Pick a fall weekend in Seattle
July 2, 2010 2:08 PM Subscribe
Is there a particularly good fall weekend to visit Seattle and or Vancouver, BC?
The SigOth is moving to Seattle and I'd like to go visit him sometime in September/October after he's a bit settled. I can throw something at the wall calendar and pick a weekend, but is there one that might be better than any other?
I'm looking for recommendations of street fairs, or other special events that might be going on in that time frame. Otherwise, we'll just have to make do with being outdoorsy... :)
Thanks!
The SigOth is moving to Seattle and I'd like to go visit him sometime in September/October after he's a bit settled. I can throw something at the wall calendar and pick a weekend, but is there one that might be better than any other?
I'm looking for recommendations of street fairs, or other special events that might be going on in that time frame. Otherwise, we'll just have to make do with being outdoorsy... :)
Thanks!
It's a gamble.
posted by jeffamaphone at 2:27 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by jeffamaphone at 2:27 PM on July 2, 2010
I was going to say August before I clicked in, yep it's a gamble. But get up to the mountains or the San Juans whatever the weather.
posted by sammyo at 2:36 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by sammyo at 2:36 PM on July 2, 2010
Aim for early to mid September. More likelihood it will be getting chilly and rainy in October.uu
Here's an events calendar -- Bumbershoot is a blast if you do public transportation to/from it. The Puyallup Fair, which is more hokey, but fun, is in September too.
posted by bearwife at 2:36 PM on July 2, 2010
Here's an events calendar -- Bumbershoot is a blast if you do public transportation to/from it. The Puyallup Fair, which is more hokey, but fun, is in September too.
posted by bearwife at 2:36 PM on July 2, 2010
Earlier the better, to better the odds of avoiding the rain.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 2:41 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by rabbitrabbit at 2:41 PM on July 2, 2010
Avoid Bite of Seattle. It is horrible. Unless you like fried dough.
posted by jeffamaphone at 3:10 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by jeffamaphone at 3:10 PM on July 2, 2010
Early September is traditionally decent, weather wise. But then again, it's July now and I'm still wearing a hoodie, so who knows. Nthing the gamble.
posted by cgg at 3:13 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by cgg at 3:13 PM on July 2, 2010
Also, you probably will want to check out one or two of the local farmer's markets, which should be up and running in Sept. Also, this is another good link for Seattle street fairs, at least the major ones, including one I forgot in September, Fremont's Oktoberfest. There are more links on the webpage
Be aware that there are also lots of things happening in the communities around Seattle, of which there are many. I'd either cruise the web for information about communities you think you may visit, or check out the Seattle Times weekend section, which comes out on Thursdays, when you are here.
posted by bearwife at 3:17 PM on July 2, 2010
Be aware that there are also lots of things happening in the communities around Seattle, of which there are many. I'd either cruise the web for information about communities you think you may visit, or check out the Seattle Times weekend section, which comes out on Thursdays, when you are here.
posted by bearwife at 3:17 PM on July 2, 2010
Summer really runs from mid-July to late Sept. here. September is my favorite month in Seattle, it tends to have a dry-indian-summer quality. The National park trails and campgrounds are uncrowded, the farmers markets are teeming with produce, and the weather is beautiful. Like others said, either come for Bumbershoot, or come in mid-sept and head to the San Juan Islands.
posted by Maude_the_destroyer at 3:37 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by Maude_the_destroyer at 3:37 PM on July 2, 2010
September is probably the best time to visit Seattle, it's when I recommend everybody visit anyway.
posted by Artw at 3:59 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by Artw at 3:59 PM on July 2, 2010
Usually the Labor Day to equinox period is pretty nice -- mid-60s to mid-70s, sunny. It's after the equinox that it begins to become a crapshoot. October is going to be rainy and cool (50s and 60s).
There aren't any festivals, really, after Bumbershoot, given that schools start after Labor Day. If you can endure the crowds and like the rock music, I'd definitely aim for Labor Day weekend and Bumbershoot.
Other nice thing about mid-September is the island towns are hitting their shoulder season -- kids are back in school, but the weather is still nice enough for a nice weekend on the San Juans or Whidbey.
posted by dw at 5:30 PM on July 2, 2010
There aren't any festivals, really, after Bumbershoot, given that schools start after Labor Day. If you can endure the crowds and like the rock music, I'd definitely aim for Labor Day weekend and Bumbershoot.
Other nice thing about mid-September is the island towns are hitting their shoulder season -- kids are back in school, but the weather is still nice enough for a nice weekend on the San Juans or Whidbey.
posted by dw at 5:30 PM on July 2, 2010
Bumbershoot is the same weekend as PAX. So if you don't want to go to either event, I'd avoid that weekend in Seattle unless you weren't planning on being downtown/doing any touristy stuff.
posted by jacalata at 5:39 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by jacalata at 5:39 PM on July 2, 2010
Should it come to that, September is the best month to be outdoorsy in the area. You can rent kayaks or electric boats on lake union, or head out to spectacular mountain hikes less than an hour outside of town.
posted by jimfl at 6:26 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by jimfl at 6:26 PM on July 2, 2010
Vancouver film festival is Sept 29-Oct 15 this year. The film fest rocks, highly recommended.
posted by crazycanuck at 7:01 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by crazycanuck at 7:01 PM on July 2, 2010
Seconding (and thirding, etc ) all above that say labor day/bumbershoot weekend. Went last year and it was fab. Lots of interesting things to do and see but kids are back in school so crowds a bit less insane. Weather still decent.
posted by double bubble at 8:20 PM on July 2, 2010
posted by double bubble at 8:20 PM on July 2, 2010
I've lived in Vancouver for 7 years and my absolute favorite event of the year around these parts is Parade of Lost Souls. Depends how much you enjoy Halloween though.
Looking at the calendar it seems that this year it will land on Oct 30th - Devil's Night! Time to start working on my costume .....
posted by mannequito at 8:42 PM on July 2, 2010
Looking at the calendar it seems that this year it will land on Oct 30th - Devil's Night! Time to start working on my costume .....
posted by mannequito at 8:42 PM on July 2, 2010
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posted by HeyAllie at 2:14 PM on July 2, 2010 [2 favorites]