For five years, we rented a house nearby so David Rodgers Park was our park. In this beautiful place, you’ll find tall trees, gravel walking paths, plenty of space to roam. The park covers nine acres, parts of which are really steep. When we get snow, it’s where neighborhood kids gather with their sleds.
We’ve since moved away from Queen Anne, but we’d regularly drive by to monitor progress on the playground renovation project. After the old wooden play structure came down (termite damage, ugh), the site sat untouched for months. We were excited to see construction begin this summer, and the pace really picked up after school started. One day there was a slide, then a bridge, then another slide. Then came the big day: the chain-link construction fence finally came down on October 14.
Two Halloweens ago, Seattle Parks and Recreation set up a table on Queen Anne Avenue asking trick-or-treaters to weigh in on different playground designs. The one I voted for won! It’s nature-themed, with neutral greens and browns that blend into the peaceful setting.
Rodgers now has two play structures, a big one designed for kids 5-12 and a smaller sidekick for kids 2-5. Some of the steps are shaped like leaves, and everything is metal because, termites. There’s a new rocking snail where the sandbox used to be, and a smaller merry-go-around that replaced the old one from the ’70s. The shaky old bridge is now a sturdy metal one.
A new mulch-filled concrete circle holds a swing set with two toddler swings and two regular belt swings. The old set only had toddler swings. In order to increase the footprint of the swings, this new swing set was moved to an open area so it wouldn’t hurt the roots of an enormous 100-year-old maple tree.
Do you have nerdy kids? I do. We found a panel at the playground listing all the states in the order they were admitted into the Union. On the flip side is a map numbered correspondingly. (Washington is 42 out of 50.) I couldn’t believe it. It was like this feature was custom-designed for us.
There were a few finishing touches to be done when we visited. Orange netting protects the grass trying to grow at the edge of the new sidewalk. New picnic tables and benches will be installed between the play structure and swings – perfect vantage point for caregivers.
The $400,000 play area renovation was paid for by the 2013 King County Park Levy. The updated equipment brings the park to meet standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. That new curved sidewalk was specifically designed with a gradual, ADA-compliant slope, which is no easy feat on the Queen Anne hill. It’s good for wheelchairs, and strollers and bikes. There are lots of ground-level features built into the playground, including two drums, a xylophone, raindrop sound makers and a 3-in-row game. Compared to the old play structure, the new steps aren’t as nearly steep and incorporate lots of landings. It’s better for all kids, with and without disabilities.
Rodgers Park is located on the north slope of Queen Anne, between the crown of the hill and Seattle Pacific University. Street parking is easy. Park restrooms are located next to the playground – they’re not pretty, but functional. (They’ve been identified as “needing work,” but a remodel isn’t part of the playground renovation project.) In addition to the new playground, further down the hill there are three tennis courts and a big soccer field with a track around it.
Rodgers is the quietest of the three major parks on Queen Anne. The other two are usually hopping: West Queen Anne Playfield and East Queen Anne Playfield (better known as Big Howe and Little Howe). Parents should know that neighbors unofficially use Rodgers as an off-leash area because there is so much space and not many people. Nervous pups and kids need to look out for unleashed dogs. Kids should also watch out for a big drop from the concrete to the mulch at the playground.
The park was named in honor of David Rodgers (1864-1923), a Belfast-born master shipfitter known for cranking out vessels quickly for the war effort.
Rodgers is just three blocks off the main drag, Queen Anne Ave, where you’ll find literally everything you need to make kids happy. Try out board games at Blue Highway Games (2203 Queen Anne Ave N) and pick up gourmet sandwiches next door at Homegrown (2201 Queen Anne Ave N). Two blocks further, Queen Anne Book Company (1811 Queen Anne Ave N) has a wonderfully curated children’s section, and Le Rêve (1805 Queen Anne Ave N) makes French pastries to die for. But let’s get real, our everyday go-to is the Trader Joe’s (1916 Queen Anne Ave N) where my kids are sample station and checkout sticker experts.
My story is on ParentMap here. 
This little Bavarian village is a major tourist destination in the winter. So fall is actually the perfect time to visit. It’s beautiful and not crowded (and we have festive lights right here in Seattle).
Leavenworth is a two-hour drive from Seattle, door to door. This time of year, getting there is just as nice as the destination. The mountains are resplendent with fall colors. Take Highway 2 to see forests of golden larches.
