Best of Redmond: Redmond Washington News, Events, Restaurants & Things to Do

Redmond's Tree Rules Are Changing, Turnpike Comes to Town & Best Ice Cream

Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days! 📰 Redmond’s Tree Rules Might Be Changing Okay, so Redmond is rewriting its tree code for the first time since 1998, and this one matters whether you own a house or just like living on a tree-lined street. The city is trying to figure out how to balance growth, housing, and keeping Redmond from turning into one giant construction zone with no shade. They’ve extended the public questionnaire deadline to July 31, so there’s still time to weigh in. If you care about what Redmond looks like ten years from now, this is worth a look. 🎵 Turnpike Troubadours at Chateau Ste. Michelle Turnpike Troubadours roll into Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery on Thursday, July 2 at 6pm, and this one’s gonna pull a crowd. They’ve got Muscadine Bloodline and Dexter and The Moonrocks opening, so it’s basically a full night of country and rock without a weak spot in the lineup. Gates open about 90 minutes early, and if you’ve been to these summer shows before, you know parking gets messy fast. Get there early, bring water, and settle in. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Funny First Friday at the Farm Remlinger Farms is trying something new Friday, July 3 from 6:30 to 8pm. Family-friendly stand-up comedy, which honestly sounds like a smart move. They’ve got pro comics, arcade games for bigger kids, and a play area for little ones, so it’s one of those rare things where parents can laugh and kids stay busy. Tickets are $10 online, $15 at the door, and kids under 12 get in free. Could be a sneaky good night out. 🚲 Willis Tucker, Two Lakes, and Coffee Ride If you’re looking for a solid Thursday morning ride, this one starts July 2 at 9:30am out of Willis Tucker Park and runs about three hours. It’s a moderate pace, around 14 to 16mph, with rolling hills and a few climbs mixed in. The route cuts through Mill Creek and loops past Martha Lake and Silver Lake before a stop at Frost Donuts for coffee and sugar. Helmets are required, and registration closes at 7:30am, so don’t sleep on it. 🐾 Dog-Friendly Patios Are Calling Looks like decent weather this weekend, which means patio season is fully on. If you’ve got a dog, this is prime time to grab coffee, lunch, or a beer somewhere they’re actually welcome. Around Redmond, plenty of spots with outdoor seating fill up fast once the sun hits, and dogs usually get treated better than people anyway. Bring water, keep them leashed, and maybe skip the hottest part of the afternoon. Easy weekend move. 🐔 Farm Spotlight: Chicken! Farrel-McWhirter Park is doing a chicken-focused farm spotlight on Sunday, July 5 from 10 to 11am, and if you’ve got kids who love animals, this is easy. The volunteers and docents will be out there talking about the chickens, farm history, and answering questions while kids get up close instead of just pointing through a fence. It’s free, but they want registration so they know how many people are coming. Solid low-key Sunday morning plan. 📚 Book Signing at SoulFood CoffeeHouse Leslie Barber is at SoulFood CoffeeHouse on Sunday, July 5 from 1 to 3pm for a reading and signing of her book Unemployable!. The book digs into the mental side of proving your worth, which feels pretty relevant right now. They’ll have copies there if you want one, and SoulFood’s the kind of place where these smaller events actually feel personal instead of awkward. Good option if you want something quieter that still gives you something to think about. 🧘 Mindfulness at Redmond Library Redmond Library has a mindfulness session Sunday, July 5 from 2:30 to 5pm focused on body awareness and guided meditation. This isn’t one of those “sit still and pretend your brain is quiet” things. It’s more about noticing what your body’s doing and slowing down enough to actually pay attention. It’s aimed at adults and runs a couple hours, so expect something deeper than a quick workshop. Bring comfortable clothes and don’t rush in late. 🔮 Redmond Rumor Mill Here’s one making the rounds: rumor has it a luxury picnic catering company might be taking over a small storefront in Old Redmond. We’re hearing it could be part prep kitchen, part retail shop. Charcuterie boards, flowers, blankets, the whole deal. Basically built for people trying to pull off a Marymoor date night without making three stops first. We don’t know if the lease is signed or if it’s actually happening yet. But if it is... which storefront do you think it is? If you've got a guess or have heard something, head to our Facebook page at facebook.com/BestOfRedmond and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post. 🗳️ Your Picks: Best Ice Cream in Redmond Alright, that's it for this week. Head on over to facebook.com/BestOfRedmond, find the post called "Your Picks," and drop your vote in the comments. We want to know who you think is the best ice cream in Redmond. 📻 Don't Miss the Podcast If you enjoyed this newsletter, you're gonna love the companion podcast. Find it at bestofredmond.com. We'll see you in the next one... or maybe before then, walking around Redmond. 🎯 History Minute Answer The answer is B – A community center Built in 1922, the two-story red-brick school had 12 rooms, a gym, and an auditorium, and served all grades in Redmond. It stayed in use until 1997. Then the Lake Washington School District leased it to the City of Redmond, which reopened it in 1999 as the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center. Seventy-five years teaching kids, and now it’s where the community still gathers.

