Aspenwood Cellars

Birdwatching might have had a reputation as a slightly geeky activity for a particular subset of the tree-hugging population, but as the 15th most popular outdoor recreational activity (according to a survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service), it’s clear its appeal in recent years has broadened. And for good reason: as many people work sedentary, indoor jobs, birdwatching provides an excellent way to encourage outdoor activity and deepens one’s relationship with the natural world. Spotting and trying to identify birds can turn the outdoors into the venue for a visual and mental game that can help engage even those who normally feel restless or bored on a stroll outside. With the occasionally challenging nature of Seattle weather, Seattleites can use all the encouragement they can get to head outdoors. Fortunately, the times when weather is at its least appealing can also be excellent birding opportunities. Winter brings waterfowl, raptors, seabirds, and more. That tough stretch before summer starts is also the season of songbird migration. And any fitfully drizzly day can result in good spotting as birds take advantage of insects emerging from the soggy ground. And for those who are curious but don’t know a Wood Duck from a Wigeon or where to go to see either, Seattle is also home to many resources and great locations for the novice. The Seattle Audubon Society is, of course, a great place to start. Almost every month, they offer a free public guided walk. Binoculars are provided (although one does need to reserve them in a week in advance via a phone call to the Audubon Nature Store). They also offer classes and field trips to both members and non-members. Field trips generally have a shared car pool cost, and priority for sign-ups will go to members. Classes will have a higher cost for non-members. The Seward Park Audubon Center also offers many bird-focused, family-friendly programs. There are regular evening “owl prowls” and themed program days most Saturdays, often focusing on birds or some aspect of bird life. The Seattle Parks Department offers regular birding programs, many of which are free. Some are basic birding classes and walks; others might be focused on a particular species, like a visit to a Great Blue Heron rookery. While it’s not regularly scheduled, the Discovery Park “Birding by Ear” program is particularly excellent and worth signing up for when it is offered. Once one’s up to speed on the basics, the best way to hone one’s skills is to practice, practice, practice. Fortunately, even within a busy city like Seattle, there are many places to see a great variety of birds while enjoying a walk outside. The Union Bay Natural Area (aka Montlake Fill) is an especially busy birding spot. Despite its humble origins (underneath this grassland and riparian area is an old landfill), it is now a hotbed of bird action, with around 200 species having been recorded as visitors. You can see who’s been around lately via the white board in a kiosk at the east end of the area. It’s updated regularly by birder and author Connie Sidles, who’s written three books of essays about her near-daily visits to the Fill. The Fill can be usually be relied on for a variety of ducks on its several ponds, Redwing Blackbirds in the cattails by Lake Washington, Great Blue Herons on the shore or ponds, swallows and Savannah Sparrows flitting around the grasslands, and, sometimes, Bald Eagles flying from their nests down the shore. Across Lake Washington from the Union Bay Natural Area is the Washington Park Arboretum, with more excellent opportunities for waterfowl and Bald Eagle spotting. And most large Seattle Parks are also great spots for birdwatching, especially Seward, Discovery, and Carkeek Parks. For even more location ideas, including some beyond Seattle proper, Seattle Audubon Society’s BirdWeb.org includes lists of hot birding spots, and the Washington State Audubon organization offers seven colorful and informative “Great Washington State Birding Trail” maps covering seven regions within the state. These maps are a great road trip inspiration and can be viewed online for free. Find more things to do in Seattle.

