Explore Summer in Seattle Southside

Looking for ways to fill the summer?

We partnered with the Seattle Seawolves, the region's pro rugby team, to bring you this guide to some of our favorite ways to soak up the sun. Visit the world's largest nonprofit aviation museum, spend a refreshing day on the lake, and embark on a mysterious UFO trail. You'll definitely have something to write home about.

Explore Local Lore
Get on the Water
Look to the Skies
The Maury Island Incident Mural in Des Moines, Washington.

Delve Into Local Lore

We love June in Seattle Southside. With the beginning of summer comes farmers market season, the return of outdoor dining, and plenty of events.

It's also when we commemorate one of the strangest slices of our local history—the first documented UFO sighting in the U.S. On June 21, 1947, a local man was boating near Maury Island with his son and dog when he spotted six flying discs above him. When he reported the event, a mysterious government official showed up at his home and told him to keep quiet...or else. The Maury Island Incident, as it came to be known, spawned the legend of the "Men in Black." Today, you can relive the tale and explore sites connected to the story on The UFO Mysteries Trail, which takes you around Des Moines and on the ferry to Vashon Island. Check into locations to win prizes like a six-armed alien t-shirt! Smitten with the story? Celebrate with us at the Men in Black Birthday Bash—a week-long festival including multiple events.

The Seawolves paddleboarding at Angle Lake in SeaTac, Washington.
The Seawolves paddleboarding at Angle Lake in SeaTac, Washington.

Get on the Water

When the temperatures rise, there's no better place to be than on the water. Whether you're into stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, boating, scuba diving, or just splashing around, you can do it all in Seattle Southside. Angle Lake, a freshwater lake in SeaTac, is an ideal place to bring your stand-up paddleboard because it's calmer than the sea, with fewer waves to knock you off balance. Bring your gear to Angle Lake Park, which boasts a sandy beach, a dock, and a stunning view of Mt. Rainier. If you've got kids in tow, they'll love the playground and splash park.

After working up an appetite, head up the street to Sharps RoastHouse and fill up on a hearty meal of brisket or scratch-made sourdough pasta with a summery cocktail.

Look to the Skies

We love the Museum of Flight at any time of year, but this sprawling aviation museum is especially fun in the summer. Explore the Aviation Pavilion, a 3-acre, open-air gallery with 19 rare airplanes from the 1930s to the present. Then, eat lunch outside and watch real planes take off and land at Boeing Field.

August is also the time for Seafair, a massive, region-wide celebration centered around hydroplane races and mind-blowing flight shows. Get in on the fun at the museum's annual Jet Blast Bash, an outdoor festival offering the closest seats in the region to the U.S. Navy Blue Angels' takeoffs and landings. Watch planes soar and perform incredible tricks while enjoying live music, bites, and a beer garden.

When: Saturday and Sunday, August 2 and 3, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

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