Below we outline six ways to get the most out of your Seattle summer.
1. PATIOS, Not Just For Day Drinking.
Looking for awesome Seattle skyline views and fantastic food? Head on over to West Seattle's Marination Ma Kai at Seacrest Park to enjoy this perfect patio. Pictured above.
Have guests in town, or looking for a patio with killer views? Stop by Old Stove Brewing Company at the Pike Place Marketfront. West-facing views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains with great beer and snacks.
In the mood for something a bit heartier? Wood Shop BBQ in the Central District is a great spot. The ribs and mac n cheese bowls are not to be missed.
Check out Red Cow, a great little French spot in Madrona with a nice happy hour menu (try the moules!) and patio. Bonus points for an after dinner stroll along Lake Washington at nearby Madrona Park.
2. DAY TRIPS, For Quick Adventures in The Puget Sound.
There is a LOT of fun to be had in the greater Seattle area. Let's start by hopping on a Washington State Ferry and enjoying the scenic, 35 minute ride to Bainbridge Island for some amazing ice cream at Mora Ice Cream. Don't miss the dulce de leche (Argentinean flavor), the signature mora (blackberry) or gianduja (hazelnut). Take a stroll along the main drag through town and stop for a tasting flight at Eagle Harbor Wine Co or Eleven Winery before checking out the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum or Bainbridge Island Museum of Art. Stop for dinner at Hitchcock before catching a ferry back to the mainland.
Option #2 for a great Seattle day trip to take advantage of the summer weather: having a picnic and fresh oysters at the Taylor Shellfish Farms Samish Oyster Bar and Shellfish Market in Bow, Washington. Roughly 90 minutes north of downtown Seattle, this is the perfect spot to grab a few dozen oysters and shuck them at one of the picnic tables with your own supplies. Or you can have the pros shuck them for you. Make sure to get some fresh clams, mussels, fish, or crab to take home with you! Directions here.
The 3rd great option for a Seattle day trip - Whidbey Island. Get on I-5 and head north to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal. Catch a ferry to the island and head to Coupeville. The farmer's market is open on Saturdays, or you can check out the Coupeville Wharf or Lavender Wind Farm Shop for the lavender lovers. For lunch check out Christopher's - please try the Penn Cove Mussels. If you're looking for spectacular views and amazing PNW hiking, Deception Pass State Park is not to be missed.
3. SWIMMING AND BEACHES, Because Sometimes You Just Want Sand Between Your Toes.
Golden Gardens Park is the, ahem, golden standard for sandy beaches in Seattle. Located just minutes from the heart of Ballard, this great park has a hiking trail, off-leash dog park, and more! Stop by the Ballard Farmer's Market on Sundays to pick up provisions for a picnic before heading to the beach at Golden Gardens Park. Remember, per Seattle Municipal Code, dogs are not allowed on public beaches.
Madrona Park is a good little spot with a sandy beach, a roped-off swimming area, and a lifeguard. Bring fixings for a barbecue (grills! picnic tables!) or sprawl out on the grassy areas and watch the boat traffic. Maybe go to the Red Cow for happy hour on the patio afterward?
A bit farther south on Lake Washington is the classic Seward Park (pictured above). This park has something for everyone: tennis courts, covered pavilions, a fantastic playground, 2.5 mile walking/running/biking trail, and swimming! Pro-tip: park on S Orcas St and walk down the hill to get to the swimming beach.
We'd be remiss if we didn't mention Alki Beach Park in West Seattle! Grab your bike and ride along the boardwalk. Play volleyball. Swim. Stroll. Take in the amazing views. Watch the cruise ships and ferries.
King County tests many of the fresh water swimming beaches weekly and you can see the current status of each spot here. This also doubles as another map to check out more swimming spots. Enjoy!
4. OUTDOOR CONCERTS, MOVIES, THEATER, And So Much More.
There are entirely too many amazing outdoor summer adventures to be had in Seattle! Here are just a few of the listings that caught our eye:
Movies at the Mural - Free, outdoors at the Seattle Center. Bring a picnic. The movies start around 9pm. Highlights include The Princess Bride (7/31), Knives Out (8/14), Yesterday (8/21).
Backyard Bard and Seattle Shakespeare - Take in productions of Shakespeare's work as it was meant to be seen: in the open air. See links for complete listings of productions and locations. They are all over the Puget Sound region.
For the sports fan in your life, there are a healthy number of Mariners home games left to be played this summer. Highlights include games against the Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees. Don’t forget to check out the T-Mobile Park concessions, with highlights from Din Tai Fung (Taiwanese dumplings), Paseo (Cuban sandwiches), Ballard Pizza, and Lil Woody’s (burgers).
5. BEAT THE HEAT, Stay Indoors.
Movie theaters are starting to re-open!
Columbia City’s Arklodge Cinemas is now open!
Columbia City’s The Beacon is also open for private screenings. Rent out the whole theater for your family!
The Central District’s Central Cinema re-opens on July 30th.
The University District’s The Grand Illusion is re-opening on August 20th.
The SIFF theaters are re-opening in the autumn, but you can support them by streaming films here.
If you're looking for a bit more culture... Located just steps from Pike Place Market in the heart of Downtown Seattle, the Seattle Art Museum has an awesome exhibition on until October 17th: Monet at Étretat. “In 10 paintings created by Monet and 12 works by other artists of his era, this exhibition sheds light on an oft-overlooked period of growth in Monet’s life that created the myth of a man Guy De Maupassant described as “no longer a painter but truly a hunter . . . in pursuit of impressions."“
6. WE'RE ON A BOAT, Rowing/Sailing/Kayaking/Chartering A Boat!
Looking for something a bit more low-key? Go at your own pace? How about a boat?
University of Washington's Waterfront Activities Center - Located in the U-District, this great resource allows you to get out on Lake Washington cheaply and easily. Rent a canoe or rowboat for $14/hour, a single kayak for $16/hour, and a double kayak for $20/hour. Take the Light Rail! Get out on the lake!
The Center For Wooden Boats - Situated in the heart of South Lake Union, this organization has a great livery of... you guessed it, wooden boats. Rowboats, double kayaks, canoes, and even sailboats (test required). Fantastic location to paddle around, watch the seaplanes take off and land. After working up an appetite, head to one of the many nearby restaurants in South Lake Union for nourishment.
Northwest Paddle Surfers - With multiple locations throughout the region, this is a great way to try Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Boarding. They also have two-person kayaks available. Locations include Seward Park, Juanita Beach (Kirkland), among others.
Sail Sand Point - On the northern shores of Lake Washington in Seattle's Sand Point neighborhood, inside of Magnuson Park, is the non-profit Sail Sand Point boating center. Here you can rent kayaks, SUP boards and several different types of small sailboats (test or classes required).
And that's a wrap! Thanks for reading. Have a great summer - and stay hydrated!
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