The Last Tee Off - Smash Putt

Update:  Smash Putt will be open until April!

If you are a fan of putt-putt, drinking, art and/or laughter Smash Putt is for you.  Smash Putt is an one-of-a-kind golf course created by artists.  In past iterations it has contained an infinite green, a hydraulically controlled impala, 

a Mission Impossible themed hole complete with motion sensors and alarms, 

a skeeball hole 

and a hole that aerates your golf ball with a drill press.

The experience of is like nothing else.  Plan on an evening of golf and fun, but plan on it soon.... Smash Putt is having its End Of Days Finale, closing down after this run.  You can get your tickets here, but get them soon!  Smash Putt's final day is January 1st.  
www.smashputt.com 

Beneath Us Something Stirs - Fremont Troll

Beneath Highway 99, at the end of the Aurora Bridge, something lurks in the dark.  The creature has called the north abutment of the bridge home since 1990.  The Fremont Troll was created by a group of 4 artists who won a contest to revitalize the area beneath the bridge.  

Approaching the Troll from Troll Ave. 

The Fremont Troll stands 18 feet tall and holds an actual VW Beetle under it's left hand. The shoulders are by far the most popular area to pose for a quick photo.  The area around the Troll can be full of of people, so if you're looking for a more private audience head there before lunch or after dinner. 

Sub Astra - Movies Under The Stars

There is something amazing about watching a movie outdoors.  The sounds and sights are amplified by the openness of the venue.  Add in a crowd that is unfettered by the limitations of the theater and you have a spectacle that is unlikely to be recreated at your local Cinerama.  Luckily in the Seattle area there are several locations where you can watch a film with the sky above you.  The Fremont Outdoor Cinema is the longest running of the bunch with Seattle Parks and Recreation (at both Westlake and Occidental Parks), Magnuson Park, Marymoor Park and  the Seattle Center all hosting their own movies within the last few years. With this many venues, there are movies playing 3 to 4 nights a week. As an added bonus, many of the showings encourage dressing up and several showings have movie trivia or other activities before the show starts.  Make sure to follow the link to see pre-ticket sales option and the rules and regulations of each site. Some of the locations have food trucks, beer gardens and other food and drink options. So gather up your low beach chairs, pack yourself some snacks and spread out a blanket under the stars....

Wednesday, July 6: Back to the Future – Marymoor Park

Thur. July 7: Ferris Bueller's Day Off - Magnuson Park

Wednesday, July 13: Jurassic World – Marymoor Park

Thur. July 14: Labyrinth- Magnuson Park

Friday July 15th:  Movies in the Park: Inside Out - Westlake Park

Saturday July 16th: DEADPOOL | 21+ - Fremont Studios

Wednesday, July 20: Inside Out – Marymoor Park

Thur. July 21: Star Wars: The Force Awakens- Magnuson Park

Friday July 22^nd: Movies in the Park: The Goonies - Westlake Park

Saturday July 23^rd: Pretty Woman 21+ - South Lake Union Discovery Center

Wednesday, July 27: Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Marymoor Park

Thur. July 28: The Incredibles- Magnuson Park

Saturday July 30^th: Mad Max: Fury Road 21+ - South Lake Union Discovery Center

Saturday July 30^th: The Princess Bride Quote-Along - Seattle Center Movies at the Mural

Wednesday, August 3: Aladdin – Marymoor Park

Thursday, August 4: Guardians of the Galaxy– Magnuson Park

Friday, August 5^th: Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same - Cal Anderson Park

Saturday, August 6^th: Grand Budapest Hotel 21+ - South Lake Union Discovery Center

Saturday, August 6^th: Mad Max: Fury Road - Seattle Center Movies at the Mural

Wednesday, August 10: Singin' in the Rain – Marymoor Park

Thur. August, 11: Zootopia - Magnuson Park

Friday, August 12^th: Spaceballs - Cal Anderson Park

Saturday, August 13^th: Galaxy Quest - Seattle Center Movies at the Mural

Wednesday, August 17: Zootopia – Marymoor Park

Thur. August 18: The Sandlot– Magnuson Park

Friday, August 19^th: Dudefest V - The Big Lebowski - South Lake Union Discovery Center

Friday, August 19^th:  Barbarella - Cal Anderson Park

Saturday, August 20^th: West Side Story - Seattle Center Movies at the Mural

Wednesday, August 24: The Princess Bride – Marymoor Park

Thur. August 25: The Goonies– Magnuson Park

Friday, August 26^th: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Cal Anderson Park

