Backyard barbecues are a blast, and firework shows are fantastic. However, if you’d rather celebrate your (hopefully very long) holiday weekend doing something a little less traditional, that’s perfectly acceptable.
If you’re looking for an out-of-the-box Independence Day this year, check out this list for ideas for a good time, no American flag apparel required.
- Take the family to Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum and leave the food and entertainment to someone else.
Suncadia Resort Facebook At Suncadia, the party starts on Saturday, July 1st and continues for days. You can catch a few traditional events, like the 4th of July Parade in downtown Cle Elum on July 1, or you can stick to Suncadia’s schedule that’s packed with children’s parties, live music and S’mores. Check out their website for a complete list of the fun.
- Or, head the other direction and spend a few days at Roche Harbor Resort on San Juan Island.
Roche Harbor Facebook Roche Harbor is hosting an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration that includes live music, a Fun Run and a donut-eating contest (hopefully after the run). While there are some classic elements to this celebration (like the fireworks show over the harbor), you can always sneak off and enjoy downtown Friday Harbor if you’d rather keep it simple.
- Head to Spokane and then promptly get out of the sun.
Karyn Christner / Flickr American rapper Marco Archer, also known as Phora, will be performing at The Pin on Sprague on July 4th at 8 PM. If you love music and you don’t love fireworks, check it out.
- Run a 4K with your dog in Bellevue.
Bellevue Downtown Facebook The Bellevue Four on the 4th Dog Jog & Walk is a local tradition, and it’s a fun way to kick off the holiday.
- Book a room at the Salish Lodge & Spa and retreat from the world.
Salish Lodge & Spa Facebook If you think about it, the 4th of July is the perfect time to indulge in some posh pampering. While everyone else is outdoors behind the grill, you can be watching the falls from the comfort of your air-conditioned room or enjoying a massage at the spa.
- Cruise from sea to shining sea.
Argosy Cruises Facebook Argosy Cruises offers several 4th of July cruises in the Seattle area. The largest is a 5-hour cruise that departs from the Seattle waterfront at 6:45 and includes a buffet dinner and a Northwest Native American dance and cultural performance. Then you’ll cruise over the Bainbridge Island to see their fireworks over Eagle Harbor. This cruise is all-ages, but you’ll find plenty of 21 + cruises on Argosy’s website.
- Celebrate America’s birthday in a way that would make the Founding Fathers proud: with wine.
Northstar Winery Facebook Northstar Winery is honoring Independence Day with a weekend-long event at their Walla Walla winery. The party starts on July 1 with live music from a jazz/swing band, the Why Not Pizza truck, and of course, delicious wine. The party continues on Sunday, and the tasting room is open on the 4th from 11 AM - 3 PM.
- Enjoy some free music at the Ballard Locks in Seattle.
Curtis Cronn / Flickr Every summer, Seattleites look forward to free weekend concerts at the Ballard Locks. You can see the Professor Gadget Sax Quartet on July 1, swing dance to the 85th Street Big Band on July 2, enjoy a jazz festival followed by a street dance on July 3, and hear some classic marching music on July 4.
- Hit the open road.
William Olson / Flickr Is there a part of our state you’ve always wanted to explore? Go on a road trip to uncharted territories and see what you’ve been missing. Just make sure your destination of choice isn’t hosting an enormous party for the 4th so you’ll have a better chance of getting a hotel room. And definitely make sure you find a place that serves fresh apple pie.
However you end up celebrating America’s birthday this year, make sure you impress your loved ones with your Washington state trivia knowledge.
Suncadia Resort Facebook
At Suncadia, the party starts on Saturday, July 1st and continues for days. You can catch a few traditional events, like the 4th of July Parade in downtown Cle Elum on July 1, or you can stick to Suncadia’s schedule that’s packed with children’s parties, live music and S’mores. Check out their website for a complete list of the fun.
Roche Harbor Facebook
Roche Harbor is hosting an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration that includes live music, a Fun Run and a donut-eating contest (hopefully after the run). While there are some classic elements to this celebration (like the fireworks show over the harbor), you can always sneak off and enjoy downtown Friday Harbor if you’d rather keep it simple.
Karyn Christner / Flickr
American rapper Marco Archer, also known as Phora, will be performing at The Pin on Sprague on July 4th at 8 PM. If you love music and you don’t love fireworks, check it out.
Bellevue Downtown Facebook
The Bellevue Four on the 4th Dog Jog & Walk is a local tradition, and it’s a fun way to kick off the holiday.
Salish Lodge & Spa Facebook
If you think about it, the 4th of July is the perfect time to indulge in some posh pampering. While everyone else is outdoors behind the grill, you can be watching the falls from the comfort of your air-conditioned room or enjoying a massage at the spa.
Argosy Cruises Facebook
Argosy Cruises offers several 4th of July cruises in the Seattle area. The largest is a 5-hour cruise that departs from the Seattle waterfront at 6:45 and includes a buffet dinner and a Northwest Native American dance and cultural performance. Then you’ll cruise over the Bainbridge Island to see their fireworks over Eagle Harbor. This cruise is all-ages, but you’ll find plenty of 21 + cruises on Argosy’s website.
Northstar Winery Facebook
Northstar Winery is honoring Independence Day with a weekend-long event at their Walla Walla winery. The party starts on July 1 with live music from a jazz/swing band, the Why Not Pizza truck, and of course, delicious wine. The party continues on Sunday, and the tasting room is open on the 4th from 11 AM - 3 PM.
Curtis Cronn / Flickr
Every summer, Seattleites look forward to free weekend concerts at the Ballard Locks. You can see the Professor Gadget Sax Quartet on July 1, swing dance to the 85th Street Big Band on July 2, enjoy a jazz festival followed by a street dance on July 3, and hear some classic marching music on July 4.
William Olson / Flickr
Is there a part of our state you’ve always wanted to explore? Go on a road trip to uncharted territories and see what you’ve been missing. Just make sure your destination of choice isn’t hosting an enormous party for the 4th so you’ll have a better chance of getting a hotel room. And definitely make sure you find a place that serves fresh apple pie.
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