April showers bring May flowers and also World Cup soccer in Seattle (in true soccer tradition will we get epically wet weather for these games?) I’ve put together my Mother’s Day idea list early this year just in case you want to get a head start on this too.
Volunteer Park Conservatory FOC Annual May Plant Sale: may 2 and May 3rd
You could pair a trip to the Volunteer Conservatory Plant Sale with a trip to the Seattle Asian Art Museum too. (being able to just stop in is one reason why I get a membership)
May 7 2026 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. My son has been at a few free first Thursdays at the Museum of flight lately too (this month it happens from 5-9pm on May 7th) with Seattle Solar Car but I haven’t heard if he’ll be at the one in May yet (it’s also AP testing time for high schoolers….)
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 9,10 2026)
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 hopefully in May
Have you walked the Overlook Walk in Seattle yet? Also, the Seattle Waterfront has a free shuttle that takes you around the city. Last year the free Waterfront Shuttle started 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.
A Fashion Show at Chophouse Row featuring Seattle designers on May 16th
Chophouse Row is such a cool area in Seattle, and there will be a fashion show here on May 16th outdoors using elevated risers and architectural features instead of a traditional runway. You can find out more info and get your free tickets through this link
Plein Air Water Color Workshop at Chihuly Garden and Glass May 17th 2026
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.
FolkLife Festival Memorial Day Weekend May 22-25th 2027
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.
Have you tried Ice Cream Nachos?
I will find out soon if we can still get them at Seattle Mariners games ( I’ve written about the ice cream nachos )and also I still need to see the Mariners Ferry in real life. I heard they sold out in April, so maybe they’ll be back in May?
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 although this year, this might change a bit depending on how busy our city gets.)
Also May is a great time to start looking for summer plans. Last year we went to Copenhagen, Sweden and Norway. Two years ago we went to Japan and we found the Mimaru hotels really family friendly and we had an unexpectedly cool stay in aplace 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. Locally, you can get to Seabrook pretty easily by car and I recently tried out a Mazda CX-90 on a trip to Seabrook with our teens.
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)
One thought on “Things to do In Seattle in May”
Comments are closed.