Arriving in town, we felt like we’d traveled even further. Sloped roofs with ornate trim, decorative crossbeams and lots of Gothic typeface. We passed the first Bavarian McDonald’s I’ve ever seen. It was Oktoberfest season, but we steered clear of the parking lots filled with plastic tents and Port-a-Potties. Instead we walked through the village, gorgeous with fall foliage and every balcony overflowing with flowers. We noticed horse-drawn carriages, lederhosen and street signs marked “strauss.”
So why exactly is there a Bavarian village in the Cascades? In the 1960s, some forward-thinking businessmen got together to hatch with a plan to save this dying logging town. They remodeled the buildings Bavarian-style and the tourism dollars followed. A little wacky, but it worked.
I asked some German friends what they thought of Leavenworth. “It’s so fake – I hate it,” said one. Another was more magnanimous: Bavaria isn’t the part of Germany he’s from, but Leavenworth is charming, like Disneyland. Have a sausage, have a pretzel.
No trip to Leavenworth is complete without a stop at the famous Nutcracker Museum. I asked a woman in a dirndl dress where to find it. She pointed across the street. (Doh! Rookie tourist question.)
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It’s the biggest collection of nutcrackers in the world, more than 7,000 altogether. There are nutcrackers of every kind and shape, from Star Wars nutcrackers to Karl, a 6-foot-tall nutcracker custom made in Germany. The kids each got a little clipboard with a scavenger hunt, and prowled the museum looking for a Mickey Mouse, a clown, a baseball player, a rooster. (Not on that list was the display of risqué nutcrackers shaped like ladies’ legs.)
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After the museum, we wandered the village with pretzels in hand. There’s plenty of window shopping for kids and adults, everything from nutcrackers to German cuckoo clocks. You could easily get lost for hours at Kris Kringl, a year-round Christmas store with two levels of everything Yuletide. We liked The Hat Shop and The Wood Shop, two side-by-side stores selling cool hats and handcrafted wooden toys.
When you work up an appetite, head to Blewett Brewing Company for yummy artisan pizza or Leavenworth Sausage Garten for bratwurst. Treat everyone to a scoop of house-made gelato at Viadolce (try the Panna sweet cream). If you can duck out for some 21-and-over time, sample delicious mini cocktails at the Blue Spirits Distilling tasting room.
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We caught a live music performance, and the kids loved Enchantment Park, a playground tucked in the woods. Just a few blocks from the main drag, there are hiking trails along the Wenatchee River and pocket beaches to explore.
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There’s an even better way to see that beautiful mountain scenery – on horseback. Icicle Outfitters and Guides’ stable is just 2.5 miles outside the village. The horses are gentle, and you don’t need any prior experience to do a 2-mile ride (about 45 minutes). Kids must be 6 years old to ride their own horse; younger kids can ride with an adult.
We did Leavenworth as a very long day trip. The best parenting tip I have is that the Burger King in Cle Elum gives out free kids’ cones. If you are lucky enough to swing a hotel room (booked well in advance), the Sleeping Lady Resort is a wonderful splurge for families. Kids love the sleeping lofts and rock pool, parents love the beautiful location, and spa and restaurant on site. In town, Enzian Inn is another favorite for families, with a free hot breakfast and an indoor pool.
My story is on ParentMap here.
It only took me 910 tries, but I got one frame where both kids are smiling (they may have been bribed with Pocky). I hope they never get too old for pumpkin patches.
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You’ll find these crazy cute piggy buns where you’d least expect it: at the end of a strip mall on Highway 99. Our piggy buns came out of the steamer so fluffy they looked more like old bald men. The dough is slightly sweet and filled with custard, so you’ll want to round out your meal with something more savory.
The rest of the menu at Fashion Dim Sum is regular dim sum fare (sadly no other cute faces), at prices just a smidge higher than what you’d find in the International District.
To buy: $3.85 for 3 at Fashion Dim Sum, 22923 Hwy 99, Edmonds
If every meal consists of wheedling a tempestuous toddler, take some cues from Japanese parents, whose bento boxes are verifiable works of art. Panda-shaped rice balls with nori eyes and ears? Itty bitty sausage octopuses? Teddy bear sandwich? Yes, please!
Parents of picky eaters, get to Daiso stat. The Japanese variety store carries an entire section devoted to making these adorable lunchbox creations. Selection varies, and everything is $1.50 unless otherwise marked.
