Gardens worth visiting with kids around Seattle

Gardens are the most underrated outing with small kids: flat paths, calm, something new around every corner, and Seattle's best ones are free. With a suspension bridge, koi, and a hill to climb, kids never notice they're 'visiting a garden'.

The 150-foot suspension bridge at Bellevue Botanical Garden is a 2-year-old favorite, and Garden d'Lights takes over in winter. At the Washington Park Arboretum, Azalea Way in spring and the Foster Island wetland boardwalk are both free. Kubota Garden's red bridges, koi and little waterfalls play like a treasure hunt, and the Volunteer Park Conservatory is warm on a rainy day, with a playground and a climbable water tower outside.

• 4 places
• 3 free
• 3 stroller-friendly
• closest is 7 min away