There really only needs to be one gum wall in the world — for more than one reason. | Photo by @kopadoodle
We’ve all been there: Someone’s trying to give you directions with a jumble of cardinal directions. Isn’t it easier to just point out a landmark?
That’s exactly what we’re doing. Not only are these local icons easy to remember, but they’ll also get you where you need to go in a jiffy.
Space Needle
Address: 400 Broad St.
Nearby: The Pacific Science Center, MoPOP, the Monorail (all landmarks in their own rights)
Perhaps the most famous Seattle landmark is now over 60 years old and has gotten various different paint jobs to mark anniversaries. Fun fact: there have been six parachute jumps from the Needle — two unauthorized.
The Amazon Spheres
Address: 2111 Seventh Ave.
Nearby: Deep Dive, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, Amazon Dog Park
One of the newer editions to Seattle’s landmark lineup (it opened in 2018), the glass domes contain ~40,000 plants from 30 different countries.
This sticky situation has been fascinating — and grossing out — tourists since the ‘90s thanks to the enterprising jokesters at Unexpected Productions, who started it.
Yerbana Yoga in The Park | Thursday, June 12 | 6 p.m. | Gas Works Park | Free | This giant outdoor yoga class for all levels is more like a festival with a vendor village, keynote speakers, and music.
“Mamma Mia!” | Thursday, June 12-Sunday, June 15 | Times vary | Paramount Theatre | $90+ | You could say we have a dream of seeing these dancing queens live on stage with our very own angel eyes.
Friday, June 13
Black Night Market | Friday, June 13 + Friday, June 20 | 3:30-9:30 p.m. | Pier 62 | Free | Commemorate Juneteenth with this night market featuring a wide variety of Black-led businesses, performances, and food trucks.
They Might Be Giants | Friday, June 13-Sunday, June 15 | 8 p.m. | Neptune Theatre | $112+ | Did you know this silly band is also responsible for the “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” theme songs? Hot dog!
Saturday, June 14
Reuben’s Pride Fest | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Reuben’s Brews | Free | The popular Seattle brewery goes technicolor with rainbow flights of beer, dancing, and tasty bites — proceeds from the brewery’s Pride Crikey cans benefit Seattle Pride.
Ruby’s Bump & Grind | Tuesday, June 17, Tuesday, June 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Pitch Studios | $20+ | Bring out your inner star and learn some burlesque basics from one of Seattle’s finest performers.
Wednesday, June 18
Schitts Creek Trivia | 7-8:30 p.m. | Wildrose | $7+ | Ew, David — you really think you know everything about the popular TV series? As if.
Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth at NAAM: A Movement for Joy | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Northwest African American Museum + Judkins Park | Free | Share in Black joy with local art, community building, sports clinics, live performances, and the annual skate party.
Super news here — ground has officially broken on the Garfield Super Block project. Construction plans, which address an unfinished portion of the 2005 master plan, include a renovated park with a new play area, restroom, and walkable loop pathway. Look for a spring 2026 completion date.
Coming Soon
Coffeeholic’s delightfully purple ube coffees are headed to Wallingford — the local Vietnamese chain is opening its fourth location in the northern Seattle neighborhood sometime this summer. The owners have teased that new menu options and “many more surprises” will come with the new shop. (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Closed
Big changes are happening in chef Renee Erickson’s Sea Creatures restaurant group. Its Capitol Hill restaurants Bateau and Boat Bar are closed temporarily while the company reimagines both locations. In addition, two of its General Porpoise doughnut shops have closed permanently: Capitol Hill + Laurelhurst. (Eater Seattle)
Real Estate
Going, going, gone — former Mariners player Ty France placed his Bellevue home on the market, and then watched it sell in just four days for $3.45 million. The 4,341-sqft home has five bedrooms, 4.25 bathrooms, heated floors in the primary suite, and automated shades. (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Environment
Be-leaf it or not, a rare plant is blooming for the first time in North America at the Amazon Spheres. Rhodoleia parvipetala is a small, flowering tree in the witch hazel family native to China and Southeast Asia. The seed that resulted in the blooms downtown were gathered in North Vietnam. (Seattle Times)
Weather
Seattle’s in for another beautiful weekend with highs in the low- to mid-70s and mostly sunny skies. However, there is a bit of rain coming through early next week. See what’s coming with KING 5 meteorologist Rich Marriott.
Sports
Uh oh — the Mariners seem to be a in a bit of a free fall, despite having a pretty solid start to the season. What’s going on? Hear from the local experts on the Seattle Mariners with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Arts
Need weekend plans? We’ve got you covered. Shop handmade art, crafts, jewelry, and more from local artists at Seattle Restored’s 1st Ave. Artist Residency at the Vibes at 1121 Community Pop-Up Market on Sunday, June 15. Learn more.*
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Real Estate
Need your property to sell fast? Feature it here, in front of our 44,000+ highly engaged readers. Visit our self-service ad portal to get started and see your property in SEAtoday in as little as one week.
New sheets at a great discount. Get 70% off these cooling bamboo blend waffle hem sheets, with a queen set only costing $28.99. The 1800 thread count sheets are hypoallergenic, machine washable, and crafted from bamboo-derived fabric that keeps you cool in summer.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Quick other piece of news that I couldn’t fit in up above: there’s a very cool looking horror book pop-up that’s opening in the former QFC location on 15th Avenue E.
Haunted Burrow Books opens Friday June 20 with a selection of horror, moody, goth, sci-fi, and similarly genred novels. Go find something to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
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