The Must List: Smith Tower Grand Reopening, Tall Ships Drop Anchor

What to do this weekend in Seattle

By Seattle magazine staff August 25, 2016

Must Ooh and Ahh
Smith Tower Grand Reopening
Thursday (8/25, times vary) After a few nips and tucks, the historic 1914 Smith Tower officially reopens its 35th-floor observation deck today! Expect a new Prohibition era-inspired bar, a new general store and two ongoing tour options: the 40-minute self-guided “Legends of Smith Tower” and the “Straight Up,” which zips you directly to the Observatory.

Must Walk the Plank
Set Sail Aboard a Tall Ship in Kirkland
(8/26 to 8/28, times vary) Calling all potential sea captains: The Lady Washington, an Aberdeen-based tall ship that starred alongside Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, makes a pit stop in Kirkland with sister ship the Hawaiian Chieftain. Opt to tour the ships or set out for a battle sail, wherein you’ll experience an 18th century naval skirmish with real cannons and gunpowder and perhaps sing a sea shanty or two.

Must See
14/48: The World’s Quickest Theater Festival
(8/26 and 8/27, 8 and 10:30 p.m.) What happens when you take some of Seattle’s best and boldest thespians, put them outside, and tell them to write, cast, direct, rehearse, score and design a play in just 48 hours? The World’s Quickest Theater Festival! This time around, it’s breaking even more boundaries: the plays will be completely acoustic, and for the first time ever, will take place in an intimate neighborhood setting in Frelard. Bonus: There will be a beer garden.

Must Push It Real Good
We Love the ’90s
Saturday (8/27, 7 p.m.) Salt-N-Pepa, Coolio, Young MC—and a few of the others on that mixtape labeled “My Jamz” that you probably had floating around in your car back in the day—will take the stage during this all-star open-air concert at Redmond’s Marymoor Park. Pack a picnic and a blanket and be prepared to bust a move.

Must Fly
Wings Over Washington Flying Theater Now Open
(Dates and times vary) Soar over the great state of Washington aboard the new, state-of-the-art Wings Over Washington ride. The “flying theater” attraction takes flight at Miners Landing on Pier 57.