Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Stop Saying There is Nothing to Do in Seattle: Summer Edition
41
items …I’ve said before, I’ll say it again: there is always something to experience. These are the places I’d take my people when they visit Seattle during the summer. (*whisper* summers in Seattle are the absolute best! Nowhere else I’d rather be)
Sections
9
Things to Do: Museums
Things to Do: Time Outside
Weekend Trips
Where to Eat: Rooftop/Outdoor Patio
Where to Eat: Right on the Waterfront
Where to Eat: Ice Cream Spots
Things to Do: Museums
Prepare to be mesmerized. This has the most beautiful glass sculptures and art. This is an iconic stop when visiting Seattle. for the summer, the exterior glass sculpture garden is a plus.
Chihuly Garden and Glass
Outdoor museums are a vibe in Seattle during the summer and this is one to to add to your list. They even offer free tours on the weekends.
Olympic Sculpture Park
It is part of the newly renovated Seattle waterfront. If you are into sea animals and wildlife, visiting the aquarium will bring a lot of joy! Personally, I love the otters :)
Seattle Aquarium
Talk about getting a view of how boats pas through from the Puget Sounds to Lake Union. It is really a site to see. Plus if you visit in the right season, you can see fish coming through. It's fun for the family.
Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
Things to Do: Time Outside
Making the quick trip over the water is a great excursion. The water taxi takes from downtown Seattle to West Seattle and vise versa.
West Seattle Water Taxi Pier
Walking around Greenlake is about 3 miles that is beautiful and easy. It's great regardless of time of day but my fave times are early morning or around sunset!
Green Lake Park
Newly remodeled and revitalized, the waterfront park is not to be missed! And during the summer, there are fun pop-ups and concerts!
Waterfront Park
Our magestic mountain is glorious and the summer is the perfect time to hike there. You can catch views and wildflowers - outdoor vibes. Make sure to plan for an early start - this is a very popular summer spot.
Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. ...
Less than 30 mins from Seattle, enter the world of wine country. Woodinville is home to many tasting rooms so it's a perfect spot to try Washington Wines close to the city.
Explore Woodinville Wineries in Woodinville Wine Country
Weekend Trips
One of my favorite Washington island because it is close enough for a fun filled day trip and far enough to feel like a getaway.
Whidbey Island and Camano Island
Need to feel like you are summering in Switzerland or Germany without the passport - Leavenworth is the answer for the same vibe but in Washington State.
Leavenworth Washington
Some call it Seattle's quirky sister but regardless, Portland offers up a foodie, outdoorsy getaway from Seattle. Travel there by plane, train or automobile.
Portland, Oregon
Adult summer camp vibes (but there is something for the whole family). Don't sleep on booking a stay at Suncadia. It's within reach of Seattle - easy to do over a weekend.
Suncadia Resort
Where to Eat: Rooftop/Outdoor Patio
Incredible views of Lake Union and the Space Needle plus the food is delicious - you need to give this spot a try in the summer.
mbar
James Bread nominated and certified delicious, I wake up early to grab food and baked goods here and to enjoy a slow morning by the water.
Saint Bread
Adjacent to Saint Bread, you need to add this seasonal pop-up to your Seattle outdoor spots.
Heave Ho! & Hinoki
The vibes are art deco and the views are 10/10. I'd come for the drinks and the views with their outdoor space.
The Mountaineering Club
Charming neighborhood eatery that has a “banana stand” that serves frozen cocktails. You don't need to dine here to enjoy a frozen cocktails but you won't regret eating here either.
The Maple
Where to Eat: Right on the Waterfront
Need a taste of Hawaiian cuisine but you are in Seattle? Take some time and venture to west Seattle and eat at this place. It is right by the water taxi terminal so perfect to experience two great summer to do’s
Marination Ma Kai
Renee Erickson is a culinary icon and her spot on Lake Union offers great PNW cuisine and ingredients with some of the best views of the city skyline.
Westward
Another wonderful eatery in west Seattle! Feels very vibey and cool. If you make it over there, you should definitely check it out
Harry's Beach House
Casual place for seafood with Olympics & Puget Sound views, upstairs from sibling Ray's Boathouse. This is a great place to wow guests
Ray’s Cafe
Where to Eat: Ice Cream Spots
This place has a Summer time soft serve pop up that is so good! I love the purple vanilla and chocolate swirl with the crunch topping!
The Pastry Project - Soft Serve Summer!
come here for delicious soft-serve ice cream, sandwiches & creative cocktails, plus a patio
Milk Drunk
A playful new ice cream shop that's quickly becoming a local fave = fresh fruit + ice cream and those cheeky eye, haha. I love it!
Many Bennies
ummm, soft serve featuring milk from Hokkaido, Japan?? Say less. This is a trendy spot for soft serve, waffle cones and sweet toppings.
Indigo Cow
S&S has 3 locations: Cap Hill, Queen Anne, and Ballard. Stop by for fun seasonal flavors that are delicious and innovative.
Salt & Straw
This hometown ice cream parlor has multiple locations so you can find one near by. There is always fun seasonal forward flavors and sundaes to celebrate the summer!
Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream Capitol Hill
Don't let the name stop you from visiting. Along with the cupcakes, macarons and treats, Trophy offered beautiful and tasty soft serve!
Trophy Cupcakes & Party - University Village
Where to Drink: Bars
this sustainable wine bar in Fremont is so charming and has small plates with fine wines. perfect for a slow summer afternoon with a friend or a good book.
RESPITE Wine Bar + Bottle Shop
Atop of The Thompson Hotel, this rooftop bar delivers VIBES, VIEWS, and delicious cocktails. This is sure to impress!
The Nest
This is Pioneer Square's only rooftop bar and it is a MUST especially in the summer. The ambience, the views, and their craft cocktails make this worthwhile.
Firn
a cozy house with a deck to enjoy wines, microbrews and artisan cheeses & cured meats. makes an evening in Madrona extra charming.
Bottlehouse
Where to Drink: Breweries
Stoup has 3 locations but my favorite one is Ballard. It's a family friendly brewery and taproom with great craft beers.
Stoup Brewing
This brewery offers a taproom, and beer garden located in Industrial Magnolia that is kid and dog-friendly. It will be very popular on summer weekends.
Bizarre Brewing
A brewery right on the Lake Union waterfront? You don't need to tell me twice. The beers are good and the views of the city skyline are incredible. Prepare to be wowed.
Gasworks Brewing
This place is very popular but we know why - its location in Pike Place Market and the views of the Puget Sound make it a wonderful place to grab a pint and people watch by the waterfront.
Old Stove Brewing Co — Pike Place
Where to Drink: Coffee Shops
This coffee shop may be understated but their coffee drinks are beautiful crafted and innovative. The drinks feel like they were made by a world class bartender!
Ghost Note Coffee
Think Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory but for Coffee. Here you can see coffee being roasted and packages, have coffee experiences (like flights) and eat fresh Italian pastries.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery
Neighborhood eatery that has baked goods and espresso and tea beverages. Plus upstairs is a beautiful outdoor patio.
The Flora Bakehouse
This may be the most beautiful coffee shop downtown. Olympia Coffee has something for everyone with fun seasonals.
Olympia Coffee Roasting