Your Guide To Summer Activities In Seattle

Summer in Seattle is the best and we want to ensure you enjoy every minute of it.  


Venture to Seattle beaches, eat some ice cream, take a cruise, stop by the beautiful parks, outdoor bars, and more! Here are a few of your options to make for an amazing summer in Seattle.      


Explore Seattle Restored


Photo courtesy of Seattle Restored


Seattle Restored’s FREE digital passport is your guide to explore the city and SUPPORT LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES & ARTISTS while you earn points & rewards. Stay in-the-know about new pop-up shops, interactive artist residencies and window art installations in iconic Seattle neighborhoods like Pioneer Square, Belltown and Downtown, and an expansion into Lake City. Sign up for the passport to create your own art walk or an impromptu retail therapy session – new locations being added all summer long!



Learn More




Capitol Hill Block Party


Capitol Hill Block Party

Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

The 2025 Capitol Hill Block Party lineup is stacked! This newly 21+ festival is bringing Porter Robinson, Thundercat, 100 Gecs, DJ Pee.Wee (aka Anderson .Paak), and more to the heart of Capitol Hill on July 19-20. Get ready for two days of music, dancing, and incredible energy in one of Seattle’s most iconic neighborhoods.



Get Tickets




Discover New Music at THING


THING Music Fest
Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

THING, the beloved all-ages music festival from Seattle Theatre Group (STG), is shaking things up in 2025 with a fresh new format. Instead of one weekend-long event, THING will now stretch across four Saturdays in August, with each date offering its own vibe, lineup, and genre focus. Featuring performances from Father John Misty, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, The Roots, Mon Laferte, and more, THING will give festival-goers a chance to discover something unexpected and curate their own fest experience. The festival will start on August 2

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Movies At The Mural


Photo courtesy of the Seattle Center

Experience FREE movies outdoors at Seattle Center each summer. Picnic on the gently sloping Mural Amphitheatre lawn, in front of a state-of-the-art 40-foot screen, with the Space Needle looming above. The 2025 series features Ratatouille, The Princess Bride, E.T. the Extra Terrestrial, Say Anything and Wicked!



View The Movies





South Lake Union Block Party


Photo courtesy of South Lake Union Block Party


Now in its 17th year, the South Lake Union Block Party is the largest and longest-running festival focused on celebrating and showcasing the SLU neighborhood. This free event features music from local PNW artists, food trucks, a beer garden, art, family-friendly activities, and more! 



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West Seattle Summer Fest


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

West Seattle Summer Fest is an annual event that is FREE and open to all. There will be music, art, kids, food, and good vibes, brought to you by your West Seattle merchants.



Learn More








Seattle Tattoo Expo


Photo courtesy of Seattle Tattoo Expo

The Seattle Tattoo Expo is going down August 15-17 at the Seattle Center. Whether you're searching for an artist or looking to get tattooed, the Seattle Tattoo Expo offers enthusiasts a gathering place to share their love for this enduring art form. With 60+ tattoo shops and nearly 200 artists, this showcase offers something for everyone. Live tattooing, tattoo contests, live music & burlesque performances, concessions & beer garden and vendor village round out this artistic festival.



Get Tix





Walk Through The Olympic Sculpture Park


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

We love taking a walk through the Olympic Sculpture Park and viewing the monumental artworks placed throughout the nine-acre sculpture park on the waterfront.



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Go Swimming In Lake Washington


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Lake Washington has a couple of options for you to cool off at like Madrona Park and Beach, Madison Beach Park, Mt Baker Beach, and more! Grab your favorite floatie and we will see you at the beach!


Find A Beach




Visit The Seattle Waterfront


Seattle Watefront
Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

The Seattle Waterfront has all kinds of new stuff to check out this summer. The Viaduct is long gone and the new Pier 62 is open with a variety of free classes, a floating dock, activities, and those classic shoreline views. Check out our new guide that we will be updating all summer long so you can enjoy the waterfront to the fullest.

Guide To The Waterfront




Marymoor Park Concerts


Marymoor Park Concerts
Photo courtesy of Marymoor Live

Now in its 20th year, the summer concert series, Marymoor Live, is an annual tradition during summer months at King County’s Marymoor Park. More than 3 million people visit Marymoor annually to explore every inch of Marymoor’s 640 acres packed with recreational activities, rare amenities, and community-enriching events that are first class. Concerts in this setting are something you do not want to miss!

View The Lineup




Take Sunset Stroll At Volunteer Park


Summer sunsets at Volunteer Park
Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

We love walking the loop at Volunteer Park around sunset. Get there early to hang with the squirrels and local dogs. Then as the sun dips below the sun take a seat next to the Black Hole Sun sculpture and enjoy the sunset as it reflect upon the Volunteer Park Reservoir.

