Pack in the Fun

Summer Bucket List: 50 Things to Do, Eat & See in Seattle and Beyond

Last Updated: May 21, 2026

Summer in the Seattle area is heaven, with long days that stretch into lazy, leisurely evenings.

From beaches to bumper boats to free outdoor concerts, there's simply no way to get bored. Use this list to start checking off all the summer fun you can while the season is at its peak.

Free Fun
Outdoor Sports
All-in-One Entertainment
Cold Treats
Beat the Heat

Free Fun

There's no better time than summer to enjoy simple pleasures, and the region's got plenty of them.

1. Pack a picnic and enjoy it at one of many gorgeous local parks. We love Des Moines Beach Park because it combines trails, a meadow, and Puget Sound shoreline.

2. Go searching for marine critters at local beaches. Use our tidepooling guide to learn the basics of when and where to go.

3. Take an urban hike on one of many local trails.

4. Admire summer blooms at free local gardens, such as the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, which also hosts free events such as live music, storytime, and plays.

5. Meet some local marine life at the MaST Center Aquarium's free Discovery Days (every Saturday).

Pictured: Ochre sea stars under the MaST Center Aquarium at Redondo Beach in Des Moines, Washington.

6. Attend an outdoor concert such as the Des Moines Summer Concert Series.

7. See a free concert at The Roadhouse at Angle Lake Station, which often hosts jazz and world music (check the venue's website or social media for updates).

8. Take yourself on a walking tour of public art at a picturesque marina.

9. Check out a local library to pick up your next beach read.

10. Sign up for one of Explore Seattle Southside's free, interactive trails, such as the UFO Mysteries Trail, which takes you on a tour of some eerie local lore.

Pictured: The Roadhouse at the Angle Lake Link Light Rail Station

Outdoor Sports

11. Serious about cycling? Enjoy a long, uninterrupted ride on the scenic Green River-Interurban Trail loop (which is great for jogging, strolling, rollerblading, and rollerskating, too!)

12. Ever wondered what cold water diving was all about? Take a SCUBA course and find out why local divers can't get enough!

13. Take a kayak to Redondo Beach or Saltwater State Park, or even paddle down the Green River between Kent and Tukwila. (Yes, people have done it!)

14. Join the Des Moines Creek Parkrun, a free, inclusive 5K that meets every Saturday.

15. Go bird watching, looking out for hummingbirds, herons, hawks, and more.

Pictured: Disc golf at North SeaTac Park in SeaTac, Washington

16. Grab your reel and check out the best lakes, rivers, and beaches for fishing.

17. Unwind with an outdoor yoga class like Waterland Yoga's Summer Series, which is pay-what-you-can and offers sweeping views of the sea at Sound View Park.

18. Find out what BMX is all about at SeaTac BMX, which offers camps and clinics throughout the summer (and an all-ages Ladies League where newcomers are welcome)!

19. Try out a new pastime like disc golf, which you can find at North SeaTac Park.

20. Play a round of golf at a local course such as Foster Golf Links, which is right next to a tranquil river and has an onsite restaurant, Pasifika NW Grill & Bar.

Pictured: Kayaks at Redondo Beach in Des Moines, Washington

All-in-One Entertainment

The easiest way to plan a day? Choose an outing where feasting and fun are wrapped into one.

21. Check out a local farmers' market and stock up on fresh produce, flowers, and handcrafted goods. We especially love the Des Moines Waterfront Farmers Market, which is right on Puget Sound and usually has food trucks.

22. Check out vintage planes at the Museum of Flight, then have lunch on the patio while watching real planes take off.

23. Race bumper boats at Family Fun Center, then play arcades and other games inside and fill up at Bullwinkle's Restaurant.

24. Chow down on fresh seafood with a seaside view at Anthony's HomePort & Lower Deck, then take a walk at the Des Moines Marina next door.

25. Mark your calendar for outdoor festivals like the Blues & Brews Fest - a full day of live music, craft beers, and food trucks.

Pictured: Bumper Boats at Family Fun Center in Tukwila, Washington

26. Savor the seasonal menu at Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar on the tranquil patio, then grab a mani-pedi in the hotel spa.

27. Enjoy live music on the water at Quarterdeck while sipping a flight of mimosas or craft beer.

28. Book a guided, all-day tour to Mount Rainier with Evergreen Escapes, which picks up at SeaTac hotels and includes a picnic.

29. Kill an hour or a whole afternoon playing retro games at Waterland Arcade, which also sells ice-cold craft beer and cider and allows outside food.

30. Play cornhole and chill in the sunny patio at Ulysses Pub & Pizzeria.

Pictured: The patio at Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar in SeaTac, Washington

Indulge in Cold Treats

31. Try Mexican-style iced treats such as nieves de gafa at Sweet D'icias and tons of iced sweet drinks at Latino Cafe. (We love the mangonada).

32. Sign up for the free Bubble Tea Trail to explore more than twenty places to get refreshing boba.

33. Sip sweet, savory Vietnamese iced coffee (Drip & Sip offers a three-drink sample flight).

34. Cool off with bingsu (sweetened shaved ice) at Kakigori Dessert Cafe. It's almost too cute to eat!

35. Scoop up halo-halo, a Filipino specialty, at Max's Restaurant.

Pictured: Mango Ice Cream at Sweet D'Licias in Des Moines, Washington

36. Try rolled ice cream at Dragon's Breath Creamery, and watch smoke billow out of your mouth (no, really)!

37. Get a big scoop of traditional ice cream at Auntie Irene's and take it to the waterfront for quintessential summer vibes.

38. Check out the rotating seasonal iced coffee flavors at Second Love Coffee.

39. Try fresh-pressed sugarcane juice, a staple of Vietnamese cuisine, at Natalie's Sugarcane & Dessert.

40. Put some novelty in your day with some imported cold drinks from local international markets.

Pictured: Fresh sugarcane juice at Natalie's Sugarcane & Dessert in Tukwila, Washington

Beat the Heat

When the temp climbs, you've got two options: get in the water, or find sweet relief indoors.

41. Dive into a lake! Angle Lake Park is a hidden gem with a sandy beach and a view of Mount Rainier. While you're there, check out the splash pad - a huge crowd-pleaser for families.

42. Lay out at local beaches like Des Moines Beach Park and wade in the tide when you get too hot.

43. Sometimes you just need some strong A/C. Head to Westfield Southcenter to browse more than 200 stores, catch a movie, and sample global bites.

44. Westfield Southcenter is also home to Great Big Game Show, a totally unique experience everyone should have at least once. Right next door is...

45. The Escape Game! Way cooler than your average escape room, these cinematic challenges will make you feel like you're in a movie.

Pictured: Angle Lake Park in SeaTac, Washington

46. Go wild at Activate, an indoor adventure park where you can dodge lasers, solve fast-paced puzzles, and so much more.

47. Bring a crew to Bowlero for food, beer, and bowling.

48. Or, check out Round1 Bowling & Arcade for all of the above, plus private karaoke!

49. Nothing cooler than a grocery store! Check out Lam's Seafood Asian Market for fun imported snacks, then grab a meal at the Eatery inside.

50. Get your Super Mario on at K1 Speed, an all-electric indoor racetrack.

Pictured: K1 Speed in Tukwila, Washington

Find Even More Fun...

Annie Atherton

Author

Annie Atherton

Senior Content Writer

Annie Atherton is the Senior Content Writer at Explore Seattle Southside. As a (mostly) lifelong resident of the Seattle area, she is very proud to call the region home and to talk it up to all who will listen.