After another grey and rainy winter, summer is finally in full swing in Seattle. Whether you’ve already enjoyed a few rooftop bars or made the necessary annual pilgrimage to lie on the sunny slopes of Gas Works Park, it’s time to get excited about summer. Here's six reasons why:
June-uary seems to be a thing of the past
There has certainly been some rain in Seattle during summer's first month, but June has just been getting better and better each year. While global climate change sparks heated discussions, we Seattleites know better than to question the first few weeks when the heat keeps creeping over the city. That 90-degree day a few weeks back? Glorious, and we’re grateful for it—and ready for more.
It’s music festival season
All across the country (and the world), warm weather means outdoor music festivals, but Seattle has a few special ones we all can’t help but get excited about each year. Bookended by Sasquatch over Memorial Day and Bumbershoot (with local boys Macklemore & Ryan Lewis headlining) on Labor Day weekend, the only thing stopping you from enjoying some open-air music is choosing on which one to blow your budget for three-day passes.
Outdoor movies…like, everywhere
When the weather is pleasant, you not only have the option to catch an outdoor concert or chill in a beer garden, but also to check out some pop-up movie screens across the city. Magnuson Park is doing their summer series again, featuring everything from Ferris Beuller’s Day Off to Guardians of the Galaxy. Another option is Peddler Brewing Company in Ballard, with their cozy beer garden showing the likes of Zoolander and Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Catching a movie at any of these (or more than a dozen other places) is the perfect way to end a summer day.
Hiking to the Alpine Lakes is glorious
The die-hard hikers hit the Enchantments and other alpine lakes year round, but most of us prefer to wait until the trails are clear for summer before heading to see those crystalline bodies of water. The Washington Trails Association has all of their trail guides updated for summer, and while most places won’t allow overnight camping, many trails can be successfully accomplished in a good long day hike.
Seafair Festival
Seafair Festival officially kicks off on June 15 and culminates with the Torchlite Parade, Blue Angels flight show and hydroplane races August 5-7. Seemingly every event worth attending in Seattle this summer is a part of Seafair, from the Fourth of July to the Pirates Landing at Alki Beach. Grab a few friends and take advantage of the new Link Light Rail connections as far north as the University of Washington.
The Bastille Rooftop Garden Dinner Series
This highly specific, stunningly delicious dinner series is so coveted by those who’ve been lucky enough to snag tickets in past years that you may not have heard of it. This year, the team at Bastille added twice as many dates as in previous summers, making it twice as likely you can find a night that isn’t sold-out yet. The meal itself includes a garden tour, dinner featuring produce from the garden and wine pairings; attendance is limited to 10 people per night. It's the ultimate indulgence for foodies wanting to splurge while the weather is nice.
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