Students Thrive in the Seattle Summer

Seattle skyline with Mount Rainier in the background For many, the Northwest is the perfect place to be a student. The weather is mild, the scenery is beautiful — and the rain makes sitting inside studying all day that much easier. But when the sun comes out in Seattle, there is no better place to be. Students in this area enjoy a variety of summer recreational and cultural activities — from hiking destinations to music festivals, and nature-loving pursuits to spectator sports — that make Seattle the envy of other regions of the country.

Outdoor Activities

For those who like to scale mountains, simply wander wooded trails, bike through beautiful scenery or enjoy the outdoors from the city sidewalks, Seattle offers a variety of outdoor activities. On and off the trails, you can spend time engrossed in bird watching, flower identification and tree appreciation.

A short drive away from Seattle in the Cascade Mountain Range, you'll find countless good hiking trails, including Mt. Si and Tiger Mountain. A longer drive to Mount Rainier National Park is well worth the time to see one of the country's most majestic peaks.
The three-plus-mile loop at Greenlake in Seattle is a popular stop for exercisers and social meet-ups.
Seattle's Seward Park and Discovery Park also offer trail loops for walking.
Bikers, walkers, runners and skaters populate the Burke-Gilman Trail, which stretches all the way from Seattle to the Kenmore, where Bastyr University is located. Many students bike the 15 miles to school.
The trails that run through Bastyr's campus provide miles of hiking and walking opportunities.

Music

There's no shortage of outdoor music festivals and concert series around the Seattle area. The Pacific Northwest is home to many festivals that bring major touring bands.

Popular city festivals include the Northwest Folklife Festival and Bumbershoot music festival, both held at the Seattle Center.
The "ZooTunes" Woodland Park Zoo concert series offers a low-key, relaxed setting for outdoor concert-goers.
Capitol Hill Block Party is another popular outdoor music festival in Seattle, showcasing local and emerging bands.
Perhaps most conveniently for Bastyr students, the Kenmore Summer Concert Series is held right next door to the University campus at St. Edward State Park every Thursday.
About a 20-minute drive from Seattle is another option, the Concerts at Marymoor, held at Marymoor Park in Redmond.
A half-hour drive gets you to Woodinville, where the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery Summer Concert Series offers the ultimate outdoor concert experience.
About 10 miles further out is another large outdoor-concert venue, the White River Amphitheater at Muckleshoot Indian Reservation in Auburn, Washington.
For even warmer temperatures, take a 2.5-hour drive to the Gorge Amphitheater at the Columbia River Gorge in Eastern Washington. A wide-ranging line-up of concerts take place throughout the summer.

Nature Loving

Love gardening? You'll find yourself at home in the Northwest, where plant-loving people thrive in a climate that supports their vegetables, flowers and herbal plants.

The city has a large P-Patch Community Gardening Program where you can plant a garden at community sites if you don't have space at your home.
Students often take advantage of classes and workshops on urban farming at Seattle Tilth.
A variety of farmer's markets also provide fresh, organic local produce most days of the week, with fresh local berries, seafood and grass-fed meats.

And if you like to spend your weekends at parks, enjoying waterfront views and nature's splendor, your options are practically limitless.

You can relax and enjoy the views at the popular Gas Works Park on Lake Washington.
For a serene and educational jaunt through the woods, visit the Japanese Garden at the Washington Park Arboretum.
If you like to swim, you can't beat Madison Park Beach, where you'll find stretches of grass for sunbathing and a dock and diving board for pure play.
Each year in late summer, students celebrate the sunshine at Seafair, where they perch themselves on the waterfront and watch the speed boat races, a spectacular air show and an evening parade.
Another beautiful beach, Golden Gardens, in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, is a favorite hangout for barbecues, bonfires, volleyball and Frisbee tossing.
A little slice of Southern California in West Seattle is Alki Beach, the perfect place to be in sunny weather, with its long expanse of sandy beach and both nature- and people-watching options.
Washington State Ferries provide another outlet for fun and travel, giving you a lovely view of the Puget Sound while bringing you to quaint nearby areas.

Spectator Events

Let's not forget about options for those who prefer to watch instead of do. Seattle is home to a variety of sports teams and spectator activities.

With the highest attendance of any team in Major League Soccer, the Seattle Sounders soccer games are high energy, with a crowd full of wild fans standing on their feet throughout the game.
Another great way to spend a Saturday is to head down to Safeco Field to see the Seattle Mariners baseball team.
For something less conventional (and free), see the Duck Dodge sailboat races every Tuesday evening on Lake Union.
One of the wackiest spectator events each year is the Fremont neighborhood Solstice Fair and Parade, where you'll find grown adults dressed in costumes and riding on floats of their own design.
The Seattle International Film Festival offers the ultimate spectator experience, with films from all over the world playing daily throughout the city in May and June.

The only drawback to Seattle summers is that they don't last long enough to take advantage of all of the area's opportunities. Luckily, depending on your program, you'll have several summers in which to experience the many gems of the Northwest. So come our way, and enjoy!