Although some of the biggest high-tech companies are based in the area (including Microsoft in Redmond), there's a distinctive country flair in both Redmond & Woodinville. Redmond boasts a terrific park with pony classes & a farm where tots can learn about produce and actually pick crops on a weekly basis while Woodinville is home to fantastic wineries and restaurants...perfect for date nights!  Our round-up below highlights the best places to play, dine (with kids & date night), and shop!

• PLAY:
  • Molbak's Gardening Store and Center
    13625 NE 175th St., Woodinville - 425.483.5000
    When the weather's changeable–and really, when isn't it?–and your little ones could still do with a taste of the outdoors, head on over to Molbak's, where 15 acres of garden center await you and your brood. There's plenty for you to browse whilst the children enjoy the outdoors, indoors. Molbak's holds free monthly kids' planting workshops with a different theme each month. And when your green-fingered urchins are all done, sit back and enjoy lunch at the Molbak's Garden Cafe, run by Lowell-Hunt, caterers to the great and good. The seating area is spacious, with a couple of big tables for larger groups, a ramp for strollers, an outdoor patio with seating, and a water feature in the middle of the cafe that will keep the children entertained even once they're done with their food. Try the salmon sandwich!
    
    Bonus: The Hanna Andersson outlet is directly across the street! The Oshkosh outlet is nearby too!
  • South 47 Farm - Drop In Farm Tots Classes
    15410 NE 124th St, Redmond (corner of NE 124th St. and the Woodinville-Redmond Rd.) - 425.869.9777
    Farm Tots: Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 10:30am -11:30am, June-October.
    Admission:  Free to visit farm. Farm tots classes: $6 with one adult free per child. Ages 5 and under, with parent or guardian. No reservations needed; check in at the farmstand at 10:15am. (Parent stays with child)
    
    This organic farm is a great place for children to see food "in action". There's an extensive U-Pick program offering everything from berries to bok choi, depending on the season (check the farm's website for crops currently ready to harvest). Better yet, come for the "Farm Tots" programs that run every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from June through October. Each one-hour class will offer Junior the chance to pick his or her own portion of a crop in season, and the one-hour class also includes a nature or art activity and a wagon ride. The themed activities change each week and include farm favorites like worms, herbs, potatoes, bugs, flowers and seeds. When your tot has finished class, adults and children are free to wander the farm and visit the farm stand.
    
    Bonus: If it's a hot day and you "need" some ice cream after your farm visit (or you just remembered that you're out of milk), drive around the corner to Theno's Dairy (just south of the farm off Woodinville-Redmond Road). Look for the red building with the big cow by the door. Ice cream in rotating fun flavors like Strawberry Rhubarb.
  • Redmond Town Center
    The new sensory garden (RT write up) is an ideal spot to convene with friends prior to shopping, lunch, story times or kiddie classes at RTC. Kids love to play with the drums, visit the bear, and make the water wheels turn! If it's a really HOT day, walk down to the fountains at center court where kids of all ages will be splashing in the water.
    
    Bonus: Sign up for their Playdates & Perks program for super savings at many stores every Thursday from 10am-2pm.
  • Arena Sports Redmond Fun Zone -
    Drop In Inflatable Playground
    9040 WIllows Road,
    Redmond 425.885.4811
    Drop in weekdays from 10am-3pm (M-F) and let the kids bounce out those wiggles. Hours can vary , so call first to confirm drop-in availability. Parties & playgroups can be arranged. Also look into their Lil' Kickers soccer program.
  • Redmond-Hartman Pool
    17535 NE 104th St - Redmond
    (across from Redmond High School)
    425.233.3031
    Indoor pool with open swim times, lessons, family swim, and Friday night frolic. Check schedule as times may vary!
  • Cottage Lake Pool
    18831 NE Woodinville-Duvall Road,
    Woodinville
    206.296.2999
    Seasonal outdoor pool with open swim times, lessons, birthday parties and a brand-new waterslide! Check schedule as times may vary.
• Community Centers - Drop In Play Programs
  • Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center - 16600 NE 80th St, Redmond - 425.556.2377
    
    Kids ages 1-5 have the run  of the room enjoying all sorts of riding toys and play equipment! Program runs Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (but not during the summer or school holidays) from 10am-12pm and costs $2.
    
