10 Things to Do in Seattle in August
Visiting Seattle in August is a dream come true. It's a favourite month for many travellers and here you'll find out why with all the things you can't miss on your holiday.
Seattle Waterfront | ©Glen Watson
In all honesty, exploring Seattle at any time of the year is a fantastic idea, but if you get the chance to experience the emerald city in ideal weather conditions, you'll be in for a treat.
Seattle is a charming destination with hundreds of things to see and do. The month of August in particular is loaded with outdoor fun including fairs, festivals, water rides and nature fun.
1. In August attend the closing parade of the Seafair Festival
The famous Torchlight Parade is a popular celebration that honours the cultural diversity and time-honoured traditions of the Pacific Northwest.
It is one of the most fun summer activities to do in Seattle and takes place each year either the last week of July in Seattle or the first week of August.
The parade is the closing event of one of Seattle's oldest festivals that began in the 1950s. The commemorative closing event activities begin around 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. in the evening. If you want to participate, try to arrive early and find a good spot.
The event is attended by approximately 300,000 people every year. It's a multi-disciplinary artistic parade that includes performances by clowns and pirates, acrobats, university entertainers, equestrian displays, lavish and elaborate floats and much more!
Where it takes place
The colourful parade takes place in downtown Seattle on Seattle's 4th Avenue. The parade usually starts at the Seattle Center and ends near CenturyLink Field.
How to buy tickets
Viewing the parade from the street is free to the public. However, special grandstands and seating are set up at strategic locations; tickets can be purchased online at the Seafair Organization's official website and cost between $30 and $60 per seat.
2. Get tickets for the Seattle Art Fair
If you're a fan or have any interest in modern and contemporary art, you can't miss the Seattle Art Fair. The Seattle Art Fair is an annual exhibition whose main purpose is to showcase the talent of the vibrant Pacific Northwest community.
Although the event usually takes place in early August for 4 consecutive days, in some years it has been held in late July so I recommend checking the information a few days before your trip. The best way is to visit the Seattle Art Fair website.
The fair brings together the best talent from the region but also features international guests and galleries from all corners of the Americas, as well as innovative talent to have a conversation about the local and global art scene.
Where it takes place
The venue chosen for the exhibitions is the CenturyLink Event Center. Located in the heart of Seattle, the best way to get there is to take the T1 city tram.
How to buy tickets
This is a multi-day event and you can purchase tickets for one day or multiple days. The best way to purchase tickets is to visit the official Seattle Art Fair website where the Tickets section provides details of the price and time of the exhibition for each day.
A one-day pass is usually around 25€, an all-day pass is around 50€ per participant.
3. The best month to see Mount Rainier from Seattle.
August is the best time of the year to visit Mount Rainier, due to its perfect weather conditions. During this month, wildflowers invade the park's meadows, offering visitors breathtaking scenery.
In addition, the dry and warm weather provides the perfect conditions for hiking in the mountains.
Take a trip to Mount Rainer from Seattle if you enjoy hiking and scenery and are looking for an excuse to experience the wilderness of the northwestern United States.
Mount Rainer National Park is open year-round, but it's worth doing this one in August or July when the weather conditions lend themselves to enjoying the natural environment at its best.
During the winter months in Seattle, many areas are closed due to high humidity, which makes some trails dangerous.
How to get to Mount Rainier National Park
The park is almost 2 hours from the city. The best way to get to this part of Washington State is by organised tour.
Fortunately, this is one of the most popular experiences for travellers and one of the best tours to do from Seattle.
Duration of the experience
Organised tours to Mount Rainer from Seattle usually take a minimum of 10 hours, including transfer to and from Seattle. You should reserve a full day for this experience. The approximate cost of the tour is around €170.
4. Visit the Skagit Valley for the Skagit County Fair.
The Skagit County Fair is an event designed for the whole family where you can find a variety of animal exhibits to play with and feed; ride horses; enjoy an arts and crafts fair; and enjoy games and food booths.
Leave the urban atmosphere behind and spend a fun day getting to know northern Washington at an event that gives you a close-up look at American culture and traditions: a county fair. If you attend, you'll be able to visit Skagit County, an area famous for being home to the largest commercial flower industry in the country.
I recommend taking advantage of the visit to see Skagit's world-famous tulip fields, which provide visitors with a breathtaking spectacle.
It's a breathtaking scene that will make you think you're in the old world as you walk through the flower fields of Holland.
Where it takes place
The fair is held in the Skagit Valley in the Skagit Valley region north of Seattle. The way to get there is to rent a car in the city. By road, it takes about 1 hour, not including stops.
How to buy tickets
Tickets can be purchased on arrival and information on prices and the exact date of the event can be found on the official Skagit County website.
5. In August you can go whale watching in Seattle.
During the month of August whale watching season in Seattle is at its peak. You can take a whale watching tour in Seattle, these tours depart from the harbour at Seattle Center and head to the Salish Sea.
The Salish Sea is a marginal area of the Pacific Ocean bordering Washington State and the Canadian province of Columbia. In this area the cetaceans like to spend the summer months and enjoy themselves in the warm waters. Later, with the arrival of the cold autumn, the whales migrate to warmer waters in the south.
Where to go
Seattle whale watching tours depart from Pier 69 at Seattle Center. This adventure is rated as one of the best Seattle boat tours to take during the summer season.
