We regularly publishing stargazing events for the Puget Sound region when observatories and clubs host stargazing events. Unfortunately, all in-person stargazing events have been cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, should you wish to continue your interest in astronomy, below we're listing virtual … [Read more...] about Free stargazing events
Hobbies & Interests
Summer camps & school break camps
We've updated our summer camps list for 2021 and indicated those that are cancelled and those that are accepting registration. There is a lot of variety in summer camps schedules and activities in the Seattle-Tacoma metro region. There are day camps, weekly camps, half-day camps, full day camps, and overnight camps. … [Read more...] about Summer camps & school break camps
Planetarium shows in the Puget Sound region
The following planetariums and observatories in the Puget Sound region and around Washington State have regularly scheduled public astronomy shows that have free or cheap admission of $15 or less. Planetariums feature digital videos displayed on a dome-shaped screen with breathtaking images of the universe or … [Read more...] about Planetarium shows in the Puget Sound region
Independent bookstores are key to Seattle’s literary scene
Independent bookstores in the Seattle-Tacoma metro region are staffed by passionate, well-read booksellers. These neighborhood fixtures are the ultimate storytelling backdrop. They are places where you can quietly immerse yourself among the bookshelves, join a lively book discussion group, listen to an author reading, … [Read more...] about Independent bookstores are key to Seattle’s literary scene
Annual bird count events
Bird populations are always shifting and changing. Bird count events help collect data that highlight changes in bird populations, such as the effects of warm weather on their migration patterns and other phenomena. Several important bird count events held throughout the year. Anyone can participate in these events, … [Read more...] about Annual bird count events
Salmon spawning season in Western Washington
Beginning in summer and lasting well into fall is the salmon spawning season. Many people enjoy watching wild salmon as they swim upriver or navigate fish ladders to lay their eggs. There are also spring salmon runs, when young salmon migrate downstream to their life at sea. But the spring salmon runs are less … [Read more...] about Salmon spawning season in Western Washington
April events and entertainment
Our April events calendar features virtual and live events. Holidays and special events include the Jewish Passover (March 27 – April 4, 2021), Christian Easter (Apr 4, 2021), and Muslim Ramadan (April 12 – May 11, 2021). The Daffodil Parade in the South Sound will be a virtual event. The Federal Income Tax filing … [Read more...] about April events and entertainment
Our big list of public gardens and garden tours
Listed below are arboretums and botanical gardens* in cities throughout the Puget Sound region. Most gardens specialize in one or more aspects of Pacific Northwest native plants. A few offer non-native varieties and some have exotic specimens from far flung corners of the globe. These public gardens are regularly … [Read more...] about Our big list of public gardens and garden tours
Walking labyrinths in Washington State
A labyrinth is a single, methodical path leading to a center point. Although a labyrinth is like a maze in appearance, unlike a maze it has only one path (unicursal) and no dead ends. There’s no getting lost in a labyrinth. These pathways have been used for thousands of years for various rituals and ceremonies. … [Read more...] about Walking labyrinths in Washington State
How to start a vegetable garden in the Pac NW
It's easy to start vegetable gardening. Well, it can be. Read on for several ideas for getting started in small, easy ways. Vegetable gardening is a great family activity or for anyone. It's one of the most rewarding home projects you can do. Whether you own or rent a house, or live in a condominium or apartment, … [Read more...] about How to start a vegetable garden in the Pac NW
Spectacular Asian gardens in the Puget Sound region
Here's a list of Japanese and Chinese gardens in the Puget Sound region. The Seattle Japanese Garden at the Washington Park Arboretum is the most well-known. However, there are at least 10 more you can visit, from Everett to Tacoma and Bellevue. Most offer FREE admission. They are arranged roughly north to south … [Read more...] about Spectacular Asian gardens in the Puget Sound region
Great Blue Herons in the Puget Sound region
In the Puget Sound region, the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) represents the natural heritage, interconnectedness, and ecological richness of the greater Salish Sea (which includes Puget Sound and the Straits of Georgia and Juan de Fuca). The abundance of both saltwater and freshwater, over 4,000 miles of … [Read more...] about Great Blue Herons in the Puget Sound region
Tours & Special Events at Seattle Japanese Garden
The Seattle Japanese Garden is located in Madison Valley within the Washington Park Arboretum. Over 100,000 people visit every year, including locals as well as visitors from around the world. It is one of the most highly regarded Japanese-style gardens in North America. About Japanese Gardens Gardens in Japan are … [Read more...] about Tours & Special Events at Seattle Japanese Garden
