There are so many fun summer activities in Seattle I just had to write them all down. Sure, Seattle has a rainy reputation, but come summer there is barely a drop in sight. As a result, the city comes alive with people enjoying the outdoors and basking in Seattle’s beauty.
With more than 20 culturally-diverse neighborhoods, easy access to picturesque outdoor activities, and world-renowned chefs serving food at gorgeous restaurants with water views and patios, there are so many things to do during summer in Seattle. Here’s my list of favorite summertime activities. Use it as your Seattle summer bucket list!
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Fun Summer Activities in Seattle
Before diving into all the fun summer activities in Seattle, let’s make sure you’re prepared for the weather.
Seattle summer weather
It always amazes me how engrained Seattle’s wet reputation is because when people visit in summer, they’re blown away by how beautiful it is here. Temperatures typically hover around the higher 70s during the day, rarely getting to the 90s even on our hottest days. After the 4th of July, there’s typically not a rain cloud in sight until late September.
And the best part? The vibes are immaculate because everyone comes out of hibernation and ready to spread joy throughout the city as they soak up the nice weather. Here are some tips for making the most of Seattle in summer.
Wear layers
Especially at the start of summer, Seattle weather can be a bit temperamental. It’ll be drizzly in the morning, but then sunny and warm in the afternoon. Layers help you prepare for swings in temperature, especially as the sun sets.
Don’t skip sun protection
Even if it’s cloudy, Seattle has plenty of UV rays that can damage your skin. Never leave the house without SPF on and always have a hat and sunglasses. Eye protection is especially important with the sun reflecting off all the water.
No need for bug spray in the city
We’re fortunate in Seattle to not have mosquitos. If you plan to stay in the city, you don’t need to bring bug spray. However, if you plan to visit a national park or go hiking outside the city, you may want to bring bug repellent as mosquitos are more common.
What to do in Seattle in summer
Now that you know what to expect in Seattle weather wise, let’s dive into all the fun things to do in summer in Seattle! Save this to Pinterest for later because I update this list frequently!
Go on a food tour
There’s nothing I like better than hitting up multiple restaurants on a food crawl. Summer in Seattle is a great time to go on one because you can grab your food and enjoy it on the street as you make your way to your next stop.
My self-guided Seattle food tours have itineraries for exploring my favorite foodie neighborhoods in the Emerald City if you want to walk at your own place sans a group. If you prefer an in-person tour, here are some options:
- Chef-Guided Pike Place Food Tour
- Plant-Based Pike Place Food Tour
- Seattle Coffee Tour
- Donut Walking Tour of Seattle
- Seattle Chocolate Tour
Take a ferry ride
Some of the most scenic day trips from Seattle are just a short ferry ride away. Summer in Seattle is a great time to go because you can enjoy views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains out on the deck without freezing your bum off.
Bainbridge Island is a great day trip option. It’s a short ~35 minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle and has a ton of great wineries and shops.
Vashon Island is another great day trip. It’s a short ~20 minute ferry ride from West Seattle and has great food. You can even double up your time on the water and take the water taxi to West Seattle before grabbing a ride share to the ferry terminal.
Want to go a bit further afield? You can get roundtrip ferry tickets from Seattle to Victoria to explore all the unique things to do in British Columbia’s capital!
Visit a Seattle beach
For how much rain we get throughout the year, it always surprises me that there are mostly sunny days July through September. Use that as an excuse to spend the day at one of Seattle’s best beaches.
Alki Beach
One of the most fun summer activities in Seattle is to pretend you’re at the Jersey Shore without leaving the city. What, you don’t dream of the Jersey Shore like I do?!
Alki Beach is the closest thing I’ve found in Seattle to my experience visiting the Jersey Shore every summer growing up. It’s in West Seattle and has a fairly long stretch of sandy beach overlooking downtown Seattle. There’s a commercial strip with shops, restaurants, and bars…it’s that quintessential summer shore vibe that makes me nostalgic.
