Explore West Seattle in 101 Ways-or More!
Explore West Seattle in 101 Ways-or More!
Mon, 01/28/2008
Growing up as a kid in West Seattle, I never realized how much my neighborhood had to offer. Sure it had parks, beaches, restaurants and schools. But didn't every town?
It was only after moving away for four years of college and a couple years abroad exploring the rest of the planet that I came back to truly discover my hometown. And when I did, I found opportunities abound.
All of the sudden (it seemed), West Seattle had grown a farmer's market, unveiled a playhouse, launched kayak treks on Alki, opened it's very own brewery, and a whole lot more. But at the same time, the Westside still had a small town feel with its long-time favorites like Husky ice cream, tunes at Easy Street Records, saltwater swims at Colman Pool, and 'round the peninsula bike rides with awesome views of the Olympics, Mount Rainier, and the "big city" right next door (just to name a few).
So what was a freelance writer to do, but research and proclaim these new discoveries and rediscoveries of our vibrant little community to the world? After all, did anyone realize all the wonderful things that were happening here in this unique Seattle neighborhood? And do West Seattleites even know just how lucky we are to have so much cool stuff going on here?
I thought to myself, "There must be a hundred things to do in West Seattle!" So I started to writing a column of a similar name in the West Seattle Herald each week highlighting all kinds of activities I found (or found me) along the way. Which I later turned into a collection of 101 stories I featured in Seattle's first ever neighborhood guidebook-West Seattle 101.
And in fact, once I began to write about West Seattle and all its offerings, I realized there are actually more like 501 things to do! But I had to start somewhere, while also limiting my total number of stories to write (otherwise, I never would have finished).
So here is a good start of 101 things you can do to explore your neighborhood. While this list is not exhaustive, nor is it a suggested rating of "the best of," it will at least get you started on discovering the neighborhood you call home-whether you've lived here 60 years or just moved in yesterday.
Your "101 Things to Do" Checklist*:
Recreation
1. Sea Kayak with Alki Kayak Tours
2. Learn to SCUBA Dive
3. Build a Beach Bonfire on Alki
4. Fly Fish Westside Waters
5. Greet the Argosy Christmas Ship
6. Play Disc Golf at Lake Wood Park
8. Dive into Colman Pool www.seattle.gov/parks/Aquatics/colman.htm
9. Discover Coho at Fauntleroy Creek
10. Picnic in our Parks
11. Storm Watch
12. Go Geocaching
13. Salmon Fish at Seacrest Marina
14. Birdwatch in Schmitz Park
15. Stargaze at Constellation Park
16. Visit the Westcrest Dog Park
17. See Seafair Pirate's Land at Alki
18. Rockclimb Indoors at Allstar
19. Kite Surf on Alki
20. Ride the Westside Scenic Bike Loop
21. Go on a Walkabout
22. Skim Board at Anchor Park
23. Beach Cruise from Coastal
24. Visit the SSCC Chinese Garden
25. Trail Run at Lincoln Park
26. Attend Rotary Kid's Parade
27. Go Four Wheelin' on Alki
Dining & Drinks
28. West 5 Lounge
29. Buddha Ruksa Thai
30. Cactus on Alki
31. Alki Homestead
33. Bakery Nouveau
34. Endolyne Joe's
35. Blackbird Bistro
36. Matador
38. Salty's Brunch
39. Celtic Swell
40. Maharaja of India
42. Luna Park Cafe
43. Pegasus Pizza
44. Mashiko Sushi
45. Husky Deli
46. La Rustica
47. JaK's Grill
51. Cupcake Royale & Cafe Verite
Arts & Entertainment
52. Tune in at Easy Street Records
53. Hear Live Music at C&P Coffee
54. Late Nite Improv at ArtsWest
55. Go Glow Bowling
56. Blues Night at Alki Tavern
57. Stay & Play at Westside B&Bs
58. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
59. Experience Vaudeville at Kenyon Hall
60. Alki Bathhouse Art Studio
61. Water Taxi to Mariners Games
62. Dinner and a Movie in Admiral
63. Check Out Christmas Lights
64. Visit the Farmer's Market
65. Go Antiquing
66. Do the ArtWalk
67. Attend the Fauntleroy Festival
68. Cooking Parties at Culinary Communion
69. Go Thrift Shopping
70. Try Swing Dancing
71. Go Trick or Treating with the Kids
72. Go on a Megawatt Field Trips
73. See Movies on the Wall at Outdoor Cinema
74. Get Crafty at Basic Green Box
75. Attend West Seattle Summer Fest
76. See Rock Shows at Skylark
Enrichment
77. Group Cycle at the Y
78. History at Log House Museum
79. Cook with NuCulinary
80. Learn to Frame Art
81. Tour Our Historical Murals
82. Camp Long Night Hikes
83. Head-to-Toe Day Spa
84. Yoga in the Garden
85. Walker Rock Garden
86. Massage with a View
87. Try Glass Blowing
88. Tai Chi on the Beach
89. Train for a Triathlon
90. Homes with History Tour
91. Get Intense at X Gym
92. Tae Kwon Do with Kids
93. School of Fish at Seattle Fish
94. West Seattle Acupuncture
95. Bee Waxed Spa
96. Bikrim Hot Yoga
97. Lincoln Park Pea Patch
98. Talk It Up at Toastmasters
99. Wild Reiki for Pets
100. Adventure at Capers
101. Silver Table Cooking for Kids
*For in-depth info on the 101 activities above, pick up a copy of West Seattle 101 (available at local retailers such as Capers, Square One Books, Barnes & Noble, Metropolitan Market, or visit: www.westseattle101.com).