Virtual: NASA Mars 2020 Mission Perseverance Rover live landing
On July 30, 2020 NASA launched the Mars 2020: Mission Perseverance Rover. On Thursday, February 18, 2021 NASA you to watch the live landing of the Perseverance rover as she arrives on the "Red Planet". Touchdown is scheduled for approximately 12:55 p.m. PST (3:55 p.m. EST). Live coverage and landing commentary from … [Read more...] about Virtual: NASA Mars 2020 Mission Perseverance Rover live landing
Virtual: The Global Game Jam Online 2021
The Global Game Jam® is an annual event usually occurring over a weekend in January. In today’s heavily connected world, GGJ brings people together to share creativity through video games. The GGJ is essentially a hackathon* focused on game development. It is the world's largest game creation event around the … [Read more...] about Virtual: The Global Game Jam Online 2021
800 donors/day needed to sustain our blood supply
There is an on-going need for blood donation to ensure the blood supply remains available for those who need it in our community as we weather this pandemic together. It takes 800 donors a day to sustain a blood supply for patients in our community. Donating blood saves lives. All types of blood are needed for … [Read more...] about 800 donors/day needed to sustain our blood supply
Where to order vegetable and herb seeds online
The seed companies listed below are those most often recommended by gardeners in the Pacific Northwest. They offer seed varieties suitable to the cool, wet, marine climate in the Puget Sound region where the growing season is later and shorter than other areas of the country. All these seed companies can ship your … [Read more...] about Where to order vegetable and herb seeds online
Bird Watching in the Puget Sound region
Bird watching is a popular activity for many residents and visitors in the Puget Sound region. More than 500 bird species have been observed in Washington State. It is relatively easy to see and study birds in the wild. Birdwatching is one of the fastest growing recreational activities in the country. Washington … [Read more...] about Bird Watching in the Puget Sound region
Find a tool library in the Puget Sound region
Like a traditional library, a Tool Library is a sustainable community resource that lends tools for short term use. Sharing tools helps save you money by not buying ones you will only use a few times. It also gives you access to many more tools as well as a "Do-It-Yourself" community. Each library offers tools for … [Read more...] about Find a tool library in the Puget Sound region
25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season
Here are our suggestions for books to read aloud with family over the winter break. We've proposed a wide range of themes, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa stories. Some Christmas books offer Christian stories and others are secular holiday stories, tales about winter, and folktales from cultural … [Read more...] about 25 books to read aloud with family during the holiday season
Free fun things to do at the library might surprise you
Libraries are a great resource for anyone looking for fun, free things to do, as well as someone who wants to learn a new skill or needs help with technology, learning, languages, and more. There is more to do at the library than you might ever imagine. Besides checking out books, you can take advantage of the … [Read more...] about Free fun things to do at the library might surprise you
Low power FM community radio stations in the Puget Sound region
Have you ever gone to the drive-in movies and turned on your radio to hear the audio of the film? Or tuned into a station listed on a highway sign for ferry, highway, or weather information? If so, you’ve used a Low Power FM radio station. These stations are becoming more popular as folks learn the benefits … [Read more...] about Low power FM community radio stations in the Puget Sound region
Free local livestream, virtual tours, and online classes
Listed below is local online content including livestreams and virtual tours at museums and other attractions around the Puget Sound region. We also have a list of free live music in the Puget Sound region, which these days is all online. Drop us a line if you know of any other online content: … [Read more...] about Free local livestream, virtual tours, and online classes
All about cloth face masks: wearing, making, donating
As of April 7, 2020, we’ve updated this information about the use of cloth face masks based on information published by CDC and Washington State Department of Health. Anytime you are in within six feet of someone, tiny droplets from talking, as well as from sneezing or coughing can land on nearby people and surfaces … [Read more...] about All about cloth face masks: wearing, making, donating
Air shows in the Puget Sound region
Seattle made aviation history in 1916 when William E. Boeing and Navy Lt. Conrad Westervelt formed the Boeing Airplane company, and hired self-taught aviation tinker Herb Munter to build the company's first aircraft, the B&W seaplane. Read more about Boeing and Early Aviation in Seattle at historylink.org, … [Read more...] about Air shows in the Puget Sound region
