Seattle Summer Guide 2023: Parks, Picnics & Other things to do

Seattle comes alive during the summer! It’s one of the best times to visit the city. Trust me, the weather is amazing from June until September. The days are long and sunny, perfect for hiking, kayaking, and having a BBQ outdoors. Plus, you can hit up some great bars and just have an all-around good time. Sounds awesome right?

If you’re planning a trip to the city and looking for ideas to spend a sunny day or two in Seattle. Look no further. Here’s a handy little itinerary for you. Oh, and all the spots listed below are absolutely free to visit! Moreover, if you’re looking for day trip recommendations, look no further. Follow this link to discover more.

Table of Contents

How to use this guide?

This guide is perfect for those visiting Seattle for 1 to 3 days. It covers all the essential spots on the first day, followed by a few day trips to nearby attractions. If you’re only in Seattle for a day, following the Day 1 itinerary will help you make the most of your time. If you’re staying for an extended time, you can include Day 2 and 3 itineraries accordingly. For additional ideas, check out the Seattle page to discover more spots.

Day 1: Seattle City Tour

Day 1 is about getting acquainted with Seattle. Take an early morning flight/ bus to reach Seattle, as you will get more than 12 hours to explore the city. We recommend staying Downtown because of its excellent connectivity with the rest of the neighborhoods. After check-in, head to the Six Seven Restaurant in Edgewater Hotel, Pier 67, for a delectable brunch and try some Seattle staples like Smoked Salmon sashimi and other seafood dishes.

Now that you are all charged up for the day, take a bus or a car to start your DIY city tour following my itinerary.

Green Lake Park [Free]

How to reach: Bus route 62 & Light rail (Roosevelt Station)

Start your day at one of Seattle’s most beloved parks, with a breezy walk along the 2.8-mile loop. Spend some time gazing at the numerous birds that call the area home. If you are feeling adventurous, rent a kayak or a paddleboat from the Green lake Boathouse and enjoy one of the several boating spots on the lake. While you’re here, don’t forget to try the Pain au Chocolat at Petit Pierre Bakery in Phinney, which is just 10 minutes walk from Green Lake.

Woodland Park Rose Garden [Free]

How to reach: Bus express line E

Located just within a 5-minute drive from Green Lake Park, make this your second stop of the day. Flower lovers will particularly enjoy a leisurely stroll through this 2.5-acre large Rose Garden featuring more than 200 varieties of roses.

If you’re traveling with kids, you can also add the famous Woodland Zoo to your itinerary. The zoo has 900+ animals, including grizzly bears, penguins, and otters. ZooTunes is a popular event with Grammy-winning musicians. There are also culinary events, like whiskey tastings, beer meetups, and food tours. Proceeds support wildlife preservation.

Timings: Daily 9:30 am to 6 pm in the Summer (May 1st to Sep 5th)
Daily 9:30 am to 4:30 pm (Rest of the year)
Tickets: $26.25 (Adults) and $16.25 (Kids)

Fremont Troll [Free]

How to reach: Bus route 5 & 28

Drive down five more minutes to pay a visit to Fremont’s most famous celebrity, the Fremont Troll. Featured in several movies like the Twilight Saga and Sleepless in Seattle, this civilized, fun-loving, and car-crushing troll has taken residence at the north end of the Aurora Bridge.

Stop for lunch at one of the many restaurants on Fremont Ave. We had lunch at Kin Len Thai Night Bites, a cosy little Thai restaurant serving delicious Thai staples. Don’t miss the Pad Si Eiw, their signature char-grilled, melt-in-the-mouth noodles.

Bonus activities on the Fremont Ave

The Fremont Vintage Mall has fascinating antiques, records, furniture, jewellery, memorabilia and more.
Jive Time Records: Amazing record store selling new and used records from a variety of genres, specifically rock, soul, jazz and classical. If you’re a vinyl junky like us, you can check out these 6 Best Vinyl Record Stores In Seattle.
Ophelia’s Books: Used bookstore, need I say more? 🙂

Ballard Locks [Free]

Within 10 minutes of Fremont, the Hiram M Chittenden Locks, popularly called the Ballard Locks, is a Seattle icon, connecting Salmon Bay (Puget Sound) to the fresh waters of Lake Union. It is also the busiest lock system in the United States. Spend some time admiring the operation of the complex lock systems (akin to a water elevator in layman’s terms) as vessels pass through. Visit the nearby fish ladder to learn about salmon migration patterns. You might spot some too. Climb up the steps to visit the heronry and gaze at the majestic great blue herons nesting on several of the trees. This is indeed a bird lover’s paradise.