Everybody loves a parade (especially when the grand marshal is George Takei), but it’s not the only way to show your pride this weekend. Below, we’ve highlighted some other ways to celebrate, from family-friendly fests to clothing-optional dance parties. Friday, June 27 Pride Shabbat | 6:15 p.m. Temple Beth Am, 2632 NE 80th St. Open to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer guests, as well as their friends and families, this service will feature klezmer music and guest speakers. Afterward, everyone is welcome to attend a free Shabbat dinner. While there, check out the exhibit of same-sex marriage ketubahs, or traditional illustrated marriage contracts. Trans* Pride Seattle March | 6 p.m. Kick-off at Broadway and East Howell Street This march to the Trans* Pride Seattle Celebration will travel south down Broadway to Pike Street and then east on 11th Avenue, ending at the rally at Cal Anderson Park. Starting at 7 p.m., the rally will feature several trans* speakers and a performance by The Nasty Habits, a local transgender cover band, who will play a mix of '80s and '90s glam rock and pop. Theatre22's The Lisbon Traviata | 8 p.m. 1634 11th Ave. The play is the first production in what is slated to become an annual Pride series. Theatre22 offers up its take on Terrence McNally’s play about the relationship between an aging gay man, his longtime boyfriend, and his flamboyant, opera-singing bestie. ($22; additional performances Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.) Midnight Pole Cabaret: Pride Edition | 11:59 p.m. Can Can Burlesque, 94 Pike St. Billed as a “vertical cabaret,” this show features a combination of classic and modern burlesque and pole-dancing techniques. The Pride edition will feature guest star Suwasit, winner of several national medals in pole-dancing competitions and the first male pole dancer to be featured on the Vegas Strip. ($25) Saturday, June 28 Family Pride Day | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Museum of History and Industry, 860 Terry Ave. N This all-day, all-ages celebration will feature games, crafts, performances by Seattle Pride Idol winners, family portraits, bingo with Lunch Lady Mama, and more. Also worth a visit: temporary exhibit Revealing Queer, which features photographs, artifacts, and documents chronicling the LGBT community’s journey from the 1969 Stonewall riots to the passage of a marriage-equality law in Washington in 2012. (Family Pride Day is free with museum admission) Capitol Hill Pride Festival | 11 a.m.–10 p.m. Broadway and Harrison Street This family-friendly prelude to Sunday’s Seattle Center festival is in its sixth year and bigger than ever. Besides food vendors and live musical acts, this year’s fest will feature a mochi-making demo, pony rides, and a performance of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Need more incentive? Three words: doggy drag show. Interfaith Pride Service | 1 p.m. All Pilgrims Christian Church, 500 Broadway E In addition to its special Pride Week service, All Pilgrims will also host a Rainbow Health Fair from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Traditional and holistic healthcare providers will be on hand to offer free screenings and other services tailored to the needs of the LGBT community. Prom Dress Rugby | 2 p.m.–4 p.m. Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave. The men of the Seattle Quake take on the OPSB Breakers women's rugby team for a good-spirited game in formal dress. Spectators can buy points to help their team or vote for prom king and queen; proceeds benefit The Northwest Network. Anything But Clothing Art Show | 7 p.m. Highline Bar, 210 Broadway Ave. E Feeling bold? Ditch your clothes and dress up in body paint courtesy of artist Brandon McGill, who will be painting models before Highline Bar’s clothing-optional dance party. ($10) Sunday, June 29 KEXP Pride Party | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Tilikum Place Park, 2701 5th Ave. This free post-parade party is conveniently located at the end of the parade route. KEXP DJs will spin tunes all day, and a beer garden, cash bar, and pig roast help fuel revelers throughout the event.

Seattle’s Free First Thursday is an excellent local institution: most museums in the area offer free admission and extended hours on the first Thursday of the month. That is, however, a relatively small window of opportunity. Fortunately, it’s not the only one. There are many more days and ways to access free art, culture and history throughout the month. Visit the local library Already a source for free books, movies, music and information, several local library systems are also helping patrons access museums for free. The Seattle Public Library allows cardholders to reserve free passes to museums like the Seattle Art Museum, Henry Art Gallery, Wing Luke Museum and more. The program even includes some Seattle venues – like the Experience Music Project and Seattle Aquarium – that do not participate in Free First Thursday, making the library pass one of the few ways to access them for free. Passes are issued for a single specific day and can be reserved up to 30 days in advance. The King County Library System offers free passes to the Bellevue Arts Museum, KidsQuest Children’s Museum and Washington State History Museum. Passes are good for up to two adults and four children and can be used any time within a week of being issued. For those in the south end, the Pierce County Library System provides free passes to the Museum of Glass, Tacoma Art Museum and Washington State History Museum. Unlike the prior two programs, which can provide passes online, cardholders will need to visit a specific local branch to participate in this free program. The details can be found on the library system’s website. Visit on other days Many museums offer additional free days, or special days for specific populations. In addition to Free First Thursday, the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific Experience offers free third Saturdays and the Northwest African American Museum adds the second Thursday as a free day. The Seattle Asian Art Museum opens for free again on the second Thursday from 5-9pm. The Seattle Asian Art Museum is also free for families on the first Saturday, and for seniors on the first Friday. Seniors can spend their first Friday free at the Seattle Art Museum, too. Always free A couple local museums are always free. One can take a stroll through the Olympic Sculpture Park for free 365 days a year. On many weekends, there are even free guided tours. The exhibitions of the Frye Museum on Capitol Hill are always free, as are many – if not most – of its lectures, film screenings and tours. Want more ways to explore the city? Check out our deals for things to do in Seattle.