places to visit near seattle in october

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Best Things to Do in Fall in Seattle

LAST UPDATED BY Corinne Whiting September 2, 2021

The Pacific Northwest dazzles in any season, but the region's colors truly "wow" in the vibrant autumn months. Since options for how to spend any Seattle day can seem endless, we're happy to help you narrow down the abundance of choices. Some prefer to spend these often-cooler months cozying up on Seattle's hygge-filled patios (at coffee shops, eateries, breweries and rooftop bars). On the other hand, some view this season as the perfect excuse to get out on trails and waterways that show off the natural beauty of our region.

As autumn arrives, Washington's national parks erupt in beautiful colors, and outdoor adventures prepare to transition from summertime hikes to snow-centric activities (like skiing and snowshoeing). Downtown treasures like Discovery Park give urban dwellers the chance to experience the changing of the seasons within city limits. Observatory experiences (at the Space Needle and Columbia Tower) raise visitors to new heights this fall, while music venues The Triple Door excitedly welcome talented artists who promise to inspire and entertain.

However you choose to celebrate the season, we guarantee that this splendid place—and its wonderful people—will leave you feeling grateful for the rich bounty of the season. 

Bellevue Botanical Garden

From dawn to dusk, wander this urban refuge that includes 53 acres of beautifully cultivated gardens, restored woodlands and natural wetlands. The city of Bellevue maintains the facility, keeping it in impeccable shape year-round. Explore unspoiled woodlands, Japanese gardens and the conservation area. Don't forget to browse the garden lovers' gift shop or the botanical library, which has hundreds of books in stock. Through October, take a free, 1-hour docent-led tour on Saturdays and Sundays (donations encouraged). Throughout the year, be on the lookout for special events from arts-centric gatherings to enticing seasonal events that illuminate the green spaces around the holidays.

Recommended for Things to Do in Fall because : On the Eastside, wander this sprawling urban refuge that includes 53 acres of cultivated gardens, restored woodlands and natural wetlands

Corinne's expert tip : If in Bellevue, also check out the expansion of the Meydenbauer Bay Park, located a few blocks from downtown Bellevue. Here you'll find a swimming beach, boat launch, picnic areas, children's play area, beach house and 400-foot curved pier. The park also includes REI's Boathouse (opened in May 2019), from which you can rent stand-up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks and pedal boats to take out onto Lake Washington.

Read more about Bellevue Botanical Garden →

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Some of Washington's most magnificent scenery can be found within this national forest's expansive boundaries. The rugged--and at times harsh--landscape encompasses the Cascade Mountains as well as an active volcano in the form of Mt. Baker. Beginning in mid-September, the forest's flora slowly changes from bright greens to reds and oranges, providing an attractive contrast to the area's coverage of conifers. Huckleberry, mountain ash and heather offer a patchwork of warm colors, often reflected in the forest's many lakes. Since the forest is so extensive, a driving tour is an ideal way to see as much fall foliage as possible in a relatively short time. Try the Mt. Baker Highway or the North Cascades Highway for some unforgettable views.

Recommended for Things to Do in Fall because : Relish the colors of the season inside the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, a natural treasure that's ideal for beautiful hikes and wintertime snow sports.

Corinne's expert tip : For science buffs: Mount Baker, also known as Koma Kulshan or simply Kulshan, is an active glaciated andesitic stratovolcano. (For outdoors lovers: Check out the skiing here in snowy months!) Nearby Bellingham is a great place to stop for live music or local brews en route to mountain adventures.

Read more about Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest →

Washington Park Arboretum & Japanese Garden

This beautiful arboretum, designed by Edmond S. Meany, covers 200 acres and features many species obtained via a seed exchange with universities throughout the world. The Japanese Garden is a lovely, quiet refuge from the busy city, and the waterfront trail leads visitors through a Native American burial ground to the Duck Pond. If you're in the mood for some time alone, you can take a canoe out on the pond and relax in Mother Nature's care. The Arboretum is open every day from dawn to dusk, free of charge. Visitors of all ages might enjoy exploring the site through the help of a self-guided tour. (Go online to print out a trail map, listen to an audio tour and more.)

Recommended for Things to Do in Fall because : Soak in the fall foliage at this beautiful, 200-acre arboretum, designed by Edmond S. Meany and featuring fascinating many species of flowers and trees.

Corinne's expert tip : Madison Park Beach is another nearby attraction outdoor lovers will want to check out. (It's located just a short drive away.)

Read more about Washington Park Arboretum & Japanese Garden →

The Triple Door

Located in Seattle's historic Mann Building in the heart of downtown, this intimate and sophisticated, award-winning music and dinner theatre occupies the renovated space that formerly housed the Embassy Theater (originally a 1920s vaudeville house). The Mainstage, downstairs on the lower level, is an intimate candlelit spot with state-of-the-art sound and booths that offer clear sight lines to the stage. An Asian-fusion menu is provided by adjacent Wild Ginger restaurant, and the same cuisine can be enjoyed upstairs in the bar. In this upstairs lounge-like space, live music, DJ sets and a stellar happy hour menu have become legendary around town.

Recommended for Things to Do in Fall because : Enjoying inspiring music, alongside tasty food and drink, at this intimate and sophisticated, award-winning music and dinner theatre.

Corinne's expert tip : Masks are required in the venue except when eating and drinking.

Read more about The Triple Door →

Salish Lodge and Spa

A scenic 30-minute drive from Seattle brings you to the charmingly rustic-chic Salish Lodge & Spa, which offers Old-World ambiance and modern elegance. Get out and enjoy nature near the lodge, whether hiking around the rushing cascades or trying activities like fly fishing and snowshoeing, depending on the season. Back at the cozy venue, dine on award-winning Northwest cuisine while enjoying romantic views of Snoqualmie Falls. The team here prides itself on attending to a honeybee apiary that produces 2,400 pounds of honey per year, as well as a thriving herb garden and 800-square-foot organic vegetable garden, that provides The Dining Room and The Attic with unique culinary opportunities. For the ultimate getaway experience, book a dreamy spa service to round out your visit.

Recommended for Things to Do in Fall because : A scenic 30-minute drive from Seattle, you'll find the charmingly rustic-chic Salish Lodge & Spa, which overlooks the region's iconic waterfalls.

Corinne's expert tip : Check out special seasonal promos and special spa offerings. Don't miss the Country Breakfast, a Salish Lodge tradition featuring four courses, including steel-cut oats and the iconic "Honey from Heaven™ service," where honey from the lodge's hives gets poured from high above your plate onto buttery, house-made biscuits.

Read more about Salish Lodge and Spa →

Discovery Park

Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, this expansive urban park--the largest in Seattle--offers two miles of beach trails and nine miles of winding footpaths. Ostensibly a bluff-top reserve, Discovery Park protects a remarkable urban wilderness and provers a great place for nature-watching. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, which features art and cultural exhibits, is also located at the park, as is a marine reserve. (Check latest opening info befogging visiting the cultural center.) An 1881 lighthouse, the oldest in the area, can also be found here. Offering breathtaking views of both the Cascade and the Olympic mountain ranges, the park's remote site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams.

Recommended for Things to Do in Fall because : Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, this expansive urban park proves the perfect place to soak in autumnal foliage within city limits.

John's expert tip : Pack a picnic to enjoy on the beach next to the West Point Lighthouse. (The park's Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, now has a sister gallery in Ballard called Sacred Circle Gift Shop.)

Read more about Discovery Park →

Bainbridge Island Ferry

From Seattle's downtown waterfront, it takes only 35 minutes to arrive at Bainbridge Island. Along the way, you can enjoy all the wonderful sights that make Seattle such a unique city as well as the changing colors of the seasons (the ferry ride itself is worth the journey!). The snowcapped Olympic Mountains, Seattle's skyline and the eastern view of Mount Rainier are all points of interest along the way. (It's also fun to watch all the car and bike commuters onboard.) Peak season is early May through mid-October. Once on Bainbridge Island, it's easy to walk to the quaint "downtown" strip that features some shops, eateries and coffee spots. The island also features wineries, an organic distillery and other popular destinations like The Bloedel Reserve.

Recommended for Things to Do in Fall because : From Seattle's downtown waterfront, it takes only 35 minutes to arrive on Bainbridge Island�—, a laid-back hub for great food, friendly folks and beautiful art.

Corinne's expert tip : Bundle up; if you want to sit outside to enjoy the views, the wind makes it chilly, even on sunny days! If arriving by car, enjoy driving to sites like The Bloedel Reserve, a 150-acre forest garden.

Read more about Bainbridge Island Ferry →

Pike Place Market

Sights, smells and sounds make Pike Place a head-spinning whirlwind for first-time visitors. Fishmongers near the main entrance entice buyers with loud hawking and dexterous salmon throwing antics, the briny smell of fresh seafood filling the air. Countering that are the rows of vibrantly colorful flower stalls, which emit their pleasing perfumed aromas to passersby. Farm-fresh produce is mounded high along the aisles, and local artisans display their art and wares unique to the Northwest. Restaurants, a brewery and specialty shops for everything from antiques to movie ephemera fill the multi-level maze. Once you have your bearings, pick out a favorite spot and enjoy some of the best people-watching around in this eclectic and progressive environment.

Recommended for Things to Do in Fall because : Savor the bounty of the season at Pike Place Market, a must-visit historic site, whether this is your first time here of your 50th.

John's expert tip : Special events throughout the fall help celebrate the 50th anniversary of saving the Market, which was then at risk for urban renewal by demolition. (Visit PikePlaceMarket.org/Keep-Market.) Grab a bite at Old Stove Brewing in between your Pike Place wanderings.

Read more about Pike Place Market →

Mount Rainier National Park

This slumbering volcano is the second-tallest mountain in the continental United States after California's Mt. Whitney. Because of its northern locale and more extreme weather, though, Washington State's prime peak is used by many mountaineering groups to train for ascents of the world's most challenging climbs. In warmer months, flocks of climbers are queued up to challenge the summit's less strenuous routes, and throughout the year a variety of activities are available to extreme athletes and vacationing families alike. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails wind through dense past placid lakes and frothing waterfalls. There are plenty of short, spectacular day trips as well, whether hiking in summer or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. Lodging is available on the mountain at the historic inn at Paradise, where the visitor center offers meals and interpretive natural history.

Recommended for Things to Do in Fall because : This slumbering volcano is the second-tallest mountain in the continental United States�— and a stunning place to go on scenic outdoor adventures.

John's expert tip : One of the tallest peaks in the United States, Mt. Rainier is a training destination for international climbing parties, but during mild seasons on basic routes, the trek is accessible to climbers of most skill levels. Looking for a post-hike reward? Copper Creek Restaurant (in Ashford) serves up its famous pie just two miles from the Nisqually Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. (Check out the current reduced schedule online.)

Read more about Mount Rainier National Park →

FSR Clipper

Seattle-area residents and visitors alike are thrilled to see the return of the San Juan Clipper, the only operator offering half- and full-day whale watching tours from the downtown Seattle waterfront (Friday through Monday, May through October). At this time of year, passengers can glimpse mammal-eating transient orca whales, humpbacks and gray whales finishing their northern migration across the Salish Sea, plus a variety of playful seals, sea lions and swooping bald eagles. Guests can also choose to enjoy the Clipper's direct, fast ferry, featuring a brand-new interior, prime for weekend getaways that give sufficient time to explore magic-tinged San Juan Island.

Recommended for Things to Do in Fall because : Until October, happy boat passengers enjoy the San Juan Clipper, the only operator offering half- and full-day whale watching tours from the downtown Seattle waterfront.

Corinne's expert tip : While service to Victoria is temporarily suspended, guests can still enjoy the Clipper's direct, fast ferry, prime for weekend getaways that give sufficient time to explore magic-tinged San Juan Island. Once guests have slid onto island time, paddling and kayaking outings pushing off from the shores of San Juan grant up-close access to the region's bounty of wildlife.

Read more about FSR Clipper →

Corinne hails from the  other Washington, where she caught the travel bug early on. Corinne studied abroad in Strasbourg, France (undergrad) and in Edinburgh, Scotland (graduate school). She's...   More About Corinne

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47 of the best things to do in and around Seattle this October

Welcome to October!

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Welcome to October, Seattle! Fall is here and that means, it’s time to get out there and see what’s happening around the city. Seattle has plenty to do this month between live music, performances, and food & drink events and festivals. Without further ado, here are 47 of the best things to do in and around Seattle this September.

Brian Jonestown Massacre

American psych-rock band the Brain Jonestown Massacre is coming to Seattle! As they have a strong fan base, tickets are sold out with some left in the resale prices. You’ll have to pay a pretty penny to see them live but it might just be worth it for you.

When: Wednesday, October 4th Where:  925 E Pike St Cost: $407

Little Dragon

Swedish electronic music group Little Dragon is coming to the Neptune Theatre. They may be sold out, but they have some resale tickets available.

When:  Wednesday, October 4th Where:  1303 NE 45th St Cost: $125

Peter Gabriel: i/o – The Tour

Peter Gabriel needs no introduction and he’s coming to Seattle’s very own Climate Pledge Arena. Even better there are still tickets available and they aren’t at resale prices.

When:  Sunday, October 8th Where:  334 1st Ave N Cost: $60.50

Youth Lagoon

Looking to hear something new? Genre-bending artist Youth Lagoon is playing a show at Neumos. You can hear tunes from their newest album, Heaven Is a Junkyard, and also from their other albums.

When: Tuesday, October 10th Where:  925 E Pike St Cost: $48

One of Shoegaze’s most iconic bands, Slowdive is headed for Seattle. No surprise but the concert is sold out, and currently, resale tickets are available.

When:  Tuesday, October 10th Where:  1700 1st Ave S Cost: $123+

Rapper Lil Tracy is back in Seattle for a show at the Showbox Market. Tickets are currently resale prices – however, the good news is, they are on the lower end of resale prices.

When:  Tuesday, October 10th Where:  1426 1st Ave Cost: $56

Indie rock band Slow Pulp is going on tour for their newest album ‘Yard’. Listen to a mix of old and new songs and enjoy concert tickets that aren’t too expensive, yet.

When: Thursday, October 12th Where:  925 E Pike St Cost: $40

Nosaj Thing

Nosaj Thing aka Jason W. Chung is an American artist and producer. You may remember some of his popular songs from the early 2010s and you’ve probably heard many of the songs he’s produced. Either way, he’ll be in Seattle for what is sure to be a solid show.

When: Sunday, October 13th Where:  2505 1st Ave Cost: $20

Tirzah is a British singer, songwriter, and producer known for her unique blend of R&B, electronic, and experimental music. This month is your chance to see her right here in Seattle.

When: Monday, October 16th Where:  645 NW 45th St Cost: $25

Kim Petras: Feed The Beast World Tour

Kim Petras is coming to town with her catchy, empowering, and infectious music. You can see the pop icon in the flesh at WAMU Theatre.

When:  Monday, October 23rd Where:  800 Occidental Ave S Cost: $45.50

Disney in Concert at Seattle Symphony

Step into a world where your favorite Disney characters and their iconic soundtracks take center stage. Relive your favorite memories from the Walt Disney Animation Studios in a whole new way. This live-to-film concert is an experience that will transport you to the heart of the Disney universe.

When: Thursday, October 26th, Friday, October 27th & Sunday, October 29th Where:  200 University Street Cost: $55+

BOO Halloween

BOO Halloween centers around the spirit of Seattle in the form of “Darcy” – inspired by “an urban legend of a girl who disappeared into the forests around Lake Washington years ago.” Experience a spooky music festival with big names like Steve Aoki, Alesso, and Zedd among others.

When: Friday, October 27th & Saturday, October 28th Where:  800 Occidental Ave S Cost: $119+

Arts & Culture

Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair

The Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair has dealers from the US and the United Kingdom this year. Visitors will find thousands of “collectible books, prints, maps, autographs, photographs, posters, postcards, ephemera, manuscripts, broadsides, fine bindings” and more for sale.

When:  Saturday, October 14th, from 10 AM-6 PM, Sunday, October 15th, from 11 AM-4 PM Where:  Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, 301 Mercer St Cost: $10+

The Moth StorySLAM

On the first Thursday of each month, Seattleites can check out the Moth StorySLAM. Each month has a different story theme so you’ll experience something new and truly unique each time.