Is a Paddle Board Outfitter Coming to Marymoor? Plus Soccer & Dog Groomers

Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days! 📰 Redmond Wants Your Input The City of Redmond just opened its full community survey, and this one’s for everybody — not just the small batch of residents they heard from earlier this year. It only takes a few minutes, and it’s your chance to tell them what’s working, what’s driving you nuts, and what actually needs fixing around town. Traffic, parks, housing, sidewalks, all of it. This is the stuff city leaders use when they decide where money goes next. If you’ve got opinions, now’s your shot.You can submit your feedback directly by accessing the online questionnaire at Redmondsurvey.com. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 World Soccer Watch Party at Downtown Park If your house has soccer fans in it — or you just want a free excuse to hang outside Wednesday — there’s a big World Soccer Games watch party happening July 1 from 1 to 4 at Downtown Park. They’re throwing the Round of 32 match on a giant outdoor screen, and there’s more than just soccer. Kids can jump into activities, there’ll be food vendors, music, giveaways, and community booths all over the park. Bring a chair or a blanket because this one could get crowded. 👶 Family Storytime at Farrel-McWhirter Park If you’ve got little kids and need something easy to do Wednesday, the Redmond Library is doing Family Storytime at Farrel-McWhirter Park from 12:30 to 1:30. It’s part of their summer run that goes through August, and it’s a good one because it’s outside. They’ll do books, songs, and the usual storytime stuff, but kids can move around without parents stressing about library whispers. Bring snacks and let them burn energy after. 📚 Romance Book Club at Brick & Mortar Books If your Wednesday night sounds better with books than bars, Brick & Mortar Books has their Romance Book Club from 6:30 to 7:30. This month they’re reading Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon, which honestly might win for best title alone. It’s built around inclusive romance books and open to anybody, whether you read one romance a year or twenty. Good excuse to meet some people and talk books without it feeling like homework. ♟️ Weekly Chess Club at SoulFood CoffeeHouse SoulFood has a weekly chess club every Wednesday from 4 to 6, and it’s one of those easy drop-in things where you don’t have to be good to show up. If you know your openings, cool. If you barely remember how the bishop moves, also fine. Grab coffee, sit down, and play a few rounds. It’s low-pressure and honestly a solid way to break up the middle of the week. 🐾 Got a Nervous Dog? Fireworks Start This Week Quick heads-up if your dog loses it every July. The neighborhood fireworks usually start before the Fourth, and they’re already starting around Redmond. If your dog gets anxious, now’s the time to prep. Longer walks earlier in the day help. Set up a quiet room. White noise helps too. And double-check tags and microchip info. Every year dogs bolt because of fireworks. Better to get ahead of it now. 🚲 Bicycle Bling: GETMAD Ride Hits a Roadblock The Redmond Cycling Club’s GETMAD 2026 ride is basically sold out, but now the whole thing might get derailed because of route safety concerns near Mowich Lake. WSDOT says debris and hazards along SR 165 need work before a big organized ride can safely roll through, but that work won’t happen until late July. The club says the route looked fine when they checked it in May, so now they’re waiting to see if WSDOT can move things around. Bit of a mess. 🕰️ Redmond History Minute Okay, it's time for the Redmond History Minute, where we share an interesting piece of history, trivia, or tidbit about life in and around Redmond. What is the current name of the road that used to be called "Main Street" in old Redmond? A) Cleveland Street B) Redmond Way C) Leary Way D) Avondale Road Answer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter. 🔮 Redmond Rumor Mill Okay, here’s one we heard this week. Word is a small boutique paddle board and kayak outfitter might be circling a spot near Marymoor with direct water access. Think rentals, lessons, and guided sunset floats on Lake Sammamish. Supposedly this would be a smaller local setup, reservation-only, and not one of those giant chain rental places. We don’t know where exactly or how far along it is. But if this happens... where do you think it lands? If you've got a guess or have heard something, head to our Facebook page at facebook.com/BestOfRedmond and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post. 🗳️ Your Picks: Best Dog Groomer in Redmond Alright, that's it for this week. Head on over to facebook.com/BestOfRedmond, find the post called "Your Picks," and drop your vote in the comments. We want to know who you think is the best dog groomer in Redmond. 📻 Don't Miss the Podcast If you enjoyed this newsletter, you're gonna love the companion podcast. Find it at bestofredmond.com. We'll see you in the next one... or maybe before then, walking around Redmond. 🎯 History Minute Answer The answer is C – Leary Way Back when Redmond was a small logging town, the main drag through downtown was just called Main Street. As the town grew, it was renamed Leary Way. The corner of Leary Way and Cleveland Street became the center of old downtown, where Bill Brown built his saloon and garage and where the Redmond State Bank opened in 1911. That same corner’s still busy today.

