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Seattle, Washington, USA downtown skyline at night with Mt. Rainier.
The summer weather in Seattle can be quite glorious, a great time to soak up the sun (in spite of what you've heard!) and enjoy music, festivities and more.
Whether you live in the Emerald City or a late-summer tourist, here are best ways to enjoy yourself in August and early September—both very exciting times to visit the city. (In fact, this is what I'm doing myself right now as a Seattle-based customer service consultant, author, and speaker: working from the sundeck every moment I can and soaking up the rays whenever possible.)
Saddle Up For The Washington State Fair
The rodeo at the Washington State Fair
August and early September is the time for state and county fairs, and I suggest you hit at least one. The Washington State Fair is the biggest fair and the one closest to Seattle, in Puyallup, where it will be in full swing August 30 through September 22. Billy Idol kicks off the first night of the fair, August 30—and Keith Urban highlights the next day, August 31.
Country star Keith Urban will perform at the Washington State Fair this month. (Photo by Debra L ... [+]
My favorite, though, is farther from town: the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede, August 21-25 in Bremerton at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds. Enjoy all the 4H-sponsored livestock exhibits and the carnival rides, plus, in the evenings, the rodeo. And don't miss the the curly fries, the locally beloved Fisher scones, and the grilled alligator bites (one of the only times alligators venture this far north).
Liberal but Gangsta Tour
Cipha Sounds and Michael Ché bring their act to Seattle
If you’re in the mood for comedy, SNL writer and Weekend Update co-anchor Michael Ché will be in Seattle August 16, 17, and 18 when he brings his Liberal but Gangsta Tour, featuring Cipha Sounds, to the intimate Triple Door club.
Herbie Hancock and The Hold Steady
Herbie Hancock and Kamasi Washington
If you want to reserve a night for some extraordinary jazz (and, likely, some funk and genre-benders as well), you'll find it at Marymoor Park in Redmond August 16 via iconic keyboardist Herbie Hancock and saxophonist Kamasi Washington. If you have young kids, then you may want to visit Marymoor Park again on August 18, when singer, dancer and YouTube star Jojo Siwa takes the stage at the same venue. You can hear the Brooklyn-bred rockers The Hold Steady on your choice of August 15, 16, or 17 at Crocodile Café in Seattle.
Stop By the Chateau Ste Michelle Winery for Vino and Tunes
Toast to summer concerts at the Chateau Ste Michelle
On August 23, you have multiple musical options, depending on your taste and where you’d like to be, rockers Gin Blossoms at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle. But if gin isn't your thing, over at the lovely Chateau Ste Michelle Winery near Woodinville, singer-songwriter Amos Lee will be performing the blues. The next day, on August 24, multi-platinum singer and record producer Josh Groban is bringing his Bridges Tour to the same venue.
Lionel Richie Live at Marymoor Park
Lionel Richie brings his worldwide tour to Washington state end of summer.
You can enjoy Washington "all night long" with Lionel Richie. TheR&B legend is performing at Marymoor Park in Redmond, just a half-hour drive from Seattle, on August 20.
I Left My Heart in ... Seattle? Tony Bennett in The Emerald City
Tony Bennett comes to Seattle
Even if the calendar goes past Labor Day, it doesn't mean summer fun has to end. Don’t miss the iconic Tony Bennett interpreting jazz and pop standards with his daughter Antonia, who’s also a singer, at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle on September 7.
The Ferry to Bainbridge
Ferry en route from Seattle to Bainbridge Island.
On September 8, take the delightful 35-minute ferry ride from Alaskan Way in downtown Seattle to scenic Bainbridge Island. If you're looking to spend a night at Bainbridge Island, check out the cozy Marshall Suites.
Janet See, Flutist brings her instrumental talent to the city.
Once you get off there, head to the Waterfront Community Center, where musical director Darden Burns hosts a remarkable music series monthly, featuring either a jazz or classical concert in a room with nice acoustics and a phenomenal piano. The September 8th program consists of chamber music from flutist Janet See’s quartet; they’ll be playing Danzi, Haydn and Mozart.
View Waterfront Art at The Edgewater Hotel
The new mural by artist Wyland at the Edgewater Hotel in Seattle
Before you leave Seattle on the ferry, though, walk up Alaskan Way to the historic Edgewater Hotel to admire the new mural, The Orcas of Puget Sound, that covers the entire north side of the hotel, which was painted at the end of July by storied muralist Wyland.
Eddie Vedder, who has a close affiliation with the Edgewater (and contributed artifacts and oversight to the hotel’s drool-worthy Pearl Jam suite), even stopped by in July to grab the sprayer and add some dorsal fins to the mural, returning for the dedication the next day.
The author is a Seattle-based customer service consultant, author, and speaker.