Come hungry because Alki is also perfectly located for experiencing West Seattle’s best restaurants!
Golden Gardens
If you live in north Seattle like me, Golden Gardens in Ballard is the best beach to visit in summer in Seattle. It also has a long stretch of sandy beach, but it overlooks the Olympic Mountains instead of downtown Seattle.
Madison Park
Madison Park Beach is your best bet if you live to the east of I-5 in Seattle. It feeds out onto Lake Washington and has more grass than sand, but the views are spectacular.
People watch at Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is one of the most fun summer activities in Seattle thanks to all the travelers making the market pulsate with hustle and bustle. One of my favorite things to do during a self-guided tour of Pike Place Market is grab some yummy food, park myself on a bench or in a nook somewhere, and watch the world buzz around me.
Don’t miss going to the Marketfront Pavilion for uninterrupted views of the Seattle Great Wheel dotting the Seattle waterfront.
Go to a baseball or soccer game
One of the quintessential things to do in Seattle during summer is to brave the traffic and head to the stadiums for a Mariners baseball game, Sounders soccer game, or Reign soccer game. The energy is palpable as everyone mills around enjoying food, getting tipsy over drinks, and cheering on their favorite team.
Walk or paddle Green Lake
I spend every summer in Seattle at Green Lake playing softball, so let me tell you, this is one of the most fun summer activities in Seattle. This park has about a 3-mile paved trail looping the lake, where you’ll find a ton of people swimming or enjoying paddle boats and standup paddle boards.
You can rent one of these vessels at Green Lake Boat Rentals or skip the water and walk around the lake. You’ll find baseball fields, stadium steps for viewing crew matches, and a ton of people lounging, running, or playing volleyball.
Near the stadium steps, cross the street to check out the wooded trails at Woodland Park. I used to do a fitness bootcamp here where the instructor made us run up all the winding hills. Of course I hated it at the time, but it was the perfect excuse to explore this hidden gem!
Bike the Burke-Gilman Trail
The Burke-Gilman Trail is an approximately 19-mile paved trail that weaves from Golden Gardens in Ballard all the way to Woodinville on the Eastside. It’s a main artery for bike commuters, but you’ll often see people enjoying a leisurely walk on segments of it.
Take your bike and explore the path for as long as you dare. Or just do a section of it, such as my favorite part around Fremont with views of the Fremont Cut and Lake Union.
Don’t want to go at it alone? Take a guided bike tour around all of Seattle’s cycling paths and coolest neighborhoods.
Kayak Lake Union
Kayaking on Lake Union is arguably the most fun summer activity in Seattle. Every year Dan and I discuss if we should buy a kayak. We proceed not to and instead rent one from NWOC, but at this rate we’ve rented from them so many times we’ve spent more than the cost of just buying one.
No matter, because not having to find a place to store their awesome tandem kayaks is a relief. We love using them to snoop in all the house boats and make our way to Lake Washington. If you haven’t done this before, make this summer in Seattle the one you do!
Want to get on the water, but not with a paddle? Check out one of these boat tours instead:
Browse the farmers market
Many of the best Seattle farmers markets are year round, but summer is when they’re bursting with produce and have the largest vendor attendance. What’s confusing is there are two associations that organize a different group of markets.
The Seattle Neighborhood Farmers Markets hosts the majority of them, with locations in University District, West Seattle, Capitol Hill, Columbia City, Lake City, and Magnolia. The Seattle Farmers Market Association hosts the Ballard, Wallingford, and Madrona markets.
Each is on a different day, so attend as many as you can for a fun summer activity in Seattle!
Picnic in a Seattle park
After hitting up the farmers market, take your spoils to one of the many Seattle parks. There are so many that offer great Seattle viewpoints and water views, but here are my favorites.
Olympic Sculpture Park
Olympic Sculpture Park in lower Queen Anne is owned by the Seattle Art Museum. It’s nestled right on the waterfront, so it has breathtaking views of the Puget Sound. In fact, I used to walk the Elliott Bay Trail that weaves alongside it on my way home from work. But what makes it the most special is all the funky sculptures of all sizes.
