With most of us sticking closer to home this year for the long weekend due to coronavirus and campgrounds booked to the brim, here are some fun last-minute ideas that you can still enjoy while distancing from others.
A few great reminders while doing activities or going anywhere during the pandemic:
- Wear a mask anytime you are indoors – and outdoors where you cannot maintain more than 6 ft of space between individuals. Your mask must cover both your nose and mouth to be effective.
- Bring hand sanitizer with you.
- Check what’s open before you leave and any specific rules they may have.
- As always, be cautious and courteous to those around you. You never know who around you may be more susceptible to disease, which is why it is so important to wear your mask in public.
And now for the fun stuff!
ZooThe Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma is open daily from 9am – 5pm. Some of the indoor high-touch exhibits are closed, but the aquariums are back open. Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is open from 9:30am – 6pm, but indoor exhibits are closed. Zoo visits are allowed with timed-entry tickets and are marked with one-way paths, keeping everyone safe by only allowing a certain amount of people into the zoo at any given time. You can buy tickets for Point Defiance here and Woodland Park here. |
Kayaking/paddle boardingBe as physically distant from others as the water will possibly let you be! Many kayaking and paddle boarding rentals are still open for the season. A few of our favorite areas for paddling are: |
Ride around on a Surrey BikeEver see a group of people riding around in a canopied 2, 4, or 6-person cart along the waterfront? Yep, that’s a surrey bike! Pedal away for an hour or two while enjoying that PNW sunshine and some fresh, salty air. For safety, make sure you’re only sharing a ride with those already in your same household. Available at Alki Beach or Ruston Way. https://wheelfunrentals.com/ |
Have a picnicWhen’s the last time you actually had a proper picnic? Blanket, basket, cheese, crackers, snacks, fruit, maybe some wine or champagne? A charcuterie plate? (Learn how to make the perfect charcuterie board here!) We have so many gorgeous parks in the greater Seattle area to enjoy. Why not pair a picnic with a visit to one of our beautiful gardens like the Seattle Japanese Garden or the Rhododendron Botanical Garden in Federal Way? (Just be sure you aren’t drinking alcohol in any public parks.) And if nothing else, have that picnic in your own back yard! |
River floatIf the weather is warm, grab an inflatable and float the afternoon away! There are several rivers to choose from, but keep an eye on water levels – nothing quite like ruining the day by popping your float on some shallow rocks. |
Wine tastingDid you know that many of the wineries in Woodinville are open for outdoor seating? Make an afternoon of it, then enjoy dinner on the patio at one of the various restaurants in Woodinville. Read who’s open, the hours, and if you need advance reservations here: https://woodinvillewinecountry.com/join-woodinville-wine-country-on-the-patio-heres-who-is-open/. |
Bike rideA good old-fashioned bike ride can make for such a great day with the whole family. If you have a car with a bike rack, rack up and head over to one of our favorite trails – the Foothills Trail in Orting, the Green River Trail, or the Cedar River Trail. Or just ride around the neighborhood. If you live in a more urban area, ride around for a bit and then stop off at your favorite brewery or restaurant before riding home. |
BBQA classic for long weekends. If you have the outdoor space, it’s not too difficult to throw a physically distant BBQ in the yard or on the patio. Just make sure you’ve got your seating spaced out properly and everyone has a mask to wear inside if they need to use the restroom. Plan your spacing, grab a brew, and throw those burgers and hotdogs on the grill! |
What other great activities would you add to this list?
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