Thinking about a visit to Seattle when September rolls around? You know, that transition month when summer's sun hangs around just long enough to make the city truly sparkle, too it's almost as if it puts on its best outfit before fall rushes. Actually, September may very well be the perfect time to visit! The weather's often glorious, the crowds have thinned out since the crazy summer months, and there's an array of awesome activities calling your name. Get ready, as we talk about five standout things to do that will definitely make your visit to Seattle a memory you treasure.

1. Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival

So, you like music, art, and maybe a general festive vibe? In that case, Bumbershoot is that yearly festival drawing locals and visitors for decades now. Anyway, held at the Seattle Center, think of it as a massive end-of-summer bash with a really eclectic mix of music stages, art installations, comedy shows, and food vendors, you know, the usual festival stuff. The lineup shifts yearly, yet Bumbershoot often gets national headliners alongside plenty of regional and emerging artists, you see? It could be that you'll spend your day hopping from rock to hip-hop to indie, while soaking in some performance art. Or, seriously, you could just chill on the lawn, chowing down on some tasty local eats – your call! It's a really a great way to capture that uniquely Seattle creative spirit, alright?

2. Explore Discovery Park

Time for a break from the city's quick pace, do you reckon? If that's the case, Discovery Park offers that wide, sprawling green space with trails wandering through forests, meadows, and along dramatic cliffs, like your own personal nature retreat, very Seattle. Apparently, September's the sweet spot here, too, you know. What you'll find is that you get clear skies and temperatures that's nice and mild, superb weather when hiking the Loop Trail, spotting wildlife (keep an eye out for bald eagles!), or just relaxing on the beach, and soaking in those Puget Sound views, or something. Don't you love those moments when you realize, you are very far from city life while very close? Basically, it is that easy escape Seattle gives so well, basically.

3. Pike Place Market in all it's glory

You can't visit Seattle without seeing Pike Place Market, like that is impossible. That famed landmark buzzes, all the time, yet September's more chilled out than the summer craziness. I mean, it's that spot where you get to experience Seattle's culinary scene in action. That is to say, you can find the freshest seafood, beautiful flowers, locally made crafts, or something, or all! It seems like that fish throwing is the stuff of legends, of course. Yet take a little while longer to chat with the vendors, taste some samples, and soak in that atmosphere. Are you a foodie? This might be your paradise, like! If you love pictures, it's quite possibly very high on your list too. In fact, there are so many colourful moments everywhere!

4. A Ferry to Bainbridge Island

Ready for a mini escape that only involves a ferry ride? It could be that you'd find that the ferry from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island offers absolutely stunning views of the city skyline, Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains. You will soon get away from it all and be in Winslow, Bainbridge's main town, so just a great day-trip escape! Or something! Really, Winslow is so quaint. In effect, you get to explore little shops, galleries, and restaurants. If that's not for you, maybe wander around the Bloedel Reserve for that stunning landscape of gardens and natural forests, it is quite big. You can probably do it at your pace, really, so go slow, breathe deeply and enjoy those pacific northwest views, OK?

5. Catch a Mariners Game

Really into baseball? It could be you don't care that much. Anyway, September is when the Mariners are in their home stretch, very potentially making a playoff push, so there should be quite a vibe in town! You know, experience the electric atmosphere at T-Mobile Park, very central. Too it's almost always packed, I think. Buy a ticket, grab a hot dog, and yell "play ball!" you see, soak it all in! Or maybe, simply appreciating the retractable roof doing its magic could be very fun too, because, lets face it, the chance of rain in Seattle, real? The energy here can get so palpable, definitely Seattle. Is that something for you? Then be sure to do this!