To buy: $1.50 at Daiso. Locations in Westlake, International District, Roosevelt Square, Lynnwood, Southcenter and Crossroads Bellevue.
Rumble, rumble! Little builders will love driving through their dinner plate (and hopefully fork-lifting some peas into their mouths) with these construction site inspired utensils. Constructive Eating was founded by two parents, i.e. people who know about mealtime battles. Choose from a fork lift (fork), a front loader (spoon) and a bulldozer pusher. All the utensils are dishwasher safe and do not contain lead, phthalates, PVC, BPA or paint.
To buy: $6.50 each at Magic Mouse Toys (603 1st Ave, Seattle) and Fireworks (locations at Westlake, Bellevue Square, University Village, Southcenter and Sea-Tac airport). $19.95 for a set of 3 at constructiveeating.com
The best Asian food isn’t in Asia, it’s in British Columbia. If you’re headed to a weekend getaway up north, make a pit stop at T&T, a Canadian supermarket chain that specializes in Asian food. Tons of ready-to-go options in the deli section, including these insanely adorable buns. Choose from red bean paste strawberry buns, coconut monkey buns, happy pig custard buns or cutie buns, a multi-pack that come in bee, penguin, duck and Doremon designs.
Sometimes cute things don’t actually taste good – hello, fondant – but these buns were surprisingly yummy and not too sweet. Warm them in the microwave under a damp paper towel, or better yet, steam them in the rice cooker.
To buy: C$5.99 to $7.99 for a pack of eight buns at T&T. Locations in Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby, B.C.
Up your hard-boiled egg game by shaping them into animal faces. These egg molds are easy to use, even for little kitchen helpers. Start by peeling a hard-boiled egg while it’s still hot. Put the egg into the mold, snap the lid shut and put the mold in cold water for 10 minutes before popping them out. Magic!
To buy: $3.48 for two egg molds at amazon.com 
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The annex at Mount Rainier National Park’s Paradise Inn, originally built in 1921, re-opened in May after a $25 million, 19 month renovation. A big chunk of that money went to boring but necessary structural stuff (electrical and plumbing updates, seismic bracings, energy efficient upgrades, etc.) but what visitors will notice is the dramatic transformation of its 79 guest rooms.
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What’s old is new again. During the remodel, workers removed the ’70s-era wood paneling and dropped ceilings, revealing original crown molding and opening the rooms up. Big windows let in natural light and a view of pine trees and snowy peaks. Crisp linens and a coat of new paint refreshed the rooms, while framed historical photos provide a look at the inn’s past. Soundproofing was added in between the rooms during the renovation. We could still hear our neighbors’ muffled sounds, but we were so pooped from a day of tromping around we zonked out anyway.
Can you have a luxurious mountain adventure? There’s no wi-fi, no TV, no minifridge, no microwave, no elevator and definitely no swimming pool. (Well, that’s not entirely true, there’s free wi-fi at the Henry M. Jackson Visitor Center.) There is a hairdryer and rustic-chic furniture. You’ll get an actual key at check-in. To make a call, use the payphones in the lobby.
Bring board games to play in the main lodge in the evening. It’s a humongous room flanked by two stone fireplaces. A pianist played for hours on the only piano I’ve ever seen done in woodland-cottage style. On the mezzanine, there’s complimentary tea and cookies at 3:30 p.m., and a selection of paperback bodice rippers for borrowing or for keeps.
Food-wise, you’re a captive audience unless you pack in your own provisions. (We supplemented with a cooler-full of the best of Trader Joe’s.) Expect so-so fare at sky-high prices, which adds up fast when you’re feeding a family. Go to the visitor center for pizza and hot dogs, the Tatoosh Café at the Inn for sandwiches, or splurge on a meal at the Inn’s dining room (think $25 hamburgers). The kid’s menu, for ages 10 and under, is a reasonable $7.50, although honestly, the $2.50 Egg McMuffin we grabbed on the drive up was way tastier. I nearly packed my rice cooker and felt completely validated when I saw another family picnicking around their rice cooker. My kind of mountain explorers.
Rainier’s history
For the uninitiated, you have to know that Paradise is an incredibly accessible wilderness experience. If your closet looks like REI threw up there, Paradise Inn is not for you. If you’re sightseeing with older grandparents, pregnant mamas and willful toddlers, Paradise offers the right dose of adventure. There’s a swank visitor center next to that newly remodeled inn. Starting from the parking lot are several paved trails, varying in difficulty from super easy to strenuous.
