July 3

SLU’s Summer Weekend Hit List

Sure, South Lake Union’s weekday game is strong, but it’s also the place to be on a summer weekend. Whether you want to savor the growing food scene, keep the kiddos entertained, or just hang out on the lake, here’s your guide to weekend fun in the neighborhood.

See

Outdoor Movies

Ready the popcorn, pull out the lawn chairs, unfurl those picnic blankets—free outdoor movies are back. Bring the family to Cascade Playground (333 Pontius Ave N) for Friday night screenings of Wonder Woman (July 6), Coco (July 20), and Wall-E (July 27). Movies include pre-show music, as well as popcorn and snow cones on offer. For those 21 and older, try Seattle Outdoor Cinema at the South Lake Union Discovery Center (101 Westlake Ave N), where a beer garden, food trucks, and movies Jurassic Park (July 21) and Black Panther (August 25) keep crowds entertained on select Saturday nights. Movie seating at both parks opens at 6pm.

MOHAI Maker Days

If you’re looking for a hands-on afternoon, check out the Museum of History & Industry’s (860 Terry Ave N) Maker Days. This drop-in event lets kids of all ages (and the young at heart) explore their creative side with DIY projects like book making, strawberry DNA extraction, and three-dimensional printing. Event entry is included with MOHAI admission and takes place the last Saturday of the month from noon to 3pm.

Eat

Weekend Brunch

Brunch is alive and tasty in SLU, with a number of restaurants offering special weekend-exclusive breakfast menus. Sip Bloody Marys and munch on hearty biscuit sandwiches (fried chicken in black pepper gravy, anyone?) at Serious Pie & Biscuit (401 Westlake Ave N). Indulge in a decadent Dungeness crab and tenderloin benedict at Daniel’s Broiler (809 Fairview Pl N). Or dig into hearty steak and eggs at Local Public Eatery (404 Terry Ave N). Whatever you crave on a weekend morn, SLU has the place to get your brunch on.

Sunday Ice Cream Cruise

Each Sunday, the Seattle Ferry Service departs from Lake Union Park (860 Terry Ave N) on a 45-minute cruise around the lake. See Seattle’s floating homes, the Chihuly glass studio, Gas Works Park, and other neighborhood icons while enjoying frozen treats like ice cream sandwiches and the ferry’s famous chocolate root beer float. Tickets are $3–$12 (cash or check only); ice cream is $2–$4; ferries leave on the hour every hour from 11am to 5pm.

South Lake Union Saturday Market

Find your sweet, savory, and aesthetic soul mates at SLU’s Saturday Market (Ninth Ave and Denny Way). From rolled ice cream and bubble waffles to fresh flowers and locally made crafts, this market has something for everyone. 11am to 4pm.

Drink

Wine-Tasting Cruises

Why not sip some vino while basking in stunning views? Argosy Cruises offers Saturday wine-tasting cruises, departing from Lake Union’s AGC Marina (1200 Westlake Ave N). Each 90-minute excursion includes three wines and stunning views of the bustling lake. Have little ones? Don’t worry—this cruise is kid friendly. Tickets are $37.50 for cruise-only tickets and $47.50 for a wine-tasting cruise; kids three and younger are free. Sailings at 1pm and 3pm during summer.

Cuoco’s Rosé on the Patio

Rosé your Friday evening away on the Cuoco patio (310 Terry Ave N), where you can unwind to DJ tunes, taste five Italian rosés, and enjoy light bites to kick off the weekend. Rosé parties take place July 20, August 17, and September 21 from 4:30pm–7pm; tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Do

Cascade Kids Day

Round up the kids and head to Cascade Playground (333 Pontius Ave N) for a free day of fun in the park, featuring bouncy houses, lawn games, and kids’ activities. July 7, July 28, and August 11 from noon to 3pm.

Dragon Boat Practices

Work up a sweat and put the paddle to the water. Seattle Flying Dragon Boat Club opens its practices to the public every weekend. Folks age 12 and older can try their hand at paddling in one of these iconic boats—no experience necessary. Practices meet at the Kenmore Air terminal (950 Westlake Ave N) and start at 8am on Saturdays and 3pm on Sundays.

Sunday Public Sails

Sun’s out, sails out! Soak in all the summer gloriousness of Lake Union in the best way possible—out on the water. At The Center for Wooden Boats (1010 Valley St), volunteer skippers take passengers out on free sails and cruises on a variety of vessels every Sunday. Sign-ups open at 10am Sunday morning and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis; sails take place between 11am and 3pm.

Free Yoga on the Lawn

In search of inner peace? Head over to Cascade Playground (333 Pontius Ave N) on Saturday mornings for free yoga on the lawn with Ripple Yoga. It doesn’t matter if you’re a crow-posing yogi or a first time Namaste-er, all skill levels are welcome and mats are provided. 11am to noon.

Story by Aly Brady and Photography by Amelia Vaughn, Stuart Mullenberg, and courtesy of MOHAI.


At The Center

SLU is the geographical center of Seattle