I put a lot of thought into my outdoor goals list since it gets me out of the house and ensures my continued progress in the activities that make me happy. I also love having experiences closer to home, where all I do is eat and hang out without breaking a sweat. Most of my planning habits started when I lived in NYC, trying to squeeze out as much out of a day as possible. It all helped me learn about and better appreciate the place I grew up in. I’ve taken the same approach to Seattle. These plans are arranged by season, but many of them can be done any time of year. Any specific dates refer to the 2023 calendar and I will be adding to this over the coming years as I come across more ideas.
UPDATE: I made a part II of this.
Winter
King tides - King tides occur when the Puget Sound area gets its highest tides of the year because of the Earth being closer to the sun on its elliptical orbit (which leads to a stronger gravitational pull). The other factor that contributes to these high tides is when the Earth is positioned between the moon and the sun, which adds an additional gravitational pull on the oceans. If the king tide coincides with a storm and strong winds, the effect can be even more dramatic. MyNorthwest has a calendar of when to expect greater than 12-foot tides, but the highest prediction (13.1 feet) will be on Tuesday, January 24 at 7:21am. I’m planning to wake up early and check it out for myself at Golden Gardens. Since I’m already in the area, I figured it’d be ideal to work remotely from Half Moon Bouldering and get lunch at Green Tree (a Kenji recommendation) a block away. Green Tree is closed on Tuesdays though, so maybe I’ll have to check out the tides on a different day. UPDATE: To really see the tides you’ll want to go to the coast. I had a fun morning at Golden Gardens, but there weren’t the big waves (unsurprisingly given the location). Also, Green Tree was incredible (get #69 and #73).
UW Biology Greenhouse - As of Dec 2022, the new 20,000-square-foot greenhouse in Seattle is open to walk-in visitors every Thursday between 12-4pm. The redesigned space hosts tropical and desert plants, and has more advanced technology like sunshades that automatically retract, temperature control, and automated misting for managing humidity. I’d likely visit on a cold and dreary Thursday and grab lunch beforehand at my favorite bakery of all time, Saint Bread, just nearby.
UPDATE: They announced they’d also be open on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of every month 10am-2pm.
Burke Museum - A friend told me this museum near me is worth checking out. Admission is $22 for a timed-entry ticket. The one downside is that it closes at 5pm, which conflicts with the workday and we’d also prefer to spend our weekends outdoors whenever possible. However, the first Thursday of every month is when the museum stays open til 8pm. I’d likely want to get dinner at the nearby Mark Thai Food Box (pretty good for the area), and maybe even pick up some of their curry pastes for home cooking. Magus Books is nearby and closes at 8pm, so I’d want to check that out since people seem to love this used bookstore so much.
Snohomish Aquatic Center’s FlowRider - Rather than go for their pool to practice swimming, I’m instead interested in their FlowRider. It’s a simulated wave that you surf on and looks pretty fun; I’m not sure how much of it will translate to actual surfing technique though. I’m not as familiar with Snohomish, but I found the historic downtown to be pretty cute when I biked through. After the surf session, we might end up doing the bakery, coffee shop, used bookstore in a log cabin circuit. UPDATE: This was a lot of fun and I’d recommend two hours in the late afternoon. Don’t miss out on that bookstore!
Oscar short films - I don’t care much for the Oscars, but I do get excited about the short film category. Every year in early March, select theaters around the country screen the nominees for best short film in documentary, live action, and animation. What I love is that for the price of a single ticket, you can get a so many powerful stories within each category. The best part is going with friends and taking guesses at which film will win, also glancing over at each other between films to gauge how we felt about what we just saw. My favorite theater in the area is Landmark Crest Cinema, which is very much a small neighborhood theater. It was built 70 years ago and feels like going backwards in time. Depending on when showtime is over, it could be fun to get a shared meal at Jebena Cafe on the way back to the city for some of the best Ethiopian food I’ve had in years.
Kraken game - I don’t have any prior interest in hockey, besides appreciating the logo of the new Seattle Kraken and would be interested to experience the energy of a game. Tickets are quite pricey so I’ve been reluctant. The season lasts til April 13. I’ll be keeping an eye out for last minute sales, but I’m skeptical.
