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Natasha D | Seattle Family Things To Do

@suitcasesinseattle

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Mom to a 10 & 7 yo
Sharing our PNW favorites
🛝 playgrounds | 🥾 hikes | 🧳 travel | 🧭 kid-friendly activities
✉️ [email protected]

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Dockfouling (n) - the act of peering off the edge of public docks to responsibly spot the creatures that live there.

🚨 When dockfouling, we stick to public spots, don't touch the animals, handle seaweed/algae with utmost care since it's animal habitat, and avoid disturbing the humans whose boats are nearby.

I usually go solo when I happen to be near a public dock, but @luanimal and friends have coordinated a Docktober project with meetups around Puget Sound.

It was so lovely to spend a chilly morning in Edmonds looking at sea life and the sunlight cast some rainbows over these Hedgpeth's Sapsuckers.

These sacoglassans are kleptoplasts, meaning they steal chloroplasts from algae to photosynthesize energy 😍

Other observed species:

💚 Arctic green urchins
💙 Horned nudibranchs
💚 Candy corn nudibranchs
💙 Aeolidia (shaggy mouse)
💚 Anemones
💙 Tube worms
💚 Tunicates & sponges
💙 Sea cucumbers (orange & peppered)
💚 Scallops taken in Edmonds Marina by @suitcasesinseattle

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4 days ago

𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

We took advantage of a day off school and did a day trip that showed off Bainbridge Island at its fall best. These 3 stops are all FREE to enter!

🍂 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲
@winneyfarmstore
🗓️ Activities open M-F 1-6 and Sat/Sun 10-6 through 10/31
🧺 Pasture-raised meats & pantry items
🐖 Piglets, sheep & chickens
🌾 Covered hay maze and sand play area
🌽 Corn maze (this one’s legit!) & pumpkin patch
🛝 Kids fun zone with slides, teeter totters and giant hamster wheels

🍂𝗕𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘀🍂
@bainbridgegardens
🗓️ Activities open M-Sat 9-5:30, Sun 10-4 through 10/31
🎃 Trail of Pumpkins hand-painted by community members
🌾 Tot hay maze
📷 Photo ops
🌮 Saturday food trucks

🍂 𝗕𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘆𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘀𝘂 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀🍂
@bainbridgeislandsuyematsufarms
🗓️Open M-Fri 1-6 and Sat/Sun 10-5 through 10/31
🌾 Tot hay maze ($2/person)
📷 Photo ops
🎃 Pumpkins & dahlias for sale
🚜 Weekend tractor rides
🌮 Cider & weekend food vendors (check their IG for details)

𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝘀
🌲 Sakai Park (🧌 Pia the Peacekeeper)
🌲 @bloedelreserve (Squash Hunt through 11/1), $$ to enter. Purchase online to save $3/person
🥾 Hike by Grand Forest West, Blakely Harbor or Moritani Preserve taken in Winney Farm by @suitcasesinseattle

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5 days ago

𝗔 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁…

My brother is getting married next month and my mom and I have had the hardest time finding black tie formal dresses.

One of you told me about the 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘁 and I owe you a big thank you!

Jana Clark set up her basement as a giant formal wear lending library a decade ago and the community is so lucky to have her.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀:

👗 Join the Freespirited Closet Facebook group

👗 Message Jana what you're looking for and your appointment availability.

👗 Visit her Snohomish home and browse the racks to borrow what you need (dresses, suits, shoes and accessories are available in a wide range of sizes)

👗 Return when finished and/or donate formal wear you won't use anymore!

My mom and I visited for about 90 minutes and found a beautiful dress for her and a tux for Little J, so it was a very successful outing!

I’ll add a link to the Seattle Times story about the Closet in the comments ⤵️ by @suitcasesinseattle

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a month ago

The Seattle area really has some of the prettiest fall foliage though 🍂

Featured locations (for a little autumn stroll):
🍂 Matthews Beach
🍂 Green Lake
🍂 WA Arboretum
🍂 @seajpnsgarden
🍂 Cowen Park
🍂 Kubota Garden
🍂 Philip Arnold Park
🍂 Shoreview Park
🍂 Gene Coulon Park
🍂 Volunteer Park

Hi, I'm Natasha (@suitcasesinseattle ) and I share family-friendly activities, hikes and travel around Seattle. Follow for more local tips! taken in Green Lake, Seattle by @suitcasesinseattle

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14 days ago

This is our 6th time cabin camping at Dosewallips State Park and it always hits the spot 🍂

I love that the park is full of wildlife in the fall - we always see spawning salmon (and hungry eagles 🦅), and often catch the resident Roosevelt Elk here.

Things to do while cabin camping:

🍂 Walk 1/2 mi to the bird watching lookout by the beach (especially at sunrise!). You can choose your own adventure for other trails within the park.

