Two words: Pinball Museum

I think this is the perfect place for someone to start digging around: http://www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/wiki/ind…

Same thing I tell everybody: Ballard Locks. Make sure you see the fish ladder on the other side.

Go to MOHAI and spend an hour learning about the city you're living in, and then buy a beer at their cafe and sit outside and look at the water. Take a closer look at the historical boats. Carry on over to the rest of the Center for Wooden Boats next door -- it's awesome.

On the other side of Lake Union, sit out on the deck of Ivar's and drink wine.

Take the Water Taxi to West Seattle and eat lunch at Marination Ma Kai. Don't be a coward, have the spam wasubi. Then get on the shuttle to either Alki Beach or the Junction.

For top park action, forget the City of Seattle and check out the almost-secret Port of Seattle parks. Favorites: Jack Block Park next to Harbor Island and T-105 park down the Duwamish. There's a guide to them all here: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/8df4…

But the ultimate Seattle summertime activity, of course, is sitting in the hottest corner of your house and complaining about the heat.

The Columbia Tower 73rd floor observation deck beats the Space Needle by far, except you can't get a $15 drink there.

Get on a river trip. Probably the Wenatchee is the only one flowing this late in the summer, I recommend Orion Expeditions.

Go see the site of the former Elwha Damn west of Port Angeles, but see the movie Damnation before you go for context.

If you get too hot in your un-air conditioned apartment, go swimming. There are beaches on the Sound, but that is some cold water. Go for one of the beaches on Lake Washington or Green Lake. I'm particularly fond of the west Green Lake beach, because it reminds me of being 9. They have a high dive and everything!

Walk or bike along Broadway in Capitol Hill, along 45th in Wallingford (eat at Dick's) and find Queen Anne Hill. Play in the fountain at the Seattle Center.

Any sunny day, preferably on the weekend, hang out at the Seattle Center fountain and watch the kids play.

Take in some local theater at the Annex, the Rep, the Intiman, ACT, 5th Avenue, the bathhouse on Green Lake, the Center House theater, etc., etc.

If you want some "low culture", catch a show at the Triple Door, down at the Can Can at the market, at Re-Bar, or at Mimosas with Mama at the Unicorn.

Take a ferry over to Bainbridge Island and check out Winslow. Lots to do within walking distance of the ferry. Spend too much on a delicious meal at Hitchcock.

Get out now while you still can.

This city will seduce you with its charms and beauty, and then as you become more attached, it will slowly reveal its true dark and moody nature, making you miserable while trapping you with the belief that you could love no other city and no other city could love you.

mt. rainier - drive to sunrise (not paradise). hike to 2nd burroughs mtn. on a clear day you can see downtown seattle.

if you have time, continue to 3rd burroughs. it's an ass-kicker, but you will look straight down at a glacier.

get a beer at the naches tavern in greenwater after. you'll have earned it.

On a hot day, float the Powerhouse stretch of the Snoqualmie river on a simple blow-up raft from a department store. You will not be alone. Many people will be having a good time.

@3: Were you watching me this weekend? *suspicious*

I endorse the comments of @3 & @8.

(Also surprised that no one has offered themselves as a must-do yet. . . )

Discovery Park on a day like this is beautiful. Great trails for hiking, fantastic views, and really peaceful for being located in the middle of a large city.

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/environment…

Myrtle Edwards Park is great for a walk along Elliot Bay too.

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail…

Rent a canoe at UW and paddle around Lake Washington and through the Cut into Lake Union, and see the city from a completely different perspective. Plus, you can paddle through the temporary art installation Gates to Nowhere and try to find the beavers that live in the Arboretum.

Wait, I think I'll take a day off this week and do that. So maybe I'll see you there.

go to a state-licensed cannabis store, buy grams of several different strains. then try and find a legal place to smoke it.

There are lots of places to ride, both in Seattle proper and out of it. Look at the King County, City of Seattle, and Snohomish County (north of Seattle) bicycle maps on line for the bike routes and paths. If those aren’t enough to keep you busy, go to REI or a local book store and check out all the books about local hiking and bicycling options. If you like hills, head to the islands out in the Sound – Bainbridge, Vashon, and Whidbey will all break your legs if you are so inclined! Plus you get to enjoy a ferry ride to get there.

Eats (just off the top of my head):

La Isla, Ballard
El Camion, Ballard
Fat Hen (brunch), Ballard
Le Pichet, Downtown
Ma'ono, West Seattle, or go to the Rhino Room on Capitol Hill for a more limited menu
Fnarf already said Marination, but, unless it closed since I've been there, there's one on Capitol Hill too
Bar Sajor, Pioneer Square

I can't believe I forgot this: Restaurant Roux in Fremont. I was trying to remember what I had deemed one of the best restaurants in the city the other day, and that was it.

That Korean taco place by the rite aid on capitol hill is a pretty good cheap lunch.

Take the ice cream boat that departs from MOHAI on the hour every Sunday. The captain is a grizzled old timer with a ton of great stories. Lots of local flavor.

Jump off the bridge to nowhere in the Arboretum.

Network (or just wander around Lake Union with a six pack on a Tuesday around 5:30) until you find a boat to sail on for Duck Dodge and be sure to hang out on the raft up after the race. If you want to learn to sail there are great (and affordable) lessons at The Center for Wooden Boats, Sail Sand Point, and the Mt. Baker Rowing & Sailing Center.

The Foothills Trail up the valley from Puyallup is an easy but beautiful ride. Take a Sounder train to Puyallup or ride the Sound Transit route #578 if you don't have a car. Eat at Crockett's Public House in Puyallup or the Orting Bakery while you are down there.

@1: You have a pinball museum in Seattle? Damn!

Of course, it would probably prevent me from completing a law studies internship. In fact, it would probably prevent me from even getting one.

Theo chocolate factory tour

Advice from a dad: Study for your bar exam!!! No farting around! Save your money! No dating, sightseeing or lolly gagging until you pass the bar. Hit those books!

If you have a long weekend, drive out to the Olympic Penninsula. This is assuming you aren't from the Pacific NW and won't have an opportunity to see the area ever again. I've been all over the country and this is by far the most beautiful place I've been. Amazing rainforest, easy hikes into snow capped mountains well into August (okay, maybe due to global warming that is no longer true) beautiful wildflowers. Great museums on native american life, rocky beaches unlike anything found on the east coast.

Speaking as a one-time law student intern in Seattle who had big time fun during his three months bunking in Wallingford: don't pass on "the advice in the love/sex arena"! Seattle is a great place to explore your love AND very much your sex interests. There are a lot of very friendly people and options for a person visiting to explore. Remember Seattle's other nickname, "America's Wet Dream." : )

Be sure to stop by Dan Savage's house at

1535 11th Ave # 3
Seattle, WA 98122

and tell the Tech Savvy At-Risk Youth that "Garp sent you". They'll know what it means.

Go on the Theo Chocolate tour. Really interesting, and you get free chocolate.