Fall Bucket List

30 Things to Do This Fall in Seattle Southside and Beyond

Last Updated: September 3, 2026

Pack in all the seasonal fun while you can!

Autumn can feel short and sweet in the Northwest, with a fairly brief window to admire the fall foliage and catch that rare combination of sunny skies and crisp air. We created this bucket list to help you make the most of the season. Below, find 30 things to do in Seattle Southside this fall, from leafy trails to whimsical treats to curiously wonderful experiences.

Outdoor Fun
Halloween Activities
Seasonal Sips and Bites
Cozy Diversions
Get Sporty
Holiday Planning

Outdoor Fun

1. Get in the fall spirit at a festive event, like Oktoberfest at the Des Moines Marina (Sept. 19-20) and an Oktoberfest Brews Cruise (Sept 20). Find more fall events.

2. Stroll through a Japanese garden and admire how the maples are particularly vibrant during the fall. We love the Seike Garden at the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden. You can visit any day, but there is a free Fall Festival on Sept. 25.

3. Go hunting for fall foliage at local parks and trails, such as the Des Moines Creek Trail and Angle Lake Park.

4. Take a scenic bike ride along one of the area's many paved paths. (Here are some of our favorites).

5. Embark on a day trip to Mount Rainier or another destination within a few hours' drive of Seattle and see how the landscape is transformed for the season.

Halloween Activities

6. Scour for Halloween costumes at local thrift stores or the Spirit Halloween in Tukwila, which is surrounded by lots of places to grab a bite when you're done.

7. Catch a scary movie in theaters.

8. Shop for fall and Halloween decorations and fill your home with cozy touches like candles and throws. Zenith Holland Nursery & Gift has an amazing selection of goods, as well as lots of real pumpkins and cute photo corners.

9. Sign up for the free UFO Mysteries Trail to explore some spooky local lore and learn about our region's brush with the unknown.

10. Attend a Halloween event like Museum of Fright, a family-friendly event at The Museum of Flight with games and activities. Costumes encouraged!

Pictured: Seasonal home goods at Zenith Holland Nursery & Gift in Des Moines.

Seasonal Sips and Bites

11. Indulge in seasonal coffee or matcha drinks at local cafes like Second Love in Des Moines and Neighborhood Cafe in Tukwila.

12. Warm up with a piping hot bowl of pho, ramen, or udon. If you need ideas of where to find noodles, we've got plenty of recommendations.

13. Savor fresh, local produce at a farm-to-table restaurant like Copperleaf, which rotates its menu every season (and has a special honey-themed menu for September).

14. Take a tour of Seattle Chocolate Factory and pick up seasonal flavors in the gift shop.

15. Hit up a bakery to pick up pumpkin-flavored treats. Paris Baguette always has some tasty options.

Cozy Diversions

16. Get into a relaxing indoor craft like knitting or quilting. If you need a push to motivate yourself, All Points Yarn offers one-on-one knitting classes for all levels (contact the store to schedule). Carriage Country Quilts is another local gem inside an old-fashioned house. Find more craft and art stores.

17. Pick up a book and crack into it at a cafe like Auntie Irene's, which feels straight out of Gilmore Girls.

18. Try a new recipe from a cuisine you're not familiar with. Shopping for spices and ingredients at international markets is half the fun.

19. Round up some friends for a game night at a local watering hole. Oppegaard Meadery feels like a speakeasy and has lots of board games you can set up on the large, Viking-inspired tables.

20. Delve into journaling with cute stationery from a specialty store like MochiThings.

Get Sporty

21. Get ready for winter sports season at Stoke Mountain, an indoor ski and snowboarding park.

22. Grab a friend and play a game of indoor badminton at Bellevue Badminton Club, which has a new facility in Tukwila.

23. Join a game of indoor soccer at E90, which has small-sided drop-in soccer Mondays and Thursdays at 8 p.m., or Starfire Sports, which hosts drop-in games on Friday evenings.

24. Celebrate football season at locals' favorite sports bars.

25. Pick up new jerseys, caps, and gear for your favorite local teams. Here's where to find the best fan gear.

Holiday Planning

26. Schedule family photos at a scenic location in time to use them for holiday cards.

27. Start shopping for gifts, so you're not rushed come December. (See our gift guide for ideas).

28. Put in your PTO requests and book accommodations well in advance.

29. If you plan to host friends or relatives, help them find hotels and bookmark some activities for them.

30. Grab tickets to seasonal events, like the Rainier Symphony Holiday Concert on December 19 and 20.

Featured Fall Events

Oktoberfest Brews Cruise

Celebrate Oktoberfest on the water with a festive Brews Cruise aboard the Argosy Goodtime II as part of the Des Moines Weekend Celebration. Guests can…

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Fall Festival

**FREE EVENT**Celebrate the arrival of autumn at the Fall Festival at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden in SeaTac! Spend time exploring the beautiful botanical garden while…

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FAQs for Fall Activities Near Seattle

What are some fun things to do near Seattle in the fall?

There are plenty of fall activities near Seattle, including viewing fall foliage, attending seasonal festivals, exploring parks and trails, trying seasonal food and drinks, and finding Halloween activities. In Seattle Southside, visitors can stroll through the Seike Garden at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden, explore Des Moines Creek Trail, hunt for UFO lore, or warm up with pho, ramen, and other cozy eats.

Where can I see fall colors near Seattle?

Seattle Southside has several places to see fall colors near Seattle, including Des Moines Creek Trail, Angle Lake Park, and the Seike Garden at Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden. Japanese maples at the Seike Garden are particularly colorful during the fall, while local parks and trails offer easy ways to enjoy changing leaves outdoors.

What are some Halloween activities near Seattle?

Halloween activities in and around Seattle Southside range from family-friendly events to spooky local adventures. Explore the UFO Mysteries Trail, catch a scary movie, shop for costumes and Halloween decorations, or attend seasonal events such as Museum of Fright at The Museum of Flight. Check event organizers' websites for current dates and details before you go.

What can you do near Seattle on a rainy fall day?

Rainy fall days near Seattle are perfect for indoor activities such as touring Seattle Chocolate Factory, seeing a movie, shopping, playing indoor sports, visiting a cafe, or exploring international markets. Seattle Southside also has indoor skiing and snowboarding, badminton, soccer, craft shops, restaurants, and other ways to turn a drizzly Northwest day into an adventure.

Is Seattle Southside worth visiting in the fall?

Yes. Fall is a great time to explore Seattle Southside for colorful parks and trails, seasonal events, Halloween activities, cozy restaurants and cafes, and easy day trips around the Seattle region. The mix of outdoor and indoor activities also makes it easy to change plans when Pacific Northwest weather changes.

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