September 6, 2018 (Chinatown-International District)

Editor

Welcome to Seattle Close to Home — a weekly round-up of ideas for time-crunched Seattle-area residents, who want to get outside, volunteer, and eat good food, but don’t necessarily want to drive far (or at all).

Help out with park restoration. Venture across the Jose Rizal Bridge (on 12th Ave S) to woodsy Lewis Park (1120 15th Ave S) and assist with fall planting and trail maintenance. Volunteers will meet from 10am to 1pm on Sunday and can register online.

Join your fellow night owls. The Chinatown-International Night Market happens Saturday from 4pm to midnight at the Historic Chinatown Gate (5th Ave S & S King St). The event features food vendors, a beer garden, an international market, live bands, break-dancers, and an all-ages dance party.

Get out! and ramble. Explore the reconfigured and newly-named Yesler Terrace Park (835 Yesler Way) and its expansive views of downtown, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier. As part of the Yesler Terrace redevelopment project, the park connects to the C-ID via stairs and a pedestrian pathway at 10th Ave S just north of S Jackson St.

Other nearby parks are Kobe Terrace and Gardens (), Daejon Park (near Lewis Park at 1144 Sturgus Ave S), and Hing Hay Park (), which hosts a ping pong tournament on Friday from 2pm to 5:30pm.

You can also bike to/from the C-ID — see our Mountains to Sound Trail and Chief Sealth Trail posts for details.

Fuel up at… well, there are so many options. Our favorites include the beef chow fun at the Uwajimaya food court (600 5th Ave S); really really fresh sushi at Maneki (304 6th Ave S); and pretty much anything at Tamarind Tree (1036 S Jackson St).

Leaving the car at home? The International District/Chinatown light rail station is just across the street from the Historic Chinatown Gate. Numerous buses travel to and from the C-ID, including the #7, #14, #124, and the #36 and #60, which go to Lewis Park and Daejon Park (the #60 also goes to Yesler Terrace and travels along 12th Ave S).

Weather forecast: Cloudy with a few showers possible; highs around 70.