🥾 Hike or drive to the top of Mt Walker for mountain views (note: Rocky Brook Falls is currently closed for construction so save that for a future trip)

🦪 Stop @hamahamaoysters for seafood (they have some vegetarian/non-shellfish dishes too, and we love climbing the oyster shell mounds)

🥞 Eat breakfast at the Halfway House

🌉 Detour to the High Steel Bridge (we took the scenic route home through Olympia)

🏘️ Book up to 9 months in advance. Cabins have a 2-night minimum stay. I saw availability for Halloween weekend when I looked earlier today! taken in Dosewallips State Park by @suitcasesinseattle

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12 days ago

𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟰!

You guys “sold” out my last volunteer event with @mountainstosoundgreenway in less than 4 hours, so I'm excited to announce our next collaboration.

📍 Tiger Mountain Summit Trailhead (Issaquah)
🗓️ Saturday, October 24
🕥 10am - 1pm

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼:

☕ Coffee and light snacks starting at 9:30 am (to encourage punctuality 😉)

🌲 Special activity from @blueskyefarm teaching us how to harvest and brew fir needles into a seasonal tea

🌿 Planting native trees and shrubs to help restore habitat for salmon (tools & instruction provided by @mountainstosoundgreenway )

🏨 1-night stay giveaway from @westinseattle for a lucky participant

🎄 P.S. You’ll also learn about the Greenway Trust’s NEW Adopt-a-Tree program. Starting Oct 1, this program allows families to reserve a living tree for the holiday season, which you’ll return in the spring for planting in its forever home ♥️

➡️ Swipe through the slides for more info about my event partners, then sign-up for the event at the link in my bio. Space is limited to 40 participants (remember to complete a sign-up form for each member of your group)! by @suitcasesinseattle

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14 days ago

Do you recognize all 10 of these patches?

I know there are some serious pumpkin patch devotees in this community who will get them all right!

I'll post the answers this weekend 👀 by @suitcasesinseattle

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16 days ago

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱?

Tehaleh! This master-planned community in Bonney Lake has 18 parks (and more to come) within a ~3-mile radius. It's even easy to bike between them! #sponsored

Head down to check out the amenities and take a little playground marathon tour at 3 of Tehaleh’s newest parks in their Glacier Pointe neighborhood:

1️⃣ 𝗥𝘂𝗳𝗳 ‘𝗻’ 𝗧𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲

Giant agility course that entertains big kids and helps adults get in a sneaky workout. A traditional playground down the hill keeps littles entertained, and there are 2 off-leash dog parks for your best friend.

2️⃣ 𝗦𝗸𝘆𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸

Aka “Swing Park” - 24 swings of all sorts mean there’s a seat for everyone

3️⃣ 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸

Small-but-mighty climber’s paradise with plenty of creative ways to scale the loop-shaped structure

P.S. These playgrounds offer stellar views of Mt. Rainier and all Tehaleh parks are open to the public!

𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬

It’s easy to see why so many people love calling Tehaleh home! I'm giving away two $50 gift cards to Post & Pour, a local café and taproom beloved by Tehaleh residents with amazing views of Mount Rainier, so you have an extra incentive to head down and check out the community.

𝗧𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿:

💙 Like this post

💙 Follow @suitcasesinseattle & @tehaleh

💙 Comment your favorite Tehaleh park from the video ⬇️

Giveaway ends Tuesday, Oct 6. Not affiliated with Instagram. taken in Tehaleh by @suitcasesinseattle

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17 days ago

A little upset that no one mentioned these unhinged pumpkin patch jobs at career day...

🎃 These jobs are all jokes (or are they 🤔?), but every time we visit a pumpkin patch, I'm blown away by the VERY real labor of love that goes into them for just a month of celebration.

👉 Tag your favorite pumpkin patch in the comments and let them know how much you appreciate their work!

🎥 @remlingerfarms taken in Remlinger Farms by @suitcasesinseattle

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18 days ago

𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽

I’ve been dreaming of a return road trip to Grand Teton for 5 years. It was a perfect celebration of 15 years of marriage (with some definite “better or worse” moments mixed in 😆)

Some highlights from our trip for memories on my feed ➡️

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭: 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗜𝗗 (𝗕𝗟𝗠 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴)

🥾 Anthony Lake to Black Lake
🍽️ @delish_bistro_hermiston, @sixcreeksmercantile

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮: 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀, 𝗜𝗗

🚣‍♀️ @blueheartkayaking Blue 💙 Springs & Ritter Island
💦 Shoshone Falls
🍽️ @redhawktwinfalls
🔭 Star gazing at Bruneau Dunes State Park