Friday, Aug 26^th:  Movies in the Park: Labyrinth - Occidental Square

Saturday, August 27^th: Life of Pi - Seattle Center Movies at the Mural

Friday, Sep 2^nd:  Movies in the Park: Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Occidental Square

Drive up to the past – Dick’s Drive-in

Nothing is as ubiquitous to American cuisine as burgers, fries and shakes.   Since the 1940’s, billions of people have dined on this trifecta of goodness.  In Seattle you can get great burgers and shakes all over the city, but there is only one place where they are still serving it up the way they did when they opened in 1954: Dick’s Drive-In.  Dick’s has been a favorite of Seattleites for over 50 years for good reason.  Every item on the menu is handmade everyday: that’s right, the patties are hand-pressed, the fries are fresh-cut, and the shakes are from real ice cream.  This is one of the myriad reasons that people will go out of their way to visit one of the five (soon to be six) Dick’s locations scattered around the city. Another is the seldom changing menu.  Dick’s menu has only changed twice since it was first printed and the prices reflect the simplicity…in fact there isn’t an item on the menu over $2.50!   A trip to Dick’s is like a trip to a different era: handmade, fresh and affordable…the perfect mix for a quick bite to eat. http://www.dicksdrivein.com/

Old Country Meets New Country - Tutta Bella

Beyond sharing a name, Pizza and Neapolitan Pizza have little else in common.  While your standard pizza generally has a dense crust and is piled high with sauces and toppings, a Neapolitan Pizza is a thin, crispy pie with just a touch of softness around the crust.  The toppings are used sparingly with the flavors balanced in every bite.   Neapolitan pizza has sprung up in several of the neighborhoods in and around Seattle, but Tutta Bella’s four locations constantly serves up some of the best.  We were lucky enough to arrive at Tutta Bella right at the tail end of happy hour so we could take advantage of their cheap eats.  We started off with a few of the Stuzzichini or little bites.  The candied almonds are an amazing treat, with a touch of sea salt and rosemary and the marinated olives come in a range of tastes from salty and rich to spicy.  The pizza, of course, was the main attraction.  Our Regina Margherita was exactly what we expected, a soft and crisp crust with a tangy sauce, layered with fresh basil, mozzarella and tomato.  If you’re lucky enough to be seated near the open kitchen you can watch your pizzas as they are prepared.   My only complaint is that I seem to reach for the last slice moments too late.

Dungeons & Dinner - AFK Tavern

Crave a spicy Dragon Burger or a +1 plate of fries and some entertainment to boot? This is your restaurant.  I have been known to pack around a deck of cards or a dice game to while away the time at restaurants and bars.  At AFK Tavern this is a nonissue.  The self-proclaimed “place for geeks and gamers” supplies you with a list of “Games on Tap” right along with your menu.  Spanning the gaming spectrum with choices in card, dice, board, roleplaying, PS3 and XBOX games, the list is a bit daunting at first, but the staff is more than happy to give advice and let you know their favorites.  The atmosphere is relaxed with several groups of people enjoying the game selection while eating.  Did I mention they serve food?  The menu covers much of what you would expect at a tavern with some pleasant twists in the mix. The fried pickle caps are crispy without the usual sogginess you usually encounter and all of our sandwiches were well put together with a nice balance of flavors.   Best of all our food was delivered to the table amidst a challenging game of Space Invaders on a vintage Atari.  http://www.afktavern.com

Rock Out - The Crocodile Cafe

The Crocodile, previously known as the Crocodile Café and sometimes referred to as The Croc, is one of the oldest music venues in Seattle.  For the last 19 years the Crocodile has played host to an amazing array of musicians including Nirvana, R.E.M., Death Cab for Cutie and the Beastie Boys.  The club received a major renovation in 2008 after changing owners, but I’m happy to say the new layout opened up the stage area and made for a more enjoyable show.  I was lucky enough to catch the School of Rock: Smiths Vs. The Cure show as my first show at the renovated Croc and was impressed with the new digs.  The viewing area in front of the stage is huge and the addition of the loft area w/bar gives an incredible view of the bands. I didn’t get a chance to grab pizza at the Back Bar, but there’s always next time.  http://thecrocodile.com/index.html