Fall Adventures Await in Seattle Southside: Birding, Biking, Beignets & More

Bee Inspired: Sweet Ways to Celebrate National Honey Month
September is National Honey Month, and Seattle Southside offers plenty of opportunities to savor this golden treat:

- Taste, Toast, and Treat Yourself at Cedarbrook Lodge. Nestled within the lush grounds of Cedarbrook Lodge, Copperleaf Bar & Restaurant serves up hive-to-table dishes and cocktails infused with honey from the resort’s own onsite apiary. Savor creations like grilled lamb with honey mustard, a smashed cucumber and radish salad, and the refreshing honey pear martini. The indulgence continues at The Spa at Cedarbrook Lodge, where seasonal lavender and honey treatments—like a rejuvenating facial or body polish—bring a natural glow from the outside in.

- Sip Small-Batch Mead at Oppegaard Meadery. Step into an ancient Nordic-inspired mead hall at Oppegaard Meadery in Tukwila. This kid- and pet-friendly spot crafts small-batch meads from local honey, with imaginative flavors like Dragon’s Blood. For a hands-on experience, sign up for a mead-making class to bring a bit of the magic home.

- Tour the Hives at Sunflower Bee Co. Discover the buzz at SEA Airport with Sunflower Bee Co., a local business producing honey right under the flight paths. Take a guided hive tour and stock up on their pure, locally harvested honey to keep the celebration going all month long.

Birding in Seattle Southside: A Hidden Gem for Cold-Season Spotting
While many think of birdwatching as a spring or summer hobby, Seattle Southside shines in fall and winter—thanks to its location along the Pacific Flyway and abundance of wetlands and shoreline habitat. Birding in the off-season means fewer crowds, better visibility, and easy access to trails and lookouts—even in popular spots like Saltwater State Park, Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, and Des Moines Beach Park. The Rainier Audubon Society offers self-guided tours of lesser-known areas worth a visit. Interested birders can also take a free, guided tour with local expert Barbara Petersen, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Burien and a member of the Rainier Audubon Society. The next tour is on August 31 and explores Seahurst Park. Stay tuned for more scheduled for the fall.

During fall migration (September–November), Seattle Southside becomes a busy layover for hundreds of species heading south. Keep an eye out for:
- Western sandpipers and dunlins along the shoreline
- Warblers and thrushes moving through forested parks like Saltwater State Park
- Bald eagles soaring overhead as salmon return to local streams

As temperatures drop, the birding heats up with wintering waterfowl and raptors. From December through February, these cold-weather visitors are regulars:
- Buffleheads, goldeneyes, and scaups diving offshore at Des Moines Beach Park
- Great blue herons and green-winged teals standing out in stark winter light

Can’t Miss Eats - Creole Soul: A Taste of New Orleans in Seattle Southside
Tucked away in Des Moines’ Backstage Alley, Creole Soul serves up authentic Louisiana flavor with heart. Founded by New Orleans native Hampton “The Boss” Isom, this Black-owned eatery started as a food truck and quickly became a local favorite—thanks to bold dishes like shrimp and grits, jambalaya, and fried gator po’ boys. Nearly every ingredient comes straight from the South, from French bread to spice blends. The vibe is pure New Orleans too: Mardi Gras beads, live jazz and blues on select dates, and comfort food that sticks with you. Brunches are legendary, and the house-made beignets are worth the trip alone. Creole Soul doesn’t just feed its guests—it feeds the community, too, through a nonprofit initiative that provides meals to those in need. Watch our video feature to learn more.

Pedal Power: New Lake to Sound “Connector Trail” Boosts Cycling in Seattle Southside
Seattle Southside just got a major boost in bike-friendly infrastructure. King County Parks, in partnership with WSDOT, the Port of Seattle, and the cities of Burien and SeaTac, recently opened a brand-new segment of the Lake to Sound Trail—linking Burien, SeaTac, and the Des Moines Creek Trail. This new path creates a contiguous seven-mile paved connector through South King County.

Cyclists can now pedal from Burien through SeaTac and into Des Moines on a safe, paved, non-motorized trail that ends at the scenic Puget Sound waterfront. This opens easier access to light rail stations, downtown Des Moines, and Lake Washington trails around Renton.

The connector is part of the broader, partially completed Lake to Sound Trail, which will be ~16 miles total when completed. This new connector makes Seattle Southside the place for scenic, transit-friendly, family-rated cycling. Learn more and plan a visit here.