  • Carol Edwards Center  -  17401 133rd Ave NE, Woodinville - 425.398.9327
    
    Drop in programs for Little One includes: Toddler Time and Indoor Playground. Program stops in the summer. Call for times & current schedule! $2.\
• Horsing Around:
  • Pony Paradise Rides at Woodinview Stables -
    8197 224th St SE, Woodinville - 1.800.753.PONY (7669)
    Learn how to brush ponies and then take a fun ride down the scenic pony trail!  They accommodate playgroups, birthday parties, or just anyone looking to go on a pony ride. Call for an appointment!
  • Farrel McWhirter Park Pony & Horse Programs -
    19545 Redmond Road, Redmond
    Offerings include Preschool Pony Pal (for kids as young as 2), Beginning Pony Workshops, more advanced classes and summer camps. Sign-ups are through the City of Redmond Parks & Rec Guide. You can stop by the park anytime to visit the various farm animals and horses!
• Artsy Fartsy
  • SPROUTS Children's Theater at Second Story Repertory
    Located on the 2nd floor of Redmond Town Center next to Borders - 425.881.6777
    Sprouts productions are geared for kids 4 & up although they offer a few Small Sibling shows for children under 3 during each run. Kids get to sit on the floor of the stage in the middle of the action and audience participation keeps things fun and lively! Shows do not run during the summer, however they do offer summer camps and theater classes. (Also check it out for date night-you'll find comedy and theater productions for adults.)
  • Woodinville Repertory Theatre - 425) 481-8502
• Libraries & Story Times:
  • Redmond Library
    
