The Best Summer Activities in Seattle

Going from winter to summer feel like a drastic change in Seattle. You go from a constant drizzle and dark days to bright warm days. The entire city seems to wake up and get involved in various outdoor activities. Whether you’re a seasoned Seattleite or a visitor, there’s always something new to discover under the summer sun. From kayaking alongside majestic mountains to savoring fresh seafood at Pike Place Market, this guide will jumpstart your unforgettable Seattle summer experience.

Swimming in Seattle

Swimming is one of the best summer activities in Seattle. It’s hard to find a place with air conditioning in the Pacific Northwest, so instead of beating the heat inside like I would in Utah, I head to the water!

The Puget Sound

Swimming in the Puget Sound is one of my favorite summer activities in Seattle. The water temperature sits around the high 60s in the summer and makes for a very refreshing dip on a warm day. You can go for a swim at a few different parks in Seattle. My main picks are Golden Gardens, Alki Beach, Carkeek park, or Discovery Park.

Lake Washington

If you’re looking for a warmer body of water to swim in, Lake Washington is perfect during the summer months. It stays cold until late June or July due to its size, but by mid summer the temperature averages in the mid 70s. You’ll see people lining the shores and laying out at the lake, as well as people on boats tubing or fishing in the summer. My favorite beaches on Lake Washington are at Magnuson Park, Matthews Beach, and St Edwards State Park.

Lake Union

This is another lake easily accessible from Seattle. I often see people kayaking, paddle boarding, and floating in the famous hot tub boats here. I personally prefer to go to one of the other swimming spots in Seattle over Lake Union. There is a lot of traffic on this lake and I find it more fun to swim in other areas. If you’re set on swimming in Lake Union you can visit Gas Works Park!

Summer River Floats Near Seattle

As far as summer activities in Seattle go, this is my favorite! I spend a lot of time on the rivers in Washington and am always excited to float no matter how easy or difficult the run is. There are a few great options if you’re wanting to get on a river this summer in Seattle, and if you’d like to hear about even more feel free to reach out to me!

Fall City Float

The fall city float is a fun 3 mile float that many Seattleites do every year. I recommend going in lake June and early July for the best water levels. By the time we get into lake July the water will be really low. You can still float this river at low flows, but it’s not as enjoyable. Most people just float on a classic river tube. The one that I use each year can be found here.

Be aware of safety while you’re on the float. People get seriously injured every year and a few have died during this float. There is a bend about half way down the river that has a lot of trees piled up in the current. If your tube is pushed into these trees you can become tangled in the branches with the current flowing against you. The last time I did this float there was signage stating to get out and walk around this area, I recommend you do so!

Whitewater Rafting on the Wenatchee River

The Wenatchee river is my favorite river in Washington! I worked as a guide on this Leavenworth river and enjoy every minute on the water here. You’ll have to go with a group who is capable of navigating class 3 whitewater or book a guided tour. If you’re booking a tour, I recommend reaching out to the company Wildwater!

Summer Hiking Trails Near Seattle

There are many trails near the city, and if you’re looking for an activity to do in the summer in Seattle I recommend a hike! Hiking in Washington is one of my favorite things to do in the summer due to the amazing weather. It can still get hot in the middle of summer, so make sure you go somewhere with water if it’s going to be a hot day!

Rachel and Rampart Lakes Trail

I hike this trail each year and have a blast every time. It’s a 9 mile trail that I would consider moderately difficult due to the elevation gain. You hike in dense forest, along a river, past waterfalls, and finally up to a beautiful lake. This is a great hike to do on a hot day, just bring a swimsuit so you can take a dip at the top!

The Enchantments Loop

This is a difficulty hike located about two and a half hours from Seattle. Plan for 19 steep miles winding through alpine lakes that are out of this world. Most people try to get backpacking permits for this trail and never succeed due to how difficult it is to get these permits. Instead, what many people end up doing is through hiking it. For more information on the Enchantments through hike you can read about it in my blog post here.

Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls

This trail is known as a classic amongst Washington hikers! The trail is steep and fairly long, but well worth the trip. You’re hiking in some of the mossiest forests near Seattle until you reach a rocky summit and bright blue lake. Along the trail you’ll see signs for a short detour to Bridal Veil Falls and I highly recommend you go to the falls. It’s especially great to visit the falls on a hot day if you need to cool off before you start the steep incline up to Lake serene.

Visit A Park In Seattle

The parks in Seattle are some of my favorite places to visit in the summer! Most of them sit along the water, whether that’s the Puget Sound, Lake Washington, or Lake Union. I enjoy visiting the parks in mid July – August to swim and pick blackberries as I hang out. Another great part about visiting parks in Seattle is that they are all very forested. Due to the preservation of green spaces in Seattle, the parks are filled with old trees that offer shade during the hot days. Below are a few of the best parks in Seattle.

Golden Gardens Beach Park

If you’re looking for a refreshing swim in the Puget Sound, it doesn’t get much better than Golden Gardens. The sandy beach sits along the Sound and offers a great spot to relax or swim. There are also hiking trails you can walk around on if you’re looking to get some exercise in! It’s not uncommon to see people walking their dogs, but dogs are not allowed in the water at Golden Gardens unless you walk to the North end of the beach. You’ll also find people enjoying snow cones from the shop on the beach, playing beach volleyball, and even snorkeling in the Puget Sound!

Carkeek Park

Carkeek park is a smaller Seattle green space located north of Golden Gardens. The beach here is another great spot to sit and watch the sunset. You’ll find people swimming, hiking, or enjoying the playground with their kids. There are some forested hiking trails to explore, and even trails where you might get a glimpse at salmon. One thing worth mentioning is that this is not a very dog friendly park. You cannot bring you pets onto the beach or near the salmon habitat, so I recommend leaving your dog at home for this adventure.

Conclusion

Summer in Seattle is packed with opportunity. There are so many ways that you can make memories and enjoy your time! If you pick even just one or two of these activities you’ll be sure to have a blast during your Summer in Seattle. Be sure to beat the heat and find some water to enjoy!