New Indie Movie Theater Coming To Redmond? Plus Best Family Entertainment Spot

Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days! 🎵 Grab Your Tickets Before This One Sneaks Up on You Friday, July 10 might feel like it's still a few weeks away, but Marymoor Live shows have a habit of selling tickets before people realize they're coming. Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms, and Spin Doctors are bringing one of the most '90s lineups imaginable to Redmond, with doors opening at 4 PM and the show starting at 6 PM. Between "Run-Around," "Hey Jealousy," and "Two Princes," you'll probably know more songs than you think. If this sounds like your kind of summer concert, now is probably a better time to buy tickets than the week before the show. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 This Sunday, the Library Is Making Soccer More Accessible This Sunday, June 28, from noon to 3 PM, the Redmond Library is hosting a sensory-friendly watch party designed for neurodivergent community members and families. The event will feature lower lighting, lower volume, captioning, and flexible seating options, including space for blankets and sleeping bags. They'll also have snacks and activities available throughout the event. Even if soccer isn't your thing, it's nice to see the library creating opportunities that make community events more welcoming and comfortable for everyone. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 This Weekend, Kick It in Redmond Continues This weekend, Redmond Town Center is hosting another round of Kick It in Redmond activities as the city continues to celebrate with family-friendly events. While soccer is part of the fun, the bigger attraction is the atmosphere, with games, activities, and community gathering spaces for all ages. Even if nobody in your family can explain the offside rule, there will be plenty to enjoy. Think of it as a weekend family outing that just happens to have soccer in the background. 🏆 Crossfire Surf Cup Takes Over Sixty Acres This weekend, hundreds of youth athletes and their families will be heading to Sixty Acres Park for the Crossfire Surf Cup. The tournament brings teams from around the region and turns one of Redmond's busiest sports complexes into a hub of activity for several days. If you've got a player participating, you'll already know where you'll be spending the weekend. If not, just keep in mind that traffic around the area may be a little heavier than usual with teams, coaches, and families coming into town. 🕰️ Redmond History Minute Okay, it's time for the Redmond History Minute, where we share an interesting piece of history, trivia, or tidbit about life in and around Redmond. In 1960, a major recession in which industry caused Redmond's local ranches to close and forced farmers to switch to other crops? A) Dairy farming B) Mink fur farming C) Apple orchards D) Wool production Answer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter. 🔮 Redmond Rumor Mill Sources say a neighborhood cinema—not a megaplex, think 40 seats, curated programming, craft cocktails, and no popcorn smell—is in very early talks for a space in Old Redmond. What we don't know is whether a location has been selected, whether financing is in place, or how serious the discussions have become. We also haven't been able to confirm any timeline. The question is simple: where would a small independent cinema fit best in Old Redmond? If you've got a guess or have heard something, head over to our Facebook page and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post. 🗳️ Your Picks: Best Family Entertainment Spot in Redmond It's time for another Your Picks! This week we want to know: What's the best family entertainment spot in Redmond? Whether it's a place your kids beg to visit, your favorite rainy-day destination, or somewhere the whole family enjoys together, we want to hear about it. Head over to our Facebook page, find the Your Picks post, and cast your vote in the comments. We'll feature some of your favorites in a future episode. 📻 Don't Miss the Podcast If you enjoyed this newsletter, you'll love the companion podcast where Dan and Jen dive deeper into each story with a little extra conversation, commentary, and fun. Thanks for spending a few minutes with us today. We'll see you in the next edition of Best of Redmond! 🎯 History Minute Answer The answer is B – Mink fur farming. Redmond had mink ranches along Way 120 in the 1950s. When the fur industry crashed in 1960, the ranches shut down. Nationwide there were nearly 7,000 mink farms in the mid-1950s, but prices collapsed and the business quickly declined. Before Redmond became the tech hub we know today, it was home to a thriving agricultural community—and raising mink for luxury fur coats was one of its more unusual industries. It's another reminder that Redmond's history is a lot more interesting than most people realize.