When: First Thursday of every month Where:  4272 Fremont Ave N Cost: $15

Seattle Water Lantern Festival

The Water Lantern Festival takes place on Saturday, October 7th, and invites Seattleites to come together to “create a peaceful, memorable experience.” You’ll get to watch as the lake lights up with hundreds of beautiful lanterns.

When: Saturday, October 7th Where:  7312 West Green Lake Dr Cost: $26.98-$55.99

Capitol Hill Art Walk

A digital map allows you to pick and choose where you stop on the Capitol Hill Art Walk. Stop by small galleries, local businesses, and more on this monthly art walk.

When:  Second Thursday of every month Where: Capitol Hill Cost: Free

Free Public Tours of Washington Park Arboretum

The Arboretum is one of Seattle’s best spots for getting outdoors, especially in the summer. While you can walk it by yourself at any time, you can also enjoy free tours on the first Thursday of each month from 11:30 AM-1 PM.

When:  First Thursday of every month Where:  2300 Arboretum Drive E Cost: Free

Silent Reading Party: In-Person

The beloved Silent Reading Party is back in person if you’d like to have the experience of reading amongst strangers inside the beautiful Hotel Sorrento. Keep in mind there is a $20 food and drink minimum on top of your ticket price.

When: First Wednesday of each month Where:  900 Madison St Cost: $8-$40

Fox Hollow Farm Fall Festival

Starting Friday, October 13th, visitors can enjoy the fall festival for three weekends from 11 AM to 6 PM Friday to Sunday. The fall festival’s diverse attractions include a sustainably grown pumpkin patch, hay maze, classic games, petting zoo promises, and even face painters.

When: Last 3 weekends of October beginning Friday, October 13th Where:  12123 Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast Issaquah, WA Cost: $25+

Haunted Attractions

Cinema of Horrors

The Cinema of Horrors offers lovers of all things spooky a unique movie-watching experience that will take any movie’s jump scares to the next level. Fill your car up with your friends and grab tickets for your favorite scary movie on the big screen. It’ll feel pretty normal until you realize that there’s something or someone lurking outside your car.

When:  Thursday, October 12th-Tuesday, October 31st Where: 17402 NE Delfel Rd, Ridgefield, WA Cost: $69

Stalker Farms

Stalker Farms is a state-wide favorite for getting your spook on and this year it’s back and better than ever. You’ll get to experience an in-person, up close, and personal production with 7 attractions that will leave you with memories you won’t soon forget.

When: September 30th, October 6th-8th, 13th-15th, 20th-22nd, 26th-29th Where: 8705 Marsh Rd Snohomish, WA Cost: $19.95-$49.95

Scared to Death: The Thrill of Horror Film

This is a haunted attraction perfect for those who love the movies! You can visit more than 50 props and costumes from your film and television horror favorites. Expect to see items from A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, The Walking Dead, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bride of Frankenstein, Dawn of the Dead, Hostel, Jeepers Creepers, and Pet Sematary among other films.

When: Thursday to Tuesday, from 10 AM to 5 PM Where:  325 5th Avenue N Cost: $31+

Nile Nightmares

Nile Nightmares is the scariest place to be in Mountlake Terrace. This year the popular haunted house has 7 attractions for you to try to survive. From Poison Pete’s Apple Orchard to Grey’s Pork Delights you’ll be seriously spooked.

When: Weekends September 29th-October 31st Where:  6601 244th St SW, Mountlake Terrace, WA Cost: $35+

Spirit of Halloween

Did you know that you can actually visit the real Halloweentown in person and that it’s only about three hours from Seattle? That’s right, St. Helens, Oregon served as the backdrop for this fan-favorite movie, psst, parts of Twilight were also filmed there. While it is a bit of a drive, it’s a great option for a day trip if you’re up to it.

When: Every weekend Saturday, September 16th-Tuesday, October 31st Where: St. Helens, Oregon Cost: $45-$145 GA, Prices vary for additional attractions

Georgetown Morgue

Seattle’s very own haunted house is back! Your spooky journey will have you wandering through a decrepit Catacomb as you try to avoid Dr. Simons and his trusted goons Rigor and Mortis, all while trying to survive the night. New this year is “The Dark Maze” an attraction that is exactly what it sounds like. You and your group are all alone in a pitch-black maze until you find a way out.

When: Weekends and select additional days Friday, September 22nd-Saturday, November 4th Where: 5000 East Marginal Way South Cost: $35-$255+

Tacoma Greek Festival

The Tacoma Greek Festival will have an assortment of traditional handmade Greek pastries at the Coffee Shop and Bakery. There will also be food booths with “Gyros, Calamari, Greek Fries, Souvlaki (sausage), and Loukomathes.” There will be Spanakopita, tiropita, and dolmathes served on all three days, and even dinner entrees.

When: Friday, October 6th-Sunday, October 8th Where: 1523 S Yakima Ave, Tacoma WA Cost: Free/Varies

CRUSH Harvest Festival

CRUSH is the perfect opportunity to taste the wine of Chateau Saint Michelle, as well as try some tasty eats. However, the main draw is the competitive grape stomp. All ages are welcome but guests must be 21 and over to participate in the grape stomps. But if you do participate you’ll get a logoed Chateau Saint Michelle glass to take home and have a blast.

When: Saturday, October 14th Where:  14111 NE 145th Street, Woodinville, WA Cost: $45+

Black Lagoon at Rob Roy

Rob Roy describes their new bar pop-up as “a dark celebration for those who revel in the mysterious and bizarre” a place “where guests can transport themselves to a world that blurs that line between reality and the supernatural.”

When:  Tuesday, September 26th-Saturday, November 4th Where:  2332 2nd Ave Cost: Varies

Three Sacks Full Dinner Pop-Up

This local pop-up restaurant features a menu largely based on vegetables and grains. Every two weeks you can try an original menu with organic produce grown on the pop-up’s farm in the Snoqualmie Valley. Other ingredients not grown on the farm are always sourced from farms across Washington and Oregon.

When: Every two weeks Where: Varies by pick-up date Cost: Varies by dish

Enjoy some comfort food

Comfort food is an easy choice when you’re hungry and looking for something to eat. It just so happens that Seattle has a ton of options scattered around the city with most of them being pretty affordable. From sweet to savory, we have some spots for you.

Head to your local farmer’s market

Fall is prime time for making all sorts of cozy meals. There aren’t many places better than your local farmers market to pick up fresh produce, dairy, meat, and other locally made products.

When: Weekly and on weekends Where: Locations across the city Cost: Varies

Leavenworth Oktoberfest 2023

This year’s Oktoberfest returns with three event-filled weekends. Running from September 29th to October 14th, there will be plenty of time to get in on the fun. Expect brews, eats, and all sorts of fun.

When:  October 6th-7th & 13th-14th Where:  Leavenworth, WA Cost: Friday $10 6 PM-Midnight, Saturday $25 12 PM-1 AM, Children under 12 free with an adult

Outdoors & Adventure

Head to a local garden

Seattle is lucky to have tons of beautiful gardens located across the city that you can visit for free or very affordably. Whether you’re looking to see rare plants, native plant displays, or fall colors, these gardens have something for you.

Check out Washington’s best places for fall views

Looking for stunning fall colors and beautiful places to welcome the new season? We have you covered with a list of the best places to see fall colors and views in Washington.

Visit one of the nation’s largest public telescopes

If you’re into stargazing then get excited because one of the nation’s largest public telescopes is right here in Washington. Goldendale Observatory is worth the trip to the Columbia River Gorge , and it just so happens to be free to visit. Just make sure you make your reservations in advance.

Where:  1602 Observatory Drive, Goldendale, WA Hours: October-March, Friday-Sunday 2 PM-4 PM & 7 PM-10 PM

Visit a state park for free

October 10th is World Mental Health Day and a Washington State Park Free Entrance Day. That means you can visit any state park of your choosing for free! Keep in mind this does not apply to overnight stays.

When: Tuesday, October 10th Where: Washington State Parks Cost: Free

Head to a hot spring

Looking to warm up this fall? You might as well try heading to a local hot spring. You can choose between hiking in or heading to already set-up pools and tubs. Of course, we have the best options covered for you.

See if you know all of Seattle’s secret beaches

We all know Seattle’s popular beaches like Alki and Golden Gardens . But it turns out there are a ton of secret beaches, 140 of them to be exact. What’s more there might be one closer to you than you think. We have of course detailed how you can find out this *highly* secretive information thanks to a handy map.

Try one of Washington’s best hikes

If you’ve ever wondered what the best hikes in Washington are, we have your answer. We took a look at AllTrails rankings and have compiled 10 of the state’s most popular hikes for you to enjoy. If you’re curious, we’ve also detailed Washington’s favorite hike – also from AllTrails users.

Hike to a spooky abandoned tunnel

Washington has all sorts of great fall hikes and even some with spooky history! Adventure seekers can hike to the site of the deadliest avalanche in the country’s history. Today, there are remnants of the disasters past like abandoned tunnels, snow sheds, and even parts of trains.

When:  Until first snowfall or until Martin Creek road becomes impassable Where: Iron Goat Trail, Stevens Pass Cost: Free

Take a tour over the city

Walking tours are cool and all but why not experience Seattle from a birds-eye view? Don’t worry, you don’t have to have a pilot’s license, instead, you can choose from one of several plane tours offered in and around the Seattle area.

Watch the leaves change color

Washington is shedding! Changing from a lush green landscape to beautiful reds, oranges, and browns. If you want to know the pattern of leaf changes across the state, we have a handy map for you to check out.

Fremont Sunday Market

The Fremont Market is truly a classic Seattle shopping experience and it happens year-round, rain or shine. It’s a great place to find antiques, vintage clothing, and much more.

When: Every Sunday Where: Evanston Ave N & 34th St

Visit a museum for free

You may or may not know but Seattle actually has 5 museums that you can always visit for free. We’ve listed them out and given you some details so you can take yourself on the perfect adventure. Psst, your library card can also get you access to tons of local museums for free . And several museums have free days every single month.

Check out Washington State Parks

You can literally check Washington State Parks out of the Seattle Public Library. Well almost, you can check out a Discover Pass which allows you to visit Washington State Parks for free. Keep in mind if you plan on camping you will still have to pay for your spot.

Mindfulness Meditation at the Frye

Need to take some time to get back in touch with yourself? You’re in luck because The Frye has a free, mindfulness meditation that you can attend on the first Wednesday of the month. It’s one of the most relaxing things to do in Seattle for sure.

Get some work done in a new space

Next, a trio of some “regular”, but still fun, options around the city. If working from home is getting a little old, then maybe check out our roundup of some of the best cafes in the city to get some work done.

Where: Click the link above for our picks

Look at all the things to do in Seattle! Have a great, September!

Curiocity Staff

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50 Things to Do in Seattle This Fall

That telltale coniferous whiff of pine sap mixed with afternoons bathed in golden, glancing sunlight. The bounty of the harvest delivered through sensational sips and unforgettable meals. Fall in the Pacific Northwest is arriving in full force!

BOOK NOW:   Fall Sale – Victoria to Seattle Overnight Package with 2-Nights or More

It’s high time to soak in the sensory overload of the season, whether it’s more your style to bundle up for a leaf-peeping stroll or get cozy with a hot cup of joe and a rich pastry indoors. Our list of 50 things to do in Seattle this fall has activities to suit any autumnal mood, so kick-start your fall adventures with a FRS Clipper trip to the Emerald City!

1. Catch a Seahawks or Sounders Game

SEA! HAWKS! SEA! HAWKS! Ready to jump into the fall spirit with the most exciting football team around? Watch the Seattle Seahawks work to make a run for the playoffs at Lumen Field! Also home to the Seattle Sounders , this is the best spot in town to catch a game and skyline views of the city in a 67,000-seat arena.

2. Seattle Space Needle

Already a show-stopping landmark, the Seattle Space Needle ’s 100 million dollar “Space Lift” freshens the look of the 60-year-old building. With the world’s first revolving 37-ton glass floor offering a peek at the ground below AND seamless floor-to-ceiling glass windows that serve up unobstructed 360-degree vistas of the Puget Sound, the Space Needle still boasts the classic views you’ve grown to love, but a million times better.

3. Volunteer Park Conservatory

While wandering through Volunteer Park, be sure to stop in at the  Conservatory , a 100-year-old greenhouse made up of 3,426 glass panes (but who’s counting?). Inside, you’ll find a cactus room and hundreds of tropical plants, some as old as the building itself!

4. Feast on Fall Fare

Need to refuel? Pop over to the brick-walled Taylor Shellfish to feast on fresh oysters and other seafood creations. Or follow the locals to the casual Tavolata  to enjoy amazing house-made pasta paired with meticulously crafted drinks. You may even make some new friends at the giant communal table!

5. Market Ghost Tour

Who doesn’t like a good scare? Check out the spooky side of one the busiest spots in the city with a night tour of Pike Place Market. Creep through remnants of several graveyards, a former brothel and the Northwest’s first elevator for corpses, which are all found inside the market’s halls.

6. Savor Seattle Pike Place Market Tour

Get a taste of the Emerald City with  Show Me Seattle’s food tour as you travel through some of Seattle’s tastiest neighborhoods on a guided walking tour. Where better to nosh on delicious eats than at the city’s source for local and fresh food, Pike Place Market.

7. Seattle Beneath the Streets Tour

What’s the best way to escape the rain in Seattle? Go underground! Experience a side of the city you never knew existed with a trek through the Emerald City’s catacomb-like passageways on the Beneath the Streets Tour . Explore three city blocks underneath the historic Pioneer Square and gain insight into the history of Seattle’s subterranean storefronts and sidewalks entombed by the Great Fire of 1889. Book this tour with FRS Clipper, learn more .

Showcasing one of Seattle’s most beloved art forms, Refract is celebrating its 5th year of highlighting the Emerald City’s creative uses of glass and the craft of glassblowing in the Pacific Northwest.

Hosted by Chihuly Garden and Glass, the region’s luminaries of glass art will dazzle you with epic exhibitions, tours and live demos as well as fascinating discussions with experienced artists. The festivities start with Gather, the opening party hosted in Chihuly’s towering Glasshouse space, all the way through to the closing party held at Pratt Park’s Fine Arts Center !

9. Cozy Up with a Cocktail

After spending a day in the crisp autumn air, sometimes all you want is a soul-warming, expertly-crafted cocktail. Make your way to the Greenwood neighborhood to visit the woodsy, rustic The Cozy Nut Tavern and snuggle up in one of their intimate booths. Or stop by the speakeasy-style Knee High Stocking Co. on Capitol Hill for cocktails on the hush-hush.

10. Kubota Gardens

Tucked away in South Seattle, Kubota Garden perfectly marries Japanese garden design with native Northwest plants. Stroll over bridges, among waterfalls and beside ponds as you make your way through the grounds.

11. Washington Park Arboretum

A true hidden gem, the Arboretum showcases 230 acres of diverse plant life, some found nowhere else in the Northwest. Wind your way around its scenic trails or find a bench and soak up the landscape. With its varied and vibrant colors, the tranquil garden is hands down one of our favorite places for fall colors in Seattle.

12. Water Tower at Volunteer Park

After a stroll through the park and a visit to the conservatory, make your way to the top of the water tower . The 107-stair climb is a bit of a workout, but the view is well worth the trek. Breathtaking vistas of the city – including the Space Needle, waterfront and downtown skyscrapers – meet the eye in every direction.

13. Seattle Art Museum

Home to numerous permanent and rotating exhibits from around the globe, if it’s amazing art you’re after, there’s no better place to find it than at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM). Swing by on the first Thursday of each month to enjoy free entry!

14. Catch a Show

Though Seattle’s grunge days might be long over, the city is still breaking new ground in the music scene! Catch shows from both local and international artists at Belltown’s Crocodile , Capitol Hill’s Neumos or Tractor Tavern in Ballard.

