Much of downtown Seattle is notorious for narrow, hilly streets with metered parking. The parking structures often have height restrictions and prohibit oversized vehicles. To enjoy your time without worrying about parking, leave your rig at the campground, and take advantage of Seattle's impressive public transportation system.
The most recognized landmark in Seattle is the Space Needle, but it's not the only place to see an aerial view of the city. The Skyview Observatory, located in the Columbia Center, is the tallest public observatory in the Pacific Northwest. For a kid-approved view, head to Miner's Landing at Pier 57. Here, you can ride the Seattle Great Wheel, a gondola-style Ferris wheel that takes riders 40 feet over the Puget Sound. Do you have a fear of heights? Take a virtual tour of Washington at Wings Over Washington, a flying theater also located at Pier 57. Finally, your trip to the Emerald City wouldn't be complete without visiting the Pike Place Market to see the famous fishmongers, the original Starbucks, and the Market Theater Gum Wall.
To learn about Seattle's tech industry, visit Amazon's HQ for a guided tour. Want to do the tour yourself? Download a free audio tour, and explore how the company connects to the community. In Redmond, just outside of the downtown area, is the Microsoft Visitor Center, where you can take an interactive, self-guided tour and see how games like Minecraft helped shape the company.
Animal lovers who want to add to their camping experience should book a whale watching tour in the San Juan Islands. The region is considered one of the best places to spot an Orca in its natural habitat. Campers will have to drive their RV rental from Seattle to the ferry to get to the islands. Before booking your rental, make sure you pick an RV that meets the size requirements for both the ferry and the campground.
Do you have a thing for national parks? You can drive from Seattle to a visitor center in less than 120 miles. Olympic National Park crosses three ecosystems, and in one trip, you can experience Washington's moody coastline, old-growth forest, and glacier-capped mountains. Mount Rainier National Park is home to the active volcano, Mount Rainier, alpine glacial peaks, and a massive volcanic glacier cave system. North Cascades National Park features a large wilderness area, alpine lakes, cascading waterfalls, and endangered wildlife.
