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Let’s Go Salmon Spotting: Where to Take the Kids to See Salmon Returning to Spawn

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Updated for 2020

Streams and creeks around Tacoma, Puyallup and greater Pierce and South King County are the perfect places to look for salmon coming home to spawn. This is a frugal fall outing unique to the Northwest, and it’s a great South Sound outdoor adventure with the kids.

where to see salmon in Seattle and Tacoma

 

First, let’s be clear that when a salmon is returning to spawn, it’s returning to the place where it was born to deposit eggs. This is the end of its life, and a remarkable natural process. It also means that while you’re catching sight of the salmon heading to spawn, you might end up seeing (and smelling) a dead one. If this would alarm your children, you may want to choose another activity.

You should also know that this is a historically low year for the salmon run according to the Ballard Locks, so as with all outings in nature, don’t promise your kiddos anything other than adventure!

If you’re up for salmon spotting, here are your best bets! There are several organized salmon spotting opportunities, but this is also a fine activity to do DIY style, and it would be a great adventure for your homeschoolers or other fun group.

South King County/Eastside/Seattle

Cedar River, Renton

where to see salmon in seattle tacoma

 

Salmon can typically be spotted the whole month of October. In person events are cancelled this year, but the link has plenty of info. to help you do this DIY style.

King County and Auburn Area Watersheds

Salmon can be seen at various sites August-November. Link has info. on sites and safe, DIY viewing.

Covington Creek

Link has info. on seeing Coho salmon in Soos Creek, Covington Creek, and other area spots.

Issaquah Salmon Hatchery

If you’re up for a road trip, the hatchery in Issaquah just might be the fanciest in America. They pride themselves on being the most visited hatchery in Washington. Tours are available with the size limited. Link has info. on the 2020 salmon season and Covid related precautions and changes.

where to see salmon seattle tacoma

Tacoma

Swan Creek Park

I don’t see information on an event this year, but you may be able to spot some on your own.

Puyallup/Greater Pierce County

South Prairie- On the east side of town by the fire station you can see salmon in South Prairie Creek between late September-January. This document lists several other Pierce County area spots, but it is older, so I can’t vouch for them. Let us know if you try any of these, and we’ll add them!

Puyallup Fish Hatchery and Clark’s Creek

Typically, you can visit the hatchery during daylight hours, and the educational center on Saturdays; however, I am not sure if either is open right now. You can often see salmon in the creek directly behind the hatchery that connects to the Clark’s Creek trail system. I am not sure if there will be an organized salmon homecoming this year. I suspect not, but I’ll keep you posted. If you find out any scoop, let me know! Here is they city’s page for the hatchery.

The fb page for the Puyallup Historical Hatchery Foundation is here.

Thurston County/Olympia

Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail

The trail, featuring wild chum salmon, is free for visitors. This is one of the most popular sites in Washington, with over 5,000 people visiting every November.  Be sure to visit the Kennedy Creek Salmon Trail page to show your kiddos a great 3 minute video all about salmon spawning! It will really inspire you to put this event on your calendar! There is more information for visitors here.

Viewing is usually available during the month of November. I don’t see updated info. for this year, so I suspect this is going to be a DIY adventure without docents this year. I’ll work on confirming that for you.

McClane Creek Nature Trail

This is an outstanding trail to explore with young hikers near Olympia. During mid November-mid December there are good opportunities to see returning chum.

Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls Park

Update: Currently closed according to their fb page. Thanks to one of our awesome Fb readers for letting me know. Put this one on the list for 2021!

In the 1962, the state funded hatchery operations at the top of Tumwater Falls, making this another great spot to watch salmon. This is also a great place to view fall leaves changing color!  Jen, of ThriftyNWMom, has an an awesome full review of Tumwater Falls Park.

Gig Harbor

Minter Creek Hatchery, Gig Harbor

State Hatcheries are currently closed.

Donkey Creek Park with Harbor Wild Watch

Traditionally there has been an event towards the end of November. I don’t see info. yet but will keep you posted if I find out more.

Kitsap County

Extensive maps and information on free salmon tours if you want to head down to the Kitsap area.

