Best Seattle-Area Spots for a Sweet Afternoon Tea Outing With Kids
Photo:
Beautiful floral boxes from the Secret Garden Tea Room hold all the fixings for an afternoon tea picnic. We liked our beachside spot at Saltwater State Park. Photo: Natasha Dillinger
Secret Garden Tea Room
The lovely Secret Garden Tea Room in Sumner is a private club that offers afternoon tea reservations in a beautiful Victorian house. While tea club members can book up to six weeks in advance, the tea room offers unbooked tables to the general public one week in advance. The tea room also offers its tea service for pick-up, for members and the public alike.
The takeaway tea service is ideal for a teatime picnic, and it’s not just a scone in a bag. Staff will package up your afternoon tea selections in a stunning floral box, complete with fingertip towels to wipe those lifted pinkies! You can also choose to have your treats served on a silver platter or tiered stand.
We took our treats to the beach for a low-tide picnic, but Seibenthaler Park is located within walking distance, and Loyalty Park’s impressive accessible playground is just a few minutes’ drive away. The Devonshire cream added the perfect tang when spread on my scone, and my son loved his sweet mousse, nibbled from a tiny spoon.
Location: 1711 Elm St. E., Sumner
Hours: Pick-up tea service is available on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Call ahead to reserve a pickup time (253-826-4479). The tea room is open by reservation, Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Pick-up tea service costs $35–$50 per adult, $25–$30 per child. Afternoon tea on-site is $81 for adults, and $61 for children ages 5–11 (the tea room cannot accommodate younger children).
Next cup: Olive Branch Café and Tea Room
