5 Ways to Have a Fabulous Seattle Summer

Summer is usually the time when people take vacations. Kids are on break from school and work tends to slow down. It makes sense to vacation during the summer months because of natural breaks in the calendar year, but in the 5 years I've lived in Seattle I can say without a doubt that there is no place I'd rather be in the summer time than the Emerald City. 

Anyone who's from Seattle knows that July, August, and September in Seattle are what dreams are made of. It may be that we build it up in our heads because they are so foggy from the the gray clouds that persist the other 9 months of the year, but anyone who has been to Seattle in the summer can vouch for the fact that it is beautiful. The whole city comes alive with everyone trying to soak up as much Vitamin D as possible and take advantage of the many things the city has to offer.

Whether you're a Seattle native, new to the city or just visiting for a week or two it's helpful to have a guide of some sort and so I've put together a list of some of the best summer activities in Seattle.

First, let's address the important matter of music. I've taken it upon myself to put together a summer playlist. Feel free to use this playlist as the backdrop for your Seattle summer adventures: Summer Saturdays in the Park

#1 Visit Parks and Beaches

Part of what makes Seattle such a breathtaking city in the summer is all of its natural beauty. While November through June are rainy, it's hard to complain when it lends to the lush, green scenery that comes to life in the summer months. One of the best parts of visiting the many parks and beaches scattered around the city is that they are free! 

Here are some of my favorites...

Discovery Park

This massive park is located less than a mile away from our apartment. I'll let the jealousy set in. It is by far one of the most stunning parks in the Seattle area. Spanning nearly 540 acres, there are countless trails to explore. Bicyclists, runners, and walkers alike can enjoy all that this park has to offer.  

The beach front is perfect for a picnic with friends and there are benches scattered throughout for a quiet afternoon with a good book. Dogs are welcome and there is a playground on the North end for families with young kids. 

One of our favorite things to do is take advantage of the free tennis courts located next to the Visitor Center. There is also a small basketball court and plenty of open fields for playing a game of catch or Frisbee or just laying out in the sun. 

The bluffs at Discovery Park

Green Lake Park

Located in the family-friendly neighborhood of Green Lake, the 3 mile loop surrounding a glistening lake is one of the most popular summer spots on the North side of the city. The park welcomes walkers, runners, bicyclists, and you may even spot someone on roller blades. The park also draws athletes who want to take advantage of the basketball courts and open fields that usually host soccer players.

A large playground invites families with kids and there's no shortage of space for dogs to run around. With the lake smack dab in the middle of the park you'll often see rowers in the water and some are even brave enough to cool down by jumping in the water. Here's a little Seattle local tip for you: Don't do it. The lake has "green" in the title for more reason than one. It's pretty gross.

Green Lake Loop

Another reason to hang out at Green Lake park is that the lake is surrounded by a number of eateries and other shops, so after you run your three miles you can grab a bite to eat or you can do a little shopping after a leisure walk around the park. I like to park my car near Starbucks and grab an iced coffee before I make my way to the loop.

Golden Gardens Park

I always associate Golden Gardens with bonfires. Maybe it was because my husband and I had one of our first dates there, snuggling up to a fire pit while he serenaded me with his guitar, (I know, he's pretty dreamy) or maybe it's because of the numerous birthday parties we've celebrated around bonfires with friends. Needless to say, Golden Gardens is one of the best spots for making memories on cool summer nights.

With one of the biggest play structures I know of, Golden Gardens draws families from all over the city. At any given time you'll find volleyball nets set up for pick-up games and groups of people enjoying the BBQ pits scattered along the beach front.

Alki Beach

Located in one of our favorite neighborhoods, Alki Beach in West Seattle is a major tourist draw during the summer. We almost always take visitors to this popular spot. There is never a shortage of activity or beauty to soak in. The path along the beach front is usually busy with bikers, walkers, runners and of course roller bladers. You can also pay by the hour and take a bike tour of the area. The view of the city from West Seattle is breathtaking, with the space needle and downtown area in clear view from the beach.

Another perk to hanging out in West Seattle is all of the dining options. One of our favorite pizza places, Pegasus Pizza is right across the street from the beach.  There's also an outdoor patio at the Starbucks on the main strip where you can sip on your Frappuccino and enjoy a good book or conversation with a friend. Alki has a uniquely beach-town feel and it almost seems like a different city entirely when you visit. 

