See a New Side of Seattle Southside: Urban Hikes, Wellness Escapes & Treats for Lunar New Year

Whether it’s urban hiking through forested trails and neighborhood cafés, easing into the new year with restorative micro-escapes, or celebrating Lunar New Year with boba, dumplings, and cultural festivities, Seattle Southside offers an accessible, experience-packed hub for every style of traveler.

With diverse attractions, international dining, family-friendly activities, and abundant green spaces, it’s an under-the-radar home base—and an easy detour—for visitors who want the best of the Pacific Northwest without downtown congestion.

Urban Hiking Redefined: A Walkable Escape in Seattle Southside
As interest grows in simple ways to lower stress and support overall health, Seattle Southside offers an urban hiking experience that blends nature, movement, and local flavor—easily accessible via the Link Light Rail. This link provides access to the guide, with highlights such as:

• Start with a treat: Begin with a warm concha or pastry from Las Delicias Panaderia Y Antojitos, just a five-minute walk from Angle Lake Station on the Link Light Rail.
• Nature and movement: Follow the forested Des Moines Creek Trail—a stress-reducing, paved path with creek sounds, forest canopy, and overhead plane-spotting.
• Local stops along the way: Step into Carriage Country Quilts or All Points Yarn for a calming, creative pause mid-walk.
• Refuel mindfully: Recharge at Second Love Coffee Roasters, known for small-batch roasts and a peaceful covered patio ideal for unwinding.

Urban hiking in Seattle Southside offers a simple, transit-friendly way to reduce stress hormones, elevate mood, and support overall wellness—no car, gear, or long travel required.

Restorative Micro Escapes in Seattle Southside
Those seeking simple, sustainable ways to reset in the new year, find approachable wellness experiences that encourage rest, balance, and a gentler start to 2026:

• Movement and mindfulness. Community-based classes at Waterland Yoga, where nurturing instructors guide students through grounding practices for all levels, or quiet solo moments to unplug outdoors—whether that’s stretching along a peaceful shoreline, meditating beneath towering evergreens, or taking a slow, reflective walk through one of Seattle Southside’s serene parks.
• Rest and relaxation. Luxury pampering at The Spa at Cedarbrook Lodge, where soothing treatments, nature-inspired therapies, and tranquil surroundings melt away winter stress—creating the perfect setting to ease into the new year with deep, restorative calm. Or rejuvenate at Jenny Beauty Headspa, a serene haven specializing in head, neck, and shoulder treatments, including invigorating scalp massages and luxurious shampoos. With services available in under 40 minutes, it’s an ideal micro-escape that melts away tension and leaves you feeling refreshed and revitalized in no time.
• Try an off-season staycation. Enjoy a rejuvenating overnight at a Seattle Southside hotel such as Hotel Interurban or Embassy Suites - perfect for unwinding without the travel stress, enjoying quiet amenities, off-season rates, and a refreshing change of scenery during the peaceful winter season.
• Nature resets. Peaceful walks at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, where winding pathways, seasonal blooms, and quiet corners invite slow exploration; grounding beach time at Saltwater State Park, with its soothing waves, driftwood-lined shoreline, and expansive views that make it easy to exhale; or low-impact movement along the scenic trails at Angle Lake Park and North SeaTac Park, offering gentle loops, lakeside stretches, and forested routes ideal for reconnecting with nature at your own pace.

Dumplings, Boba and Festive Treats: a Delicious Lunar New Year in Seattle Southside
Extend the Lunar New Year celebration in Seattle Southside with a festive weekend of dining, culture, and family-friendly activities. Begin with the vibrant Lunar New Year celebration at Westfield Southcenter (February 14), complete with lion dances, calligraphy, cultural performances, and community activities. Continue the experience at Lam’s Seafood Asian Market, a beloved international grocery known to celebrate the holiday with a show and special displays and deals. For celebratory meals, feast on dumplings at Din Tai Fung, which typically offers special dishes and giveaways for the holiday, locally owned Mr. Dim Sum, or regional favorite Dough Zone Dumpling House. Sip your way through the region’s Bubble Tea Trail, including stops like CHICHA San Chen, which offers complimentary tastings of its premium imported teas, and TP Tea, owned by one of the oldest bubble tea companies in the world. Enjoy fresh pastries from international bakeries such as 85°C Bakery Café (based in Taiwan), and Paris Baguette (based in South Korea). With Light Rail access and a rich mix of Asian-owned food, culture, and celebration, Seattle Southside offers a vibrant way to welcome the Year of the Horse.

Calling all Seawolves fans!
Mark those calendars - the Seattle Seawolves Major League Rugby season schedule has been released, with ten regular-season games beginning April 3. But you don't have to wait until spring to get to know the players – Explore Seattle Southside has released a new calendar in collaboration with the team! Tickets and a calendar of year-round Seawolves spirit may have just moved to the top of Santa's list this year! Find 2026 game dates here.

Dates to Note:

Christmas and New Year’s Eve Dinners
Celebrate the holidays with festive dinners at 13 Coins - with its warm, iconic atmosphere and comforting classics perfect for gathering with family and friends - elegant, farm-to-table Christmas and New Year’s Eve menus at Copperleaf, where Northwest ingredients are crafted into thoughtful, beautifully presented dishes - or modern, creative plates at Rendition, paired with a celebratory atmosphere that makes every holiday meal feel extra special. Learn more here.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations
New Year’s Eve in Seattle Southside offers something for every style of celebration - from the Des Moines Burning Boat Festival, where a glowing seaside bonfire, warm treats, and shared intentions create a meaningful and reflective send-off to the year, to a fun and laid-back night at Bowlero South Seattle, where bowling, bites, and a festive atmosphere make for an easygoing countdown with friends and family, or the lively New Year’s Eve Party at Las Palmas, filled with music, dancing, great food, and vibrant energy for those who want to ring in 2026 with a spirited night out.

Last Chance to See the MIG-21 Exhibit at the Museum of Flight
Experience the striking MiG-21 Project before it closes on January 26. South African artist Ralph Ziman spent five years transforming a decommissioned Cold War–era, Soviet-designed MiG-21 fighter jet into a stunning work of art, entirely covered in tens of millions of colorful glass beads. By reclaiming the jet, Ziman turns a symbol of war into one of resilience and collaboration—making this exhibit a must-see for art and aviation enthusiasts alike. Learn more here.

Underwater Photography Challenge Exhibit, now through February 28, 2026
Dive into the hidden world just beneath the surface at MaST Center Aquarium in Redondo Beach with the annual Underwater Photography Challenge Exhibit, showcasing the vibrant marine life that thrives below the waves. This community-driven display features 40 captivating images submitted by 15 local underwater photographers, each captured at Redondo Beach between August and October 2025.
Juried winners—including 1st–3rd place, Juror’s Favorite, and the Redondo Beach Award—are featured alongside the community-selected Sea Worthy Award, chosen by public vote. The exhibit offers a rare chance for non-divers to experience the remarkable animals that call Puget Sound home, inspiring visitors to appreciate and help protect this underwater ecosystem. Explore the beauty, motion, and mystery of the marine world during regular MaST Center Aquarium hours. Learn more about MaST here.