15. Smith Tower

Once the tallest building in Seattle, the historic Smith Tower boasts incredible bird’s-eye views of downtown Seattle, the Space Needle, multiple stadiums, and the waterfront. Pop into one of the original brass Otis elevators and ride up to the 35th-floor to soak in the views from the open-air “Bird Cage.” Stop by the speakeasy-style Observatory Bar for happy hour to indulge in hand-crafted cocktails and shareable plates full of tasty snackables.

16. Diverse Dining in Columbia City

Columbia City boasts one of America’s most diverse zip codes, and as a result, also offers an impressive variety of dining options. Stroll along its Rainier Ave. core and you’ll spot Caribbean, Mediterranean, Ethiopian, Italian, Thai, and Asian fusion in the span of just a few blocks!

17. Seattle Aquarium

Perfect for the kiddos, meet the fabulous sea life of Puget Sound at the Seattle Aquarium ! Wander through immersive underwater exhibits that put the fish high above you, or pet a sticky sea anemone with your bare hands in the touch tank. You can even get up close and personal with the region’s impressive Giant Pacific Octopuses.

18. Seattle Antiques Market

It’s easy to overlook this tucked-away gem, as it’s located on the opposite side of the waterfront from the Seattle Great Wheel. Tucked along an industrial stretch of the downtown waterfront, you’ll find a sprawling showroom of antique furniture, art and knick-knacks.

19. Seattle Chocolate Factory Tour

Give in to Seattle’s sweet side ! Learn about where this local confectionary’s chocolate comes from, how it is made and tips on the best ways to savor this crave-worthy confection. Sink your teeth into an array of chocolaty treats and get a behind the scenes peek at the process from bean to bar on this chocolate lover’s tour.

20. SoDo’s Filson Store

Originally founded to outfit gold prospectors in 1897, Filson’s newly updated headquarters offer quality garments made in-house. Stop in to browse a slew of quality, house-made garments ranging from plush wool socks to shearling-lined caps that are sure to keep you toasty all season long.

Comfort and quality reign supreme at Filson, an outfitter established in 1897. Credit: Paul + Williams

21. Elliott Bay Bookstore

Located on the ultra-hip 10 th  Avenue block of Capitol Hill, the Elliott Bay Book Company is where you’ll not only find countless books, magazines and gifts but also Little Oddfellows , a newly opened café known for their pastries and small bites.

22. Georgetown Trailer Park Mall

Walk along Airport Way near Fran’s Chocolates and you’ll spot the Trailer Park Mall , a collection of retrofitted walk-in trailers offering everything from vintage goods to art and jewelry.

23 . Sample Some Local Suds

It’s well known that Seattle knocks it out of the park when it comes to craft brewing, and this time of year is no exception. Pay a visit to the industrial-chic taproom of Optimism Brewing on Capitol Hill to sample their autumnal Thankful Toasty Thanksgiving Lager . Or head down the road to nearby Elysian Brewing for a range of limited-time taps, such as the pumpkin-spiced Night Owl , or opt for a shot of caffeine with their Punkuccino . Or cruise over to Ballard and sip on a spicy Chai cider at Locust Cider & Brewing ’s artsy tasting space.

24. Grab Brunch

Is it an early lunch? Or is it a late breakfast? We don’t care as long as pancakes are involved! Grab the best bites in the city at Oddfellows in Capitol Hill, Tilikum Place Café in Belltown, or at Portage Bay Café , with multiple locations around town — many of which accept reservations for brunch, a rarity in the city!

25. Skagit Valley

Pick a season, Skagit Valley is guaranteed to be bursting with color! From pumpkin patches to corn mazes in the fall, it’s the perfect destination for a family weekend adventure.

26. Boeing Future of Flight Tour

Spend the afternoon at Boeing’s  Future of Flight  aviation center to learn how these enormous mechanical marvels are created. Tour the factory and see gargantuan 747s being constructed before your very eyes.

27. Seattle Public Library

If you’re in need of a quiet moment, wander along 4 th Ave in downtown Seattle and head to the geometric, futuristic structure of the Seattle Public Library . The real treat is inside though, where colorful hallways and escalators add to the sensory experience.

28. Pacific Science Center

Chilly day? The  Pacific Science Center  offers the perfect respite! Duck into the  Planetarium  for a show that’s out of this world, then immerse yourself in their  indoor jungle  full of butterflies and colorful tropical plants. While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to catch a movie on one of the world’s largest IMAX screens !

29. Slurp a Bowl of Soup

Grab a spoon and dig into Seattle’s array of slurp-worthy concoctions from across the world. Whether you’re craving a fragrant bowl of Tom Kha from  Noi Thai Cuisine , classic clam chowder from  Pike Place Chowder  or brothy minestrone from  Machiavelli Ristorante , the Emerald City offers a nearly endless supply of steamy soups that will please your palate and warm your bones.

30. Challenge Friends to a Game Night

Get all the cozy vibes of game night without the cabin fever with a trip to  Mox Boarding House , a game cafe with locations in Ballard and Bellevue. Grab a board game from their impressive library, then huddle into a booth with a few friends and a frosty pint of local craft beer. Want to upend the “Seattle freeze” stereotype? Snag a seat at one of their communal tables and recruit some new playmates to join in the friendly competition!

31. Fremont Oktoberfest

Prost! Celebrate the season with a sudsy stein full of malty brews at Fremont Oktoberfest . Sip on offerings from breweries and cideries all over the region, plus some authentic imported options straight from Germany. Heading over with a furry friend? Be sure to swing by Dogtoberfest for a cover dog model contest, a “fly dog” jumping competition and other pup-friendly activities!

32. Chihuly Garden & Glass

Explore a jungle of vibrant colors blended into tangled, swirling structures as you walk through Chihuly Garden & Glass . Soak in room after room of floor-to-ceiling, colorful creations as you learn all about the artist, local legend Dale Chihuly.

33. Indulge Your Sweet Tooth

Bid farewell to bathing suit season with an indulgent sweet treat! Head to Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery for decadent concoctions that range from their classic gooey brownie cake to an innovative tropical ice cream sandwic h . Grab a cookie to go at Capitol Hill’s Hello Robin Cookies , where you can find everything from a brown butter snickerdoodle to a rich, flourless chocolate confection. Or if creamy cheesecakes are your weakness, you can’t go wrong at Pike Place’s The Confectional !

34. Stroll the Waterfront

Spend an afternoon exploring the scenic Seattle waterfront! Dotted with fun activities such as the must-visit  Seattle Great Wheel  or the exhilarating Wings Over Washington , there are more than enough things to do along the banks of Elliott Bay. You may even catch an early dusting of snow on the Olympic Mountains across the water!

35. Conquer a Corn Maze

Weave your way through soaring stalks at the Carpinito Brothers’ corn maze ! On a clear day, you’ll be treated to a spectacular view of Mount Rainier looming in the distance, taking this autumnal tradition to the next level. Be sure to bring the kiddos – the sprawling grounds also offer a u-pick pumpkin patch, petting zoo, and hay slides!

36. Pinball Museum

Transport yourself straight back to childhood days of arcades, flashing lights and the delightful cacophony of zig-zagging pinballs at the  Seattle Pinball Museum ! Order up a pint of local beer, slip it into one of the pinball machines’ cupholders and get your flipper fingers ready for some world-class pinball playin’. With more than 50 machines ranging from modern to classic, you’re bound to find one that brings on a bout of nostalgia.

37. Seattle Restaurant Week

It’s no secret that Seattle is a veritable foodie Mecca. The city has everything from seasonal, locally-sourced cuisine at Capitol Hill’s Finch & Pine , to high-end seafood right on the water at AQUA , to classic Italian by way of Mondello Ristorante in Magnolia.

It may sound impossible to narrow down your dining options, but thanks to  Seattle Restaurant Week’s special three-course deal, you don’t have to choose just one to keep your palate pleased and your wallet intact. Just be sure to visit one of the participating eateries between October 22 and November 4!

38. Catch Some Global Cinema

Fancy yourself an international cinephile? Then get ready to be on an all-popcorn diet this fall! Settle into a theater seat on a rainy day and enjoy movies hailing from Africa to Asia to the indigenous communities of the PNW during their respective film festivals this season.

39. Explore the Craft Cocktail Scene

Duck into one of the city’s plethora of hip watering holes for a hygge happy hour . Whether you’re looking for a stiff Prohibition-era classic or you have your heart set on sipping a drink straight out of a coconut, Seattle has a bar to fit the bill.

Up the hill from our terminal, Tiki-themed Navy Strength can offer up some sunshine in a glass on a drab day. Or trek up the Pike Street Hill Climb for boozy bevs that put Seattle’s bartending scene back on the map in the early aughts. Cheers!

40. Earshot Jazz Festival

Grab your porkpie hat and prepare your ears for some of the best live music in the city at Earshot Jazz Festival . With more than 50 performances across the city, the festival celebrates the genre’s leading artists and rich cultural heritage. Plus, with events held at venues all over the Emerald City – from Benaroya Hall to Nectar Lounge to SAM – it’s a great excuse to get out and explore Seattle!

41. Celebrate Halloween in the Emerald City

Whether you’re looking for family fun or spooky celebrations, Seattle’s got you covered. Enjoy some spine-chilling stories with a humorous twist at Campfire: Improvised Ghost Stories , presented by Pike Place’s Unexpected Productions.

Or get Fido involved in the spirit of the season with a turn in the Halloween Pet Parade at Volunteer Park! Perhaps you’re looking to sip a witches’ brew or two? Join the 5 th annual Halloween Pub Crawl through downtown Seattle for some festive fun!

42. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Spend a day at the  Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Discovery Center  to learn all about how the world’s largest private philanthropy works in the city as well as around the globe. After a visit here, you might just be inspired to help change the world yourself!

43. Frye Art Museum

Right in the heart of downtown, Frye Art Museum boasts an astounding collection of contemporary art in a chic, beautifully appointed space. The kicker? Admission is always free.

44. Dig Into a Doughnut

Enjoy a snug morning with a steaming cup of coffee and its eternal a.m. sidekick – the doughnut. If a filled confection is your preference, General Porpoise should be your first stop. Keep things light with an apricot jam-filled or go all out with their chocolate & marshmallow.

With multiple locations around the city, odds are good that you’ll encounter local favorite Mighty O . Plus, with their focus on  respecting the environment  and organic,  all-vegan menu you’ll leave feeling slightly less guilty than your average doughnut run! Opt for the spiced Apple Fritter to go all-in on the autumnal goodness.

45. Renegade Craft Fair

Tackle a little early Christmas shopping – or snag a unique souvenir for yourself – while supporting an array of local artisans at the Renegade Craft Fair ! Browse through more than 180 vendors offering accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, health & wellness products and tons more, plus there are food trucks at the ready for when you need to refuel.

46. Seattle Fresh Hop Beer Festival

Drink your way through one of the season’s most celebrated crops — hops! — at this year’s Seattle Fresh Hop Beer Festival . Sip your way through the fragrant, super-seasonal beverage, enter to win prizes, enjoy local bites from an array of food trucks, and lots more at this weekend-long event hosted at Magnuson Park.

47. Oyster New Year

Celebrate one of the PNW’s trademark seafood offerings at Oyster New Year . As the biggest oyster party on the West Coast, get ready to slurp more than 30 varieties of local bivalves, all shucked to order. Add live music, raffled prizes, a full fresh seafood buffet and 60 wineries pouring on-site to the mix and you’ve got yourself a can’t-miss culinary event!

48. Visit MoPOP

Never met a trivia tournament you didn’t love? Then the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) should be on your must-visit list! As you approach the distinctive building, take a moment to soak in its design – a kaleidoscopic creation of architect Frank Gehry. Next, enjoy an afternoon of experiential exhibits, covering everything from the horror flicks to the career of Prince to an ode to local legends Nirvana .

49. Northwest Chocolate Festival

Chocoholics rejoice! Cocoa nirvana is on its way to Seattle by way of  Northwest Chocolate Festival . Boasting the largest instructional program on chocolate in the  world with a massive lineup of workshops ranging from various uses for cacao butter to chocolate making at home to forest conservation, the festival is as much an educational experience as an edible one. Exhibitors include San Francisco’s  Tcho Chocolate , local fave Fran’s  and  Al Nassma  all the way from Dubai.

50. Free National Park Day

Every year the country’s national parks are available to the public free of charge on November 11 th for free entry to National Parks on Veterans Day. Don’t let this budget-friendly opportunity go to waste, especially with multiple spectacular national parks all within driving distance of the city!

Want to skip the hassle of renting a car – not to mention the uncertainty of navigating? Opt for a narrated, guided tour to two of Washington’s most beloved nature destinations on a day trip to Mount Rainier or Olympic National Parks.

From its sweeping waterfront vistas to tree-lined back roads, the greater Seattle area is the perfect autumnal playground. Whether you’re mourning summer’s end with a new round of adventures or literally jumping for joy (into a pile of leaves), this is the season to fall in love with the region’s changing landscape.

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Our 50 Favorite Things to Do In and Near Seattle

By Seattle Met Staff October 7, 2022

Image: Ryan Wilson / Unsplash

How do we   love Seattle ? We'd count the ways, but then we'd be here forever. Instead consider this our anything-but-complete list of things we love to do in and around our fair city, from boredom-busters bound to please even the most  cynical Seattleites to perennial favorites popular with tourists aplenty. Just don't let us hear you call it "Pike's Place," mkay?

Choose Your Own Adventure:

Shop / Explore / Taste  / Play  /  See  /  Think

Heaven...we mean, Elliott Bay Book Store.

Image: Jane Sherman  

Browse a Bookstore

Seattle is, no question, a city of literature. And our roster of independent bookstores , from Elliott Bay to Book Larder to Third Place Books, are all stellar. No idea what you're looking for? Most staffers are happy to share their local-lit recommendations. And, ahem, we've got a list too.

Our shops are as quirky as we are, and we like to keep it that way, thank you very much. Blessedly, our city's most essential shops got the memo. We see you, Georgetown Trailer Park Mall.

Search for Records

You can be a Brandi Carlile stan, a Fleet Foxes devotee, or a fan of a band no one's ever heard of (yet). The " Seattle sound " is what you make of it—and at our plethora of record stores, comes in LP, CD, even cassette tape form. 

Shop for Fresh Fits

The "fresh" designation doesn't necessarily mean store-bought new.  Vintage and consignment clothing is both sustainable and  fun for those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt. Of course, for fashionable menswear and children's clothing , we have lots of choices too. Oh, and Nordstrom Racks ? You're welcome.

Smoke Some Weed

Cannabis dispensaries have proliferated here since recreational marijuana became legal in 2014. Even local Sonics legend Shawn Kemp has gotten into the game. Our more than 50 pot shops in and around town have knowledgeable budtenders , a variety of strains, and posh paraphernalia on hand.

Snag a New Plant

Plant babies are the new fur babies, at least that's the trend we noticed during the pandemic . (But if you're very much committed to both, here's a list of the goodest pet shops  too.) We've rounded up our 21 favorite plant stores for all your fiddle-leaf fig needs.

The University of Washington campus is a prime place to soak in the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms.

Image: Checubus / Shutterstock.com

Chase the Northern Lights

As we found in our  Yukon aurora borealis adventures , nature can put on quite a dazzling show, but not always on demand. If the space weather forecast looks promising, we've got a few tips for how to see the northern lights  for yourself.

Discover a National Park

National park, you say? We've got three—all within a three-hour's drive. Mount Rainier National Park tends to be the most well-known, with her iconic mountain, but don't count out the coastal beaches, rain forests, and lakes of Olympic National Park . As for North Cascades National Park , it stands out for its rugged, remote beauty.

Explore Every Neighborhood

Decisions, decisions. Do you start with Capitol Hill or Wallingford ? The Central District or West Seattle ? Rainier Valley and Rainier Beach or Beacon Hill ? The beauty of Seattle is you don't have to decide. To get you started, here's a primer on every single neighborhood in a nutshell .

Ferry to the San Juans

First things first: The hype is 100 percent accurate. The San Juans are, unquestionably, the most idyllic locale in Washington. And after you figure out just which ferry boat you're on, we've got a guide for the best ways to embrace this scenic escape. 

