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Tuesday, August 16, 2011 - Page updated at 03:50 p.m.

Summer Guide

<div class="bodytext"> <p>A group of friends jump into Angle Lake in SeaTac on a hot summer day. </p><br/> <p class="vspacing"></p> <H1>Jump into summer!</H1><p class="vspacing"></p> <p>Our Summer Guide offers ideas for things to do and places to go plus eight car-free getaways -- to ease the pain of high gas prices. And don't miss our weekend-by-weekend picks to help you set priorities. <p class="vspacing"></p> <p></p> </div>

Enlarge this photoELLEN M. BANNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES

A group of friends jump into Angle Lake in SeaTac on a hot summer day.


Jump into summer!

Our Summer Guide offers ideas for things to do and places to go plus eight car-free getaways -- to ease the pain of high gas prices. And don't miss our weekend-by-weekend picks to help you set priorities.

Outdoors

Wildflower walks: 5 hikes you can take now

On the road

5 scenic bike rides or drives

Outdoor theater

Review:

'Macbeth,' 'Tempest' among plays staged for free outdoors

Best bets

A weekend-by-weekend A-list for summer fun

Fairs, festivals and events

Staying afloat and bringing smiles to the crowds are part of the fun at the Seafair Milk Carton Derby at Green Lake Park. This year's event, which also features activities on land, will be on July 16.

Enlarge this photoALAN BERNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Staying afloat and bringing smiles to the crowds are part of the fun at the Seafair Milk Carton Derby at Green Lake Park. This year's event, which also features activities on land, will be on July 16.

See our calendars of summer festivals and events, from the U District StreetFair in May to the Puyallup Fair in September.

A weekend-by-weekend A-list of summer fun

August events

September events

Here's the top billing among summer concerts

Car-free getaways

A totem pole and hotel overlook Agate Passage at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, reached by a free shuttle from the Bainbridge ferry dock.

Enlarge this photoSTEVE RINGMAN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

A totem pole and hotel overlook Agate Passage at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort, reached by a free shuttle from the Bainbridge ferry dock.

A season's worth of novel ideas for getting away from it all — by train, ferry, bus or bike — while leaving $4-a-gallon gas pumps behind you.

Snoqualmie Falls without the driving

Alki is our hometown beach

Bike and camp on pretty Camano Island

Take the day train to Centralia

Sounder, ferry and free bus to laid-back Langley

Take the bus or train to the Puyallup Fair

Scenery, a free shuttle, tribal art — and slots

Bus it to Tacoma's Museum Row

Great places

Whale-watching boats offer trips from Seattle, Bellingham, Anacortes, Port Townsend, Victoria, Friday Harbor and Orcas Island. New 2011 federal regulations require a 200-yard setback for most vessels in the vicinity of whales.

Enlarge this photoSTEVE RINGMAN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Whale-watching boats offer trips from Seattle, Bellingham, Anacortes, Port Townsend, Victoria, Friday Harbor and Orcas Island. New 2011 federal regulations require a 200-yard setback for most vessels in the vicinity of whales.

Consult our detailed guides to favorite summer attractions -- many of them free -- all over Puget Sound.

Great places: Seattle

Great Places: North Sound

Great Places: Eastside

Great Places: West Sound

Great Places: South Sound

More summer fun

On a summer day when the temperature soared, the Lowery C. "Pop" Mounger Pool in Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood was at capacity, with 338 people.

Enlarge this photoCOURTNEY BLETHEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES

On a summer day when the temperature soared, the Lowery C. "Pop" Mounger Pool in Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood was at capacity, with 338 people.

Here are readers' top ice-cream spots (and flavors); add yours to the mix

Washington's 'new beach town' makes a family happy

Outdoor movies: 21 neighborhoods light up summer nights

Here's to your summer: Cocktails made simpler

Helping your tween girl survive the perils of summer

Summer reading: nature's delights, the nature of friendship and life lessons for children and teens

Nancy Pearl shares picks for great summer reads at Kirkland Library Saturday

Summer reading programs abound at Seattle-area libraries

Lit Life | Summer reading list: 7 super mysteries and thrillers

What's new this summer on the outdoors bookshelf

Summer Fly Days are the big (free) show for Paul Allen's rare warbirds

How to make your dog's days of summer safer

Splish, splash! Where to get wet this summer

Launch your cycling season on these five fab (but underloved) bike paths

Farmers markets offer the colors and tastes of summer

Here's the top billing among summer concerts

Northwest destination guides

Selected Seattle sights

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