View the photos full screen or see the Flickr set to see more Seattle indoor fun. Photos by Nick Onken.
The Great Indoors
I’m sorry to tell you this, but the rumors are true: It rains in Seattle, especially during the winter months. No need to worry; the city doesn’t shut down because of a little precipitation. Escape the soggy days by taking a few of these activities to heart.
Play nice
Outside, you may feel like it’s about to snow (which happens, occasionally!), but inside the Tropical Butterfly House in the Pacific Science Center, temperatures rest comfortably in the 80s F to accommodate thousands of winged creatures. And just because it’s winter doesn’t mean hibernation is required. Hit the rocks at places like Stone Gardens and Vertical World, which offer indoor climbing. Or take a dip in the Queen Anne Public Pool, right up the hill from SPU. Discount passes are available on campus: $1 per swim. While on the hill, head over to Blue Highway Games. With about 1,000 nonelectronic games mostly from Europe, chances are you’ll find something new to play. (And you can do so right in the store, no purchase necessary.)
When you feel ready to embrace the chill, visit the Highland Ice Arena and practice figure eights. If spectator sports sound more appealing, then go see the Rat City Roller Girls in action. The league has four teams that take each other on in the Key Arena; season six begins at the beginning of 2010.
Eat your heart out
Winter is all about comfort food. Luckily Seattle has some of the best places to get nourished. Top Pot Doughnuts, with locations scattered across the city, is popular for a reason: Their donuts are made the old-fashioned way: “hand-forged” — whatever that means. (From the taste of the “feather boa,” we’re confident it’s a good thing.)
Soup is a winter cuisine staple, so it’s a given to visit Nana’s Soup House in Fremont. The interiors are warm and inviting, the owner is a hoot of a Southern lady, and the soup is oh, so good.
A longtime SPU favorite has been Gordito’s Healthy Mexican Food in Greenwood. Gordito’s is most famous for their burrito grande, which is roughly the same size as a newborn baby.
For dessert, cupcakes are all the rage. Ballard’s got Cupcake Royale — tasty little cakes in fun flavors including lavender, red velvet, and salted caramel. And Wallingford’s home to Trophy Cupcakes, which has been featured on the Martha Stewart Show — yeah, they’re that good.
Quench your thirst
Beverages deserve their own category apart from “eat” because, hey, this is Seattle. There are so many — maybe too many — coffee shops to choose from, but we obviously can’t highlight them all here. So, how about Caffe Fiore with its authentically strong organic coffee? Another choice place for SPU students is the Teacup on Queen Anne Hill. On any given day, SPUers are in there having a pot of world-class tea, with sugar cubes and cream on the side. How prim and proper is that?
In a whole other realm of beverages, there’s bubble tea, a Taiwanese drink that is basically tea or smoothie with big black tapioca balls added for kicks. Bubble tea is offered many places in Seattle, but a SPU student favorite is WOW Bubble Tea in the University District, where patrons commonly play a late-night game of Jenga or Scrabble over their drinks.
Be entertained
One of the best places to run off to when rain falls is a movie theater. The Majestic Bay Theatre in Ballard is a fun option because of its classic theatre architecture. Many students hit it up for midnight premieres. And just on the outskirts of Seattle is the Crest Cinema Centre, where all shows are $3. Whether you’re on a budget or not, it can’t be beaten.
Be sure to keep schedules open every first Thursday of the month. These are referred to as “First Thursdays” in Seattle, a magical day when many of the city’s museums offer free admission to the public. That includes the Seattle Art Museum, the Museum of Flight, the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum, and many more.
Shop around
At SPU, silly costumes are often needed for floor events, impromptu videos, and/or dance parties. So it’s a good thing Seattle has fabulous vintage and thrift stores chock full of tacky Christmas sweaters, ’80s prom dresses, et al. Value Village and Goodwill offer the lowest prices. Buffalo Exchange and Red Light Vintage Store house amazing retro fashions.
In the market for a good read? Seattle was just named the most literate city in America, and new and used bookstores can be found in all the neighborhoods. Several are a short walk from SPU. For an experience worth a parking hunt, head to Elliott Bay Book Co. It’s a Seattle gem, and a veritable treasure trove of new and used books.
With so much to do, winter just might become your favorite season of all.
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