Find Your Beach

This is called the Best Coast for a reason. In Washington, the stretches of sand are prime for everything from sunbathing to hiking to swimming. Even winter is beach season .

Pickleball may be the official state sport of Washington, but camping is the OG one. Happily, or maybe predictably, we have  fantastic campgrounds —and plenty of guides for first-timers looking to rent gear , reserve a campsite , and plan their first trip .

Hit the E-Bike Trail

Love 'em or hate 'em, e-bikes have gone from fads to must-haves in hilly Seattle. It doesn't hurt that one of the biggest e-bike sellers is based right here. So where to barely pedal with that e-assist bike? We got you . 

Sunsets at Lake Sammamish State Park are simply sublime.

Image: Benjamin Massello on Unsplash

Jump in a Lake

Not every hike's reward is a stunning view at the top (although that sure doesn't hurt). In this case, it's the chance to go jump in a lake , literally. Not so into the hiking aspect? Skip right to the good part with these swimming holes within a two-hour's drive.

Peep Some Flowers

We're known for our greenery and expanses of water, but the Seattle area is blooming beautiful with flowers too. In March, it's cherry blossoms . In April, it's tulips . And in spring throughout Washington, it's rhododendrons, azaleas, and lilacs .

Pick Your State Park

Before your overachieving self makes it a goal to visit every single state park, let us fill you in on one fact: There are 124 of them in Washington. Here are our 20 favorites .

Highway 101 leads to stunning vistas on the Olympic Peninsula.

Image: Georg Eiermann / Unsplash

The journey is very much the point on a road trip. And in Washington, our road trip game is rife with scenic diversity. We've got mountains, we've got water, we've got beaches, we've got forests, and we've got rolling hills of greenery. Good luck choosing just one.

Our bevy of local activewear brands is just one sign that this is a runner's paradise. We jogged and biked 15 of Seattle's best city trails so you can log some miles and enjoy a fantastic view too.

Ski the Slopes

Local powder hounds, you're in luck. Our area resorts, and smaller ski hills, have plenty to offer come winter.

Stay in a Treehouse

Ground-bound Airbnbs, hotels, and vacation rentals are...fine. But why settle for fine when you can make like a squirrel and overnight in a tree? This is the area that birthed the mind behind Treehouse Masters after all. Of course, you could always build one for yourself .

Take a Hike

Remember when we said camping was the OG state sport? We take that back because it's a tie with hiking. There are plentiful hikes close to town , and options for when it rains (helpful), but these are our 20 favorite ones in Washington .

It doesn't get much better than city views from the Nest.

Image: Courtesy Ryan Flynn Photography / The Nest

Drink Some Beer

We appreciate a good beer, and it definitely shows. Seattle's brewery riches aren't so much an embarrassment as they are a big ole checklist of where to belly up next. Do hard seltzers  kinda count? You be the judge.

Drink Some Lots of Wine

Washington has over 1,000 wineries, so it's pretty near impossible to sample pours from every one. Doesn't mean we're not going to try. Hence our various guides to the best wineries in Seattle , Woodinville , Walla Walla , Yakima Valley , Lake Chelan , and along the Columbia Gorge and Southwest Washington .

Eat the Best Everything

Oh, you want some restaurant recommendations ? We've got a list for that. Great tacos ? Those too. Same goes for sushi , seafood , pizza , steak ...you get the idea. Happy eating.

Molly Moon's does ice cream right.

Image: Courtesy Molly Moon's

Sample Ice Cream

Coffee toffee crunch. Ube maple. Dirty horchata. If the flavorful offerings from our plethora of local ice creameries says anything, it's that we do frozen desserts right in Seattle. Even if that sweet treat comes soft-serve swirled into a fish-shaped waffle cone. 

To state the obvious, we have fan-freaking-tastic coffee around just about every corner here. These standout dozen serve as a caffeinated history, if you will, of our great cafe culture.

Spill the (Bubble) Tea

Boba is about fantastical flavors and, naturally, the array of tapioca, jelly, fruit, pudding, and cheese foam add-ins, all satisfyingly slurped up through a straw. Local outfits and international chains are more than happy to satisfy when your next craving hits.

Relax on a Patio

If Covid gave us anything, it was some amazing new patios in which to safely eat and drink and just be. Thankfully, that stellar patio culture can live on past the pandemic (eventually), even on the rooftop .  

Our gorgeous Seattle Public Library flagship.

Image: Spencer Davis / Unsplash  

Channel Your Inner Child

Don't push any actual children out of the way to make it down the twisty, 30-foot slide at Seattle Center or any of the other draws at these destination playgrounds. You know, wait your turn like a normal person.

Listen Live

Every summer, our city fills with  outdoor concert series  and destination-worthy fests . Every summer, we remember anew why Seattle has the best music scene. 

Love (or Hate) the Gum Wall

The history and enduring legacy of our Gum Wall is as sticky as the stuff itself. Is it a stinky, disgusting mess or a tangible sign of our fair city's quirky personality and fun-loving nature? We'll let you chew on it for a while.

Few attractions draw such adoration and disdain as the Gum Wall.

Image: Taylor Vick / Unsplash

Play Pickleball

A Republican state senator, a cocker spaniel, and a gaggle of bored children start their summer break. No, this isn't a joke. This is the very true story of how Washington's state sport was born. Since that fateful day in 1965, pickleball has only proliferated.

Rent a Boat

We have three words for you: hot tub boats.

Seattle's swarm of indoor climbing and bouldering gyms have plenty of problems—meaning routes for newbies and experts alike. Out in the fresh air, Washington's natural crags beckon.

Root for the Home Teams

Pick your sport, cause we've got a team and lots of ways to pregame outside Climate Pledge Arena  as well as around T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field . Searching for some merch? We've got your team gear too. Oh, and let's not forget about Broccoli Guy .

MoPop meet Space Needle.

Image: Meriç Dağlı / Unsplash

Seek Out the Landmarks

Surprisingly, there are several longtime Seattleites who have never ascended the Space Needle , sipped cocktails atop Smith Tower , or even traveled by seaplane . Hint: It us. Don't be like us.

Skate on Ice

With the opening of the Kraken Community Iceplex came a whole bunch of adults who thought they knew how to ice skate. Make like Bambi and use those Zamboni breaks wisely.

Skate on Wheels

When roller skating made a resurgence during the pandemic, a bomb fashion scene also wheeled in. In Seattle, wearing what you feel best in is what counts.

Sniff Out a Dog Park

Have pup, will play. Our region's fine dog parks, big and small, waterfront and landlocked, offer up many ways for pooches and their people to get a good romp in. If public dog parks aren't your thing, may we suggest Seattle-born Sniffspot ?

Splash It Up

After Memorial Day, spraygrounds and wading pools pop up once again across the city and suburbs. They're especially hot spots when the weather takes a turn for the sweltering.

From 18-hole courses to playful putt-putt greens, Seattle's golf game makes it easy to get in the swing of things indoors and out. If you want to make a road trip out of it, may we suggest these three Pacific Northwest golf resorts ? 

Try Tide Pooling

Time to get muddy...and slimy...and squishy. A mini saltwater safari to spot all manner of sea life in our area tide pools is a singular Seattle sport. At some beaches, naturalists are on hand to guide first-timers.

Wander the Library

As chief librarian Tom Fay put it, the library is “the one place you can still go in this country that’s free, and you can just simply be.” If not only to browse the Peak Picks, drop by the central branch for stunning architecture and tons of tomes.

It's always game on at MoPop.

Image: Courtesy MoPOP

Attend a Show

Touring musical artists, gallery openings, plays on local stages. New shows run the gamut from performing to visual art, and we round up some of our favorites every single week.

Pause for Public Art

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Things to Do · September 28, 2022

13 Things to Do During Fall in Seattle

There are so many things to do during fall in Seattle. September to November is the best time to visit Seattle because the tourists thin out, the weather is still pretty good, and the fall colors start setting in. Plus, kids are back in school so it feels less crowded everywhere you go.

If you’re wondering what to do during fall in Seattle, let this list be your guide. Fall is my favorite season, so I live it up to the fullest each year. This is my vetted list of things to do in fall in Seattle you don’t want to miss!

This post has affiliate links, which means I’ll earn a small commission at no cost to you if you click on them and make a purchase. This is a small way I earn money to support this site. If links aren’t showing up for you , turn off your ad blocking software. Thank you for your support!

Things to Do During Fall in Seattle

Here are my favorite things to do once the cozy season sets in! Save this to Pinterest for later , as I’ll add more ideas as I discover them.

Overwhelmed by trip planning? Delegate it to me and let me create a custom itinerary just for you.

Ready to plan on your own? Here’s what to do in fall in Seattle!

Find fall foliage

I’m always on the hunt for the best fall foliage in Seattle . As temperatures have risen over the years, I’ve noticed the trees lining Seattle streets have become more vibrant late into the fall season.

There are a ton of places to go right in the city, but some not to miss are Green Lake , Washington Park Arboretum , Lincoln Park , Volunteer Park , and Kubota Garden . You’ll be amazed at the way the leaves can turn deep gold, fire-y red, and rusty orange right here in the city!

If you have the time for a day trip, check out the fall colors further afield around Washington state. There are a ton of hiking trails you can visit, with some of the best for fall foliage being around North Cascades National Park , Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest , and Leavenworth .

My favorite day trip for fall colors is Mount Rainier . There’s nothing like taking a day trip to Mt. Rainier and seeing a view of Mount Rainier up close surrounded by autumn leaves. See my guide to the best Mt. Rainier hikes for specific trails you can take to see beautiful foliage.

Six days throughout the year, the National Park Service hosts Free National Park Days . Two of those are September 23 and November 11, so take advantage if you need to (but still donate if you can!).

Hunt for larches

One specific type of fall foliage to seek out is larches. If you’re not familiar, they’re a phenomenon where evergreen trees turn gold and drop their needles like a deciduous tree with leaves. They are rare throughout the United States and Canada, but you can find them right here in Washington state and the Pacific Northwest.

What makes them so interesting is the time of year they appear changes annually. They usually start showing in late September, but sometimes it goes into late October. Locals have dubbed the activity of seeking larches going on a “larch march” or having “larch madness”.

If you’re interested in finding these magnificent trees, check out my guide to the best larch hikes !

Go pumpkin picking

There’s nothing I like doing more than u-pick. Pumpkins are no exception! One of the best things to do during fall in Seattle is head to a local farm to visit their pumpkin patch. Many also have a corn maze, activities for kids, farm animals, food, and souvenirs!

See my guide to Halloween fun in Seattle for my list of favorite pumpkin patches near Seattle. Many of them have activities for kids and festive food like pumpkin-spiced desserts!

Visit a u-pick apple orchard

Fall might be my favorite season because it’s an excuse to make my mom’s famous homemade applesauce recipe . Apples cook down into nothing, so you need a ton for applesauce. There’s no better way to get that many apples than spending a few fall days at a u-pick orchard.

It saddens me deeply that there aren’t a ton of large u-pick apple orchards around Seattle. Most are in central/eastern Washington and the Columbia River Gorge . The ones close to the city tend to be super small and not all that impressive.

However, I found a few on the west side of the Cascade Mountains worth checking out.

Gordon Skagit’s Farms

website  |  15598 McLean Rd  | Mt. Vernon, WA | distance from Seattle: ~1 hr, 15 min

This farm has a small u-pick apple orchard next to a great pumpkin patch with a bunch of pumpkin varieties you don’t see at most farms. It’s near some of the best things to do in Skagit Valley , so it’s worth a day trip.

Bellewood Farms

website | 6140 Guide Meridian | Lynden, WA | distance from Seattle: ~ 2 hrs

I haven’t been to this one yet, but it’s the place everyone always recommends for u-pick apples. Once I try it, I’ll add it to my Bellingham guide for the next time you’re in the area!

Apple Creek Orchards

website | 5367 Barr Rd | Ferndale, WA | distance from Seattle: ~2 hrs

This one is near Bellwood Farms and also looks to have a nice apple orchard situation.

Jones Creek Farm

website | 32260 Burrese Rd | Sedro-Woolley, WA | distance from Seattle: ~1.5 hrs

I almost went to this apple orchard with my niece when we went to high tea at Willowbrook Manor a few minutes down the road, but alas I haven’t been yet. From the pictures, though, it definitely has rows of apple trees!

Get spooked at a haunted house

Another of my favorite fun Halloween activities in Seattle is to visit a haunted house or farm to get spooked. Many of the area pumpkin patches turn their corn mazes into haunted fields at night, but you can find a bunch of spooky spots right in Seattle.

For example, the most popular is probably the Georgetown Morgue (yes, a historic morgue that held dead bodies!). However, there’s also the Nightfall Orphanage in West Seattle or the Seattle Chocolate haunted factory tour in Tukwila.

If people jumping out at you isn’t your thing, you can also go on a ghost tour around the Emerald City. For example, you can take a walking ghost tour of Pike Place Market or go on a walking ghost tour and pub crawl .

Explore Seattle like a tourist

I find fall the best time to explore Seattle like a tourist because the crowds thin out as people go back to school.

For example, spend a sunny day taking one of my self-guided Seattle food tours or eat your way around Pike Place Market . Then take a stroll from downtown Seattle to the Space Needle , Seattle Center, and Olympic Sculpture Park for amazing views of the Puget Sound. Finish your day with a walk up to Capitol Hill for some amazing restaurants and cocktail bars.

If it’s a rainy day, head inside to the Seattle Aquarium or one of our countless museums that are a fun thing to do in Seattle in summer too thanks to their air conditioning. Some of my favorites include the Seattle Art Museum and Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum .

Enjoy the last of the sunshine outside

Spend the last of Seattle’s sunny days going on some of the best hikes in Seattle . Some of my favorite places to walk are the Elliott Bay Trail , Green Lake , Gas Works , and Discovery Park .

You can even hop on your bike and take the Burke-Gilman Trail , making sure to take stops at the Ballard breweries and the best Seattle farmers markets .

Another one of the best things to do during fall in Seattle is enjoy the last bit of sunshine on the water. You can rent kayaks or canoes at NWOC or UW . Or try your hand at a hot tub boat on Lake Union!

Fall is also the last bit of time you can comfortably enjoy the views from a ferry outside on the deck. Take a day trip to Bainbridge Island or Vashon Island on a whim to explore the farms, shops, and fall colors.

Plan a fall weekend getaway

Fall is one of my favorite times to visit the Pacific Northwest because the weather is still pretty nice and the leaves start changing colors. It’s a great time to get the last of the best glamping in Washington state in, or book one of the most unique hotels in WA , dreamy PNW cabins , or Washington’s most romantic Airbnbs .

Need help planning a trip? I’m a registered travel planner and would love to make you a custom activity full of fall adventures!

Visit wine country

One of my favorite things to do during fall in Seattle is visit wine country when vineyards start harvesting their grapes. You can visit the best Seattle urban wineries right here in the city to taste their fall releases or take a day trip to try my favorite Woodinville wineries just 30 minutes away.

If you have time to explore more of the best wineries in the Pacific Northwest , head to one of these areas further afield:

• Lake Chelan wineries   (4 hours from Seattle)
• Walla Walla wineries   (5 hours from Seattle)
• Willamette Valley wineries   (4 hours from Seattle in Oregon)
• Eugene, OR wineries (5.5 hours from Seattle)

If you venture to Oregon, consider going glamping in Oregon Wine Country or stay at one of these unique boutique hotels in Eugene to explore the southern part of Willamette Valley. Make sure to visit 5th Street Public Market while you’re there!

Eat all the fall foods

Fall also brings some of my favorite foods like mushroom, soup, squash, and more gut-filling comfort food. When I’m not making one of my go-to fall recipes like carrot parsnip soup , squash mash with hazelnut pork , or curry stuffed sweet potatoes , I’m making my rounds at Seattle restaurants that change their menu with the fall season.

One great way to do that is during Seattle Restaurant Week . It runs every spring and fall, giving you an opportunity to eat at new restaurants for less. Many participating restaurants offer 3-course pre fixe meals for $35-$50 during lunch or dinner. Others like food trucks have specials that are just as good of a deal.

