A holiday weekend -- and sunshine in the forecast. Here's a list of our top 11 things to do this 3- day weekend.
1. Do Folklife. The giant 41-year-old festival is always free and more family-friendly than ever, with singalongs, storytelling, a kindie showcase, an instrument petting zoo, a family band showcase, buskers galore, and on and on. This handy link goes to the festival's family activities.
2. Do one of another million things at the Seattle Center. Besides King Tut, in residence as of May 24, there are many intriguing Next 50 activities, including a hands-on Activity Tent featuring recycled materials (wooden boat building) and the Seattle Center Playway, which debuts this weekend with a zip line and inflatable rides. Or get creative at the Children's Museum renovated Imagination Studio.
3. Learn about sharks at Seattle Aquarium (all weekend).
4. See the clouded leopard cubs, go on a camel ride, and see the live animal show at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, then stop by Fort Nisqually to explore watch historic woodworking in action, through its summer Crafts of the Past programs.
5. Bring your littlest ones to a Baby Animals Super Saturday at Seward Park
(Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.), or to one of these eight local petting zoos.
6. Combine mud and sunshine with one of these seven rainproof spring hikes.
7. Bring your small train fanatics on a vintage train ride in Snoqualmie (open through Monday) or at Mt. Rainier (rides on Saturday and Sunday).
8. Go pond boat sailing on Lake Union and explore the Center for Wooden Boats (11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday).
9. Catch a family film at the Seattle International Film Festival (Saturday and Sunday).
10. On Sunday, help create a "pop-up museum" at Cedar River Watershed Center, then hike to Rattlesnake Ledge.
11. On Monday, celebrate Memorial Day at the Museum of Flight with a stirring concert by the Boeing Employees Concert Band.
