the top museums of this type in the country. You can take in a movie at the IMAX Theater or enjoy the Seattle Aquarium, which will allow you to take a different point of view on the things that live in Puget Sound.

If food is something that interests you, there is plenty of great food to be had throughout the Seattle area, but nowhere offers the selection that can be found at Center House in Seattle Center. While you are there, be sure to check out the Northwest Craft Center Gallery for a nice selection of Native American and other artistry. Other great places for food and dining are the Pike Place Market where you can watch your meal prepared right before your very eyes. You can also elect to take a class or two in gourmet cooking through PCC Cooks if this is a skill you’d like to bring home with you.

As I’ve said, there are plenty of things to do indoors in Seattle if you need alternatives to those rainy day blahs. Of course, you could always make the best of the situation and try singing in the rain during one of the many outdoor activities that abound in this truly unique American city. Only you can decide best how to handle your trip and the weather that may intrude. But a vacation is supposed to be fun so it is best to have a backup plan that you find agreeable rather than spending precious vacation moments grumbling about the weather.