10 Things to Do in Seattle in July

Despite not being a very large city, Seattle offers many tourist attractions to its visitors. The so-called "Emerald City" has a large number of natural areas, dozens of historical monuments and a number of attractions that, over the years, have become icons of this region.

With so many attractions to discover in the city, you probably don't know where to start your tour and wonder what to see and do in Seattle during your stay in the month of July. While the answer to this question is not easy, there are plenty of options. You can celebrate the 4th of July and Native American heritage, take a guided tour of the city, sail on Elliot Bay, attend cultural activities and much more.

The 4th of July celebration doesn't go unnoticed anywhere in the United States. So, if your visit to Seattle coincides with this date, you must go to Gas Works Park; which is the city's old gas factory, now converted into a public park.

There, among other activities, you can watch an amazing fireworks display and live music.

I recommend you arrive at Gas Works Park at 12:00 no on. Immediately, you will find an atmosphere of total celebration: live DJs, food stalls, small craft markets and groups having traditional picnics.

During the afternoon there are usually some competitions. For example, the sack race, cake competition and other games in which adults and children can participate.

Finally, as the sun sets, you will see the sky light up with fireworks to commemorate the country's independence. Certainly an unforgettable experience, this should be one of the best things to see and do in Seattle at night.

Practical information

• Place: Gas Works Park, 2101 N Northlake Way.
• Price: Free admission.
• Hours: From 12:00 noon.

If you're in Seattle during the month of July, you can't miss the series of cultural activities organised by the Seattle Art Museum, held annually at Olympic Sculpture Park.

If you're up for it, you'll be able to enjoy live performances, interactive art, food and much more. All this in the open air and free of charge.

You can visit the park every Thursday in July from 18:00 to 20:00. Also on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. You'll find an atmosphere of celebration and you'll see a large number of people enjoying the summer.

Among the programmed activities are the following:

• Community art, where you can participate in the creation of a work of art, guided by a professional guest.
• Yoga and Zumba classes with Latin movements.
• Concerts by emerging bands of young people from the Seattle area.
• African music and dance performances.
• Social and naturalist activities, where you'll learn about marine and wildlife care.

All of these programmes vary, so check the Seattle Art Museum 's official website to verify information before your visit to the city.

Practical information

• Location: Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Avenue.
• Price: Free admission.
• Opening hours: Every Thursday in July ( 18:00 - 20:00 hours), Saturdays (9:00 - 14:00 hours)

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For more than 30 years, Seattle has had a tradition of celebrating the PowWow and honouring Native American heritage.

Every third weekend in July, for three consecutive days, you'll find a series of Native American food and craft booths in Discovery Park. You can also enjoy traditional dances throughout the day.

When you arrive at Discovery Park you will be amazed by the colourful and beautiful Native American tribal costumes. You will also enjoy the natural surroundings of the park and the radiant summer sun.

You will also be able to taste traditional food from the different tribes present at the PowWow, buy handmade jewellery and learn about their ancient culture through the dances and songs presented throughout the day.

Without a doubt, this is an activity suitable for the whole family, so if you are travelling with your little ones, you might want to include it among the things to see and do in Seattle with children.

Practical information

• Location: Discovery Park, 3801 Discovery Park Boulevard.
• Price: Free admission (You can make a donation).
• Hours: Hours vary yearly, so check the official website beforehand.

If you don't know what to see and do in Seattle during your 3-day stay, you'll want to make a note on your itinerary to visit the Capitol Hill district. This is one of the hippest and most fun neighbourhoods in the city.

It hosts the annual Capitol Hill Block Party music festival, which attracts a large number of tourists and locals alike.

You'll see six giant stages where national and international artists perform over the three days. You will be able to enjoy genres such as punk, rock, indie rock, hip-hop, pop, R&B, among others. In addition, along the streets you'll find restaurants and bars where you can eat, drink and relax.

The Capitol Hill Block Party not only presents the musical spectacle, but also offers you the opportunity to participate in some free activities, such as a skating race and yoga classes in the Cal Anderson Park Reflecting Pool.

This festival is one of the most visited in the city and takes place on the penultimate weekend of July. However, the dates and performers vary from year to year, so check the official website for more information.

Practical information

• Venue: Capitol Hill District.
• Price: From 85 euros.
• Opening hours: From 1pm to midnight.

Being part of Eastside Beer Week is a good tourist option if you don't know what to see and do in Seattle in 4 days during the month of July.

It is a week with many activities aimed at celebrating the craft beer culture in correpondence with the significant growth that the beer industry has experienced in this region during the last 10 years.

During Eastside Beer Week you can participate in different recreational, sporting, educational activities, among others. For example:

• Will Run For Beer 5K: this is a run or walk held around Dubtown Brewing and Four Generals tavern. The money raised goes to support some of the city's non-profit organisations.

• Brewing workshops, where you'll learn about the history and process of craft beer brewing.

• Sails and Ales Beer Fest, an outdoor activity where you'll have the opportunity to taste wines and beers, listen to live music, get up close to food trucks to try some brews, etc.

• Coffee Beer Tasting, you will taste various coffee infusions.

• Flight of the Raven, you can demonstrate your ingenuity and skill to create paper aeroplanes and then fly them in a fun competition.