Cal Anderson Park

Located in the undisputed quirkiest neighborhood in Seattle (Capitol Hill), Cal Anderson Park, is always booming with activity. The main area, surrounded by housing and businesses, serves as a field for a variety of different activities from soccer to capture the flag. Two tennis courts at the park host the most unusual of events from roller blading competitions complete with a D.J. to pick-up dodgeball games. 

One of the most serene areas of the park has a couple of big fountains surrounded by benches for a quiet day off with a good book.

 
And we can't forget the most important part of visiting Cal Anderson Park, making a trip to Molly Moons. Enough said. 

#2 Go to a City-Sponsored Event

The city of Seattle does a great job catering to the crowds of people who explore the area in the summer time. There is a wide variety of city-sponsored events that can be enjoyed for free.

Seattle is very neighborhood-centric. Each neighborhood has something unique to offer and most neighborhood's organize events during the summer time that are enjoyed by each respective community but open to the whole city. Starting in July you can go to a different neighborhood on any given weekend and enjoy everything from festivals to fairs. 

Here are some notable events to put on your calendar...

West Seattle Summer Fest, July 11th-13th (free)
Urban Craft Uprising, July 12th & 13th (free w/ suggested donation)
Outdoor Theater Festival, July 12th & 13th (free) 
Bite of Seattle, July 18th-20th (free admission)

Magnolia Summer Festival, August 1st & 2nd (free)
Seattle Street Food Festival, August 8th & 9th (free admission) 
The Zombie Run, August 9th ($40 advance registration fee)
Seattle International Beer Festival, August 22nd-24th (free admission)

A few more activities you don't want to miss:

Zoo Tunes, July 2nd-31st ($25-$34/person)
Freemont Outdoor Movies, July 12th-August 30th ($5/person)
Seattle Center Movies at the Mural, July 26th-August 23rd (free)

And many more... Seattle Event Calendar

#3 Find a Farmer's Market

The Farmer's markets in Seattle deserve to be in a category all their own. There are 39 different Farmer's markets in King county alone! Each neighborhood market varies in size and offerings, but you can spend the good part of a morning or afternoon browsing the market, picking up fresh produce and grabbing a bite to eat. 

Friends and Organic Asparagus straight from the farm!

Most Farmer's markets around the city only set up during the summer months, but there are a few that stay open year-round: University District, Capitol Hill, Ballard, and of course the ever popular Pike's Place Market.

While you'll spend more money at the market versus picking up your produce at the grocery store, you are supporting local farmers when you shop at the market and the produce is SO fresh and delicious. It is by far one of my favorite places to be during the summer. Especially since we have one right down the road.

#4 Enjoy Al Fresco Dining

Seattle does food right (that's a whole other blog post in the making). And so I personally like to combine two of my favorite things: food and sunshine. Many Seattle restaurant owners have done just that. There are a number of prime spots to dine in the sunshine, but here is Seattle Met's own list of top-rated places for patio dining. I can vouch for a few of these, but I'm still dying to cross some of them off my list.

While it's always nice to go out to eat and not have to worry about cooking, it wouldn't be summer time without overcooked burgers on an outdoor grill. Even outdoor grilling has a Seattle twist when you consider the fact that very few people in the city own large houses or big back yards for grilling. City-living has it's perks though. Check out this stunning rooftop view where JD and I barbequed with some friends in downtown:

#5 Plan a Day Trip or Weekend Getaway

For those of you who are not familiar with Seattle and the surrounding area, you may be surprised to know that we are only a ferry ride away from some beautiful islands. Some of the best places to enjoy the summer is a few hours outside of Seattle proper.

Here are a few islands to check out just for the day or a weekend away:

- Bremerton or Bainbridge Island
- Whidbey Island 
- Lopez Island 
- San Juan Islands 

There are also a number of places within driving distance that are worth the trip. For an extended stay on the East side of the state check out dreamy Leavenworth or Lake Chelan.  

There are some hidden gems on the peninsula as well like the small town of Sequim where I spent my birthday last year at the Olympic Game Farm, home to waving bears and yaks as you can see in this picture of mine and JD's trip last August.The drive (or ferry ride) alone to these places is well worth the travel time. Washington state has a wealth of beauty no matter where you find yourself in the state.

If you're still not convinced that Seattle is the place to be during the summer check out Seattle Dream Pt II by F-Stop Seattle. Simply amazing. Very grateful to call this place home for this season of life.

Do you have any favorite Seattle summer activities? Tell me about it in the comments below!