Seattle, Washington, with a population of over 500,000, is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. The area is known for its rainfall, where for six months out of the year, more than half of the days may see precipitation. During the warmer and drier summer months, residents of Seattle understandably like to be outdoors.
The Seattle Mariners baseball team has been a fixture in Seattle since 1977, when the team played home games in the Seattle Kingdome. Now, the Mariners play in Safeco Field in the Seattle neighborhood of SoDo, or south of downtown. Fans are protected from summer rain by Safeco Field's retractable roof, which acts as an umbrella over the field in inclement weather. Food at Mariners games goes beyond the traditional hot dog, offering sushi, gyros, pasta bowls and organic smoothies, although ballpark favorites such as hamburger, hot dogs and nachos are available. Team shops selling Mariners gear are located throughout the stadium.
For an additional fee, the Mariners offer behind-the-scenes tours of Safeco Field, giving fans a glimpse of the press box, the visitor's dugout and private suites. The Pyramid Alehouse, across the street from Safeco Field features locally brewed Pyramid ales, and is a dining option before or after the game.
Seattle Mariners Baseball Club
1250 1st Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98134
206-346-4000
seattle.mariners.mlb.com
Open for public swimming every summer since 1941, Colman Pool in West Seattle is a city landmark. The pool is located in Lincoln Park and provides swimmers with ocean and mountain views. It is filled with a half-million gallons of saltwater from nearby Puget Sound. The water is heated using a vintage gas boiler, ensuring that the water temperature is always 85 degrees. The pool features a corkscrew water slide for an additional fee.
Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks, and sit in the pool's shaded picnic area. Vending machines provide snacks, and an ice cream trailer outside of the pool area is open for a limited number of hours during the day. The Olympic-sized pool can see as many as 1,000 visitors a day and is available for evening rentals for private parties and events.
Colman Pool
8603 Fauntleroy Way SW
Seattle, WA 98136
206-684-7494
cityofseattle.net
The site of the landing of the original settlers of Seattle in 1851 is now a beach that stretches 2.5 miles along the Seattle coastline, from Alki Point to the Duwamish River. A monument dedicated to these settlers is at the south end of the beach.
Alki Beach Park provides a warm setting for summer activities such as sand volleyball, biking, rollerblading, jogging or simply sunbathing and watching the boats on the water. Swimming is permitted in Puget Sound, although there are no lifeguards and the water temperature usually ranges from 46 to 56 degrees Farenheit. The west end of the beach has covered picnic areas and grills available for public use. Many restaurants and bars are located in the area, offering choices from fast food to fine dining.
Alki Beach Park
1702 Alki Ave. SW
Seattle, WA 98116
206-684-4075
seattle.gov