You'll also enjoy barbecues, cheese tastings, audi car shows, a steak night and much more.

In fact, for detailed information on events, venues, opening times and ticket prices, visit the official Eastside Beer Week website.

Practical info

• Venue: Eastside Beer Week takes place in the city's various breweries and on the Kirkland promenade.
• Price: From 30 euros, depending on the desired activity.
• Opening hours: From 9:00 am to 8:00 pm (times vary according to the activity).

If you're in Seattle during the month of July, you'll want to take advantage of the free live concert series Downtown Summer Sounds. This is an event with more than 40 years of tradition, which takes place in downtown parks.

You can go to Westlake Park, Denny Park, Pioneer Square, 999th Street at 3rd Avenue, University Village, among other places in the city. At any of these venues you'll be able to enjoy performances by local artists, who perform a variety of music including dance pop, disco, jazz, experimental, funk, soul, reggae and rock.

These open-air concerts take place any day of the week and times vary between 12:00, 14:00 and 18:00. In any case, you can check this information on the official Downtown Summer Sounds website.

Practical information

• Venue: Seattle Downtown Parks.
• Price: Free admission.
• Hours: 12:00, 14:00 and 18:00 (times may vary).

Chinatown Seafair Parade is an event that takes place during the month of July in the city, with the aim of sharing with locals and tourists the ancient traditions of the Asian community.

Therefore, if you are an enthusiast of this culture, you have to incorporate this activity among the things to see and do in Seattle in summer.

When you arrive in the Chinatown district you will be amazed by the colourful streets and the enthusiasm of all those who are grouped in the streets waiting for the clock to strike 19:00 hours and the parade to begin.

At this event you will be immersed in a truly celebratory atmosphere as you watch some traditional dances with huge dragons and lions, parades, children walking in dazzling traditional costumes, samurai and much more.

You can find out more about the Chinatown Seafair Parade route and previous editions of the parade by clicking here to access the official website.

Practical information

• Place: Chinatown District.
• Price: Admission is free.
• Time: Third week of July from 7pm.

The month of July celebrates the cultural diversity of the communities that comprise the city of Seattle. If you want to participate, all you have to do is attend the West Seattle Grand Parade.

The parade has been organised for over 80 years by the Rotary International Service Foundation and is a colourful and musical event.

The parade route is usually from California Avenue SW and SW Lander Street to California Avenue SW and SW Edmunds Street. Therefore, you will be able to walk along these streets from 11:00 a.m. on wards and see a real display of wit and colour.

You will have the opportunity to see a number of different themed floats. There will also be the city's musical bands, comparsas, instructional groups, clowns to entertain the children, among others.

Practical information

• Location: From California Avenue SW and SW Lander Street to California Avenue SW and SW Edmunds Street.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: From 11:00 am.

With so many events and activities in the city you probably don't know what to see and do in Seattle in 5 days or more. If this is your case, a good option not to miss during the month of July is the KEXP Beats & Eats at Waterfront Park. You will vibrate to the rhythm of the best DJs, eat and drink.

You can go every Friday in July to Waterfront Park at Pier 59. There, from 4.30pm until 7.30pm, tourists and locals will be dancing to the live DJ mixes and enjoying the famous food trucks.

Besides having a complete music experience and sampling some of your favourite snacks, you will have the opportunity to contemplate the beautiful waterfront scenery. You'll watch the sun melt into the crystal clear waters of the coastline.

Afterwards, you can continue having fun. For example, you can go to Pier 57 and ride the Seattle Great Wheel, or visit the Space Needle at 400 Broad Street, join one of the Seattle food tours or the hidden history of the Pioneer Square neighbourhood.

Practical information

• Location: Waterfront Park.
• Price: Free.
• Hours: Every Friday in July (4:30pm to 7:30pm).

July in the so-called Emerald City usually offers good weather conditions for a tour of Seattle to explore its districts. This is also an option for those who are short on time and haven't planned an itinerary.

If this is your case and you still don't know what to see and do in Seattle in 2 days during your summer holiday, you should join one of the guided tours through the main streets.

You will be able to choose from several tours. For example:

• Historic Downtown to get to know the different buildings, monuments and iconic sites of the city.
• Chinatown with the purpose of enjoying the gastronomy and millenary culture of this place.
• Capitol Hill, which has an interesting nightlife.
• Fremont, to admire the mural art on its streets.

Whatever the activity, it's best to book a private tour. This way, you can explore the city on foot, segway or electric bike, while a guide tells you the history of the main sights.

The city of Seattle in July generally records a high of 23°C during the day and a low of 14°C at night. The days are usually sunny, the weather is warm and dry. In addition, rain is expected for at least five days during this month, although it rarely occurs.

July is in the middle of the summer season, so it's no surprise that temperatures soar, offering ideal summer weather for outdoor activities and a trip to the beach to enjoy the crystal-clear waters.

July in Seattle is usually considered the summer season, so if you're planning on visiting the city, you'll want to pack light, breathable clothing. Also, don't forget a pair of closed-toe shoes and sandals, sunglasses and UV protection.

Basically, what you'll need on your trip to Seattle is a pair of jeans or capris, several sleeveless shirts and at least one long-sleeved shirt. Also, pack a light coat, as the temperature tends to drop in the evenings, and a rain jacket in case you plan to go hiking.