Attend Oktoberfest

One fall festival I always put on my Seattle events calendar is Oktoberfest. My favorite is the Fremont one , where you can sample a ton of different beers from area breweries.

Other options farther away include Oktoberfest Northwest in Puyallup and the Projekt Bayern Oktoberfest (which is the late Leavenworth one that moved to Wenatchee in 2022).

These are a bit more traditional, with larger steins, lively music, and many people dressed in traditional Bavarian garb. If you go to the Leavenworth one, make sure to visit the best Leavenworth restaurants while you’re there! If you need a place to stay, rest our head at one of these cabins in Leavenworth .

Go to a sporting event

Fall is when a lot of Seattle’s sport seasons overlap. For example, you can go to a Mariners baseball game, Seahawks football game, Sounders soccer game, Storm basketball game, and Kraken hockey game in the fall.

Book winter trips

You may not be ready to think about winter just yet, but one of the best things to do during fall in Seattle is reserve your winter getaway! Many of the best cross-country skiing areas in Washington like Leavenworth and Winthrop get completely booked in January and March, so booking early makes sure you have somewhere to stay.

Here’s my list of dreamy winter cabins in Washington to book ASAP. If you need ideas of areas to explore, here are some of my winter guides:

• The Definitive Guide to Mt. Hood Ski Areas
• 52 Best Winter Cabins in Oregon
• The Magical Winter Balloon Festival You Need to Attend
• What to Do in Winthrop During Winter
• Why You Should Visit Lake Chelan in Winter
• Cozy Things to Do in Leavenworth in Winter
• How to Spend an Amazing Winter Day in Bend
• Must-Eat-At Restaurants in Whistler Village

Best time to visit Seattle in the fall

While fall is only a few short months, there are certain times during the autumn season that are better than others to visit Seattle.

I highly recommend visiting in September or October when the weather is milder and days longer. It can be as sunny as it would be in summer months, yet you’ll still get fall vibes when the leaves start turning in early October. Especially if you plan to do a lot of outdoor sightseeing, this can make your trip more pleasant.

However, if you want to really avoid the summer crowds that are still thinning out come early fall in Seattle, consider the shoulder season of November and December. It may be darker and rainier, but hotel prices tend to be lower and you’ll be able to experience the city more like a local. Plus you’ll be here when the Seattle holiday markets start happening.

Seattle weather in the fall

The rainy season in Seattle typically begins in late October or early November. Especially because of daylight’s saving, it can feel especially dark and grim to those not used to the cozy fall-to-winter transitional weather. Make sure to bring a good raincoat with a hood (especially since locals don’t use umbrellas ;).

Temperature wise, fall starts in the mid-to-high 60s and then transitions to the high 40s the closer it gets to winter. The days are especially temperamental in September through early October, where you may start the morning bundled up and then strip items off in the late afternoon when temperatures feel as high as they would in July and August. So make sure to pack layers and be ready for anything!

Seattle fall events

I have a constantly updated list of events on my Seattle events calendar , but here are some of the most popular annual food, drink, craft, entertainment, and music festivals you can look forward to come autumn in Seattle:

• Washington State Fair (Labor Day Weekend – late Sept)
• Fremont Oktoberfest (Sept)
• Projekt Bayern Oktoberfest (Sept – Oct)
• Seattle International Film Festival DocFest (Oct)
• Washington Fresh Hops Festival (Oct)
• Northwest Chocolate Festival (Oct)
• Earshot Jazz Festival (Oct – Nov)
• Gobble Up Food Fair (Nov)

More seasonal activities in Seattle

After you’re done with best things to do during fall in Seattle, get ready for winter with these guides. It’ll be here before you know it!

• What to Do During Winter in Seattle
• Seattle Christmas Activities Even the Grinch Would Like
• Best Seattle Holiday Markets
• Buy the Best Pacific Northwest Gifts for Everyone on Your List
• Things to Do in Seattle During Spring (beyond the cherry blossoms!)

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The Best Things To Do in Seattle This Month: October 2023

Jump to: Comedy | Community | Fall & Halloween | Film | Food & Drink | Live Music | Performance | Readings & Talks | Sports & Recreation | Visual Art

Adam Sandler: The I Missed You Tour Past Event Like List Your dad's favorite basketball-shorted comedian is back on the road for The I Missed You Tour, and I have questions. Aside from outliers like Punch-Drunk Love, Uncut Gems, and Funny People , Sandler's cinematic track record is well-known to skew toward the comedically questionable . What will his stand-up be like? Personally, I'm hoping it harkens back to his '90s stint on SNL , but I'm not plunking down $69.50+ to find out. You should, though, and report back to me afterward. For what it's worth, his YouTube clips seem promising. I'm rooting for you, Adam!! LC Climate Pledge Arena, Uptown (Fri Oct 13)

Taylor Tomlinson: The Have It All Tour Past Event Like List Age is just a number, but it can also work in your favor—just ask Taylor Tomlinson, who was a member of Forbes ’ 2021 class of 30 Under 30. The now 29-year-old comedian first began performing stand-up at 16, an era in which I was busy being distinctly unfunny. On the heels of her Netflix specials Quarter-Life Crisis and Look at You , Tomlinson will return to the stage to continue slinging jokes for the millennial-and-under set. ("I don't know if you've tried to convince a dude on a dating app to wear a condom lately," says Tomlinson , "but it's kind of like convincing a five-year-old to wear a jacket over his Halloween costume.") LC Paramount Theatre, Downtown (Oct 20–22)

MEXAM NW Festival 2023 Past Event Like List Hispanic Heritage Month runs from mid-September to mid-October, a time during which many Latin American countries celebrate their national independence days. MEXAM NW Festival 2023 is an exhilarating multi-event, multi-venue festival curated by the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle that showcases the vibrancy of contemporary Hispanic and Mexican American culture. The festival concludes mid-October with a Día de los Muertos Concert and Festival Latinx . Most events are free and family-oriented, from a talk on the history of tacos to a parade through South Park , and much more. Expect tons of Latin American food, mariachi bands, folk dancing, arts and craft markets, fiestas, and community joy. SL Various locations (Oct 1–15)

Taste of Iceland Past Event Like List Did you know Seattle and Reykjavik are sister cities? In fact, Seattle is home to more Icelandic people than anywhere else in the United States. To celebrate Iceland's culture, Seattle hosts an annual Taste of Iceland festival filled with frosty festivities. This year, you'll be transported to the magical Nordic land with an Icelandic cocktail class, special tasting menus, a photography fireside chat, a film screening of Beautiful Beings , Iceland's submission to the 2023 Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, a free Reykjavik Calling concert at KEXP, and more. Don't forget to spin the Icelandair Wheel of Prizes, you could win a trip for two to Iceland! SL Various locations (Oct 5–7)

FALL & HALLOWEEN

Carpinito Bros. Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze Past Event Like List You know what will make your cozy fall photoshoot better? A breathtaking backdrop of Mount Rainier, which is just what you'll get (on a clear day) at Carpinito Brothers Farm. Bring your Hinge date, your parents, and/or your kids (just not your dog) and proceed to get lost in multiple mazes spanning acres of corn, pet farm animals, and take your pick of pumpkins. SL   Carpinito Brothers, Kent (Oct 1–31)

Georgetown Morgue 2023 Past Event Like List The Georgetown Morgue is home to creepy carcasses and the site of a macabre murder, and it transforms into a frightening walkthrough attraction every Halloween. The fact that there are emergency exits every 15 feet and the estimated time to go through depends on "if you are walking or running" speaks to just how scary it is. The scene: a toxic stench is coming from a dilapidated catacomb uncovered by a doctor who's rumored to be capturing the citizens of Seattle. You or your loved ones could be next. Are you brave enough to investigate? SL Georgetown Morgue, Industrial District (Oct 1–Nov 4)

Oktoberfest Northwest Past Event Like List Enjoy a Munich-inspired Oktoberfest celebration filled with German-style food, steinfuls of beer, and live entertainment, including traditional music and dance as well as performances from '80s cover bands. Festivities include the "Bavarian Bier-lympics," a "sports haus," and a hammerschlagen tournament, where folks compete to throw a hammer in the air, catch it, and drive a nail into a stump. Families can also enjoy wiener dog races, the Stein Dash 5K, a root beer garden, and more, but only until 6 pm when the event goes 21+. SL Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup (Oct 6–8)

Leavenworth Oktoberfest Past Event Like List "The next best thing to being in Munich" is, apparently, the Leavenworth Oktoberfest. This is likely the most authentic celebration you're going to find near Seattle, complete with official Oktoberfest brats, imported German beer and wine, live oompah and polka music, and performances from Bavarian dancing groups. They even have a full-on festhalle. JR Various locations, Leavenworth (Oct 6–14)

Stalker Farms Past Event Like List The "original haunted corn trails of Washington State" would challenge even the most corntastic among us. If you're into being publicly frightened, head to this immersive Halloween attraction, where you'll find ghoulish actors following horrifying original plot lines for "Slasher Family Homestead," "Pogo's Funny Farm," and more. If you need a cool down, there are no actors in the Nighttime Corn Maze, but we can't guarantee that your friends won't try to make you jump. Kids 12 and under are advised to visit only during the daytime fall festival . SL Stocker Farms, Snohomish (Oct 6–29)

Scarecrowber Past Event Like List Physical media mavens Scarecrow Video, the city's own nonprofit video archive and resident experts on all things cinematic, will celebrate Halloween all month long at SIFF Cinema Egyptian. (Horror flicks are "every video store clerk's favorite genre," says SIFF, and I'm inclined to believe it.) Video Store Day is coming up on October 21, so show Scarecrow some love by checking out the flicks they've curated for this scawie series. Scarecrowber oozes to life on October 2 with The Bride of Frankenstein , and later in the month, I'll be shivering for Cat People, Near Dark, and Possession . (If you can't make it to a theater this month, never fear—Scarecrow's revamped mail-order rental website has your back.) LC SIFF Cinema Egyptian, Capitol Hill (Oct 1–29)

Dark Dreams: The Original Film Noir Series Past Event Like List Look out for cigarette smoke and midnight jazz riffs: Greg Olson, Seattle Art Museum's film curator from 1977 until the position's elimination in 2020, will return with Dark Dreams: The Original Film Noir Series. Olson's noir expertise has been long praised by local voices like film writer and professor Dr. John Trafton, who deemed this year's lineup a "thrilling and mesmerizing journey for die-hard noir fans and the uninitiated," and journalist Charles R. Cross, who called Olson "Seattle's all-time-best film curator." Nine films spanning 60 years of noir style will screen at SIFF Cinema Egyptian; I'm stoked for the free Top Pot doughnuts on opening night and the pre-screening noir playlists by film curator Tova Gannana. LC SIFF Cinema Egyptian, Capitol Hill (Oct 4–Nov 30)

SIFF DocFest Past Event Like List Celebrating all things documentary again this year, SIFF's DocFest includes screenings of recent festival faves like Sundance Film Festival 2023 Jury Award winner Going Varsity in Mariach. I'm jazzed for fresh perspectives from Frederick Wiseman and Errol Morris, my documentarian dads, whose new films explore rural French cuisine ( Menus-Plaisirs Les Troisgros) and the life of former British spy David Cornwell (aka espionage writer John le Carré) . Special guests, who will attend select screenings of festival flicks, include directors Irene Lusztig, Andrew H. Brown, and Vanessa Hope, 2012 Washington State Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken, and Plan C founder Amy Merrill, among many others. LC SIFF Cinema Uptown, Uptown (Oct 5–12)

Tacoma Film Festival Past Event Like List The Tacoma Film Festival, which Stranger senior staff writer Charles Mudede deemed "the Sundance of the Pacific Northwest" last year, will return to celebrate all things independent cinema. ("What makes this festival one of the best in the region," says Mudede, "is the charm of its main location and smart programming.") Expect a killer roster of documentaries, shorts, and narrative films. Opening night will include the Tacoma premiere of Fantasy A Gets a Mattress (on the heels of several sold-out screenings in Seattle), and the fest's "centerpiece film," Immediate Family , is a rock doc on iconic musicians Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, Russ Kunkel, and Waddy Wachtel. Fancy Dance , a family drama about Indigenous women and the justice system, will screen on closing night. LC Grand Cinema, Tacoma (Oct 5–12)

Orcas Island Film Festival Past Event Like List All hail Orcas Island's annual film festival, which the Stranger has praised since its 2014 inception. (Last year, former Stranger staff writer Jas Keimig called it "our Cannes." Those are big shoes to fill.) The festival may not be set against a Mediterranean backdrop, but the island's Eastsound village is pretty damn scenic, too. Plus, last year's flicks earned a whopping 27 Oscar nominations, so you're bound to bear witness to something Letterboxd-review-worthy. For instance, quirky satire king Alexander Payne ( Sideways, Election ) will return with the '70s-set comedy-drama  The Holdovers , which stars Paul Giamatti as a cantankerous New England prep school instructor tasked with supervising students on Christmas break. I'm also intrigued by this year's Palme d’Or winner, Anatomy of a Fall,  as well as The Disappearance of Shere Hite , a Nicole Newnham-directed ( Crip Camp ) doc on the feminist sexologist and female orgasm pioneer. Cannes Best Director winner Trần Anh Hùng's historical gastromance The Taste of Things  sounds like the perfect digestif. LC Various locations, Orcas Island (Oct 11–15)

Seattle Queer Film Festival Past Event Like List A loud-and-proud voice in the Seattle film scene since '96, the Seattle Queer Film Festival is now presented in a hybrid format, blasting an expansive range of queer stories onto big screens (and your computer screen, if that's your preference). I'm pumped for 18 days of queer magic, with in-person screenings planned October 12 – 22 and virtual screenings October 22 – 29, plus buzzy parties, live podcasting, filmmaker panels, and workshops. This year's festival theme, "Queer Joy is Cinematic," will bring the ebullience with 50 programs and over 80 films at Northwest Film Forum, Broadway Performance Hall, SIFF Cinema Egyptian, and Ark Lodge Cinema. LC Various locations and Virtual (Oct 12–29)

Killers of the Flower Moon Past Event Like List The calendar is inching closer to  Oscar season , and with it will come a film that already rivals the chatter of this summer's  Barbie  and  Oppenheimer,  if that's even possible. Scorsese's  Killers of the Flower Moon,  which the  Guardian  described as an "epic of creeping, existential horror about the birth of the American century," follows the true story of quasi-genocidal serial killings that impacted Oklahoma's Osage tribal community in the '20s. The film takes a "show, don't tell" approach to illustrating the epidemic of violence against Native people in the United States. Calling it now: Based on the trailer alone,  Killers of the Flower Moon  blends Western sensibilities, true crime, and the macabre in an enthralling way that'll land each and every butt in a theater seat. LC SIFF Theaters (Opens Oct 20)

FOOD & DRINK

Haunted Soiree: A Macabre Cocktail Party Past Event Like List This eerie immersive theatrical party revolves around the Rasputin-inspired tale of Doctors Natalia and Grigor Volkov, who wind up dead along with all their patients at their psychiatric facility after Natalia's death during childbirth. Guests are encouraged to don their most dramatic finery, be it Halloween costumes, cocktail chic, or period-accurate outfits. The night includes themed miniature craft cocktails, live music, secret games, and roaming ghosts just dying  to tell you their secrets. SL DAR Rainier Chapter House, Capitol Hill (Oct 1–31)

Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival Past Event Like List Port Angeles's nationally recognized crab extravaganza, which was once featured in a question on Jeopardy! , offers copious crustaceans, as well as a chowder cook-off, a "grab-a-crab" derby, local beer and wine, craft vendors, live music, art, chances to learn about Native American culture in the Pacific Northwest, and more. Get ready to tie on a bib and dig into a pile of fresh Dungeness crab accompanied by coleslaw and fresh corn. JB Port Angeles City Pier (Oct 6–8)

Northwest Chocolate Festival Past Event Like List If your chocolate obsession borders on pathological à la the Cathy comic strip, look no further than this two-day all-out cacao extravaganza focused on sustainability. Learn more about the rich treat via seminars and workshops, watch chef demonstrations, meet chocolatiers, and taste samples from over a hundred exhibitors from around the world. JB Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue (Oct 7–8)