Pro tip: Keep an eye out at the water as you might playful spot Harbor Seal swimming near the locks.

Golden Gardens Beach [Free]

Drive a couple of miles north to Golden Gardens Beach, one of Seattle’s few sandy beaches. Enjoy a romantic stroll with your loved one, or grab a picnic enjoying the ocean. You can also enjoy s’mores sitting by the fire at one of the designated fire pits. Alternatively, you can head to Carkeek Park or Alki Beach in West Seattle.

South Lake Union [Free]

Drive south 20 minutes to the SLU area of Seattle to enjoy views of the beautiful Lake Union from the south. This area also offers great views of the Space Needle and is also home to MOHAI, one of the best museums in the city. Located north of Lake Union, Gas Works Park is a great place to visit if you want to check out the old gas plant and enjoy the skyline.

Top 5 Mount Rainier Lookouts in Seattle

Pike Place Market [Free]

End your day at this must-visit Seattle landmark. Pike Place offers a plethora of things to do, from enjoying the views of Puget Sound to treating yourself to sweet or savory delights. Try the authentic Russian pastries at Piroshky Piroshky or a tub of ‘The World’s Best Mac & Cheese from Beecher’s Handmade Cheese. Visit the world’s oldest bookstore (Golden Age Collectibles) and the world’s first Starbucks. Please note that Pike Place closes at 6 pm. So if you’re running late, it might be a good idea to save it for another day and check out the Waterfront instead.

Volunteer Park [Free]

If you still have some time, and are up for one more spot, make your way to Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill. This lovely and peaceful park has an old water tower that you can climb up to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of Downtown Seattle, Bellevue, and also the neighboring mountain ranges.

Bonus Activity: Feed the cute squirrels that will come hopping if you offer them nuts(raw).

Day 2: Explore National/ State Parks

Seattle has an abundance of natural landscapes, from forests to wetlands to city parks. Additionally, Washington boasts three breathtaking National Parks that are a must-visit on your trip to Seattle. For Day 2, we highly recommend spending your day in the lap of mother nature. You can pick any national parks or explore local or state parks, which are easily accessible by public transportation and offer picturesque scenery.

Washington National Parks

Mount Rainier National Park – 2 hrs 30 mins drive from Seattle, offers great hikes and scenic view of Mount Rainier.
North Cascades National Park – 2 hrs 30 mins drive from Seattle, home to the most turquoise lake in Washington.
Olympic National Park – 3 hrs 30 mins drive from Seattle, offers diverse landscapes, from Rain forests to Pacific beaches and monolith rocks.

Washington Local and State Parks

Deception Pass State Park – Offers stunning view and home to one of the best beaches in Washington.
Wallace Falls State Park – A pristine waterfall tucked in the foothills of the Cascade range, offering a fun hiking experience.
Larrabee State Park – A coastal gem with breathtaking vistas, lush forests, and rocky shorelines perfect for outdoor adventures.
Discovery Park – An urban sanctuary in Seattle, blending nature and cityscape, featuring stunning views, forested trails, and open meadows.
Marymoor Park – A sprawling recreational paradise in Redmond, offering vast green spaces, sports fields, a velodrome, and a dog park.
Union Bay Natural Area – A serene and biodiverse wetland habitat near the University of Washington, ideal for birdwatching and nature exploration.

Day 3: Explore the gems around

If you’ve already explored the well-known attractions in Seattle, it’s worth venturing further. Seattle is home to some of the finest museums and art galleries in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, there are several cities nearby that are just a short ferry ride away and are sure to impress you with their beauty. Here are some suggestions for activities on Day 3.

Washington State Ferry & Water Taxi Destinations

Bainbridge Island – A serene island retreat, known for its natural beauty, vibrant arts scene, and tight-knit community.
Whidbey Island – A stunning island, known for its scenic drives and rugged coastline.
Vashon Island – A picturesque island, known for its rural charm, artistic community, and natural beauty.
Alki Beach – A pristine beach park offering picturesque views of Seattle skyline.

Other Washington Cities

Tacoma – A vibrant urban core, known for its world-renowned museums and coastal parks.
Olympia – The capital city of Washington State, known for its cultural scenes and the stunning State Capitol Building.
Crystal Mountain – A majestic ski resort offering breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and other mountain ranges.