Some local favorites for the adventures:
- Des Moines Creek Trail → Beach Park: A shady, 2.2‑mile ride from urban streets to Puget Sound shoreline—perfect for a relaxed family outing.

Detours worth the ride: Though these destinations aren’t part of the Lake to Sound Trail, they are just a short ride away.
- Saltwater State Park Detour: 2.7 miles through coastal forest and parkland—great for beachside breaks and driftwood picnics.
- Angle Lake Park pit stop: Less than a mile from the Angle Lake Light Rail Station—ideal for a serene lunch view before continuing south.

Leaf-Peeping, Pumpkins & Coastal Views: Fall in Seattle Southside
Seattle Southside offers some of the region’s most underrated fall color—without the crowds. From the golden coastal views of Saltwater State Park to the tree-lined Des Moines Beach Park & Des Moines Creek Trail, autumn is in full display. Stroll the serene Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden and its Japanese Seike Garden, which is especially vibrant in the fall. Families can soak in the season at Fort Dent Park and Angle Lake Park, both dotted with fiery fall foliage. For the perfect seasonal cap, stop by Zenith Holland Nursery to pick out pumpkins and fall décor before heading home. This is far more than a plant store—the Halloween section is perfect for festive photo opps, and the large, well-curated gift shop features everything from upscale candles and home goods to cozy, globally sourced apparel to baby and pet gifts.

Mark the Calendar, fall fun is on the way!
Glow Ball at Foster Golf Links – September 26, 2025
As the days get shorter, golfers enjoy a unique nighttime round at Glow Ball, playing 9 holes using glow-in-the-dark balls and illuminated gear under the stars at Foster Golf Links. Teams of two compete in an alternate-shot format, with entry set at $60 per person—including glowing swag and a $10 gift card to Billy Baroo’s bar & grill. Pro golf shop registration is required (call 206-242-4221).

The Haunted Escape Room Experience at Seattle Chocolate Factory - Thursdays–Saturdays, October 2–25, 2025
Step aboard Greg Glitter’s glitter-soaked spaceship for a 50-minute escape room adventure to a haunted planet in search of the fabled cosmic cacao. Solve puzzles, navigate a ghostly garden, and you might just take home a chocolate treasure. Hosted at the Seattle Chocolate Factory, this sweet and spooky challenge is $30 per person.

Witches Tea at Marina Mercantile – Offered throughout October 2025
The beloved Witches Tea returns this October to Marina Mercantile, offering a whimsical afternoon of spooky treats, savory bites, and mystical table décor in a charming waterfront setting. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their witchiest attire—cloaks, hats, and familiars welcome—and enjoy a bewitching experience complete with cauldrons, crystal balls, and broom parking. This enchanting fall tradition books up quickly, so grab your coven and make a reservation before it vanishes into the mist.

Burien’s Brat Trot & Oktoberfest – October 4, 2025
This festive event starts with a 5K race for adults and a 1K fun run for kids, followed by an Oktoberfest celebration at Town Square Park with live music, local brews, bratwurst, pretzels, root beer gardens, and family games. Held in partnership with the Highline Schools Foundation, it’s a vibrant community fundraiser with both race registration and Oktoberfest ticket options. Kids’ activities and brew-tasting tokens create a lively and inclusive atmosphere.

The Museum of Fright – October 26, 2025
During The Museum of Fright, the Museum of Flight transforms for a family-friendly Halloween experience featuring spooky storytelling, Día de Muertos craft tables, and themed science workshops. Children in costume (17 and under) often enjoy free or discounted admission, along with music performances, face painting, and gallery installations with a creepy twist. It’s an interactive blend of history, aviation exhibits, and festive fun.

Sloth Festival, October 18, 2025
Join the Highline Heritage Museum for International Sloth Day to celebrate the region’s own giant ground sloth, or megalonyx, discovered under SeaTac Airport—now the museum’s sloth mascot! The event blends local history, family-friendly exhibits, and hands-on activities centered around sloth lore and conservation.

Fall Foliage Festival & Plant Sale – November 8–9, 2025
The Fall Foliage Festival at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden features scenic seasonal color displays and a plant sale with nursery-grade specimens offered to visitors. Additional offerings include garden tours, a kids’ scavenger hunt, and food truck service (Saturday only), often with free admission or member discounts. It’s a serene way to immerse in the best of the Pacific Northwest’s autumn beauty while exploring rare rhododendron varieties.