University District Farmer’s Market - I’ve been meaning to check out the farmer’s market but it’s only open on Saturdays between 9am-2pm, when I’d rather be out of the city. I also do most of my grocery shopping at a supermarket for the convenience. If there’s a Saturday this winter when skiing isn’t going to happen, I’d like to make a dinner sourced entirely with things found at the market.
Making a map of Kenji’s Seattle recommendations - Kenji Lopez Alt has been using his Instagram to put a spotlight on some of Seattle’s great food, especially places that have been flying under the radar. I’ve been adding those that interest me to my own list of places to check out, but I think other people would appreciate a map that has every single one of his Seattle recommendations alongside his commentary. I’ve thought about making this for a while for the Seattle reddit community.
UPDATE: Here’s the map I made: https://www.rajahamid.com/journal/kenji-lopez-alt-seattle-recommendation-map?rq=kenji
Hosting friends for dinner - I don’t have this worry as much since many of my friends ski, but it’s too common to not see friends during the winter since it gets dark so early. We’ve always loved hosting and I love cooking for a big group, especially meals that wouldn’t make sense to make for just two people.
Working remotely from a climbing gym - I haven’t been taking advantage of the fact that I can work remotely as much as I could be. A few of the newer gyms have rooms that seem decent for working while getting a climb in every now and then.
Spring
Volunteer Park Conservatory - I took a walk through Volunteer Park last year and tried to visit the Conservatory, a beautiful Victorian-style greenhouse, but it was closed for a private event. Admission is only $4 but it can be free if you go on the first Thursday of the month. Given how small the space is, this is one I’d prefer to avoid the free-day crowds. It’s only open between 10am-4pm, except when it’s closed on Monday. I’d like to check out the Capitol Hill Wishing Tree a short walk away afterward, just to read what some people have written and maybe add one of my own. The Japanese Garden isn’t far and should be open for the spring by then. Admission is only $8 and I’d like to go after the cherry blossom crowds in early May when it closes at 7pm. Since it’ll still be light out, I’d make a date night of it and have dinner at one of my favorites, Taurus Ox, for some bold and aromatic Laotion flavors.
Metsker Maps - I spent almost a decade working on digital maps and have been drawn to them ever since I found an old atlas as a kid. This store sells sells random maps of all kinds and I’d go there to admire the collection. Since I’m already in Pike Place Market, I’d probably check out the other shops, like the vintage print collection at Old Seattle Paperworks and the bites at Sugo Hand Roll Bar before heading to Fossil & Stone, a fine art shop filled with expensive sculptures that I can’t afford.
My Friend Derek’s - I came across this Detroit-style pizza shop by accident. It’s located in Fremont and was started by a guy who needed something to do during the pandemic. The menu is limited, the hours are infrequent and subject to the whims of the owner (Derek?). Assuming he has capacity to take your order, it’s as easy as scheduling one on Tock or sending him a DM on Instagram. I figure taking this over to Gas Works Park at sunset is one way to enjoy it. Another way could be to get a crew together and split the cost of renting one of those hot tub boats while eating dinner on Lake Union.
May Kitchen on Vashon Island - This Thai Restaurant on Vashon Island has become legendary in my imagination given how hard it seems to get a reservation. I keep seeing it referenced as the best Thai restaurant in the state of Washington, and it appears they put an overwhelming amount of thought into the dining experience. The warm walls of teak and mahogany are from a 150-year-old home in Thailand. Much of the interior was imported to truly transport you to another place. Despite the level of thoughtfulness here, the prices are quite reasonable. I’ve never taken the ferry over to Vashon so I figure we could get some mountain biking done at the Dockton Forest on Maury Island. The forty acres of forest was once the location where K2 would test out their mountain bikes before discontinuing production. Most trails are pretty XC. I don’t know much else about the island, but I’m sure there are other cool things to do.
Volunteering with Evergreen - I frequently use the trails that Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance volunteers help to build, but I do nothing to support the trail network beyond being a member. I’d like to do a dig day at a local trail where I could help rebuild some lines while meeting others and riding my bike.
