Here comes August. Which means it's time to think about the things you really, really want to make sure you do before the summer ends. This year, we're sharing five ideas from our staff and five ideas from our readers. We're sure you also have some ideas of your own. Give it some thought, make a mental list and pencil an idea or two on your calendar. Do it now, before summer ends!
Staff picks
Explore the Pike Place Market
It's too easy to relegate the Market to your list of places to go with out-of-town visitors. Take this chance to rediscover the wonders of this oh-so-Seattle spot. You can watch donuts being made, play with wind-up toys, feed Rachel the pig and so much more.
Discover the Duwamish
We know what you're thinking: Isn't that a Superfund site? Well, yes, it is. But it's also a natural and cultural treasure, with excellent (and safe) spots to explore with your kids. Follow it up with Mexican food in South Park.
Sail a (model) boat
Did you know that Seattle's Lake Union Park includes a model boat sailing pond? Every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., folks from the Center for Wooden Boats are there with model boats that you can give a spin on the pond. Or, if you have one, you can bring your own. Suggested donation of $5. Learn more at cwb.org.
Hop a ferry
The Washington State Ferries rank right up there with the Pike Place Market and the Space Needle as Puget Sound icons. And, they make for a perfect day trip. You can hop a boat to Kingston, Whidbey, Vashon, and further afield.
Make ice pops
Ice pops, popsicles, call them what you will, they're the trend of the summer. Mark Bittman even gave them a write-up in the New York Times Sunday Magazine (if you care about that kind of stuff.) Try the Neo Neopolitan Pops from Charity Ferreira's Perfect Pops (Chronicle Books) or Paletas de Pay de Limón (lime pie ice pops) from Fany Gerson's Paletas (Ten Speed Press).
Reader picks
Tidepools and cotton candy or ice cream at Alki
"We love to check the tides then hit the tidepools at Alki, where the pools get warm and sand is super soft. We follow it up with a meal and cotton candy or bubblegum ice cream at Pepperdock. "(You can check the tides here.)
– from Kelly McCaffrey, with daughters Elena and Nathalie Jane
Picnic at Golden Gardens
"Every summer we have to find time to pack a picnic and go to Golden Gardens for dinner."
– Shannon Frizell, with husband Peter Krystad and kids Connor and Emma
"Very fun to get there early and set up your chairs or blanket, have a picnic and play games."
– Paola Maranan, with husband Paul Wirsing and daughter Tyra Maranan-Wirsing
The zoo!
"Oscar and I have a season's pass, so we're going to take things nice and slow. On his first visit, we watched the Humboldt Penguins eating fish for a solid half hour … And then went home!"
– Jack Forman, with son Oscar
Trade in some books
"Since both of the kids are voracious readers, we like to make an afternoon out of a visit to Half-Price Books at Crossroads Mall. We sell some old books, pick out some new ones, then sit by the fountain to read and play."
– Christina Okeson, with daughter Ella and son Liam
Editor's note: This updated article was originally published in August of 2011.