Discovery Park
Discovery Park is such a hidden gem in Seattle because, let’s be real, no one goes to Magnolia (I’m allowed to say this because I lived there!). But experiencing this park is a must-do summer activity.
Once there you’ll find trails overlooking a bluff and meandering through the woods down to the beach. The beach has a lighthouse and is one of the best spots for collecting sea glass!
During the summer months, Discovery Park is also one of the locations for free Shakespeare in the Park plays!
Washington Park Arboretum
The Washington Park Arboretum has a ton of different botanical landscapes you can explore while meandering paved walking trails. I used to always pass it while kayaking Lake Union, but it took me years to visit. Don’t make the same mistake as me!
Gas Works
Maybe it’s because I’ve enjoyed sunrise at Gas Works when I did a fitness boot camp years back, but this park in Fremont holds a special place in my heart. It oozes steampunk vibes thanks to the old gas machinery looming over the park and it has epic views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline.
Volunteer Park
Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill is another fun park to visit in summer. It’s a peaceful respite from the buzzing neighborhood shops and bars with a bunch to do. For example, there’s a water tower you can climb for pretty views from above. You can also visit the Asian Art Museum, or cross off a Seattle bucket list item and check out the Volunteer Park Conservatory greenhouse.
Enjoy the view from a rooftop bar
One of the most fun summer activities in Seattle is to appreciate the city’s beauty from above at one of Seattle’s best rooftop bars. There are quite a few in downtown Seattle and the University District that provide excellent cocktails, ambiance, and views of the Emerald City. Given our rainy weather come winter, many are only open in summer!
Love live music? Fever hosts Concerts Under the Stars at some of the best rooftop patios in Seattle.
Go on a brewery crawl
The Pacific Northwest is known for its microbrew craft beer scene thanks to Washington state being the largest producer of hops in the country. And there’s no better place to experience the craft beer scene than in Seattle.
There are many great Seattle breweries, but come summer my favorite place to go is Ballard. There are more than 15 breweries all within walking distance of each other. Many have outdoor seating, so it’s a fun beer garden vibe come summer. Check out my guide to Ballard breweries for a rundown of my favorites! Or, sign up for a guided brewery tour if you don’t want to think about where to visit.
Spend the day wine tasting
Seattle also has a thriving urban winery scene. There’s nothing I like more than checking out the best Seattle wineries in SODO or my favorite Woodinville wineries on a sunny day. Many open up their big garage doors and provide a fun indoor-outdoor vibe for tasting the day away.
Don’t want to think about putting together an itinerary? I have a whole article about the best Seattle winery tours, but two popular options include:
Take a hike
We’re so fortunate to live near so many great hiking spots in Seattle. Leverage the great summer weather to visit that one you always heard about but never did, or play hooky from work and take a day trip to Mt. Rainier National Park, go weekend getaway to Olympic National Park, or follow this North Cascades National Park itinerary!
If you’d prefer to do a guided tour of one of Washington’s amazing national parks, here are some options:
Enjoy the AC at a museum
We’re fortunate to have a lot of awesome culture and art museums in Seattle, so when the heat becomes unbearable escape to the AC in one of them!
One of my favorite things to do when I only have 24 hours in downtown Seattle is to check out the Seattle Art Museum or the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum. The glass museum has the bonus of being in the Seattle Center alongside the Space Needle and Museum of Pop Culture, so it’s a great way to visit many museums in one go!
If you want to get a discount, Chihuly Gardens and the Space Needle offer a combo ticket. Or check out all the free museums in Seattle!