OysterFest Past Event Like List Slurp freshly shucked bivalves and quaff wines and microbrews at this annual festival hosted by the Shelton Skookum Rotary Club. You'll also get to watch certified mollusk maniacs flaunt their shucking skills at the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championships. Besides oysters, you can nosh on other food offerings like spring rolls, garlic shrimp, homemade strawberry shortcake, and fresh cider. JB Shelton, WA (Oct 7–8)

The Stranger's Pizza Week 2023 Past Event Like List Calling all enthusiasts/lovers/connoisseurs/purveyors of pizza: This October The Stranger is bringing you #strangerpizzaweek! We will be showcasing spots all around the city slinging specialty 'zas crafted just for this week at $4 a slice or $20 for whole pies. Various locations (Oct 9–15)

Olympic Peninsula Apple & Cider Festival Past Event Like List You've heard of farm-to-table, but what about "tree-to-glass"? That's the approach of the Olympic Peninsula Apple & Cider Fest, where you can taste apples, meet brewers, learn about the process, and sip the sweet (or tart) juices to your heart's content. Sunday's Finnriver Apple Day is open to all ages, but other activities like the Orchard Brunch, Cider Saloon, and Fall Fire Party are reserved for those 21-and-up. SL Various locations (Oct 13–15)

Bacon Eggs & Kegs Past Event Like List This festival revolves around the combination of savory, gut-busting breakfast foods and heady booze. Day drinking is encouraged with more than 70 craft beers, ciders, and seltzers, plus mimosas, boozy root beer floats, Irish coffee, and a 30-foot Bloody Mary bar with dozens upon dozens of toppings (including tater tots, mozzarella sticks, jalapeño poppers, veggies, herbs, pickles, puffed Cheetos, bacon, and pork rinds). You're probably going to want to clear your schedule for that requisite post-brunch nap. JB Lumen Field, SoDo (Oct 14–15)

Seattle Restaurant Week 2023 Past Event Like List Seattle Restaurant Week is actually two weeks, but we're not complaining—it's double the "chance to celebrate and support our culinary community" through menus curated especially for the occasion. With a variety of unique prix fixe and combo meals at various price points, it's a great time to branch out and try something new. Various locations (Oct 22–Nov 4)

The Zombies Past Event Like List If some know-it-all man asks me "Which is better, the Beatles or the Stones?" I usually respond with neither. If we're talking British all-male rock '60s rock bands, there is only one answer in my mind: the Zombies. They might only have a handful of studio albums, but their 1968 baroque-pop masterpiece Odyssey and Oracle  is flawless enough to outshine all other '60s rock albums. And, in my humble opinion, frontman Colin Blunstone has the sexiest voice of all time. It's sweet, pitch-perfect, and perfectly pouty. Please treat yourself to a listen to his outrageously underrated debut solo album One Year .  Thank you for coming to my TED Talk. AV Washington Hall, Squire Park (Mon Oct 2)

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Past Event Like List Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis mastered the works of classic jazz legends like Duke Ellington and John Coltrane before carving out a unique voice and becoming one of the biggest names in contemporary jazz. Marsalis will lead a 15-piece band for an unforgettable evening of music including originals as well as those definitive standards that started his career. AV Paramount Theatre, Downtown (Thurs Oct 5)

The Postal Service & Death Cab For Cutie: Give Up & Transatlanticism 20th Anniversary Past Event Like List Back in 2003, Ben Gibbard was busy . Busy crafting two of the most beloved indie rock albums of the 20th century: Give Up  and Transatlanticism.  In honor of the 20th anniversary of both albums, Gibbard will reunite with Jimmy Tamborello and Jenny Lewis of the Postal Service to perform their seminal electronic album with classics like "Such Great Heights" and "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight." Afterward, Gibbard will make things even sadder with Death Cab For Cutie bandmates Nick Harmer, Dave Depper, Zac Rae, and Jason McGerr, performing Transatlanticism  in its entirety. Oh wow, 13-year-old me is already crying/screaming/throwing up at the thought of this lineup. AV Climate Pledge Arena, Uptown (Oct 6–7)

Earshot Jazz Festival 2023 Past Event Like List The 35th annual Earshot Jazz Festival will sprawl across three weeks and 30 local venues, filling Seattle with established legends of the genre and exciting emerging artists. This year's lineup has so many great names, but I am most excited to see Japanese pianist Hiromi’s groove-fueled ensemble Soundwonder (Oct 8), the Grammy-nominated vocal supergroup säje (Oct 13), and acclaimed jazz trumpeter Chief Adjuah (Oct 15). Plus, there will be an evening of live music and archival footage, celebrating the life of one of my all-time favorite pianists, Mary Lou Williams (Oct 25). Various locations (Oct 6–Nov 5)

Melody's Echo Chamber with Water From Your Eyes Past Event Like List Freshly minted buzz band  Water From Your Eyes  have accrued a fair amount of excitement with their Matador debut,  Everyone's Crushed , and even if the Brooklyn duo vanish in a puff of pixel dust tomorrow, they still will have left an impressive document. On  Everyone's Crushed , WFYE indulge their weirdest instincts—contrary to what you'd expect of a group making its jump to the big leagues. Nonchalantly tossing aside commercial considerations, WFYE (Rachel Brown and Nate Amos) instead frolic on the fringes where noise rock, art song, and industrial dub lock horns. Theirs is not a crowded lane. Which is odd when you listen to their earlier releases. The 2017 EP Feels a Lot Like scans as fairly standard, melodious indie rock that doesn't hint at WFYE's future quirkiness. STRANGER CONTRIBUTOR DAVE SEGAL The Crocodile, Belltown (Sat Oct 7)

Joji: Pandemonium Tour Joji's evolution from comedy YouTuber to a member of the Asian music collective 88rising is slightly mind-boggling at surface level, but it's a trajectory that many figures in entertainment follow these days; gain a following in some random fashion before pursuing the craft they feel aligns with their innate talent and true calling. Through lo-fi jams like "Glimpse of Us," "Die For You," and "Sanctuary," Joji's emotive lyricism has won over legions of fans who have sold out iconic venues like Madison Square Garden and LA's Kia Forum. Hear his tender vocals reverberate through the Climate Pledge Arena after special guests DJ/producer Kenny Beats, and rappers Lil Toe (Ammo) and Savage Realm. JW Climate Pledge Arena, Uptown (Wed Oct 11)

Pink: The Trustfall Tour Remind Like List During this current cultural juncture that includes the Eras tour , the Renaissance tour , and the Chromatica Ball , the caliber for touring female pop stars is in the heavens—and Pink is reaching it ( LITERALLY ). Pink has long been known for her stunts—aerial silks, acrobatics, trapeze, and other gymnastics—but takes it to a whole new level on her Trustfall tour by catapulting herself into the air and flying around the arena. In the same spirit as the infamous Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran meme , women are out here shooting themselves out of cannons while Ed Sheeran just stands there on stage in a hoodie (just sayin'). Similarly to Taylor Swift's Eras tour, Pink's sets is divided into four acts, marking each epoch throughout her career. My favorite is her M!ssundaztood  era..." Don't Let Me Get Me " belongs in the Great American Songbook! AV Tacoma Dome, Tacoma (Tues Oct 17)

Wu-Tang Clan & Nas: NY State Of Mind Tour with De La Soul Past Event Like List Just in time for the 50th anniversary of hip-hop , visionary hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan is hitting the road on a co-headlining tour with fellow NY rap legends Nas and De La Soul. " Wu-Tang Clan concluded the most important and innovative period of hip-hop that began with Run-DMC’s 1984 eponymous debut," Stranger senior staff writer Charles Mudede writes of the group. " That movement—which includes albums by Eric B. and Rakim, Public Enemy, NWA, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, and Gang Starr—closed in 1997 with Wu-Tang Clan’s "Triumph" /Wu-Tang Forever . After that, hip-hop innovation went either downhill or into the underground. If Wu-Tang Clan had appeared in the first decade of the present millennium, their commercial success would have been that of LA’s Lootpack—mad-innovative but with no mass appeal/appreciation. Wu-Tang Clan represent a moment in hip-hop when black genius was rewarded as much as black stupidity. Those days exist, sadly, only in the past."  AV Climate Pledge Arena, Uptown (Wed Oct 18)

Kim Petras: Feed The Beast World Tour Past Event Like List Kim Petras is the pop girlie for all of us who grew up idolizing Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie on The Simple Life . Her 2022 single "Coconuts" is something you could imagine Malibu Barbie listening to in her hot pink convertible, except for sexually explicit and not appropriate for children whatsoever lyrics ("Look at these margarit-ta-tas"). Her music evokes sticky lip gloss, bedazzled thongs, and Juicy Couture tracksuits with shades of Y2K Eurodance. She's been making music for a while now (I first heard her featured on the Charli XCX banger "Unlock It"), but she really blew up with Sam Smith's viral smash "Unholy," which won her a Grammy earlier this year. Riding this wave of success, Petras will kick off your Halloweek with songs from her debut album, Feed the Beast. AV WaMu Theater, SoDo (Mon Oct 23)

Eddie Vedder Past Event Like List Grunge god Eddie Vedder will play two consecutive nights in his hometown to raise money for EB Research Partnership , which he and his wife Jill Vedder founded in 2010 to discover treatments and cures for Epidermolysis Bullosa. The show is billed as an intimate solo performance, but who knows who might show up? Vedder has a long list of famous friends and collaborators including Elton John , Cat Power's Chan Marshall , and of course, pals from his respective bands Pearl Jam and Temple of the Dog. AV Benaroya Hall, Downtown (Oct 23–24)

Lil Yachty: The Field Trip Tour Past Event Like List On his fifth album,  Let's Start Here,  Lil Yachty trades his bubblegum trap sound for krautrock-inspired synths, electric guitars, and whispery psych-rock vocals. The result is cinematic, delightfully proggy, and reminiscent of Ishmael Butler's mind-bending hip-hop project Shabazz Palaces. It is very exciting to see Butler's spacey, free jazz-inspired sound carry into the mainstream. And, to Yachty and Ish: if you're reading this, we'd love to see a collaboration someday. Lil Yachty will support the album backed by a live band after an opening set from psychedelic soul wiz Nick Hakim. AV Paramount Theatre, Downtown (Tues Oct 24)

The Breeders with Belly Past Event Like List The first time that I heard the Breeders was during the opening sequence of A Walk to Remember (2002). The film begins with high school bad boy Landon Carter pushing a classmate into a lake during a night of underage drinking. Then, the Breeders only Billboard-charting hit "Cannonball" comes in with Kim Deal (formerly of the Pixies) intoning "Check, check, one, two" followed by a bouncy bass riff and the infectious drum rhythm. What is this cool-as-hell song doing in this dorky-ass Nicholas Sparks movie? I was instantly hooked on the song, and when I went to listen to the entire album, I was equally delighted.  Last Splash perfectly encapsulates raucous teen behavior, complete with amusing lyricism, tender romanticism ("Do You Love Me Now?"), and effortless freewheeling fun. The Breeders will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the album by playing it in its entirety. Rhode Island alt-rock band Belly, another one of the best bands of the '90s, will open.  AV Paramount Theatre, Downtown (Wed Oct 25)

Angel Olsen Past Event Like List While it's often hard for me to emotionally connect with contemporary indie rock, Angel Olsen's heartwrenching vocals bring me to tears almost every time I hear them. Her voice, which has been compared to artists like Emmylou Harris and Mildred Bailey, seesaws from deep restraint to free-flowing belts, sometimes in a single breath. Olsen will return to Seattle for three nights with tracks from her new stripped-down EP Forever Means and country-tinged 2022 album Big Time. Don't miss opening sets from singer-songwriter Allegra Krieger (night one), acclaimed folk artist/poet Kara Jackson (night two), and chamber pop artist Led To Sea (night three). AV Neptune Theatre, University District (Oct 26–28)

BOO Seattle Past Event Like List This annual EDM spectacular will haunt your Halloweekend with multiple themed stages, ghoulishly fun rides, larger-than-life art installations, and roaming performers. Plus, bone-rattling DJs like Zedd, Steve Aoki, Alesso, and more will ensure that the bass is loud enough to raise the dead. WaMu Theater, SoDo (Oct 27–28)

PERFORMANCE

Disney's The Little Mermaid Past Event Like List My first memory of dancing is in my childhood living room, where I wiggled haphazardly to steel drum tunes on The Little Mermaid 's supplementary VHS, Sebastian's Caribbean Jamboree . If you're of the millennial or Gen Z persuasion, you probably also have some core memories related to the Disney animated flick, which turns 35 this year. (Insert a "you're old" joke here, I guess.) Anywho, scuttle on over to the 5th Avenue Theatre for this rendition of the musical, which sees all your faves jam out under the sea. There'd better be steel drums! LC The 5th Avenue Theatre, Downtown (Oct 1–8)

Cambodian Rock Band Past Event Like List Playwright à la mode Lauren Yee, who wove together immigrant narratives and music-led comedy in Young Americans , is back with Cambodian Rock Band , which follows a survivor's return to Cambodia after escaping the murderous Khmer Rouge regime 30 years prior. I'm a big fan of Yee's dramaturgical sensibility, which often seeks to reclaim forgotten or overlooked histories. (She's also slated to pen the musical adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time , so expect to see her name again!) What's got me most riled up for Cambodian Rock Band,  though, is its live band, which will play jangly Dengue Fever hits and classic Cambodian oldies. LC ACT - A Contemporary Theatre, Downtown (Oct 1–Nov 5)

Nia-Amina Minor and David Rue—Black Collectivity Presents: To Gather Past Event Like List To Gather, a "celebration of dance artists residing and creating along the West Coast," elevates movement artists working to "excavate the rich stories that exist within the Black and Brown dancing body." As part of the program, guest curators Nia-Amina Minor (the co-founder of Black Collectivity) and David Rue (a Liberian-born dance artist) have invited choreographers and performers to present new works across two weekends. The program kicks off with the work of guest choreographer Maurya Kerr and local Seattle artists, including Akoiya Harris, Cipher Goings, Benjamin Hunter, and Symone Sanz; guest choreographer Bernard Brown finishes out the program alongside Jade Solomon Curtis, Umalalengua Okan, Milvia Pacheco Salvatierra, and others. LC On the Boards, Uptown (Oct 5–21)

John Malkovich in The Music Critic Past Event Like List Academy Award-winning actor John Malkovich (I bet you know him from the 1999 cult-favorite Being John Malkovich ) will stop by with his part classical concert, part theater performance, and part comedy show The Music Critic.  This wit-filled satirical dramatization takes on the vicious (and fictitious) music critiques written about history's greatest composers and works of music. Malkovich plays the role of the evil critic/narrator, who believes that the music of Beethoven, Chopin, and Prokofiev is "weary and dreary." Classical music funnymen Aleksey Igudesman and Hyung-ki Joo (of the comedy duo Igudesman & Joo) lodge a protest. Who will win in the end? AV Benaroya Hall, Downtown (Tues Oct 17)

The Boulet Brothers Past Event Like List If you prefer your alt-drag shows with a side of gore and guts, you probably already revel in the chaos of the Boulet Brothers , whose punkish brand of eleganza often features bugs, gauged needles, pig brains, and live burial. (Contestants on The Boulet Brothers' Dragula don't exactly sashay away—they're "exterminated" in a freaky death scene. Okay then!!) Grab your goth fanny packs and gag for the duo's ghoulish glam when they drop by Seattle. LC The Crocodile, Belltown (Sun Oct 29)

READINGS & TALKS

Author Talk: Italy by Ingredient by Viola Buitoni Past Event Like List Who doesn't fantasize about cooking and eating like an Italian nonna? Rome-born chef and food writer Viola Buitoni (yes, of the famed Italian food company Buitoni) will teach you how to do just that with her new cookbook Italy by Ingredient , which takes a new approach to the classic cuisine by focusing on luxurious ingredients like mortadella, buffalo mozzarella, guanciale, and more. Famed food writer Ruth Reichl praises the book for its lush writing, which contains delightful sentences like “Keep your ears pricked: if the sizzle becomes a screech, the vegetables are calling for help" and “No need for wine: a gin and tonic works wonderfully with spaghetti alla bottarga.” Buitoni will chat about the new release with Pasta Casalinga chef-owner Michela Tartaglia. JB Book Larder, Fremont (Tues Oct 3)

