April showers bring May flowers, even though we haven’t really had the wettest April ever. There are SO many flowers! The cruise ships are back and the city is getting busy. I’ve included a few things to do in Seattle in May and also here are some shopping deals if you follow my blog and instagram too.
May 1 is Free First Thursday.
You can get free admission to many museums around the city including Seattle Art Museum from 10am-8pm. Pioneer Square also has their famous First Thursday Art Walk that day too. You can find out more about the Pioneer Square first Thursday art walk and free parking through their link.
Studio Tours on Camano Island for Mother’s Day weekend
If mom or you loves art, Camano Island is only about an hour’s drive away from Seattle. The Open Studio tour weekend has been happening for 24 years and this year you can stop at over 20 studios on the island to check out some beautiful art. My mom and I recently went for an overnight there but you can also do a day trip and Camano Commons has some really great lunch options if you’re looking for a place to eat too.
Pike Place Market Flower Festival (May 10-11)
There will be over 30 flower farmers with all sorts of spring flowers, Market buskers at the 17th annual flower festival at Pike Place Market. Local farms will start having U-pick flowers again soon as well. And I’m looking out for when strawberry picking season will begin.
Here are some ideas for books and puzzles for Mother’s Day if you need some last-minute gifts. There is also an afternoon tea at Woodland Park zoo that is perfect for Mother’s Day as well.
The Free Waterfront Shuttle Starts May 2nd
Have you walked the Overlook Walk in Seattle yet? Also, the Seattle Waterfront has a free shuttle that takes you around the city. This year the free Waterfront Shuttle starts May 2nd and usually continues to sometime in the fall. (Youth in Seattle already ride free on a lot of our public transit and ferries) Here are some of my favorite Pike Place Market stops if you’re looking for where locals shop. And the Seattle Waterfront has so many events going on this summer! It’s an exciting time for our city.
Six the Musical is in Seattle until May 11
Six the Musical is absolutely fantastic! It has high energy, catchy tunes and it runs about 80 minutes without an intermission. For reduced fees, tickets to all STG venues may be purchased in-person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office, Monday through Friday, 10am to 6pm.
Plein Air Water Color Workshop at Chihuly Garden and Glass May 18
Can you imagine a more stunning place to paint outside in the city? You can find out more details about the workshop here. Also, the Bar at Chihuly Garden and Glass is such a lovely place to grab a bite at Seattle Center. Closer to opening there was a lot of space when we went but they don’t take reservations so it might get busier later in the afternoon.
FolkLife Festival Memorial Day Weekend May 23-May 26: Ikigai
I love the Ikigai cultural focus for this year’s Folklife festival that is a “life worth living”. I always forget this festival happens on Memorial Day Weekend at Seattle Center and there is a suggested donation of $20 but there is no required admission fee. You can find out more about it here.
Riverdance May 30-June 1 at the Paramount Theatre
This year is Riverdance’s 30th anniversary and they will be performing at the Paramount Theatre for a very short engagement (you can find out more about it and the tickets here) and I’m excited to see it-it’s a combination of traditional Irish, international and modern dance and music and I remember seeing commercials for it growing up but never had the chance to go. I just learned that Riverdance originated at Eurovision as a 7 minute performance during the 1994 contest in Dublin. It ended up being a full length show and has since been performed over 12000 times and seen by over 30 million people. After Seattle it heads to Eugene Oregon and Portland and then on to Vancouver BC.
Have you tried Ice Cream Nachos?
You can get them at Seattle Mariners games and I’ve written about the ice cream nachos and I’ve also highlighted a few games you might want to look ahead to for this month and the rest of summer too.
Do you know of more things to do in Seattle in May?
These are only a handful of the many things going on in our city(and nearby) this month and I’m likely going to add a few things over the next few days as well. If you have anything you’d like me to include that happening in Seattle in May or beyond please feel free to message through my email or instagram. And if you are looking ahead to next month, here are the things to do in Seattle in June. And if you’re getting out and about and also working out like I am here are some women’s workout shoes I’ve been checking out.
(PS are you looking for a very PNW book list? I have one right here! And also here are all the things we like to do in Seattle from May to October too.
Also May is a great time to start looking for summer plans. Last year we went to Japan and we found the Mimaru hotels really family friendly and we had an unexpectedly cool stay in a place off the beaten track in Fukuyama. Also, have you ever been to Chicago? Chicago is a non-stop flight from Seattle and you might be able to see tulips blooming in the city there in May too.
Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys. She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live. She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)
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