A Time Traveler, Video Game Dogs, and a New Ramen Rumor

Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days! 📚 A Redmond Author Is Launching a Time-Travel Novel This Week Tomorrow night, June 24, at 6:30 PM, local author Joseph Eckert will be at Brick & Mortar Books celebrating the release of his debut novel, The Traveler. The story follows a guy who suddenly starts jumping forward through time every morning, watching days and eventually years disappear in the blink of an eye while his family tries to figure out what's happening. This is exactly the kind of event independent bookstores do well. You get to meet the author, hear where the idea came from, and support a local business at the same time. If you're into science fiction, time travel stories, or just want an excuse to wander through a bookstore, this one looks worth checking out. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Tonight, Let's Cheer Redmond Tonight, June 23, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, the Redmond Senior & Community Center is hosting a community Matchday Party with snacks, family activities, and plenty of room for kids to run around. Yes, there's a soccer match on the screen, but the bigger draw is the chance to spend a summer evening hanging out with neighbors. They're expecting a good turnout and will have youth soccer activities running alongside the event. Throw on something red, white, and blue and bring the family. Sometimes the best local events are really just excuses to get people together. 🐾 Tomorrow Is Video Game Day for Dogs Tomorrow, June 24, from 11 AM to 2 PM, Pickles Playland is hosting Video Game Day for dogs attending daycare. Only in Redmond could a dog daycare calendar include something that sounds like it belongs at Nintendo headquarters. The event is limited to dogs already participating in daycare, boarding, or grooming services, and the Pickles crew handles all the themed fun behind the scenes. If your dog is already scheduled to be there, they'll probably have a better Wednesday than most people sitting in meetings. 🚶 Rails to Repeats Challenge Heads Into the Home Stretch The Rails to Repeats challenge continues through June 30 along the Redmond Central Connector, giving walkers, runners, and cyclists one more reason to get outside before the month wraps up. Participants can complete the designated Eastrail segment as many times as they want, with prizes going to the people who log the most laps. The entry fee helps support Eastrail Partners and future trail improvements. Whether you're training for something or just trying to spend less time staring at a screen, this is a pretty good excuse to hit the trail. 🕰️ Redmond History Minute Okay, it's time for the Redmond History Minute, where we share an interesting piece of history, trivia, or tidbit about life in and around Redmond. The Clise Mansion at Marymoor Park had many unusual features. Which of these did it actually have? A) Roaming peacocks and a Dutch windmill B) An indoor bowling alley C) A moat with alligators D) A private zoo with elephants Answer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter. 🔮 Redmond Rumor Mill Word is a ramen-and-natural-wine bar, yes, that combination, is being quietly developed by a pair of Seattle restaurant veterans who have been looking at a downtown Redmond space. What we don't know is where exactly it would go, whether a lease has actually been signed, or how far along the project may be. We also don't know if the concept stays exactly the same once plans become public. The question is simple: where do you think it ends up? If you've got a guess or have heard something, head to our Facebook page and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post. 