Key Takeaways:
- The Seattle Center Monorail has been running above the city since 1962 and is one of Seattle’s most unique family experiences.
- Kids under 5 ride free, and reduced fares are available for youth ages 6 to 18.
- Strollers are welcome on board the Seattle Monorail, and both stations are fully accessible.
- The Monorail runs approximately every 8 to 10 minutes, so there is no need to rush.
When you are visiting Seattle with kids, a ride on the Seattle Center Monorail belongs on your list of things to do. Not because it is the fastest way to travel from downtown to Seattle Center, but because of what it is: a piece of living history that still manages to completely charm kids.
There is something special about the ride: the retro-futuristic design, the elevated track, the way the city opens up as you glide above the street. The same Blue and Red trains built for Seattle’s 1962 World’s Fair are still running today, and kids who ride it now can easily have grandparents who rode it as children!
Riding the Seattle Center Monorail with Kids: What to Know
Here is what families need to know before they ride:
- Kids under 5 ride free
- Youth ages 6 to 18 ride at a reduced fare, available at the station vending machine
- Adult tickets are available at the vending machine, online, or with an ORCA card
- The Monorail runs every 8 to 10 minutes, so there is no need to rush
- Check current fares and hours at seattlemonorail.com
Strollers on the Seattle Monorail
The Seattle Center Monorail is stroller-friendly from start to finish. At Westlake Station, take the elevator on 5th Ave to reach the platform. Once you have your tickets, look for the ADA doors when boarding for extra width. No folding, no maneuvering, roll right on. The ride is smooth and quiet, which is welcome news if you are traveling with a baby or a light sleeper. At Seattle Center Station, a ramp brings you right out to the grounds, and you are on your way.
What the Ride is Like
The ride itself is three minutes of elevated city views, with Seattle spread out on both sides as the Monorail glides between buildings about 30 feet above the street. The train passes through the MoPOP building before the Space Needle comes into sight straight ahead. It is over before you want it to be, which for most kids means one thing: can we go again?
What’s Waiting at Seattle Center
The Space Needle is straight ahead the moment you arrive, and a full day of family activities is within easy walking distance. For everything Seattle Center has to offer families, check out our guide to have A Family Day at Seattle Center, Starting with the Monorail.
Ready to Ride?
Buy your tickets and plan your visit at seattlemonorail.com.