Get dinner on an outdoor patio
There are so many great outdoor patios in the city, especially now that the pandemic forced the matter. I have whole guide to the best Seattle restaurants with views, but here are some of my favorites with outdoor patios:
- Brimmer & Heeltap in Ballard has a beautiful garden oasis
- The Walrus and the Carpenter in Ballard has an unexpected back patio
- RockCreek in Fremont a go-to Seattle restaurant and has a great patio
- Bongos in Green Lake has a large outdoor space
- Oddfellows Cafe in Cap Hill has a secret back patio garden
- Bottlehouse in Madrona has a lovely garden patio
If you want to bring your pooch with you while dining, check out my guide to pet-friendly restaurants in Seattle!
Seattle summer events
One of the most fun summer activities in Seattle is taking advantage of all the fun summer events! Here are some annual ones not to miss.
Outdoor movies
You know summer has arrived when the movies at Marymoor Park in Redmond begin. Each year you can bring chairs, blankets, and snacks to enjoy popular past releases on a big screen.
Other places to enjoy movies in the park include Movies at the Mural, Kirkland Outdoor Movies Series, and Center City Cinema.
Summer festivals
We really take advantage of the warm summer weather to throw some incredible festivals. I have a whole calendar of Seattle events that you can browse by month, but some of the most popular summer festivals are the Fremont Solstice Fair, Bite of Seattle, and Bumbershoot.
You can also check out my guides on things to do by month during summer for more ideas:
Outdoor concert series
Seattle loves music. Come summer, there are a bunch of outdoor concert series at various parks and wineries. Some of them draw surprisingly big acts, too! Here are some of the most popular:
- ZooTunes
- Marymoor Live
- Chateau Ste. Michelle Summer Concert Series
- Capitol Hill Block Party
- Artists at the Center
Family activities in Seattle
If you’re specifically looking for things to do in Seattle in summer with kids, I’ve got you. Here are some ideas to keep kids of all ages entertained.
Be a kid again at the zoo
Fun fact: I used to work at the zoo! I was a photo intern one summer and spent my day walking the exhibits looking for cool photo opportunities. While the Woodland Park Zoo is open year round, summer is a great time to visit since most of it is outdoors. Especially if you’re visiting Seattle with kids!
If marine animals are more your thing, check out the Seattle Aquarium instead!
Go berry picking
Washington state is one of the largest producers of berries in the US, particularly blueberries and cherries. Come summer you can find a bunch of farms offering strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry u-pick. It’s a must-do on any bucket list for Seattle foodies!
Some of my favorites are Harvold Berry Farm and Bolles Organic Berry Farm, but check out my guide to farms near Seattle for a full list of u-pick options!
Eat your weight in ice cream
I have a lot of thoughts on who has the best ice cream in Seattle. See if you agree with my list and go on an ice cream crawl!
Play a game of mini golf
One of the most fun summer activities in Seattle is to play mini golf. The go-to place is Interbay Golf Center, where you’ll find an 18-hole course perfect for some friendly competition. There’s also Monster Golf in Bellevue if you prefer AC, which offers glow-in-the-dark indoor mini golf and an arcade.
If you want something a bit bougier, check out Top Golf in Renton for a driving range-style golf experience.
Visit the Washington State Fair
My absolute favorite way to end summer in Seattle is to visit the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. It runs every September and has a ton of rides, games, shops, and even a petting zoo and rodeo! They also host concerts with some pretty big names, so check out the schedule if you’re into music.
Get a custom itinerary planned just for you
Can’t decide how to fit all these fun summer activities in? Let me plan you a custom itinerary so all you have to do is enjoy the experience!
Other Seattle seasonal activities
Seattle is an awesome place to visit no matter the season. After you experience all the fun summer activities in Seattle, here are things to do throughout the rest of the year:
- Best Summer Vacations in Washington
- Cute Small Towns to Visit in Washington
- Best Pacific Northwest National Parks
- Magical Fall Hikes for Seeing Larches
- Things to Do During Fall in Seattle
- What to Do During Spring Break in Seattle
- Things to do in Winter in Seattle
- Holiday Activities in Seattle Worth Doing
- All the Seattle Christmas Markets and Festivals
- Best Winter Getaways in Washington
- Winter Day Trips from Seattle