 

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Do you have a great way to have outdoor fun this time of year? I’d love to hear about it!

For more fall fun, check out our these posts

where to see leaves change color near tacoma or seattle

 

u pick apples and cider making in or near Tacoma or Seattle

South Sound Apple Picking and Cider Making

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Updated for 2020

Tacoma and South Puget Sound Area Apple Picking and Apple Cider Making Events

 If you’re looking to celebrate fall with apple fun, we’re here to help! The bad news is there are very few spots to go apple picking in the South Sound (or even very close), but there are several South Sound area apple events full of old fashioned fun. This year many of those events have been scaled back. If you know of one I missed, do let me know! I also thank you in advance for confirming details for yourself as things change by the day these days.

Note that this post is specific to apple events; I have another round up of harvest festivals that will be updated soon! You will also find a link to apple picking options out of the area at the bottom of this post.

u pick apples and cider making in or near Tacoma or Seattle

Cockrell Cider Puyallup

Rick is letting folks pick apples this Labor Day weekend. Check out his fb post for details. Thanks to a fb reader for this great tip.

Meeker Mansion, Puyallup

Saturday, October 10th

It will be a virtual, drive-thru event this year. No details on that yet, but we’ll keep you posted!

Wild Hare Organic Farm Puyallup/Tacoma

No u pick here, and no field trips this year, But you can find all kinds of tasty things at their organic farm stand, and it’s about as close to your food as you can get without growing and harvesting it yourself.  Years ago, they did apple picking and cider pressing here when it was Terry’s Berries, but that’s been a while.

Henry helping with the wash and rinse back in '07. Ack! How did he get so big? Must have been all the apples....

One of my kiddos helping with the wash and rinse way back in ’07. Ack! How did he get so big? Must have been all the apples….

Steilacoom Apple Squeeze

Steilacoom Historical Museum Association will not have their traditional squeeze and fair, but there IS a modified event this year. I’ll let you know when more details are announced. Currently the site says you can look forward to a, “Tasting,” on Sunday, October 4th, which will be a socially distanced activity with cider and apple foods for sale.

Lattin’s Country Cider Mill, Olympia

Lattin’s has traditionally held an Apple Festival, beginning the last weekend of September and running through the last weekend of October. I don’t see info. for this year, but it does look like they are open for sales of fresh produce and treats like their famous apple fritters. I would check their Fb page for up to date info.

Curran Apple Orchard In University Place

Update: One of our Fb readers says Labor Day is the last day for public picking. See the orchard fb page for details. You may also want to  find out about the orchard and how you can adopt a tree of your own next year!

Volunteer for the Gleaning Project

The Pierce County Gleaning Project sends volunteers to pick crops that would otherwise go to waste. They are donated to area food banks, and volunteers usually get to keep some as well! I don’t know a whole lot of details about this program, or how it’s operating in this era,  but I sure think it’s cool. You can check it out and register as a gleaner. Do note that spots often go fast! If you have your own crops going to waste, you can also get in touch with them!

Beyond the South Sound

With the exception of the options mentioned above, if you want to have the kiddos pick lots of apples right off the tree, you’re going to have to find a generous neighbor (try finding your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook), or take a road trip. The closest options are found north, in Skagit County. To really multiply your options, you can head east over the mountains. Lauren of NWTripFinder has some fun spots in both areas. You can also try an article from her at the always great, Parent Map.  Btw, if you’re here via NWTripFinder, welcome! Our specialty is South Sound adventures, and we’d love to have you come back again!

There will also be lots of farm festivals and pumpkin patch fun in the weeks to come. Look for our updated guides to those soon. If you can’t wait,  check out this fun post! It hasn’t been updated yet this year, but parks don’t really change (although leaves do)! lol As always in this era, do what sounds fun and safe for YOU and your family.

where to see leaves change color near tacoma or seattle

 

The South Sound Beat the Heat List!

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Wowza! It’s a hot one! Here is a round up of good places to keep cool with the kids around the South Sound, including places kids can splash in the water or swim and wade.

Please note that due to Covid related closures, there are NO public splash pads, spray grounds, or pools open that I know of. There are also NO lifeguards at any area beach that I know of, so please use extra caution. All the outdoor posts on this list, AND the ice cream list, are updated.

