September opens the door to crisp weather, changing leaves and abundant ripened apple orchards. Although the fall season doesn’t really set in here in Western Washington until October. The United States has celebrated Labor Day for over 100 years. It’s a celebration of the economic achievements of American workers.

Get out and celebrate this well-deserved holiday, you’ve earned it. Traditionally a barbeque is the way to go. Pick a park any park there, are 163 listed here! There is no excuse for not getting out and about in King County. This place is a recreation dream. Choose a park, pick a grill and enjoy yourself. Better yet, bike on out there, toss the kids in the bike trailer, and find a new trail.

Let’s start out with THE event of the weekend, Bumbershoot. Seattle’s largest, annual music and arts festival. Make sure you check out the very impressive line-up, featuring 100 bands! Artists, comedians, yoga in the park, rock art (album cover artists), a smattering of Seattle’s best restaurants, dancers, theater and a film festival. Spotify even offers bumbershoot playlists  available on the website to rev yourself up for the real thing. From August 31-September 2, you’ll need Monday to recover.

Come on out of your basements gamers because there’s an event for you too! Pax West is the bumbershoot of gaming with thousands of the newest video games available to view, discuss and test out including virtual reality. Hurry and get your tickets, as of now Friday – Sunday are already sold out, hurry to get tickets for Monday before they’re gone as well.

Head South to Puyallup for the opening weekend of the Washington State fair, with an impressive list of big name concerts this year, rodeos, veggie and fruit growing competitions, games, rides, food, shows, farm animals, shopping, demolition derbies, monster trucks and art. Keep the family very busy this weekend with something for every age group.

If you’re bummed about missing the U.S. team in the World Cup this year, we have something to celebrate too. The Seattle Sounders have almost a cult following here in Seattle. Matches are entertaining from the home stadium, for a far better price than a flight to Russia. Come watch your hometown Sounders beat the Sporting Kansas City on Saturday September 1^st. Tickets start at only $17.

For some unconventional Labor Day ideas;

Moss Bay rents kayaks and paddleboards to take out on Lake Union. If you’ve never tried kayaking before tours are available. Being out on the water without a motor is relaxing and serene. Enjoy the end of summer from a calm, happy place on the lake.

PopSUP gives yoga classes and rented paddleboards. What a way to spend the end of summer by communing with the lake in the last of summers rays. Lake Union is the perfect place for a calm, wave free paddle without giving up beautiful city views. Check out the space needle upside down from a floating down dog. It’ll make for an interesting photo opp.

Try out a Seattle Brewery Walking Tour.  A good guide will show you the city and all its little holes and pockets. Even if you’ve lived here for years, learn new facts about town and its brewery magic. Come meet Tim and find out why he has glowing 5-star reviews.

Take a staycation tour with a local. Vayable is a little-known gem of a site that connects people with local tour guides. The guides are regular people, with day jobs that use this site to meet and connect with new people, show their secrets and make a little cash on the side. Guides truly love and enjoy demonstrating all the things that Seattle and its surroundings have to offer. It’s a fun way to find new places that you might walk by every day and never knew were there. Pick a passion and there will be someone there to show you whether it’s a hidden beach, navigating a possibly intimidating China town or finding local art galleries and museums. Labor Day is a great excuse to celebrate local knowledge and be a tourist in your own city.

Take a boat ride there are several companies to choose from. Argosy cruises offers dozens of options for cruising around town including a wine cruise. Waterways Cruises and Events offers dinner and sunset cruises. For a more intimate ride, choose Canderé Cruising for private day sails and sunset cruises with your closest friends.

Alkai and Golden Gardens parks have firepits for bonfires! Enjoy the crisp September air on the beach and cozy up with your loved ones next to a fire while watching the sunset behind the water and the city. It doesn’t get better than that.

High up in the Motif hotel lives Frolik a beautiful, swanky, rooftop bar. Unlike most cocktail, rooftop bars this one is a little bit more playful with led ping pong and bean bag tosses. Friday August 31^st come join in on an outdoor viewing of Napoleon Dynamite at sundown while sipping a movie inspired cocktail.

Be a tourist in town and check out Pike Place Market. There is always something new to find tucked in and hidden away in the corners, with dozens of options from markets to restaurants. Maximilien is a rooftop, Parisian style bistro located above Pike Place market with a dazzling view of the sound. An open-air patio will allow you to soak in the sunset while appreciating an ever changing, seasonal, local menu inspired by cafes in Paris.

No matter what you decide to do on Labor Day you won’t be strapped for options.