During winter, temperatures in Seattle range from the mid-30s to the low 50s. Although the weather isn’t too cold for outdoor activities, it can be very wet. Winter is the rainy season in Seattle, so if you want to stay dry, active and health-conscious types can still take advantage of the many indoor activities the city has to offer.
The Underground Tour
You won’t need your umbrella for this guided walking tour through historic Pioneer Square. You’ll see the ruins of early Seattle, destroyed by the great fire of 1889. What were once main roadways and first-floor storefronts are now hidden beneath the sidewalks and streets of Seattle. This tour includes several flights of stairs and rugged terrain. The Underground Tour is offered year-round, several time a day. Call ahead for the exact schedule.
Bowling
Winter is a great time to go bowling in Seattle and you’ll find several bowling centers throughout the city. If you want to bowl with a group of friends or colleagues, consider joining a bowling club. For even more competition, try one of the area leagues for children, men, women and seniors. If you haven’t been bowling since you were a kid, you may be pleasantly surprised with many of the bowling centers. Some offer “Xtreme Bowling” with flashing lights, music and games, while others offer card games and sports bars to extend the fun.
Indoor Swimming
When it’s too cold and rainy to swim outside, head to one of the eight indoor pools operated by the city’s Parks and Recreation department. The 25-yard, multiple-lane pools are open year-round. Some have diving boards, rope swings and other water features. Daily passes are available, or you can purchase a discounted multi-use pass. Each pool sets its own hours for family swim, lap swimming, water exercise classes and senior swimming.
Organized Winter Sports
Seattle’s Parks and Recreation department operates several winter sports leagues. The competitive men’s and women’s basketball leagues play their games on weekday evenings at area schools and community centers. The men’s league begins in December and the women’s league starts in January. You can also sign up for the city’s recreational, co-ed adult volleyball league, which places a minimum of three women and a maximum of three men on each team. Play begins in January.
Farmers Markets
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t find fresh, local food. Two of Seattle’s farmers markets operate year-round. One is open on Saturdays and the other is open on Sundays. Both sell locally produced and processed foods such as seasonal vegetables, eggs, dairy, poultry, fish, herbs and artisan breads. If the day is too cold and rainy to shop outside, head to the famous Pike Place Market. This public market–in operation since 1907–is housed in several buildings covering nine acres. It is open year-round, seven days a week. Merchants set their own hours and the market is closed for some holidays.
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