  • Woodinville Library\
  • Borders Books at Redmond Town Center 10:30 am Tuesdays & Wednesdays plus special Reading with Rover events: Story time at the Hush Baby Boutique in Redmond Town Center 11:00 am Thursdays presented by The Moon paper Tent
  • Barnes & Noble Woodinville: Treats & Tales Tuesdays at 10:00 am, and Saturday Morning Stories Saturdays Noon.
• Parks We Love:
  For a list of all Redmond Parks and amenities.
  For a list of all Woodinville Parks and amenities.
  • Marymoor Regional Park - 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, Redmond
    Marymoor has so much to offer! This 640 acre regional park is home to a great playground (with a Subway concession stand) for kids with swings, slides, and climbers, plus tons of open grass fields, picnic areas, and an amazing off-leash dog park-bring Fido! This park is the perfect place to jump on the Burke Gilman bike trail. Pop Junior in the trailer and pedal out to Woodinville where you can grab lunch at Redhook. Takes about 1/2 an hour +/- to ride there!  
  • Idylwood Beach Park - 3650 West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, Redmond
    Whether or not it's "swimming" weather, this is a great park for tots with an awesome playground, picnic areas, & restrooms. Kids love to play at the water's edge and go swimming during the summer months.
  • Rotary Community Park - 19518 136th Ave NE, Woodinville (across from Woodinville High School)
    Kiddos love the play equipment which is unique from most parks! It's also fun to watch the big kids doing skate tricks.
  • Cottage Lake Park - NE Woodinville-Duvall Rd and 188th NE
    Visit the ducks at the lakeside, climb around on the playground, walk the trails, have a picnic, or hit the swimming pool!
• EAT: A selection of RT faves for when you're out and about with Little One. These picks include dining options ALL of you will enjoy!
  • Redhook Brewery - Forecasters Pub
    14300 NE 145th St, Woodinville - 425.483.3232
    Open for lunch and dinner. Minors welcome (except not after 9pm on Fridays and Saturday when the live music kicks it up a notch!) and kids selections are offered. Make an adventure out of this and bike ride here from Marymoor Park with Little One in the trailer! (Should take approx: 1/2 an hour). Also a good selection for date night-especially if you feel like dancing.
  • Pomegranate Bistro
    18005 N 68th St., Redmond - 425.556.5972
    This bright lime and pomegranate-colored, kid-approved restaurant launched its summer menu earlier this month. Stop in for salmon fettuccine with smoked ricotta or Southern fried chicken. Kids can get mocktails, along with mac & cheese, Firebread (it's like pizza) with cheese, sausage and no tomato sauce, and more.  It gets packed on weekends–call to put your name on the wait list before arriving.
  • ALSO TRY:
  • Coho Cafe - in Redmond's Bella Bottega shopping center
  • Todai - in Redmond Town Center
  • Big Time Pizza - Redmond (moving-stay tuned)
  • Cosi in Redmond Town Center or Woodinville
  • Panera Bread on Redmond Way
  • Ooba's Mexican Grill - Woodinville & Redmond
  • Red Ribbon Gourmet -Redmond (Delicious grab & go frozen entrees. Take it home & bake. Also makes a great gift to bring new parents!)
• DATE NIGHT!
  Sometimes you can get a break for a few hours and, when you're really lucky, you can get away for the whole night! Here are some RT picks for fabulous date nights...you might just have to make this a regular occurrence!
  • Barking Frog
    425.424.2999
    At the Willows Lodge in Woodinville
    The fireplace bar is a cozy place to sip on wine and reconnect with your Sig-O. If you dine in the courtyard on a warm summer night, you just might think you're in Sonoma. Make it a "date-weekend' and stay overnight at the Willows Lodge and unwind at the spa before you go home!
  • ALSO TRY:
  • Matt's Rotisserie & Oyster Lounge - in Redmond Town Center
  • Spazzo - Redmond Town Center
  • Purple Cafe & Wine Bar - Woodinville
  • Il Capretto d'Oro aka The Golden Goat - Woodinville 425.483.6791
  • Herb Farm - Woodinville at the Willows Lodge
  • Wine Tasting in Woodinville -  or Go Taste Wine
  • Concerts at Chateau Ste Michelle
  • Concerts at Marymoor Park
  • Outdoor Movies at Marymoor Park
  • The Big Picture - 21 & over movie theater in Redmond Town Center. The lounge has a full bar and they'll deliver drinks to your seat! Cheers!  (Check the schedule befoe you go as it can sometimes be rented out for private functions!)
• SHOP:
  The main outdoor Mall is Redmond Town Center with kid & mom-friendly stores such as: Hush Baby, Gymboree, Baby Gap, Brat Pack, Lucy, Ann Taylor, Louis Permelia, Victoria's Secret, White House/Black Market, Paint Away, & Learning Quest Toys. Need a department store? You'll find a Macy's here! In Woodinville, you'll find a variety of outlet type stores in the city center such as OshKosh, Hanna Andersson, and Eddie Bauer mixed with other stores like Barnes & Noble.
  • Coming Soon to Woodinville: Woodinville Village which will have 4 on-site wineries, restaurants, and retail shops. We can't wait!
  • Hanna Andersson Outlet - 13620 NE 175th St. #114, Woodinville (across from Molbaks)
    425.485.7998
    Carrying Scandinavian-inspired bold cotton fashions for you and your youngsters. People drive for miles around to visit this outlet.
    P.S. There's a full-price store in University Village.
  • Hush Baby Boutique at Redmond Town Center
    425.558.3835
    Ever wonder what you'd find if you were shopping on Melrose with Angelina and her brood? That upscale LA vibe is a rare one to come across in the Pacific Northwest. Hush Baby, the children's boutique at Redmond Town Center that opened in early November, offers Hollywood-style class and comfort. Hush Baby's star treatment also includes a 42-inch flat screen television featuring G-rated favorites, delightful fresh cookies, and complimentary hot chocolate and lattes. Thursdays at 11:00 am, story time comes complete with costumes for the young audience to explore and time to re-enact the story. Expectant moms can schedule an appointment for a session of state-of-the-art four-dimensional ultrasound photography from Baby Pictures. And the photo ops don't end there. Portrait photographer Nan Brotherton offers free sittings inside the store's studio.
  • Treehouse Children's Shop
    15742 Redmond Way (in Redmond Center) 425.885.1145 (no website)
    Resale and much more! This store, while not fancy, is huge and carries a wide selection of resale clothing as well as brand new Robeez & See Kai Run shoes, new raingear, dance gear, special occasion dresses, and everything you need to outfit your girl scout. They also have a small selection of resale toys for sale and there is a play area with cars & slides where Little One can play! Bonus: This store is in the same plaza as Tree Top toys and Ben Franklin Crafts. Just down the street, you'll want to try Ooba's Mexican Grill for lunch!
  • OPAL (Clothes for moms only) 17887 Redmond Way, Redmond (In the same plaza as the new Whole Foods)
    425.882.0970 (no website)
    A trendy new boutique to keep you feeling hip. They have a huge selection of denim such as Paige, Hudson, Red Engine, & AG. Other brands include Twisted Heart and Splendid. Stop in and update your look!
• FARMERS MARKETS:
  • Woodinville Farmers Market -
    Grounds of Woodinville Village at Crossroads of Hwy 202 & Woodinville-Redmond Road
    Saturdays 9:00 am - 3:00 pm through Oct. 13, 2007
  • Redmond Saturday Market -
    7730 Leary Way on the NW Corner of Redmond Town Center
    Saturdays 9:00 am - 3:00 pm through Oct. 27, 2007
• LINKS:
  • City of Reredmond
  • Redmond Parks and Rec Guide:
    • www.redmond.gov
    • www.ci.redmond.wa.us
    • www.ci.woodinville.wa.us
  • Woodinville Parks and Rec Guide:
    • www.woodinvillewinecountry.com
    • www.myparksandrecreation.com   (Park info and rec guides for many participating Eastside cities!)