Learn More About The Park





Take A Hot Tub Boat Ride


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald


Imagine floating on Lake Union while sitting in 104-degree water. Sound too good to be true? You’ve never experienced the water until you’ve tried a hot tub boat rental from Lake Union Hot Tub Boats. Water makes every adventure better. Hot Tub Boats have combined two of the best things – boating on the lake and relaxing in a hot tub. The result is a boat rental service like no other. 


Reserve A Hot Tub Boat Ride



Visit The San Juan Islands


Photo by Matt McDonald

The San Juan Islands are most well-known for their whale-watching tours and sea kayaking excursions. From Friday Harbor to Orcas Island, the San Juan archipelago features tons of cool spots to explore. Heck, the ferry ride over from Seattle is half the fun!


Best Day Trips




Explore Union Bay


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Rent a canoe and explore Union Bay around the Washington Park Arboretum. For $5-$16 an hour, you can rent a kayak, canoe, or rowboat from the UW Waterfront Activities Center. Watch bald eagles, great blue herons, and paddle through the lily pads. You also can explore the area under the 520 bridge that crosses over the marshland. On sunny weekends rentals can get booked real quick, so the earlier you get there the better!


 
Rent A Canoe or Kayak



Hike To Franklin Falls


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Venture to Franklin Falls, just 20 minutes past the city of Snoqualmie. It's a quick 2-mile hike to the waterfall from the parking lot and the trail system is a lot of fun.


 
Learn More Here




Parasail Along The Seattle Waterfront


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Thanks to Parasail Seattle you may have seen the giant smiley face in the sky cruising along the Seattle waterfront. The local company offers a couple of different options like the champagne sunset sail, standard parasailing for all ages, and a couple of other options that are all worth checking out. 

 



Spend the Day In West Seattle


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Take in the view and spend the afternoon in West Seattle. Comb the beach at low tide (it's best if there is a 1-foot tide or lower), snag some fish n chips from Alki Spud Fish and Chips, stop by East Street Records and/or the West Seattle Farmer's Market.




Wander the Beach at Carkeek Park


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Amazing views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains await you at Carkeek Park. Explore the secrets of this northwest Seattle watershed, nine miles from downtown Seattle. This park offers over 220 acres of lush forest, meadows, wetlands, creeks, and beaches. At Carkeek you can BBQ, go for a hike, let the kids play, and go for a swim all in the same spot! We outlined some of our favorite spots that you can view in our Top Beaches In Seattle and Beyond guide.


Find More Beaches



Watch The Paragliders at Poo Poo Point


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Venture out to Issaquah to Poo Poo point for a hike and to watch the paragliders. This spot gets VERY BUSY on the weekend during the summer. Get there early to find a parking spot or park further away and walk-in.




Go Wine Tasting


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Sometimes it is a good idea to look outside of the glass and venture out into the world to find that perfect glass of wine. That's why we built out a list for you to venture around the greater Seattle area and enjoy some of the best wines the Pacific Northwest has to offer.


Guide To Wine Tasting



Enjoy The Outdoor Bars And Patios


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Break out the shades and find that perfect outdoor bar or patio in Seattle to post up and relax and/or party.


Find An Outdoor Bar



Ride a Ferry


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald


The ferry is a stable of pacific northwest transportation, so you might not consider taking a ride on the ferry just for fun. Well, you should. Leave the car on land and walk or ride your bike on the ferry. You can then get off at the stop of your choosing explore the area, snag lunch and then jump right back on that ferry back to where you started.


Check The Ferry Schedule



Make A New Friend With A Boat


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Boats are expensive and we really want one just like you! We see those Seattle voyages taking place all of the time during the summer and want to be your friend. If you own a boat and want to float us around please email us at [email protected].




Go Sailing With Lake Union Charters & Adventures


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

If you couldn't find a friend with a boat...Take to the water with Lake Union Charters & Adventures for a short day trip, romantic date night, or multi-day trip in the San Juans. They can accommodate groups large and small, private groups, and corporate outings. We spent a Tuesday evening on the Lavenrgo watching the Duck Dodge sailing races in Lake Union and it was amazing. Reserve your next adventure here: LakeUnionCharters.com.




Go Hiking at the Cougar Mountain 


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park is right outside of Seattle and offers a variety of day hikes for people of all skill levels. Try out the Coal Creek Trail and venture by some seasonal Coal Creek waterfalls or venture along the Quarry Trail to take in nature at its best. This trail system is also dog-friendly, so you can bring your pup with you!
 


