Sober Summer Fun in Seattle
This body of water is popular for kayaking and paddleboarding near Gas Works Park.
What is Lake Union?
The best beach in West Seattle to practice mindfulness while listening to waves.
What is Alki Beach?
Name one healthy summer coping skill to replace the urge to drink or use.
What is going for a walk / calling a sponsor / journaling outdoors?
This common summer event can be a relapse trigger if alcohol is involved.
What is a BBQ / family gathering
This type of natural Seattle landmark can symbolize emotional growth and recovery.
What are trees / Mount Rainier / tide pools?
This annual event at Seattle Center features food vendors, live music, and family-friendly zones—making it a fun, sober outing for people in recovery.
What is Taste of Seattle?
This 11-mile trail is ideal for walking meditations or group gratitude walks.
What is the Burke-Gilman Trail?
This acronym helps you pause before reacting to a craving.
What is HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired)?
One phrase you can say to set a boundary at a party without explaining your recovery.
What is “No thanks, I’m good” or “I’m just here for the company”?
This word describes nature’s ability to calm and restore your nervous system.
What is grounding / regulation / serenity?
A scenic neighborhood where you can explore the Ballard Locks and watch salmon navigate the fish ladder.
What is Ballard?
The iconic tower where you can reflect on how far you’ve climbed in your recovery journey.
What is the Space Needle?
Cravings tend to last this long if you don’t feed them.
What is 15–20 minutes?
The name for a plan you make in advance to avoid relapse.
What is a relapse prevention plan?
This is a meaningful reflection question to journal after spending quiet time in nature, helping you track emotional shifts in recovery.
What is “What thoughts or feelings came up for me during the walk?”
This elevated park near Pike Place Market is perfect for reflection and group journaling.
What is the Olympic Sculpture Park?
This quiet Japanese garden is a place of peace, perfect for grounding and mindful breathing.
What is the Seattle Japanese Garden?
One natural body change that can make you feel like using—but is actually just dehydration.
What is thirst / low electrolytes?
This public holiday may be difficult for some people in recovery due to trauma or loss.
What is the 4th of July?
A Seattle location where you can witness sunrise or sunset and reflect on hope.
What is Kerry Park / Golden Gardens?
This event series offers free outdoor movies in the park—bring a blanket and recovery friends!
What are Movies at the Mural?
This peaceful outdoor setting near Seattle is perfect for connecting with animals, practicing compassion, and experiencing the calming effects of nature in recovery.
What is Woodland Park Zoo?
This cooling, non-caffeinated drink can help manage hot weather and cravings.
What is sparkling water / lemonade / herbal iced tea?
This kind of summer social activity is both safe and supportive in early recovery.
What is a sober meetup / NA picnic / volunteering / nature hike?
This Pacific Northwest weather feature often clears by late July, bringing literal and emotional clarity.
What is the marine layer / the June gloom?