Make Your Summer a 10: Things to do in Tukwila

This summer has been unusually sunny—so much so that people all over the Pacific Northwest are at a loss for what else to do with all the sunshine. Well, we’ve got you covered. Tukwila is overflowing with activities and experiences perfect for those long summer days. Check out a few of our favorites below, inspired by the winners of our recent photo contest—Mikkell Jackson Roeland, Rene Hough, and Ric Meyer!

Catch Some Shade at Duwamish Hill Preserve and River 

Starting things off, we have the perfect remedy for these crazy-high temperatures. A walk through the Duwamish Hill Preserve or along the Duwamish River is a great way to cool down and find some shade from the sun while still enjoying the outdoors.

Power Up at Family Fun Center 

All this extra sun means tons of extra energy to put towards games! Dip into Family Fun Center for bowling, putt-putt, go-karts, bumper boats, batting cages, laser tag, arcade games, pizza, and much more. Honestly, you could spend all summer inside this place! 

All Fore Fun at Foster Golf Links

Other golf courses just have golfing. In Tukwila, we do it a little differently. One of our favorite summer experiences is “First Fridays” at Foster Golf Links. Enjoy live music and a movie at sunset out on the green while loading up on your favorite food from Billy Baroo’s restaurant just a few steps away. 

Soar Above the Heat at the Museum of Flight 

What would a trip to Tukwila be without a visit to the Museum of Flight? A staple of our city for decades, the Museum of Flight is a favorite way to soar above the heat and explore the history of flight.

Make a Splash at the Tukwila Pool 

Dive into one of the coolest places in Tukwila, the Tukwila Pool! But make sure it’s only in the deep end! This favorite summer pastime never fails. Enjoy a leisurely float, jump off the diving board, or sign up for classes today! 

Book Your Summer with Fun

The Tukwila Library not only has a large selection of books, but also a whole calendar full of exciting activities and experiences, like Math Club, Arabic Story Time, Arts & Crafts, and plenty more.

Try a New Lane at Bowlero Bowling 

Strike off a classic summer activity on your list with Bowlero Bowling. At Bowlero, they pull out all of the stops to make your bowling experience unforgettable. In between games, you can enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, billiards, a full arcade, and more. Bowling sure has changed since we were kids! 

Experience Tukwila on Two Wheels 

The summer fun never tires in Tukwila! At 14 miles, the Interurban Trail is a favorite among cyclists and runners. It’s the perfect way to take in all of the sights and sounds of Tukwila. Think you can conquer it in a single day? You probably could—14 miles is long but not, like long-long. 

Kick the Heat at Starfire 

Still stuck on ideas? Here’s an assist: grab a soccer ball and take to the pitch at Starfire Sports! Anyone can reserve a spot to play a pickup game, host a party, or even go all in on a full tournament. Inside and outside fields available. Champions train in Tukwila, and many of their careers begin right here at Starfire. You could be the next star! Or just a casual weekend player—that’s cool too! 

Freshen Up at the Farmers Market

There’s nothing more refreshing than fresh food, and we know just the place to fill your tote with locally grown fruits and veggies. Tukwila Village Farmers Market is your classic community market, providing locally grown produce. When you shop here, you’re also supporting local immigrant and refugee growers. Take a stroll through the market every Wednesday afternoon, now until mid-October!

Now it’s time to get out there.

Phew! That was a lot of activities and experiences to get through—we’re breaking a sweat! Time to go cool off at one of the many amazing restaurants in Tukwila…or maybe we’ll see a movie…or maaaaybe we’ll go to the VR arcade! Oh wow, so many more things to do in this town. Guess we’ll have to compile another list soon! 

We hope this list was helpful and will bring you some more summer joy. Enjoy your time in Tukwila!

Tukwila Library Unveils their Electronic Locker Program

Washingtonians love their books. Of course, it helps having perfect weather conditions year-round for curling up and escaping into a good story. But there’s also a great sense of pride for the general love for knowledge and creative expression that permeates our communities. So, when the world went into lockdown to combat the spread of the COVID-19, it’s no surprise that cutting access to in-person library spaces sent bibliophiles across the state into disarray.

But the shock was short-lived. King County Library Systems (KCLS) acted fast to reconnect people with their beloved books by leveraging OverDrive—the digital platform that gives residents access to ebooks and audiobooks without ever having to leave their homes. Libraries also began supporting curbside pickups as well as launching online virtual programs to continue serving the community. 

Curbside pickup “surprise bags” were made available by KCLS during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The latest initiative undertaken by King County Library Systems involves the rollout of electronic lockers at a variety of locations—including right here in Tukwila. “The lockers provide an easy and convenient way for patrons to pick up materials,” stated KCLS Executive Director Lisa Rosenblum. The lockers, which provide 24/7 access for all patrons, were funded by the KCLS Foundation and from a portion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). We recently caught up with the staff over at the Tukwila branch to see how the program has been going since its debut back in February. 

Tukwila Mayor Allan Ekberg with KCLS Executive Director Lisa Rosenblum and Washington State Librarian Sara Jones at the unveiling ceremony for the Tukwila Library electronic lockers on February 11.

 

How have the electronic lockers been received by the community? ​  

The Tukwila Library lockers received a warm welcome from the community at the grand opening on February 11. Governor Jay and First Lady Trudi Inslee also recently came to the Tukwila Library to visit one of our pop-up vaccine clinics and the library lockers. 

Since the Tukwila lockers have only been open a little over two months, we don’t have adequate feedback to share from patrons at this time. However, we know that the first set of lockers we installed at the Bothell and Covington Libraries in October 2020 have been popular additions to the community. Patrons enjoy the ability to pick up library materials any time with 24/7 access.   

How do you think electronic lockers will contribute to overall readership/library attendance? ​  

The electronic lockers increase access to library materials; they offer an easy and convenient way to pick up items any time of the day. Any opportunity to provide residents’ greater access to information and library materials is an opportunity to increase readership, knowledge, and quality of life.  

Anything else you’d like folks to know about the Tukwila Library? ​  

The Tukwila Library is a beautiful space that is well used and beloved by the community. We hope to see you soon, either outside at the new lockers, inside, or online! 

Learn more about the electronic lockers and how you can use them here.