Reading in Seward Park - My favorite park in Seattle is Seward Park, a hilly knob of a peninsula thrust into Lake Washington. Every time I visit, I’m grateful it wasn’t turned into expensive real estate. The center of the park has a small network of trails snaking through a thick cluster of trees where I’ve seen bald eagles. I’d like to find a quiet spot where I could string up a hammock (without damaging bark) and read a book. I might even pack along a box of treats from The Flour Box nearby, which came on my radar after the bakery was nominated for a James Beard award for their brioche donuts I assume. They’re only open Thur-Sun 10am til they run out (usually 12:30pm) which makes things a bit tricky. On the way back I figure I’d get some goat curry at Safari Njema, one of the few Kenyan restaurants in the city.
Eating in the Chinatown/International District - I’ve got more places saved on my map in this area of the city than anywhere else, but I’ve spent the least amount of time here. Admittedly, I’ve avoided it because of the reputation it had on reddit threads, most notably the intersection of 12th and Jackson. From what I can tell, the area has gotten a lot safer this past year and I’m eager to support the business still around.
Summer
June 26, 9:13pm sunset - My favorite part about the summer is how late the sun sets in Seattle. I love seeing the minutes creep later and later until finally the official sunset time hits 9:13pm. I’m not sure what I’ll do this year, but if I’m in town I’ll be sure to celebrate that moment somehow.
Whale watching at Lime Kiln - I’ve seen orcas and humpback whales while halibut fishing around the waters of Alaska’s Katmai Nat’l Park, but it’d be amazing to see them so close to home. Rather than see them from a chartered whale-watching boat, I’d like to spot the migration from the sea cliffs of Lime Kiln State Park on San Juan Island. The pods pass through the area every May through September, with peak times depending on salmon runs. Leah and I would likely take our bikes across the ferry and ride a loop around the outer perimeter of the island to explore as much as possible.
Blackberry harvesting - Luther Burbank is responsible for the Puget Sound’s invasive blackberry problem. He was a horticulturalist looking to bring a thornless blackberry to market, and eventually came across a particularly plump blackberry in India that grew aggressively in the mild climate of the PNW. He named it the Himalayan Giant and it thrived in every condition throughout Western Washington. Leah harvested some of these in 2021 and made a tart out of it, which was pretty fun and made me feel for a minute like a homesteader. The berries peak in July and August. Just be sure to soak or refrigerate them beforehand.
Golden Gardens beach bonfire - I know that Golden Gardens allows bonfires in designated fire rings between May 29th and Sept 12th, with fires needing to be extinguished by 9:30pm. I’ve only seen beach bonfires in movies with college kids partying late into the night. Growing up in around the housing projects of NYC, those experiences seemed like a world away. It’d be awesome to get my friends together mid to late August when the sunset is a little after 8pm. It’s also near the end of the summer, when we can recap what we’ve gotten done. I’d likely rely on my friend who grew up in Seattle for figuring out details since he’s done this quite often back in the day.
Shilshole Bay salmon from Coho Willy - Just a short walk from Golden Gardens is where you’ll find “Coho Willy” Pratt on the A-Dock of the Shilshole Bay Marina selling salmon out of a giant cooler. Coho Willy would be nearly 80 years old at the time of this writing and has been unloading at A-Dock, reserved for tribal members, his entire life. The salmon is freshly caught from the Suquamish waters on the Kitsap Peninsula, just a few miles west of the dock. The 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott guarantees the right of tribal members to bring in the salmon, securing fishing traditions thousands of years old. I was looking forward to grabbing some myself in 2022, but my freezer was fully stocked with 50lbs of halibut and salmon that I caught myself in Alaska. By the time they set up shop this year, from around late August or early September til the season is over, I should have some space.
Swimming in Colman Pool - I’m slowly getting over my aversion to water activities by swimming in Lake Washington once per month. I expect a lot more swimming in my future and I’d be thrilled to experience the historic Colman Pool, which was donated to the city by Ken Colman. Colman (third-generation member of an influential pioneer family in Seattle) designed, engineered, and built it as a massive outdoor, saltwater pool that overlooks the Salish Sea. The water is pumped straight from the Puget sound but is heated to a comfortable 82 degrees. The pool is usually open between Memorial day into September. Admission is $6 and from what I can tell, the popularity is managed with a 1-hour limited timed entry. Once the season starts up again, I’ll have to figure out how it all works. Since I’d be so close to White Center, I’d want to stop by for a short taco crawl inspired by another Kenji post. The carnitas he recommended at the Taqueria la Fondita truck were phenomenal.
