If you’re planning on bringing the kids along with you to the Pacific Northwest for a San Juan Islands family vacation, we know the best ways to spend your time! We also have the perfect place to stay. We welcome children of all ages in our Tucker House Inn suites and cottages. These Friday Harbor accommodations offer privacy and also extra space for the whole family. Though our main bed and breakfast rooms are adult-only, our cottages and suites will be the perfect place to stay during a San Juan Islands family vacation. And, even better, children 7 and under can stay for free! After booking your stay at Tucker House Inn, you will need to plan your family vacation itinerary. We have some great ideas on how to explore the San Juan Islands with the kids!
Find out more about all of the fun things to do with kids near Tucker House Inn when you download our free Vacation Guide. It’s full of the best recommendations for things to see and do while enjoying your San Juan Islands family vacation!
What to Do During Your San Juan Islands Family Vacation
Visit the Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm
When thinking of ways to spend your time in Friday Harbor for the kids, consider a trip to the Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm. Explore the country store for souvenirs like alpaca-fiber-based items, from sweaters to teddy bears, with scarves and socks in between. Then go outside on the 80-acre farm and view the stars of the show- the alpacas. Everyone in the family will enjoy this great San Juan Island activity!
Go to the Beach
Tide pooling at Dead Man’s Bay or False Bay is a fun San Juan Islands family vacation activity that is perfect for people of all ages. When the sea recedes on the rocks near the shore, it leaves little puddles of water, tide pools, often home to delicate creatures that may hide under rocks or seaweed to protect themselves from the sun or camouflage themselves to blend in with their surroundings to avoid predators. So, you need to look closely to find them!
Embark on a Zipline Adventure
For 8-year-olds and older, zip lining is an exciting San Juan Islands family vacation activity to experience. Participants get the chance to fly in a variety of environments with eight different lines that traverse through the forest, across a lake, and over wetlands. View the San Juan Islands from new heights with Zip San Juan!
Get a Junior Range Badge at a National Park
When you visit the San Juan Island National Park, your kids have the chance to get a junior ranger badge! Just pick up a free workbook at American Camp or English Camp. American Camp is open year round, while English Camp is open from June to September. Then, junior ranger training begins! Complete the activities in the booklet and, if possible, go on a ranger guided walk. Once your kids have returned the worksheet to the American Camp visitor center and get it approved, your kids will receive the honorable badge!
Discover Island History at the San Juan Historical Museum
The San Juan Historical Museum is a must-see attraction during your San Juan Islands family vacation. Located only a few blocks away from the Friday Harbor ferry landing, the San Juan Historical Museum plays host to the annual Friday Harbor Fourth of July Pig War Picnic, Music on the Lawn Summer Concert Series, Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration, and several other fun events throughout the year. The history museum includes 19th-and-20th-century life on San Juan Island, featuring photographs, pioneer stories, and other interesting exhibits for historians of all ages!
Learn About Orcas at the Whale Museum
Children with an interest in marine wildlife will be thrilled to visit the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor. Dedicated to the local orca population, The Whale Museum houses everything from educational programs to group tours, as well as a number of orcas that can be adopted. The Kids Room at The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor features many interactive games that combine fun and learning. In the main exhibit hall, a payphone allows kids to listen to different marine animal sounds (Dial “1” for orcas!). Kids will also enjoy the “Brain Case,” where they can compare the size of a human brain to that of a fin whale to see if brain size equates to intelligence.
Book Your Family Vacation Stay at Tucker House Inn
View our suites and cottages to determine which accommodation works best for your San Juan islands family vacation. Just let us know when you make your reservation if you will be bringing the kids along for the adventure! We can’t wait to see the whole family here in Friday Harbor!
