Fun Forest Amusement Park452

Disneyland this ain't. The Fun Forest, located on the northeast side of the Seattle Center grounds, has the slightly seedy charm of a traveling State Fair amusement park. It features 21 basic rides for big and little kids. (We like the antique carousel with its fantastically decorated horses.) The larger rides closed in late 2009, but most of the kiddie rides and the entertainment pavilion are scheduled to remain open through late 2010. Check the website before you go to find out what's open.

Unlimited ride bracelets are available, but tickets may be purchased in small quantities at prices that usually amount to $2 or $3 per ride, and you can hold on to unused tickets for your next visit. We find a quick spin on the ferris wheel to be a nice way to finish off an evening spent at the Seattle Children's Theatre or other nearby venue.

The Entertainment Pavilion houses five rides, a 25-foot climbing wall, laser tag, mini-golf, prize games, and a video arcade. It's open daily 11am-6pm from September until June. Summer hours are Sun-Thu 11am-7pm and Fri-Sat 11am-10pm.

Birthday parties: Two packages are available, with varying playtime on Entertainment Pavilion games.