Kayaking/Canoeing on Union Bay - The University of Washington Waterfront Activities Center rents out kayaks and canoes to the public. I enjoy jogging around the wetlands but haven’t taken advantage seeing it all from the water. Rentals seem to be about $20 or less per hour, which is quite affordable. It is a bit weird to be paddling so close to a major roadway, but there’s a lot of wildlife to be seen if you can look past that. The area is popular for bird-watching, evidenced by the safari-vest folks with foot-long telephoto lenses shuffling around. I’d try and go on a day when the mountain is out and it may even be fun to pull up on Madison Park Beach to pick up a pizza across the street from The Independent Pizzeria (another Kenji rec).
Feasting on Yakima Fruit Market in Wayne Park - The Yakima Fruit Market outside Bothell is one of my favorite stores to walk in. It’s been family-owned and operated for almost a century. I love trying to read the massive signs announcing what’s in season whenever I drive past. I decided to bike there on the Burke Gilman to load up on some fruits to eat in the surprisingly idyllic Wayne Park across the road. It was one of my favorite days of the year and I’d like to share that moment with my wife. If we’ve still got an appetite, I can easily be convinced to get a bite at the very good Mexican truck that shares a parking lot with the Chevron on 80th Ave and Bothell Way.
Group picnic in Magnusson Park - I’d like to get a bunch of random friends together to hang out and spend a summer afternoon and evening taking it easy. Magnusson Park is large enough to spread out and easy enough to arrange parking for. I’ve got my favorite spots marked on my map just for this reason.
Fall
Green Lake walk - Every time I walk or run a lap around Green Lake, I think to myself that I should do this more often. My favorite time has been in the autumn when there’s some color in the leaves to balance out the likely grey sky above. On the east side of the lake there’s a new banh mi shop, Toast Mi, which expanded from Tacoma. I haven’t had banh mi since I left NYC and I like the idea of walking around the lake with a sandwich in hand.
O.O. Denny Park - Denny Park has a lot of nature packed into it. There’s a salmon ladder on the creek, proper hiking trails, and lakeside beach views. It also has Sylvia, the 600-year-old tree that fell after a storm. Seattle Times says it’s a Douglass fir but WTA says it’s a cedar, so I’m not sure.
St Marks Episcopal Cathedral concert - I was tuned into this cathedral near Volunteer Park that hosts concerts after an artist I follow mentioned he’d be performing there. I wasn’t able to go, but I like the idea of experiencing a performance in a unique setting. Back in my concert photography days in NYC, my favorite shows were always the ones in interesting locations: the back of a record store, a penthouse above a hotel, etc. There’s a list of upcoming shows that can be found here. I’d likely make a date night of it and grab dinner at the nearby D’ La Santa which has a beautiful interior and coincidentally bunch of crosses on the wall for decoration.
Kraken Iceplex - I invited some friends to join Leah and I two years ago for an afternoon of skating at the new rink up in Northgate. It was a great rainy day activity and I was interested to check out the new building. Despite not knowing how to skate at all, I had a pretty decent time (while wearing my mountain biking elbow and knee pads under my clothes) but I know it could’ve been a lot better. I noticed that they’ve got an Adult Learn to Skate program (eight 30-min classes, 1x/week) throughout the year. Eight weeks is a big commitment for me but I’d like to learn at some point.
SoFar Sounds - Leah tuned me into these concerts a few years ago and I had a great time. If you’re not already familiar, the basic idea is you see local artists perform in intimate venues. You find out the exact location and lineup 36 hours before the event. Usually you’ll be sitting on the floor of a place like an art gallery, living room, a rooftop, etc and can expect to be introduced to some new talent. There’s a promotion for certain Visa credit cards as of this writing where you get access to the a presale and a free second ticket.
I made this list to nudge myself to plan out some of my daydreams so I’d actually do them instead of sitting at home. I kept a few plans secret just to have them for myself and chose not to write about them. There are also a few cool things I don’t know enough about yet to plan thoughtfully or aren’t priorities yet (e.g., kayaking to Blake Island, squid fishing off the pier, Beacon Food Forest, digging for geoduck), but I expect I’ll expand this list. There are also plans that I’ve already done that I didn’t write about here; I’d consider sharing them if there’s enough interest in hearing more.
I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration. If you don’t already love Seattle, I’m sure you will if you try some of these!