Since the 1890s, Paradise has served as a base camp for exploring Mount Rainier. Back then, visitors arrived by stagecoach to a tent city called “Camp of the Clouds.” The main lodge opened in 1917; the original building was assembled without using a single nail. Paradise was so popular, more amenities were added over the years: a rope tow for skiers in the 1930s, 275 housekeeping cabins and a 9-hole golf course during the Depression, and swaths of car camping in the 1960s. All that stuff is gone now, and a planned second wing of the annex was never built. The priority now is to restore the wildflower meadows.
This volcano is a lot of things to different people. For the Native Americans, Mount Rainier was a God. For mountaineers, it’s a climbing obstacle course. For tourists and locals, it’s the most iconic landmark in Pacific Northwest. Walking through the parking lot read a lot like a roll call of the United States map. My kids knocked off half the states on their license plate quest at the Paradise lot alone.
In the Jackson Visitor Center, there’s a café, a gift shop (of course) and a really nice interactive exhibit about the mountain’s history, geology and culture. The rangers are gracious and helpful. Stop at the info desk to pick up a kids’ activity book. Bring it back when you’re done and get sworn in as a Junior Ranger, complete with an official badge and certificate.
Family-friendly trails
We stuck to the trails at Paradise earmarked for families with strollers and wheelchairs: Myrtle Falls (1 mile) and the Nisqually Vista trail (1.2 miles). Easy peasy, right? Except remember Snowmageddon? Apparently it hit Rainier hard too, and the trails were still covered with snow in June. The park ranger instructed us to walk across the snow, not around it, to avoid trampling wildflowers. Our sneakers slipped on the steep snow fields, and I saw even more unprepared visitors in saris and flip flops.
That much snow was unexpected and very slick. But when I asked my 8-year-old what he liked best about Mount Rainier, and he said, “The snow. And dinner at the restaurant.” (We don’t get out much.)
July and August are the prime months to visit Paradise; that’s when the wildflower meadows reach their full glory. But the height of tourist season also means you’ll be lucky to snag a spot in the parking lot. If you visit in June or September, bring snow gear and lots of layers just in case.
Staying overnight allowed us a better window for mountain adventures. The previous year, we’d attempted a day trip, but 6½ hours in the car later, we never even made it more than 400 yards from the visitor center.
My kids are novice hikers, and I didn’t quite trust them to not tumble down the drop-offs at the side of the paved path. Looong way down. We did make it as far as the Nisqually Vista trail viewpoint, where we saw tiny specks climbing toward Camp Muir. “They’re almost to the sky,” my 4-year-old observed. Even more thrilling were the deer we spotted, standing less than 10 feet away in the woods.
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The following morning we had better luck hiking at lower elevations. Narada Falls is a mile or so south of Paradise, and the trail from the parking lot to the viewpoint is a mere 0.1 miles. We made it to the base of the waterfall with minimal whining and even spotted a rainbow in the mist. The Grove of the Patriarchs trail (1.3 miles) at Ohanapecosh also had a big pay-off at the end: a cluster of majestic 1,000-year-old trees.
If you go
Park entry fee: $30 per vehicle. National Park free days for 2019 are Aug. 25, Sept. 28 and Nov. 11. If you have a fourth grader (now rising fifth grader), you can also get an Every Kid in a Park pass for free access through Aug. 31.
Paradise Inn: Rooms in main lodge have shared bathrooms; all the rooms in the annex ($205 to $332 plus tax) have private baths. You’ll get a closet with your own toilet (money well spent!) and a shower the size of a phone booth. The rooms are in various configurations of twins, doubles and queens.
The Inn is open through Sept. 30. Rooms can be reserved a year in advance – book now for next summer. July and August, which have a 2-night minimum, are mostly full, though you have a better chance in September.
Summer day trip: Visit on a weekday, if possible. If you can only go on a weekend, plan to arrive at Paradise by 10 a.m. The parking lots fill up fast on clear summer days. Note that there are no gas stations inside the park.
Nearby attractions: Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and the Mt Rainier Railroad & Logging Museum are both located near the Nisqually entrance. They’re great for the whole family and well worth the admission. If you can swing an extra day, we recommend adding them onto your Mount Rainier itinerary.