Schedule and duration of the experience
The schedule may vary slightly depending on the company you hire for the experience. Generally there is one tour each day departing at around 10am; the tour lasts between 4-6 hours depending on the itinerary. The half-day tour costs approximately €160.
6. Attend the Magnolia Summerfest in downtown Seattle.
Magnolia Summerfest is an event that celebrates summer and has been a part of the community since its founding in the 1950s.
This summer festival is held every first weekend in August. It lasts several days, making it easy to include in your plans even during a short trip, for example 3 days in Seattle or less.
A large area of downtown Seattle is set up to provide visitors and locals with all kinds of fun.
Magnolia Fest activities include live music by local and guest artists; inflatable toys for the kids, talent shows, parades and lots of food and drink booths!
Where it takes place
The event takes place at Seattle's Magnolia Playfield. You can get to this part of town using the Seattle bus, specifically the 24 and 31 lines. Magnolia Fremont Central Station is just a few minutes walk away.
How to buy tickets
The event is organised on a volunteer basis for the community and visitors to Seattle, so it is free to all.
7. Say goodbye to summer like the locals by attending the Evergreen State Fair.
The Evergreen State Fair is billed as the largest county fair in the Pacific Northwest. The event welcomes thousands of visitors, who come to enjoy numerous activities designed for family fun.
It's a 12-day celebration , beginning in mid-August and culminating with the celebration of Labor Day in the United States (the 1st Monday in September).
The fair is ideal if you're going to Seattle with kids and are looking for a family fun option, with entertainment for everyone.
Among the amusements you can expect to find are: horse shows, food and drink market, arts and crafts market, arts and crafts booths, live music and a rides and games area.
Where it takes place
The event takes place in the small town of Monroe, located about 40 minutes outside of Seattle by car. Renting a car in town is currently the best way to get there.
How to buy tickets
Tickets can be purchased directly at the gates of the event or in advance on the Evergreen Fair website.
8. The annual Duwamish River Festival is held in August
In mid-August the city hosts an event that nature lovers and eco-travellers will enjoy. The annual Duwamish River Fair is a family-friendly event featuring a food fair, games with prizes, live entertainment, environmental education and more.
The Duwamish River in Elliot Bay is considered one of the most polluted rivers in the country, which is why several local organisations have joined forces to raise funds to invest in improvements.
It's a one-afternoon event that you can easily combine with a tight itinerary, such as a short 5-day trip to Seattle or less.
Where it takes place
Each year the event is held on a dedicated vacant lot with fabulous views of Elliot Bay. The lot is located at 8700 Dallas Ave S.
How to buy tickets
No tickets are required as the event is free to the public.
9. This is the perfect time of year to enjoy rooftop bars.
Seattle is by default a city with a high rainfall rate. However, August is one of the driest months of the year, making it the perfect time to enjoy many outdoor activities in the city.
Taking a tour of the best rooftop bars to enjoy the city's incredible scenery in conjunction with the great August weather is definitely one of the best things to do in Seattle at night.
Here is a list of some interesting options to consider.
Frolik
Located in the heart of Seattle, Frolik is a luxurious and elegant establishment that will make you feel like you're in an old Hollywood movie.
From the rooftop terrace you'll get the most spectacular views of the Seattle metropolitan area, specifically 5th Avenue and its beautiful buildings.
MBar
Located on the 14th floor, MBar is one of the best rooftop bars in the South Lake Union area. I recommend going to MBar on an empty stomach and trying the eclectic and very original menu offered by chef Jason Stratton.
The Pink Door
Located on the beautiful Pike Place, The Pink Door may seem hard to find, but the sparkling views of Seattle's waterfront make the effort worthwhile.
Enjoy a tasty dinner while watching performers and dancers work their hearts out on stage to entertain on show nights.
The Nest
The Nest is a fabulous venue that offers visitors postcard views to remember your trip to Seattle.
The venue has become famous for its cocktails, with a menu that mixes classic and contemporary drinks to satisfy even the most discerning tastes.
10.Take a food tour of Seattle
If you go to Seattle in August, I recommend that you don't leave the city without taking a food tour. This month is ideal for such a tour through the streets of Seattle.
Although the itinerary may change depending on the company you hire, some tour options focus on Pike Place Market.
This is not only home to incredible food, but the space also offers breathtaking views of downtown Seattle and sunsets.
Hours and duration of the experience
Seattle food tours run at different times several times a day and while the specifics may vary from company to company, they generally run from 10am onwards.
From the start of the tour, you will need to set aside about 2 hours of your itinerary to complete the experience. Food tours cost around €100 per participant and include food tasting.
Seattle's August tourist crowds
The beginning of August coincides with the highest peak of visitors in Seattle, mainly due to the school holidays that mobilize a large flow of tourists in the big cities of North America.
August is one of the busiest months of the year, but also one of the best months for walking and outdoor activities.
To avoid the problems associated with high tourist crowds, I recommend planning your activities ahead of time.
Prices in Seattle in August.
Due to high demand, summer is one of the most expensive times to visit Seattle. You'll find that both airfares and accommodation will be a little higher than in other months of the year.
If you can afford a spring trip to Seattle or a fall trip to the city, both seasons are ideal for saving money on your holiday.
However, choose your visit carefully to avoid the very cold or rainy months that will end up making your visit more difficult.