Know before you go Most gardens are currently open to visitors--however public tours are cancelled and indoor facilities such as visitor center, gift shops, and restrooms are mostly closed. Follow guidance for face coverings and group size. Also practice social distancing and follow directional signage such as … [Read more...] about Our big list of public gardens and garden tours
Our guides
Our big list of boat shows & waterfront festivals
Seattle is nearly surrounded by fresh and salt water. This city is inextricably linked to fishing and maritime industries, pleasure boating, and waterfront activities. Residents in the Puget Sound region enjoy a wide variety of activities on the water, in motorboats, sailboats, and a wide variety of paddle … [Read more...] about Our big list of boat shows & waterfront festivals
Our big list of film festivals and special movie screenings
Seattle is one of the top cities worldwide (easily in the top 100) for "cinemability", which is a measure of our ability to support movie goers. Cinemability includes issues such as ticket price, available movie titles, and the number of movie screens, cinema multiplexes, independent movie houses, and film … [Read more...] about Our big list of film festivals and special movie screenings
Our big list of camping, sports, and RV Shows
A recreational vehicle (RV), whether it's a family-size trailer, small camper for two, or luxurious motor home for cross-country adventure can be a great way to get away. Hiking, biking, fishing, rock climbing, family vacations, camping, outdoor concerts, and kids sporting events…life is more accessible in an RV. … [Read more...] about Our big list of camping, sports, and RV Shows
Our big list of wedding shows & bridal expos
Wedding Shows and Bridal Expos let you see many wedding planning professionals in one place and provide lots of ideas for your wedding day. You can pick up free literature and talk with wedding service providers who can help you plan a perfect wedding day. Thoughtful wedding planning ensures it will be a memorable day … [Read more...] about Our big list of wedding shows & bridal expos
Affordable holiday champagne and sparkling wine
If you are looking for some bubblies to celebrate the New Year, there are many deliciously frugal alternatives. Local Seattle wine shops offer a great selection of sparkling wine offering good value and quality at very affordable prices. The selection includes local and domestic wines, as well as sparkling wines from … [Read more...] about Affordable holiday champagne and sparkling wine
New Year’s Eve 2020 events and dining options
Here are our suggestions for free New Year's events. Typical NYE events and parties are, of course, cancelled in 2020. However, we found a few virtual New Years Eve events and will continue to add more if we find them. Virtual New Years Eve events 2020 Listed by start time, early to later. Seattle … [Read more...] about New Year’s Eve 2020 events and dining options
New Year traditions and celebrations
The start of a new year has been celebrated since ancient times. Only the date has changed. When is New Years celebrated? Today, many people around the world celebrate New Year's Eve every December 31 and New Year's Day on January 1. Two places in the central Pacific Ocean are the first and last to greet … [Read more...] about New Year traditions and celebrations
Best summer vacation ideas in Washington State
One of the many benefits of living in Seattle is all the amazing getaways around Washington State. The following summer vacation ideas are some of the most beautiful sites in the United States. You can head out for a day trip, a long weekend getaway, or a long family vacation. You'll spend less time getting there … [Read more...] about Best summer vacation ideas in Washington State
Christmas lights around the Puget Sound region
Here's our list of Christmas light displays burning brightly with 100,000 to 1,000,000 lights. Most are FREE. Many are at private homes in neighborhoods throughout the Puget Sound region that can be enjoyed from the warmth of your vehicle as you idle past. Others are commercial displays with an admission … [Read more...] about Christmas lights around the Puget Sound region
U-cut, fresh cut Christmas trees around the Sound
Here’s our list of Christmas tree farms where you can cut your own Christmas tree, plus some of the best local stores for fresh cut trees and other holiday greenery, as well as holiday lights, ornaments, and other seasonal décor. Choosing a Northwest Christmas Tree The Pacific Northwest is home to many species of … [Read more...] about U-cut, fresh cut Christmas trees around the Sound
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
Where to get pictures with Santa Claus
Here's a list of Santa photo opportunities. They include free and paid Santa pictures. We found Santa in locations from Stanwood to Puyallup. All that, and toys, too! We're indubitably impressed. Some of the Santa photo ops are at Christmas festivals and other holiday events featuring an appearance by Santa Claus. … [Read more...] about Where to get pictures with Santa Claus
FREE Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other holiday events
