Whether taking in an outdoor art installation or wine tasting on an outdoor patio, unique venue options span a wide variety throughout Washington state. In Seattle, the Museum of History and Industry offers several outdoor options with Lake Union views from May to September, including the Stack Family Lakeview Terrace, with space for up to 75, and the Boeing Community Terrace, for up to 200.
Famed glass artist Dale Chihuly’s long-term exhibition Chihuly Garden and Glass, located next to Seattle’s Space Needle, offers prime event space.
“The outdoor spaces at Chihuly Garden and Glass allow us to be flexible for accommodating smaller groups and really play up the garden elements of the exhibition, which are always a favorite with our guests,” says Kathy Gerke, director of sales for Chihuly Garden and Glass.
Its Art Plaza, situated between the Glasshouse and the Chandelier Walkway, offers space for up to 80 guests. A portion of the plaza may be reserved for receptions and sit-down dinners from May through September. Meanwhile, the Arbor at Collections Cafe features a removable roof, allowing guests a garden experience year-round.
On the water, Argosy Cruises offers private charters on Lake Washington leaving out of Kirkland or Seattle.
Glen Echo Garden, east of Bellingham, features outdoor space for groups on its seven-acre property. Nearby, Bellewood Acres, in Bellingham, offers patio space for dining. Groups can try apple and pumpkin picking in the fall and taste spirits from its distillery. Ohme Gardens in Wenatchee can accommodate up to 250 among its groves of fir and cedar trees.
In Port Townsend, former military base Fort Worden spans two miles of saltwater shoreline with views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges.
“We have a fantastic meeting facility at Fort Worden, right in the midst of a 434-acre state park, complete with a sandy beach and miles of trails for hiking and cycling,” says Christina Pivarnik, director of marketing for the City of Port Townsend. “We also have about a dozen bunkers you can tour through; a highly unique setting for an outdoor meeting.”
Arbor Crest Wine Cellars in Spokane provides its Cliff House as well as outdoor options for groups, including a wine-tasting experience, while Novelty Hill/Januik Winery in Woodinville has patio table space for up to 60.