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟯: 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗣

🌄 Gorgeous sunsets
🥾 Delta Lake
🛥️ Jenny Lake Boat Shuttle & return hike

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟰-𝟱: 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗪𝗬

🏨 @rustyparrotlodge 10/10. Massages + facial for me
🚴‍♀️ Bike from Jackson to Jenny Lake with a 🫎 sighting 😍
🍽️ @wildsage_jh , @localjh , @hbcafeandjuicery

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟲: 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗬𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲

🦬 Bear, bison, sheep & pronghorn sightings
🏨 @cmoninnhotelandsuites
🥪 @feedcafebozeman
🍨@sweetpeaksicecream

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟳: 𝗡𝗼𝘅𝗼𝗻, 𝗠𝗧

🥾 Bear Creek Overlook Trail. Fall colors + larches
🚙 Gem Peak Lookout (it was SO cold and windy overnight!)

𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟴: 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲!

🥐 @bluebirdbakeryid best smoked salmon toast!

Something we couldn't do that I want to - Bike the Hiawatha. It closed the weekend before we were in the area!

➡️ If you've done a version of this trip, what were your highlights? taken in Grand Teton National Park by @suitcasesinseattle

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20 days ago

𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝘀!

I know, it feels so early 🤪. We’ve camped in over 30 spots in WA and I’m sharing some of our favorites with you.

𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀:

✅ I prefer May-July because there’s less risk of wildfire smoke, but August/September brings nicer weather and fewer bugs so 🤷🏼‍♀️

✅ A good cabin/yurt is a perfect spot to enjoy a shoulder season trip (May/Oct are great times for this!)

✅ Book 9 mo in advance for @wastatepks & 6 mo in advance for @recreation_gov facilities (national parks & forests)

✅ Check Facebook groups like “PNW camping reservations re-listings” for last minute cancellation/transfer opportunities.

👉 Let me know what campgrounds I’m missing that you love! Want a full list with notes? Send me a DM/comment ⛺ for a @proxico map (make sure you're following @suitcasesinseattle to receive messages)

𝗩𝗜𝗣 - 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀

🌲 Fort Flagler (Marrowstone Island) 💦🍽️🛝

🌲 Dosewallips SP (Hood Canal) - 🏘️💦🍽️ perfect in fall during salmon season, fun lookout tower

𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛 𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗗

🌲 Moran SP (Orcas Island) - 💦🍽️🛝

🌲 Salt Creek Recreation Area (Port Angeles) 💦🍽️🛝 Noisy, but epic tide pools

🌲 Lower Lewis Falls (Cougar) 💦

🌲 Fort Worden (Port Townsend) - 💦🍽️ fort and marine science ctr to explore, tide pools

🌲 Deception Pass SP (Whidbey) - 🏘️💦🍽️ tide pools and short hikes

🌲 Cape Disappointment (Long Beach) - 🏘️💦🍽️

🌲 Lincoln Rock SP (Wenatchee) 🏘️💦🍽️🛝

𝗠𝗘𝗗. 𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗗

🌲 Fay Bainbridge - 🏘️💦🍽️🛝

🌲 Dungeness Recreation Area (Sequim) 💦🍽️🛝

🌲 Penrose Point SP (Kitsap) 💦

🌲 Manchester SP (Kitsap) 💦

🌲 Millersylvania SP (Olympia) 💦🍽️

🌲 Beacon Rock SP (Columbia River) 💦🍽️

𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗

🏘️ Cabin/yurts avail.

🍽️ Close to restaurants/activities

💦 Water access

🛝 Playground taken in Fort Flagler State Park by @suitcasesinseattle

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24 days ago

Since school started up, we've switched to outings that are closer to home, but still give the kids a boost of fun. They're always hungry after a big day at school and dairy-based snacks give them a protein-filled energy boost so they can play till dinner time.

I’ve #partnered with @dairy.west to share 3 of our favorite after-school snack + activity pairings (save this list and add your ideas in the comments!):

𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝟭
🥛 @graceharborfarms Chocolate milk + popcorn with butter & nutritional yeast
🎃 Pumpkin patch (they’re less expensive and still fun on weekdays)
𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘴: @swanstrailfarms , @stockerfarms or @visitcravenfarm

𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝟮
🍋 @ellenosyogurt Greek yogurt
🧗Bouldering (at a gym or a playground) or bouncing at a trampoline park
𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘴: @seattleboulderingproject , Ridgecrest Park, or @sz_seattle

𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝟯
🧀 @beecherscheese cheese sticks & seasonal fruit
🏛️ Kid-friendly museum visit
𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘴: Free First Thursday (try @burkemuseum or @museumofflight ) , @wrvmuseum or @klondike_nps_seattle by @suitcasesinseattle

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a month ago