MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Trying to find peace and quiet in Seattle this weekend?

Aug 29, 2014, 3:16 PM | Updated: 4:18 pm

Visit Seattle recommends taking a ferry over to Bremerton for the annual Blackberry Festival this w...

Visit Seattle recommends taking a ferry over to Bremerton for the annual Blackberry Festival this weekend. (AP photo)

(AP photo)

Labor Day Weekend is a big one for Seattle, but what if you want to get away from the crowds?

David Blandford, with Visit Seattle, said other than being a good host to tourists, there are plenty of things for locals to do.

If you haven’t been to a neighborhood Farmer’s Market yet this summer, Blandford recommends checking out Ballard, Capitol Hill, West Seattle, and U-District. While you’re in Ballard, you could take in a free music concert at the Locks. And of course, there’s always Discovery Park if you’re looking for an escape.

“If you want some peace and quiet and nature, all you’re really doing is contending with bald eagles and rabbits out there,” Blandford said.

For a day trip, he recommends hopping on a ferry and heading over to Bremerton for the 25th annual Blackberry Festival. Blandford is also a big fan of winery hopping in Woodinville, “the gateway to Washington wine,” where there are more than 80 wineries.

While he’s not thrilled to divulge his secret getaway, Blandford said he loves Foster Island near the University of Washington.

“You can rent a canoe, paddle through the lily-pads, or take a nature walk. You’re surrounded by the city, but it’s so serene and peaceful. It’s one of my favorite places to go to in the summertime,” he said.

No matter where you go, it’s likely you’re going to run into larger than usual crowds.

“We have a lot of people in town this weekend, so if you’re in the city, (especially on the waterfront or at Pike Place Market), it’s going to be busy, but that’s part of the fun too,” Blandford said.

If the idea of traffic and elbowing your way through crowds still has you down, Blandford said all these people are good for the local economy.

“Business is up, hotels are approaching record occupancy. There are a lot of people in town, there have been throughout the summer. From a tourism perspective, we really hope that continues,” he said.

It just might with the Super Bowl championship Seahawks about to kick off the season and the Mariners on track for a playoff spot.

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Trying to find peace and quiet in Seattle this weekend?