Hua Hsu with E.J. Koh Past Event Like List If you also keep it glued to Literary Hub's book recommendations, you've probably already heard of Hua Hsu's Stay True , which was published late last year and scored the author a Pulitzer Prize for Memoir. Naturally, the book earned a paperback release, and Hsu will drop by Third Place Books to chat about it with local author E.J. Koh, who was recently named one of the city's most influential people by Seattle Magazine. " Hsu spent 20 years writing this book as an homage to a friend, Ken, who was randomly murdered in a carjacking one night after a college party," says Third Place Books bookseller Marii Herlinger. "I can't put into words how good this is—just read it for yourself and let Hsu tell you how much he loved Ken." (If a bookseller endorses a book, I'm sold.) LC Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park (Wed Oct 11)

Barbara Kingsolver Past Event Like List If there's such a thing as a household-name author, Barbara Kingsolver might be one example—she's been famous ever since the '98 release of the epistolary novel The Poisonwood Bible . Her latest work,  2022's Demon Copperhead , an angry, compassionate retelling of David Copperfield set in the midst of the Appalachian opioid epidemic, won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It's a bestseller (natch), was named one of the top 10 books of the year by the New York Times  and the  Washington Post,  and serves as a reminder that Kingsolver's talent hasn't diminished one bit. LC Benaroya Hall, Downtown (Mon Oct 16)

Ziwe: In Conversation Past Event Like List Although Showtime tragically canceled her pink-hued, confrontation-as-comedy show earlier this year after a mere two seasons, Ziwe Fumudoh's button-pressing 2022 interview with Chet Hanks is still the stuff of legend . The snazzy satirist and queen of discomfort has a gift for bringing out cringe-inducing behavior in privileged people, and she tends to do it all in Cher Horowitz-chic outfits . What's not to love (or be mildly nervous about)? She'll drop by Seattle to hand us our asses with a smile. LC Neptune Theatre, University District (Sun Oct 22)

Author Talk: Veg-table by Nik Sharma Past Event Like List In his latest release, molecular biologist-turned-bestselling cookbook author Nik Sharma turns his attention toward helping you get your five a day with over 100 veggie-centric recipes. Sharma uses his biology background to delve into plant science and demystify vegetables, and the book is packed with his own vibrant photography and inspiring prose, plus charming illustrations from artist Matteo Riva. He'll talk produce and science with J. Kenji López-Alt, author of The Food Lab and The Wok . Book Larder, Fremont (Tues Oct 24)

SPORTS & RECREATION

Seattle Kraken 2023-24 Home Games Past Event Like List After a somewhat miserable first season in the NHL, the Seattle Kraken blew us all away with their success during the Stanley Cup Playoffs earlier this year. (No one expected them to win the first round against defending champs the Colorado Avalanche, let alone push the Dallas Stars to Game 7 in the second.) The excitement was palpable as fans filled sports bars, Seattle Center, and the plaza around Climate Pledge to watch the games. Seattle is certainly a hockey town now, and we're stoked to see what this season brings. The first at-home regular season game takes place on October 17—keep your eyes peeled for festivities happening around town, we expect some will be announced in the coming weeks. SL Climate Pledge Arena, Uptown (Oct 17, 2023–Apr 11, 2024)

Forever Reign: A Celebration of Megan Rapinoe Past Event Like List First Sue Bird, now Megan Rapinoe. We're not sure our hearts can take it. Both women are incredible athletes, and retiring from their long-standing roles on Seattle sports teams this year (Bird's emotional retirement ceremony lasted almost three hours in June). Don't miss the last OL Reign match of the regular season that Megan Rapinoe will play in; it's against the Washington Spirit, but who wins will be far less important than the fanfare and ceremonies celebrating Rapinoe's career. The game will air in the primetime slot on national television, and more tickets keep being added (the tickets sold have already broken the all-time attendance record)—get yours now or forever regret it! SL Lumen Field, SoDo (Fri Oct 6)

Rain City Showcase: LA Clippers v Utah Jazz Past Event Like List The Rain City Showcase brings NBA basketball back to Seattle for the second year with a game pitting the LA Clippers against their Western Conference rivals the Utah Jazz. While it's not the same as getting the Sonics back, last year's game was tons of fun and full of surprise celebrity guest appearances. If we keep up the hype and enthusiasm, we're hoping the NBA takes note and gives us a team again. SL Climate Pledge Arena, Uptown (Tues Oct 10)

Satpreet Kahlon: the inscrutable shape of longing Past Event Like List After winning the 2021 BAM Biennial: Architecture & Urban Design Award of Excellence, Satpreet Kahlon was granted the opportunity to present a solo exhibition at the museum, and  the inscrutable shape of longing  began to take shape. The Indian-born, US-raised artist explores how cultural and ancestral histories intermingle to inform the "messiness, contradictions, and nuances" of embodied life. Kahlon drew from her experiences of displacement and colonization's aftermath to create a "multisensory constellation of video, image, and sound" in a web-like installation. I'm especially intrigued by Kahlon's use of mirrored acrylic, which splinters and refracts archival footage of Panjabi folk rituals into "hundreds of tiny fragments reflected across the gallery." LC   Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue (Oct 4–Dec 31)

Positive Fragmentation Past Event Like List Focusing on female artists whose works "employ a strategy of fragmentation," Positive Fragmentation: From the Collections of the Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation  compiles a whopping 200 prints that dismantle, reconstitute, and blend new ideas. The exhibition's works include meditations on the body, explorations of urban landscapes, and a focus on women of color artists. Although these artists are often underrepresented in museum spaces, you're bound to spot a few names you recognize, like art icons Betye Saar, Kara Walker, and Wendy Red Star. Judy Pfaff, Jenny Holzer, Judy Chicago, Louise Bourgeois, and Polly Apfelbaum are also standouts. LC (Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue (Oct 4, 2023–Mar 10, 2024)

Kelly Akashi: Encounters Past Event Like List A multi-site exploration of Kelly Akashi's work, which began with Formations at the Frye Art Museum, will continue with Encounters . Formations explores the Los Angeles-based artist's focus on craft and includes Conjoined Tumbleweeds , a bronze cast of plants collected from Poston, Arizona, where members of Akashi's family were incarcerated in a Japanese American internment camp during World War II. In Encounters , Akashi continues to share her interest in material transformation and time-mapping with sculptural works in wax, bronze casting, fire, hand-blown glass, silicone, and rope. LC   Henry Art Gallery, University District (Oct 5, 2023–May 5, 2024)

Raúl de Nieves: a window to the see, a spirit star chiming in the wind of wonder… Remind Like List I try to avoid saying a show has "something for everyone" unless it's really, truly the case, but New York-based artist Raúl de Nieves's a window to the see, a spirit star chiming in the wind of wonder… might fit the bill. De Nieves will transport aesthetic traditions of Mexican craft, Catholicism, Tarot, the European art canon, drag performance, and punk music to the Henry—seriously, I'm betting you're into at least one of those things, right? The solo exhibition of paintings, sculptures, and performances by the Mexican-born artist will include one of his signature "stained glass" installations (made with colored acetate and tape), which will imagine a celestial landscape and transform the museum’s largest gallery space into a "container of colored light." The goal? A reflective, meditative journey—anticipate temple-like seating, a kaleidoscopic atmosphere of ever-changing light, and ritualistic performances punctuating the run of the exhibition. LC Henry Art Gallery, University District (Oct 5, 2023–Aug 25, 2024)

Clarissa Tossin: to take root among the stars Past Event Like List Brazilian-born, LA-based artist Clarissa Tossin's multimedia works (including films, sculptures, and drawings) look closely at global capitalism's "frontier mythologies," interrogating persistent legacies of colonialism in Latin America and the US through repurposed consumerist garbage. She uses what is perhaps the most potent symbol of exploitation and ecological disaster—Amazon delivery boxes—to think about climate change, mapping as a conquest-driven technology, human consumption, and even space exploration. Why am I stoked about the show? Well, because I'm a nerd: Tossin's first solo museum exhibition on the West Coast borrows its title from sci-fi writer Octavia Butler’s apocalyptic Earthseed novels. LC Frye Art Museum, First Hill (Oct 7, 2023–Jan 7, 2024)

Rafael Soldi: Soft Boy Past Event Like List At the heart of artist and curator Rafael Soldi's new solo exhibition is Soft Boy , a video installation that represents the artist and curator's first venture into moving image work. Pulling from his experience as a queer youth in Peru to "focus on the construction of masculinity in Latin American society," Soldi dissects gender expectations through language and adolescent games. His video harkens to his time in an all-boys Catholic school, complete with playground skirmishes and performative machismo. Soft Boy also includes selections from a print series called CARGAMONTÓN,  which translates to a form of hazing in Latin American schools, and mouth to mouth , which "present[s] word plays and Spanish-English pairings that reveal the gendered power structures built into language and the slipperiness of meaning." LC Frye Art Museum, First Hill (Oct 7, 2023–Jan 7, 2024)

Refract 5th Anniversary: The Seattle Glass Experience Past Event Like List At its core, Seattle is a glass town. Some of the greatest glass artists to ever do it cut their teeth in the furnaces of this city—Dale Chihuly, Preston Singletary, Dante Marioni, and Ginny Ruffner. In part, we have Seattle's proximity to the internationally recognized Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, WA to thank for that. Refract's four-day festival explores and celebrates Seattle's history at the forefront of the glass movement. The best part? Nearly all events are free! Go get your life! FORMER STRANGER STAFF WRITER JAS KEIMIG Various locations (Oct 12–15)

Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence, from the collection of The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Past Event Like List Images of Katsushika Hokusai's Great Wave have been blasted onto high school projector screens since time immemorial, but Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence takes the viewer deeper with more than 100 of the master's woodblock prints, paintings, and illustrated books. (Yes, Great Wave —or  Under the Wave off Kanagawa, by its full name—will be on display, along with a LEGO interpretation of it.) You don't have to cross an ocean to see the legendary Edo-period Japanese ukiyo-e artist's scope of influence, either. Over 200 works by his teachers, students, rivals, and admirers will be showcased alongside his own pieces right here in Seattle, courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. LC Seattle Art Museum, Downtown (Oct 19, 2023–Jan 21, 2024)

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Seattle in October: 9 Amazing Events to Attend, Places to Visit and More

Top hotel collections.

Near University of Washington

Near Space Needle

Near Fremont

Near Pike Place Market

Weather in Seattle in October

9 Festivals and Events to Attend in Seattle in October

1.   pumpkin junction.

Dates: Usually hosted in the 2nd or 3rd week of October Address: 4511 California Ave SW, Seattle

2. Oktoberfest

3. Choral Festival

4.   Seattle’s Children’s Festival

Charges: Entry is free but they do encourage donations

5. Seattle Queer Festival

6.   Earshot Jazz Festival

Address: 3417 Fremont Ave N #221, Seattle

7. Seattle Restaurant Week

8. halloween festivities, 9. catch a football match.

Address: 800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle Prices: The average price per ticket is $ 390 

4 Places to Visit and Things to do

1. mount rainier national park.

2. Bainbridge Island

3. Seattle Japanese Garden

Address: 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle Charges: $ 16.95 for Adults, $ 11.50 for ages 6 to 17 Free entry for children below the age of 5

4. Spot Whales

Tips for Visiting Seattle

• Hotel accommodations are comparatively cheaper during this time as the summer crowds leave but still make sure that you book your accommodation in advance
• As October is the beginning of the rainy season and it is a bit chilly, it is advisable that you bring an umbrella or a raincoat and pack warm clothes too.
• Seattle has some of the worst traffic in the USA.  However, the city is very pedestrian friendly and has bike lanes and public transportation too. So plan your day in advance and if possible choose to walk.
•  Plan your schedule well in advance. You can also buy a Seattle City Pass which gives you entry to the top tourist attractions of the city for a discount.

Average Cost of Visiting Seattle

Overall: $ 156/day Meals: $ 38/day Transportation: $ 18/day Hotel Price: $ 189/day For a 7-day trip to Seattle, the average cost is $ 1,858 for one person and $ 3,337 for a couple. The hotels range from $ 82 to $ 495.

This post was published by Angela Naik

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Seattle Whale Watching 101

Take full advantage of whale watching season in the pacific northwest., by anna edlund.

There’s nothing quite like seeing Puget Sound’s largest and most majestic residents from an up-close and personal vantage point. While we’re lucky enough to spot Orcas, gray, and humpback whales year round in the Pacific Northwest, southern resident Orcas typically travel through the San Juan Islands May through October. The Sound is home to transient pods as well (mammal-eating orcas) who make regular rounds in search of harbor seals, sea lions and porpoises for their next meal. With a bit of luck, you’re likely to see one of the two on any given tour.

There are a number of places along the coast to catch a glimpse of whales from shore, and local tour options span guided kayak and boat trips off the San Juan Islands to catching a boat or seaplane right out of Seattle. Whichever whale spotting route you choose, don’t forget a camera!

Courtesy San Juan Islands Whale and Wildlife Tours

Before You Go

While most outfits guarantee a 90 percent chance of a spotting a whale, you might consider booking an extra trip if it’s at the top of your bucket list. Some companies offer a complimentary outing if your trip ends sans sighting—check out the policy before booking.

Whales are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, so many boats keep a respectful distance–the regulated distance for most species is 100 yards; Bigg’s (transient) orcas is 200 yards; and endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales are 300 yards. You can find more info here .

Come prepared if you’re going out on the water. Bring warm layers, binoculars, and a camera. Snacks for the trip won’t hurt, either.

From Seattle

You can try whale watching from the shore at Alki Beach in West Seattle, just a short drive or water taxi trip away from downtown. The beach is a popular spot for seals and their pups to rest, making it a draw for Orcas as well. You’re more likely to spot orcas here during the fall and winter months, but transient whales can be seen here year round. (Pro tip: Bring along a pair of binoculars.)

Find more onshore whale watching spots in the region at the Orca Network’s Whale Sighting Viewpoints Map .

For a whale-centric adventure that leaves directly from Seattle, look no further than FRS Clipper . Their half-day tour is a great option for those who have limited time and are focused solely on whale watching. Enjoy cruising across the Salish Sea in search of these majestic creatures under the guidance of an onboard expert naturalist. clippervacations.com

Three generations of family ownership have made the tour operators at Puget Sound Express some of the most knowledgeable around. Depart from either Port Townsend or Edmonds (just 17 miles north of Seattle) for a whale watching tour through the Sound on one of their three ships, all equipped with indoor seating to keep the ocean’s chill away. pugetsoundexpress.com

San Juan Safaris operating out of Friday Harbor has a variety of options for whale spotting hopefuls, including flight packages where you can take the scenic route to your tour via a Kenmore Air seaplane departing from Lake Union or Lake Washington (keep an eye out for whales on the way). sanjuansafaris.com

From the San Juan Islands

Whale watching and wildlife cruises launch from Friday Harbor with San Juan Excursions and  Western Prince Whale & Wildlife Tours , Roche Harbor with San Juan Outfitters , and Outer Island Excursions offers boat tours out of Anacortes, Lopez Island, and Orcas Island that explore the surrounding waters. Along with a high likelihood of whale sightings, these companies pride themselves on trips featuring a host other marine wildlife, from sea lions to porpoises.

Feeling adventurous? Crystal Seas Kayak lets you get as close to the action as possible with kayak trips ranging from a few hours to a day-long excursion through the San Juan Islands (add on a bike tour if you want to stretch your sea legs). The outfit also runs a Whale and Wildlife Cruise that provides similar views from the comfort of a sightseeing ship . crystalseas.com

Discover More

While you’re exploring the San Juan Islands, check out the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor to learn more about resident pods and view exhibits on the history of marine mammals, cutting edge research, and conservation efforts. 62 First St, Friday Harbor; thewhalemuseum.org

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The northern lights danced across the US last night. It could happen again Saturday.

