Federal Way, WA

Federal Way, Washington

Located along one of the many bays of the Puget Sound, this family-friendly city is bathed in endless gardens, fascinating trails, gigantic fir trees, and a magnificent view of the mountain range. The entire west side of the city that borders the bay is lined with many different gorgeous parks.

The population is nearly 100,000 with over 36,000 housing units, and the Federal Way Public School District consists of 15 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 3 high schools, 3 colleges, and numerous academies. There are plans to add more land to the city limits, so more homes and jobs will be available in the near future.

Wild Waves Theme & Water Park

Being the state’s only combined water and amusement park, Wild Waves is a very popular attraction year-round for both tourists and residents. This theme park consists of over 70 acres of 10 waterslides, 10 thrilling roller coasters, 10 family-friendly rides, and 7 kid-friendly rides! There are also restaurants within the park that serve burgers, hotdogs, ice cream, and other fair food.

Pacific Bonsai Museum

This museum features an impressive collection of different tree species, focusing specifically on bonsai trees. There are currently over 150 bonsai trees in the collection that come from countries all over the world including China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

The Commons

As the only indoor shopping mall in the city, The Commons in Federal Way is a great place to hang out. There are many popular stores such as Target, Macy’s, and Kohl’s, and some fabulous restaurants including Red Robin, Five Guys, Applebee’s, and Panera Bread. You can also find community-held events and holiday photoshoots at this mall.

Dumas Bay Centre Park & Sanctuary

The 12-acre park located on the waterfront has gorgeous walking trails, shaded areas in the grassy fields, and a family arts theater where you can see shows, attend events, and participate in workshops. Just a few blocks away, the Dumas Bay Sanctuary is a 20-acre stretch of land that extends down to the sandy beaches of Poverty Bay.

Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

Of the 1,000+ rhododendron species on the planet, this 22-acre conservatory presents you with over 700 of them. The flowers in this oasis come from many different places including North America, Australia, Asia, and Europe. Many events are held here, such as festivals and symposiums, as well as programs such as classes and lectures on botany.