As always we remind you to be cautious in the heat, And around water with your children. Safety first!

beatheat

Whether you’re too hot in Tacoma, sizzling in Sumner, or Overheating in Olympia-well, you get the idea…..I’m here to help!

Here is my list of readers’ favorite ice cream and cool treat spots.

Tacoma area ice cream shops

Check out a beach with sand! Bring your toys!

Best Beaches with Sand in the South Puget Sound

You can also check out one of these great kid friendly beaches!

best tacoma beaches for kids

OR Here Is A List Of Ten Great South Sound Parks With Shade

Cool off by a nearby lake!-As always, make sure to be vigilant about watching your children around water. Only some of these spots have lifeguards. I’m also not sure about Lake Meridian in Kent as there was a fire earlier in the season that damaged the guard station.

GREAT LAKES

 

 

 

Sounds Fun Mom’s South Sound Summer Guide

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Updated for 2020 Summer is different this year, but it doesn’t have to be a bummer! We have dozens of great things you can do with the kids this summer. Are you ready? Here’s our South Sound Summer Guide! It’s all our most popular summer posts in one handy place! We’ll have it here on […]

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Tacoma Museums Reopening

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We’re excited to let you know that many of the museums in Tacoma are reopening. These are great indoor places to take kids during the rainy season! Unfortunately, the popular Children’s Museum of Tacoma is NOT yet open, but many of the other Tacoma area museums have lots for curious kids to enjoy. As ever, […]

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The History Museum in Tacoma is Reopening

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We’re excited to share that the history museum in Tacoma is opening again! This is a surprisingly kid friendly space with lots for school aged children to explore. It would be a particularly good outing for those of you doing your own homeschooling this year, or for those of you with some independent time built […]

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Swimming Hole on Anderson Island Closed

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The ‘Ol Swimming Hole on Anderson Island is closed as of this writing due to issues around its popularity during this time of Covid concerns. Don’t take the kids to Anderson Island if you’re hoping to swim! This is the beach at Lowell Johnson Park, and authorities have closed it, and are asking you not […]

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Old McDebbie’s in Spanaway is Open This Summer!

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Here’s another fun place to take the kids that is open this summer! Old McDebbie’s in Spanaway is a petting zoo/farm where kids can meet and pet animals. Readers have really enjoyed it here, and they are open, with some special Covid related precautions. Their hours are currently Wednesdays-Sunday from 10am-6pm. Masks are required on […]

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Cruise In Cinema Drive In Style Movies in Tacoma

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More outdoor drive in style movies are coming to Tacoma this summer! We’re so excited to hear about this family friendly outing. Your kids will love going to see a movie drive-in style! Movies will be held on Fridays in August at the STAR Center. Advance ticket purchase is REQUIRED. You must show them at […]

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Where to Find Sunflower Fields South Puget Sound

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Sunflowers! Everyone loves them, right? A lot of readers have asked if I know of any sunflower fields or other fields of flowers good for a pretty photo op. Until recently, I honestly didn’t know any South Sound or Tacoma area sunflower options, but just recently, I’ve learned about a couple places to get sunflowers […]

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Northwest Trek Open for Wild Walks

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Another popular area attraction is open again. Sort of. Northwest Trek is opening a, “Wild Walk.” This option will be different than what you are used to at Northwest Trek. Basically, you will get to explore the areas you walk around normally on a one way path, but it will NOT include the tram ride. […]

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Puyallup Taco Bus Opens

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The Puyallup Taco Bus is finally going to open-now as a bricks and mortar restaurant! This isn’t our usual family fun content, but tacos are MY kind of fun, and, “When is the taco bus going to open?” has been the question for Puyallup for a while now. Los Amigos Taqueria posted this on their […]

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Playgrounds Open in Fife

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Another area parks department has opened its playgrounds. The playgrounds at Fife parks are now open, with restrictions. You (or your kids) are asked to play in groups of five or less and to stay six feet apart. Playgrounds are inspected but not disinfected or sanitized, so you should bring your own hand sanitizer and […]

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