Any day of the week during the long holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, you can find FREE things to do that put you in a festive mood. Some events are short-lived, but some begin on Thanksgiving Weekend (or before) and some continue through New Year's Eve. Some of the popular events include Festival … [Read more...] about FREE Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other holiday events
Free Winterfest activities at Seattle Center
Seattle Center is the scene for Winterfest--five weeks of free and affordable family activities and holiday-inspired fun. The festivities begin the day after Thanksgiving and go until New Year's Eve. The Seattle Center grounds are open 365 days a year. The Armory, Fisher Plaza and other buildings are closed … [Read more...] about Free Winterfest activities at Seattle Center
Our big list of live & virtual music shows & concerts
Most, if not all music venues closed in spring 2020 for the foreseeable future. However many are offering virtual content. Find a calendar of upcoming music performances--live or virtual, in the calendar at the end of this list. The events include concerts, music festivals, sing-alongs, and more. These bars, clubs, … [Read more...] about Our big list of live & virtual music shows & concerts
Best Halloween DIY candy chutes from around the country
In 2020, to trick or treat safely many households are coming up with clever ways to deliver Halloween candy to revelers in the neighborhood. Some houses are simply placing treats on a table on the porch, in the driveway or yard, or some other location where trick-or-treaters can help themselves to candy. Of course, … [Read more...] about Best Halloween DIY candy chutes from around the country
Seattle-Tacoma trick or treat map
Use the following Google Trick or Treat map to find homes that are safely participating in trick-or-treating. This is a community-sourced project and anyone can add a location to this map. Therefore, these locations have not been verified or background checked. Use caution and proceed at your own risk. (See our … [Read more...] about Seattle-Tacoma trick or treat map
Our big list of Halloween haunted houses, corn mazes, spooky tours
The following list of Seattle and Puget Sound Halloween attractions and haunted houses are very scary and intended for adults and teens. Some of these attractions are indoors, some are outdoors, and some are a mix. Those that are indoors are often in unheated buildings. Most haunted houses are closed for 2020 due to … [Read more...] about Our big list of Halloween haunted houses, corn mazes, spooky tours
All the corn mazes (scary and friendly) in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
The following list of Seattle-Tacoma metro area corn mazes are popular Halloween outings for many families and an alternative "haunt" for thrill-seekers. Some corn mazes are scary. Haunted corn mazes have screaming, ghoulish inhabitants. Not all scary corn mazes are haunted--some are just dark and very, very … [Read more...] about All the corn mazes (scary and friendly) in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area
100+ fun, cheap ideas for Halloween costumes
If you are looking for cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas, you've come to the right place. We've got the lowdown on Halloween costumes you can pull together from stuff you have around the house. Our super easy costume ideas use every day clothes and include accessories and makeup to complete the look. … [Read more...] about 100+ fun, cheap ideas for Halloween costumes
Scary (and not-so-scary) movies for a Halloween night at home
The following list of horror movies and thrillers, plus some adorable light-hearted children's films are available through streaming services (such as Prime, Vudu, Fandango, and others), to rent (or buy) from other sources such as Redbox, or borrow from the library. We've grouped them in order by scare-o-meter … [Read more...] about Scary (and not-so-scary) movies for a Halloween night at home
Guidelines for a safe Halloween in 2020
Many traditional Halloween celebrations and activities happen in groups, from neighborhood trick-or-treating to indoor community festivals to corn mazes and haunted houses. Data from the CDC shows that holiday gatherings over this summer resulted in a spike in COVID-19 cases about 10 days after Memorial Day, … [Read more...] about Guidelines for a safe Halloween in 2020
Where to find u-pick pumpkin patches and farm stands
Below, we provide links to pumpkin patches and farm stands selling picked pumpkins in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area around the Puget Sound region. Some pumpkin patches are working farms, where you might be able to enjoy related activities, such as take a hay ride out into the field or make your way through a corn … [Read more...] about Where to find u-pick pumpkin patches and farm stands
Free and cheap Halloween events around Puget Sound
Our list of free and cheap Halloween events includes fun things to do for kids, families, teens, and adults in Seattle and around the Puget Sound region. From daytime family fun to night time adult entertainment, there's a little something for everyone. History of Halloween traditions The meaning of Halloween stems … [Read more...] about Free and cheap Halloween events around Puget Sound