Watch The Planes In Georgetown


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

We do this A LOT! Grab some food to go, then head to Ruby Chow Park down the street to watch the planes land and take off from Boeing Field. After that, we swing through Ciudad for a drink and/or some music. It's a great way to spend a day in Georgetown.




Wander the Seattle Waterfront


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Take a ride on the Seattle Great Wheel, the largest observation wheel on the west coast, standing 175 feet tall. Stop by the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop to hang out with some mummies, shrunken heads, and all kinds of unique items. Wrap up the trip with the epic view of Seattle and dinner at Anthony’s Pier 66. When it comes to generating heaping amounts of city view jealousy few sites are quite as valuable as the Seattle Waterfront.




Get Ice Cream!


Photo courtesy of Molly Moon's Ice Cream

On a hot day, there is nothing like some ice cream to cool you off. Seattle has quite a few great options for ice cream like Molly Moon's Ice Cream, Husky Deli, Shug's Soda Fountain, Full Tilt Ice Cream and more!

Ice Cream Guide




Go Paddleboarding in The Puget Sound


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

So much water to paddle upon and such little time. You can paddleboard in the Puget Sound, Lake Washington, or any of the other local bodies of water. If you don't own a paddleboard have no fear because you can rent one from Ballard Kayak, Surf Ballard, Alki Kayak Tours, and Urban Surf.




Escape The City And Head To Artist Point



Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald


Venture north to Artist Point located at the very end of Mount Baker Highway. Enjoy the 360-degree views of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker and the views from Picture Lake you can see above. This spot is typically buried under snow and closed from October through June, so it is an exclusive seasonal activity you do want to miss out on. This spot does get CROWDED on the weekend, so make sure to get there early and make the trip during the week.




Go Skimboarding at a Seattle Beach


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

What is skimboarding? Well, it's when you take a board with a flat bottom that kinda looks like a surfboard, run along the tideline, throw the board and skim across the surface. It's not the easiest at first, but once you get a hang of it, it's a lot of fun. Many beaches in the Puget Sound are perfect for skimboarding at low tide. A few we hit up at a 1-foot tide or lower are Richmond Beach, Alki Beach, Carkeek Park and Dash Point State Park. If you need a board make sure to check out Urban SurfDBskimboards.com or Kayotics Skimboards.




Go Kayaking On Lake Washington


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Hit Lake Washington and rent a kayak for a mellow Sunday paddle. No experience necessary for this great summer activity!




Hangout With Seattle Dogs


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Even if you don't own a dog you can watch them frolic in the summer breeze like the domesticated wolves that they are. We built a full guide for you and your furry friends!

View Our Seattle Dog Guide



Ride A bike on the Burke Gilman Trail


Photo courtesy of Josh Behm

Dust of the good ole bicycle or unicycle or one of those bikes with the really big wheel in front and hit the Burke Gilman Trail. The 27-mile multi-use recreational trail will keep you busy and that heart rate up! 



Best Bike Rides


Hang At The Montlake Cut


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Going for a swim and watching the boats cruise through the Montlake Cut is a great way to cool off and pass the time during summer in Seattle.




The Washington Park Arboretum Marine Trail


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

The Washington Park Arboretum sits along with Lake Washington and it is a beautiful place to explore in the summertime. The 1.3-mile trail is moderately trafficked, offers shade and you can even stop for a swim along the way if you want.




Go To A Seattle Farmer's Market


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

You literally can go to a farmer's market every day of the week in Seattle and we have a full schedule to make that a reality.


Farmer's Market Schedule



Watch the Sunset on Sunrise From Luna Park


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

The view from Luna Park in West Seattle is gorgeous any day of the year, but those summer sunrises and sunsets are something special. Make your way out to Anchor Point, find a bench, sit back and enjoy the colors that change over the Seattle cityscape.




Hangout With A Giant Cowboy Hat And Boots


Photo courtesy of Matt McDonald

Why not relax in a park with giant cowboy boots and a giant cowboy hat? If you are in Seattle you have already done half the work and just need to stop by Oxbow Park in Georgetown. "The Hat n' Boots is as important to Georgetown as the Golden Gate Bridge is to San Francisco," says Allan Phillips, former director of the Georgetown Community Council. "If the Hat n' Boots were ever to be gone from Georgetown, it would be like losing our soul."




Go Disc Golfing


Photo courtesy of Matt Sursely

This is a mellow and fun activity that after some practice you can get pretty good at. The startup costs are pretty much spending $30 on a starter set (we bought this one ourselves) and then just going to the nearest Frolf course. Seattle has a few frisbee golf options and we typically to the Howling Coyote Disc Golf Course in Bothell. Locate the closest Seattle frolf location nearby CLICKING HERE.




We know there are more most excellent summer activities out there and feel free to send your favorite summer activities to [email protected].