Plan Your Visit, Get Directions to the American Girl Doll Store : Seattle, WA (Lynnwood, Washington)

For all of those little girls on the West Coast who were longing to visit the American Girl Doll Store, it just became a little bit easier. Instead of having to travel to L.A., families can now visit the newest American Girl store in Seatle, WA.

This store is actually located in Lynwood, WA at the Alderwood mall. Lynwood is a suburb of Seattle that is about 15 miles north, straight up I-5. If you are visiting the area this a great area for lots of shopping. A Target, World Market, Kohls, Toys R Us and more stores are really close to the mall. Within the mall itself you will also find your Abercrombie & Fitch, and Justice stores.

Although this location is not as big as the flagship store in Chicago, it does house 12,500 square feet of American Girl fun. You will find the doll hair salon, American Girl Bistro, and most of the American Girl products. Some merchandise is only sold in specific stores (usually the t-shirts that state the name of the city the store is located.) Otherwise, you will be able to find all of the dolls - from the Bitty Babies to the Historical Collection, Girl of the Year, and the Just Like Me collection. You will also be able to visit the Creativi-Tees and bookstore areas that are part of the fun of shopping the store instead of ordering online.

Ways to take your day trip visit to the American Girl Doll store over the top:

• Get mani's and pedi's at the nail salon in the mall
• Take your doll to her first movie. There is an AMC (Lowes) Movie theater here too.
• Celebrate special days with a treat ... ColdStone Creamery, Mrs. Fields, Pinkabella Cupcakes, or Red Mango would be delish!
• Go for a photo session at JC Penney Portrait Studio

If you've more than a day to visit Seattle, there are loads of places to visit. The most famous of which is probably either the Space Needle or the Pike Place Market.

Although the Space Needle is a great place to visit, did you know that you can check out a building that is nearly twice it's height? Yep, the Bank of America Tower has a Sky View Observatory on the 73rd floor that boasts a view that is 400 ft higher. Plus you can see the Space Needle from this view. The best part? It's less than half the cost of the Space Needle at $3-$5. Just be sure to go on a day that isn't cloudy!! Also, due the fact that the building is primarily a banking establishment, it is closed on weekends and holidays.

Pike's Place Market is one of those places that you have to visit when traveling to Seattle, WA. You'll find all kinds of vendors here ... from fish to flowers! You might think that you won't be able to travel with fresh meat and produce, but the spices, botanicals, and coffee. After all you will find the original Starbucks here! It does get crowded on weekends and in the summer months, but try visiting in the morning for less crowds. If you need to park your car try behind the market at 1531 Western Ave. There is a garage here that connects to the market via an elevator.

If you want to take a stroll and see more of the Seattle Waterfront, just take 1st Avenue to the Harbor Steps. Walk north to the Olympic Sculpture Park. Take Broad Street to the Space Needle if you want an uphill climb!

Add a bit of education to your vacation by checking out the Museum of Flight. You can actually board an old Air Force One.

Kids love to ride the Washington State Ferries. It is an important part of the transportation system in this neck of the woods. You can choose between shorter and longer trips to the local islands. It's a great way to see more of the Pacific Northwest! You'll find the main ferry terminal at Colman Dock (801 Alaskan Way Pier 52, Seattle, Washington 98121).

Get adventurous and try some White Water Rafting! Or, if that isn't quite what you had in mind, you can visit the Woodland Park Zoo for a tamer wildlife experience. Of course Mt. Rainier looms in the distance so if you have time take a day trip out to see it up close.

I am always looking for a family friendly restaurant to dine in when traveling. It is important that the atmosphere, food, and prices be kid friendly. Tops on our list is the Old Spaghetti Factory!

All Purpose Pizza would be a lovely place to hang out with your doll. They have a kid sized pizza kitchen for them to play in while your order is prepared.

Boom Noodle is a spot that kids will find unique, but good. They'll love the cute little bento boxes the meals are served from.