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What to do When You’re Not Watching the U.S. Open

Events around the Puget Sound region for when you have to leave the course

By Cassady Coulter June 17, 2015

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The U.S. Open golf tournament tees off on Wednesday, and there’s plenty of excitement brewing all across the Puget Sound region. From Seattle to Olympia, there will be tons of events (think pub crawls, collector’s cars, bikes and boozy kayak trips) to keep you busy while you’re not watching your favorite golfers sink putts on the Chambers Bay green.

South Sound Craft Crawl

That’s right, 15 artisanal breweries from Tacoma to Olympia are joining forces for a pub crawl across the south Sound. Sip your way through them all using a map of the breweries and a Craft Crawler’s Course passport, which gets stamped at each brewery (nine stamps equals a souvenir pint glass). Pick up a map at the Tacoma and Olympia visitor information centers, or at any of the participating breweries. Or go to the event website at southsoundcraftcrawl.com for the full list of breweries and printable map and passport. If you’re trying to redeem that pint glass in one day, you might want to consider scheduling a personal driver with Lifestyle Valet (or pick a friend to be your designated driver, your choice).

Paddles and Pints

If you like paddling about on the water then stopping in at one of Olympia’s waterfront eateries to enjoy a frosty beverage, consider the following.

Boston Harbor (only seven miles north of downtown Olympia) hosts a “Beer-B-Q” every Friday evening in the summer brimming with tastings from local breweries (and sometimes wineries), burgers on the grill and music on the dock. Word has it that the restaurant serves a mean bowl of clam chowder.

Rent a kayak (or BYOK) and paddle your way through the scenic Budd Inlet then stop off at the family-friendly brewery Tugboat Annie’s for pub fare like fish and chips, mac and cheese and its whale of a burger called the “Barge” that measures 10 inches in diameter. The brewery also boasts a full menu of adult bevs—not to mention, boozy milkshakes—in its dining room or out on the waterfront deck.

At the popular Percival Landing–on the east side of Budd Bay on the southernmost tip of Puget Sound—paddle until you reach the new Oly Tap Room, which opened its doors in February. Two friends opened the tap room just for the love of beer, and it shows: You’ll find 14 craft beers and cider (which rotate frequently) all locally produced in the northwest.

Golf and Cars at America’s Car Museum
America’s Car Museum in Tacoma is hosting its fourth annual Hoods Up event June 16-24, during which it will lift the lids on 100 cars so dad can take a look at the inner workings of some classic cars. Don’t have a ticket to witness the action at the U.S. Open? Not to worry, ACM visitors can watch it all unfold on big screens throughout the museum. The Museum will also have extended hours from 5 – 8 p.m. June 15-21.

Hub-to-Hub bike ride

Calling all bicyclists—celebrate the quickly approaching summer solstice with a sunset bike ride. On Wednesday, June 17, starting at 6 p.m., join fellow riders at Tacoma’s The Hub restaurant and brewery and bike an 8-mile trek  (via N 11th St and Scott Pearson Trail) to the restaurant’s Gig Harbor location. Once you’re there, opt for one of the Hub’s pizzas and cool off with a frosty beverage from one of its many local micro brews. Then, make the trip back via the 24th St. Bike Blvd (approximately 8.2 miles). Don’t forget to bring lights!

Want to get in on the action yourself? Test your putting skills at any of these mini golf courses after you watch the pros do their thing.

Looking for more outdoor events for when your eyes aren’t zeroed in on the golf course?  Check out our roundup of the best events for summer 2015.

 

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