Amazing auroras sparked by a massive solar storm — the strongest in decades — set the world abuzz Friday night as colorful glowing light radiated into the skies as far south as Florida and the Bahamas, to the surprising delight of many who waited up and kept watch.

And good news for anyone who missed it: You may get another chance Saturday night or Sunday.

"Overnight, aurora were visible across much of the United States. Weather permitting, they may be visible again tonight," the Space Weather Prediction Center said in a Saturday morning update . A later update suggests the possibility of widespread viewing in the U.S. on Sunday too.

(A word of caution, experts have previously told USA TODAY that forecasting space weather is difficult . Researchers must rely on observations of the 93-million-miles-away sun to make their predictions.)

Northern lights are only visible at night time, and experts say it's best to view them away from the hustle and bustle of city life to get the best show. Still, Americans in cities said they could see the lights overnight, including in metro Detroit .

Wisconsinites got to see the lights dance across the sky in green and purple hues. Even residents of downtown Milwaukee caught a glimpse despite the bright city lights obstructing the view.

See photos: Northern lights on full display across US, Europe on Friday

Will the aurora be visible this weekend?

It could be.

The Space Weather Prediction Center offers an experimental forecast map that showed on Saturday the aurora may be visible Saturday in a wide swath of the U.S., possibly in states including Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York. But visibility will depend on shifting factors that include weather.

For Sunday, space weather forecasters said the aurora could become visible again over the northern half of the country, with sights extending as far south as Alabama and northern California. The effects of that storm are expected to arrive Sunday morning ET.

What is the cloud forecast Saturday night? Will clouds block the northern lights?

If you missed the aurora borealis Friday night, you might still catch a glimpse on Saturday or Sunday, depending on where you live. But not if clouds get in the way.

The cloud forecast for Saturday night is generally good for most of America, but some of the people who missed their chance last night due to clouds may have a similar problem Saturday, said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines. Areas that are likely to be cloudy include New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, as well as parts of the Southern Plains, including Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado.

“Even just a few breaks in the clouds will allow the aurora to be visible,” Kines said. “There’s always hope.”

Peak visibility time Saturday night will be between 9 p.m. and midnight, with some chance until 2 a.m., Kines said. The best views will be in dark areas away from the light pollution of cities, he said, though some reported seeing the auroras Friday night from metro areas like Milwaukee and Detroit.

Sunday night, if there is any aurora to see, those in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic can rejoice, because Kines said the skies should be clearer.

What is causing the northern lights this weekend?

The spectacle is being caused by geomagnetic storm that erupted from a sunspot cluster on the sun.

The storm was unusually strong — classified as "extreme" (or a G5) storm, the highest level, the  Space Weather Prediction Center  said Friday evening. It's the first G5 storm to hit our planet since 2003.

The geomagnetic storm's effects (which aren't all as pretty as the northern lights) are likely to linger through the weekend. The  Space Weather Prediction Center  said the storm is likely to continue through Sunday.

"There have been reports of power grid irregularities and degradation to high-frequency communications and GPS," the Space Weather Prediction Center said in a Saturday morning update.

Where were the northern lights seen on Friday night?

Across much of the United States and Europe where skies were clear — as far south as Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and Arizona.

To the great disappointment of many in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, cloud cover dimmed or obstructed the stunning display altogether.

Although it's unusual, auroras have been seen in the far southern United States in the past. This happens when a particularly large coronal mass ejection arrives in the Earth's outer atmosphere, triggering a geomagnetic storm, NOAA reports.

On the night of Nov. 5-6, 2001 , aurora displays were seen in Texas and Arizona.

What causes the aurora?

NASA describes an aurora as an "intricate dance of particles and magnetism between the Sun and the Earth."

The Sun's activity creates strong electrical currents known as geomagnetic storms.

These eruptions are mostly happening at a large, complex sunspot cluster, NOAA'S Space Weather Prediction Center said. Sunspots, which increase and decrease on a 11-year cycle, are areas where the magnetic field is about 2,500 times stronger than Earth's.

The reason the auroras move is because of how the Sun's ionized gases interact with the Earth's magnetic field.

If you took a great photo, NASA wants to know

In a collaboration with the National Science Foundation and the New Mexico Consortium aurora sightings and photos are being collected at the Aurorasaurus web page.

Why was the aurora borealis so red on Friday?

Mike Theiss, an extreme nature photographer and hurricane storm chaser, who lives in Florida was shocked to see posts Friday night about how far south people were seeing the auroras. To his amazement, he was able to step out of his front door in Key Largo in the Florida Keys and see and photograph the aurora. Hours later he was still incredulous, and surprised at the colors in the aurora.

"I’ve documented the Northern Lights in Iceland, North Dakota, Arctic Circle in Canada but never this red color," Theiss said. "This is the first time I’ve seen red."

The multiple colors seen in auroras are related to the types of gas being bombarded at various levels above the Earth. Auroras occur within one of Earth's upper atmosphere layers, the thermosphere, according to the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research.

Solar particles trapped there interact with various gas molecules, such as nitrogen and oxygen, according to the research corporation's website. Oxygen gives off green and red lights, while nitrogen glows blue and reddish purple. For example, nitrogen gas glows blue at 75 to 110 miles altitude.

The less common red auroras form from interacting with higher altitude oxygen molecules, the website explains.

'Two incredible spectacles of the universe': Northern lights come about a month after eclipse

Seeing the aurora amazed Antonella Fruscione, an astrophysicist at Harvard University. She sent photos of the sight as well as the April total solar eclipse to her friends in Italy.

"And I sent them the picture that I took at the solar eclipse and I said, 'Can you imagine how fortunate I was this year, one month apart, I see these two incredible spectacles of the universe,'" she recalled telling them.

The phenomena seen Friday and possibly Saturday night is unusual, she said.

"It's a very rare occurrence, especially because last night it was really visible," Fruscione said.

What was the Halloween storm in October 2003?

Over two decades ago in late October 2003, three massive sunspot groups appeared on the sun's surface with little warning, accompanied by 17 major solar flares, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Satellites, radio and GPS systems went on the fritz around the world, causing some major disruptions. But it also offered a stunning view of the auroras as far south as California and Florida. People in Australia and Mediterranean countries even caught a glimpse.

Contributing: Doyle Rice and Krystal Nurse , USA TODAY

Protect Your Trip »

Best places to visit in october 2024.

Fall is here, and in many regions the leaves have changed and are ready for their close-up. While in some destinations you'll still have to contend with foliage-seeking tourists, other top getaways in October offer a bit more breathing room after the departure of summer crowds. Taking into account these factors, as well as expert opinion, traveler sentiment and array of sights (among other details), U.S. News chose the best places to visit in October. Have a favorite? Vote below to influence next year's list. 

Yellowstone National Park

Zion national park, british virgin islands, serengeti national park, buenos aires, black forest, asheville, nc, acadia national park.

If "White Lotus" piqued your interest in a Sicilian getaway, but you don't quite have the budget to splurge, plan a trip for October when the summer tourists have gone home. At the start of the offseason, hotel rates in this Italian paradise can drop to almost half of their peak prices. You'll still be able to squeeze in some of the season's last beach days as temperatures typically remain in the 70s. What's more, the streets are likely to be less crowded, so you can easily spend your days sauntering through the region's quaint villages and sampling exquisite Mediterranean cuisine.

If you can handle declining temps (think: 40s and 50s), you'll be rewarded with a wonderful time of year to visit Yellowstone National Park. October sees far fewer visitors than peak summer months, which means you'll encounter less traffic and won't have to jostle for a spot at top attractions like Old Faithful and the Grand Prismatic Spring. Plus, you might catch the tail end of elk rutting season and hear their otherworldly bugling. This national park's roads close for the season in November, but keep in mind that some lodging options close earlier, so book your accommodations early.

Pleasant weather, more manageable crowds and fall foliage – what's not to love about Zion National Park in October? Daytime temperatures in the 70s will keep you comfortable for activities like hiking and rock climbing, but pack layers and prepare for cooler temperatures in sunless hiking spots like the Narrows. What's more, leaf peepers won't want to miss taking the Canyon Overlook trail to catch a glimpse of the autumn colors. While fewer travelers tend to visit this national park in October than the summer months, you'll want to avoid peak times like fall break.

Beat the winter holiday rush with an autumn trip to the British Virgin Islands. Though October falls in the middle of the rainy season, this typically means brief squalls rather than days full of rain, and low season travel will mean fewer tourists and great rates on accommodations. The Moorings Interline Regatta also takes place in October, delighting sailors and landlubbers alike with its exhilarating sailboat races and nightly parties. However, these great rewards do come with a bit of risk, as well. Since this island lies in the hurricane belt, you may want to consider travel insurance for a fall trip here.

Summer is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit Iceland's capital, so an October visit will give you access to top sights sans crowds. Take in the city's quirky architecture like Hallgrímskirkja and the Harpa concert hall on a free walking tour before grabbing a craft beer or a bowl of fiskisúpa (fish soup). Temperatures may hover in the 40s, but the area's hot springs and geothermal pools will warm you right up. Plus, as a trade-off for shorter days and cooler weather, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the northern lights this time of year.

October falls within the Southern Hemisphere's spring season, so expect to enjoy long, sunny days and beautiful blooming jacarandas during an October visit to Sydney. Average daytime temperatures rest in the 70s this time of year, meaning you can comfortably check out Sydney Harbour's most famous landmark , the Sydney Opera House, and tour the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. This is also a perfect time to stroll along the coastal walk between the iconic Bondi and Coogee beaches. What's more, October is when two of Sydney's most popular events – the Night Noodle Markets and Sculpture by the Sea – occur.

Serengeti National Park's wildlife-viewing opportunities are incomparable, and visiting in October at the end of its dry season offers certain benefits. October is one of the Tanzanian park's warmest months, with average temperatures sitting in the low 80s. And while you might encounter a few short rain showers toward the end of the month, October is generally still quite dry, meaning you'll find fewer mosquitos and sparse vegetation – which makes it easier to spot animals – during game drives. The best place to catch a glimpse of migrating herds this time of year is in the Northern Serengeti.

Buenos Aires' spring shoulder season promises mild weather and moderate crowds – ideal conditions for exploring this Argentinian capital's charming neighborhoods. Come October, chic Palermo's stately trees, gardens and parks are at their finest, while 70-degree temperatures breathe new life into San Telmo's street fairs and alfresco restaurants. With the money you save on accommodations by avoiding peak tourist season, buy tickets to an opera at Colón Theater, take in a tango show or wine and dine at a parrilla (steakhouse).

Japan may be famous for its spring cherry blossoms, but Kyoto's many beautiful shrines, temples and pavilions shine even brighter among the orange- and red-hued trees that begin to dot the city in October. Strolling the tree-lined Philosopher's Path or taking in the leafy views from the Kiyomizu-dera Temple's verandah will leave you with unforgettable memories of this Japanese city. Plus, if you time your visit around October 22, you can catch two popular festivals, the Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Ages) and the Kurama no Hi Matsuri (Kurama Fire Festival).

For smaller crowds and more affordable accommodations and airfare, consider a tropical escape to Aruba in October. During this low season month, hotels slash their prices up to 50%. Plus, the island experiences some of its warmest weather (think: daytime temps in the high 80s) come October, so you can stretch out and enjoy various water sports on popular white sand shores like Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. Though October can be rainy, showers tend to be brief, leaving plenty of time for fun in the sun. Plus, since Aruba sits below the hurricane belt, storms here are unlikely.

While Germany's Bavaria region and its raucous Oktoberfest celebrations garner a lot of attention every fall, the Black Forest in southwestern Germany offers a quieter escape into nature. Despite its many evergreens, the Black Forest is one of the best destinations in the country for fall foliage. Take in the colors while driving along the Black Forest High Road, riding the Feldberg cableway or boating on Lake Schluchsee. Though you may encounter rain, the Black Forest (the birthplace of Grimm's Fairy Tales), offers plenty of enchanting villages and cozy towns to duck into.

October falls at the end of this Indonesian island's peak dry season, meaning you can enjoy great weather for most of the month without the crowds and high accommodation rates of the busier summer months. Daytime temperatures hover in the high 80s, providing ideal conditions for swimming, surfing and sunbathing at beaches like those in Padang Padang and Sanur. Families on fall break will also enjoy cooling off at the Waterbom Bali water park. What's more, tourist hot spots like Uluwatu Temple and Tanah Lot Temple are less likely to be packed in October, making it a great time for sightseeing.

As one of the first months without summer tourists, and the final one before chilly temperatures arrive in earnest, October in Lyon is a prime time to visit. Travelers can score dinner reservations and settle in for autumnal feasting in France's third largest city, which is widely celebrated for its cuisine. A stroll through Vieux-Lyon, the city's picturesque old town, will also be more pleasant without rubbing elbows with hordes of other tourists. What's more, this month, Lyon celebrates its fame as the birthplace of cinema – the Cinematograph was invented here in the late 1800s – with the Lumière Film Festival.

Nothing beats seeing the vibrant foliage take over Asheville in the autumn. With dozens of deciduous tree species showcasing vivid hues of red, yellow and orange come October, this North Carolina destination is a leaf peeping paradise. A drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the fall colors and take photos at numerous overlooks. Plus, the mild fall weather is ideal for a scenic hike through the Pisgah National Forest or a stroll around the colorful Biltmore grounds. What's more, with Asheville's booming food scene, you'll be able to cozy up for a top-notch dinner after a day of adventure.

The most beautiful time to visit Acadia National Park is October, hands down. By mid-month, this top attraction in Maine is blanketed by vibrant fall foliage, both along the coast and high atop its many mountains. And starting Oct. 7 every year, Cadillac Mountain (the tallest peak on the North Atlantic seaboard) becomes the first place to see the sun rise in the U.S. Remember to register your car for a trip up the mountain, and bundle up before venturing out to catch a sunrise; it can be quite chilly at the peak early in the morning.

Vote to Add these Destinations to the Rankings

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Albuquerque

Mexico City

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• Entertainment

14 things to do in the Seattle area this Mother’s Day weekend

Welcome to the weekend! Whether you’re looking to celebrate Mother’s Day or just enjoy the next few days, here’s our latest on local things to do.

Mother’s Day

• From tea and flower-arranging to waterfall hikes and road trips, here are 13 Mother’s Day experiences in Seattle and beyond, at any price point.
• Head out on one of these five Seattle-area outings to see May flowers like rhododendrons and peonies (including a few special Mother’s Day events).
• Try one of our recipe writers’ Mother’s Day recs: these lemon blueberry morning rolls and this must-have zucchini frittata .

Eats and drinks

• Our drinks writer’s latest round of Seattle-area bar openings is eclectic: There’s a big new Fremont tasting room, sports bars, spots for dog lovers, a wine-and-bottle and more. Here’s the 411.
• Here are 46 new Seattle restaurants you should know about. Read on, fans of Vietnamese and Indian food, or lovers of bagels, burritos, chicken and more.
• From Seattle to Spokane and the beloved Burke-Gilman to a pair of “Centennial” trails, these six cycling routes have something for everyone.

Movies and TV

• Here’s everything to know about this year’s Seattle International Film Festival , from critic Moira Macdonald’s recs for what to see to a beginner’s guide to navigating the festival.
• A new season of “Naked and Afraid XL,” featuring former Washington resident Kaiela Hobart, premieres on Sunday on Discovery Channel.

Music and theater

• Thunderpussy is celebrating their new album “West” in concert with the Seattle Symphony on Friday.
• Check out Seattle-born rapper Macklemore’s new song about the Israel-Hamas war , “Hind’s Hall.” All proceeds will benefit United Nations relief workers.
• “The Lehman Trilogy” at Seattle’s ACT Contemporary Theatre is a compelling saga of greed. The Tony Award-winning play runs through May 19.
• If you’ve never seen live opera, Seattle Opera’s “Barber of Seville” is the one to try out, with its combination of slapstick comedy and captivating music.
• “Your House Is Not Just a House,” out this month, is the debut children’s book by Idris Goodwin, Seattle Children’s Theatre artistic director.
• The new anthology “The Literature of Japanese American Incarceration” was coedited by Seattle writer and historian Frank Abe and poet and scholar Floyd Cheung.

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The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.