“Seattle fun in the winter?” you ask. You might be surprised at all of the opportunities for fun even with the blustery weather and chilly-winded snowfall. There’s a lot of freedom for recreation in the city, and much of it is signature Seattle.
The Polar Bear Plunge is your best (and likely, only) chance to dive into the frigid water at Matthews beach with almost 2,000 other people. The event is free, and you’ll be able to take home some fresh swag to prove you did it. It’s a great way to meet some other crazy people, and you’re covered for the day’s shower.
Winter Feast is a food truck festival taking place at the European-style Fremont Sunday Market on the second Sunday of every month. With a weekly rotation of 20 trucks along the road providing variety, you can visit several times through the winter and try some of the choicest foods available in Seattle. The market’s usual attractions go along, like local crafters offering their uncommon creations and beer taps flowing the suds at nearby establishments.
The Chilly Hilly Bicycle Race is a choice opportunity to get wind-whipped while you compete with your fellow wheeled riders for first place on this local 33-mile ride along the hills of Bainbridge Island. It’s a challenging ride making the last pedal across the finishing line especially sweet. Expect hot food and a lot of celebration at the ride’s completion.
Coming from up north, the snow geese find Seattle’s Port Susan Bay quite a warm place to hang out. The local Snow Goose and Birding Festival celebrates their arrival on February 24th-25th. Birding enthusiasts will be thrilled at the sighting of these squawking white fowl’s landing spot, and there’s plenty of camaraderie with fellow birders to be had.
With all of these chilly activities, you’ll want to warm up at the Banya 5 Urban Spa where the sauna tops a roasty 240 degrees, and the experience completes with a vodka shot in the lounge. The cold plunge is available to roasters too, so you can alternate temperature extremes for the maximum therapeutic benefit. They also offer massage for your iced-up muscles and facial treatments.
This is all only the top of the iceberg. Seattle has so much to offer, but these choice adventures are sure to bring you wintertime joy.
