As residents of Southwest King County, we might not consider the cities of Tukwila, SeaTac, and Des Moines as major draws in the tourism arena. However, the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority encourages us all to take a second look. We take for granted some of the top attractions, restaurants, shops and parks this region has to offer. From Des Moines Beach Park, to iFLY, to the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, and everything in between, there’s a great variety of fun attractions and restaurants for tourists and locals alike.
What’s there to do in Seattle’s Backyard?
When we talk about “Seattle’s Backyard,” we’re referring to the three cities marketed and promoted by the Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority: Tukwila, SeaTac, and Des Moines. The cities work well to complement one another and create a well-rounded destination for leisure and business travelers. SeaTac is the land of hotels and hospitality as well as a surprisingly large number of parks, Des Moines is the quaint, Northwest beach town, and Tukwila is filled with shops and family-friendly attractions. The variation in scenery, dining options and activities ensures that every day is an adventure in Seattle Southside.
This region appeals to visitors of all interests. Adventure seekers could spend days flying high at iFLY’s 10-story vertical wind tunnel, racing friends in one of SyKart’s high-speed go-karts, paddle boarding through the sound with the Olympic Outdoor Center and battling zombies at Virtual Sports. Families love the assortment of kid-friendly hotels with indoor pools and hot tubs, as well as the selection of popular attractions like The Museum of Flight, Flying Circus, Family Fun Center, and Des Moines Beach Park.
Speaking of Des Moines Beach Park, outdoor enthusiasts love spending time at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens, Redondo Beach, Angle Lake Park, and Des Moines Creek Trail. After a day (or a week) of fun, foodies will find culinary creations in and around Westfield Southcenter like Din Tai Fung (Taiwanese), Bai Tong (Thai), Grazie Ristorante (Italian), Las Palmas (Salvadorian), and Star Coffee (Ethiopian). Plus, there’s a great opportunity to look behind the curtain at the Seattle Chocolate factory on the Experience Chocolate tour.
If you’ve gone down the list of major attractions and restaurants in the area and think to yourself, “been there, done that,” there may be a few hidden treasures left in the area you’ve yet to discover. The Marine Science and Technology Center next to Salty’s at Redondo is an educational aquarium which is open to the public (at no cost) each Saturday, North SeaTac Park has great BMX and RC tracks, as well as a disc golf course, and the Tukwila Heritage Center preserves the history of Tukwila through historical photographs and exhibits.
If you’ve got family coming to town or you’re just looking to keep the kids entertained, you don’t have to travel all the way to Seattle for a good time (or a good meal). There’s plenty of fun to be had right here, in Seattle’s Backyard.
Learn more at www.SeattleSouthside.com or stop by the Visitor Center for in-person suggestions: 3100 S. 176th St. in SeaTac.
