The big fiery orb we call the sun is paying far more attention to Seattle than our temperate city is used to, causing excessive heat warnings throughout the region. If you want to do something fun this weekend but you haven't made plans for fear of melting into a human-sized puddle, fear not—you still have options.
1. Seek refuge from the heat with air-conditioned activities. We love a summer picnic as much as the next person, but when the forecast warns of excessive heat, staying cool is a priority. Luckily, Seattle is endowed with a plethora of indoor spaces (or "cooling centers") you can visit at the last minute. A classic option is going to the movies
Like
List
, and AMC Pacific Place happens to be offering free popcorn refills through June 30 (not to mention playing the new Fast & Furious movie
Remind
Like
List
, which might be just the thing if you're too hot for anything substantive).
Select Seattle Public Library branches are also reopening for indoor use this weekend, including downtown's Central
Like
List
location, which gives you a perfect opportunity to make a dent in your Summer Book Bingo
Like
List
card.
While you're encouraged to book ahead of time, there are usually plenty of open slots at free art institutions like the Frye Art Museum
Like
List
, the Henry Art Gallery
Like
List
, and Pioneer Square galleries like SOIL
Like
List
and J. Reinhart
Like
List
(both of which have exhibitions on view that are closing this weekend). Of course, you can also try your luck at advance-ticket spots like the Seattle Art Museum
Like
List
, the Seattle Asian Art Museum
Like
List
, the Museum of Pop Culture
Like
List
, the Museum of History & Industry
Like
List
, and—if you're up for a short trip beyond city limits—the Bellevue Arts Museum
Like
List
and Tukwila's Museum of Flight
Like
List
.
See here for more city-sanctioned options and resources, including wading pools and spray parks that are reopening this weekend.
2. Enjoy chilled noodles. As the mercury continues to leap up the thermostat during this week's heatwave, it's definitely way too hot for warm food. Turning on the oven or stove? Out of the question. One surefire way to cool down: a refreshing meal of chilled noodles. We suggest the dipping noodles at U:Don, tsukemen at Menya Musashi
Like
List
, naengmyeon at Stone Korean, house-made soba at Kamonegi
Like
List
, or bún at Green Leaf.
3. Beat the heat with frozen drinks. In search of even more ice-cold refreshment? Luckily, there's no shortage of frosty ways to imbibe, including boozy slushies, frosé, and ice pops dunked in bubbly. We've rounded up a selection of places
Like
List
where you can find the good kind of Seattle freeze.
If you're lucky enough to be somewhere with A/C and a wifi connection, you can also check out our guide to virtual events in Seattle this weekend Like List .