🗳️ Your Picks: Best Grocery Store in Redmond Alright, that's it for this week. Head on over to our Facebook page, find the post called "Your Picks," and drop your vote in the comments. We want to know who you think is the best grocery store in Redmond. 📻 Don't Miss the Podcast If you enjoyed this newsletter, you're gonna love the companion podcast. We'll see you in the next one... or maybe before then, walking around Redmond. 🎯 History Minute Answer The answer is A – Roaming peacocks and a Dutch windmill. Willowmoor Farm had 28 buildings, roaming peacocks, a functional Dutch windmill, a treehouse in a maple tree, boathouses, greenhouses, and even a narrow-gauge railroad in the barnyard used to haul grain. It was basically a fantasy estate sitting right here in Redmond, and you can still visit the mansion at Marymoor Park today.

Axe Throwing Near Light Rail? Plus New State Parks Plates & Best Tavern in Redmond

Welcome to Best of Redmond! Redmond's twice-weekly newsletter and podcast about all the amazing things happening in Redmond for the next seven days! 📰 Support Washington State Parks With a New License Plate Washington just rolled out a new specialty license plate that helps fund state parks, and it's one of those things that's actually pretty straightforward. The plate features artwork inspired by Washington's outdoor spaces, and a portion of the fees goes directly toward supporting parks across the state. If you've spent time hiking, camping, paddling, or just wandering around places like Marymoor and beyond, this is an easy way to throw a few dollars toward keeping those spaces maintained. The plates are available now through the state's licensing system. 🚮 Grab a Coffee and Help Clean Up Redmond SoulFood CoffeeHouse is hosting its monthly Walk & Talk Litter Pickup Party on Sunday, June 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The deal is pretty simple. Show up at SoulFood, grab a free 16-ounce drip coffee or tea, then head out with other volunteers to pick up litter around town. They provide the trash bags, and you're encouraged to bring gloves or a pickup tool if you've got one. It's a nice excuse to get outside, meet a few neighbors, and leave Redmond a little cleaner than you found it. 🎨 Make Your Own Manga-Inspired Artwork The Redmond Library is hosting a Manga-Themed Printmaking Workshop on Wednesday, June 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you're wondering what manga is, it's the Japanese style of comics and graphic novels that's become incredibly popular with teens and young adults around the world. Local artist Alyssa Christensen will walk participants through creating manga-inspired artwork and turning it into handmade prints. All supplies are included, but space is limited. If you've got a creative kid or teen at home, this one will probably fill up quickly. 🎲 Uncle's Games Has a New Name One of Redmond's longtime game stores has officially rebranded. Uncle's Games is now called Marymoor Games, but the board games, card games, and community events aren't going anywhere. To celebrate, they're continuing their weekly Open Game Night on Saturday, June 20 from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at their Redmond location. You can jump into one of their demo games or bring your own favorite from home. If you've been curious about the hobby gaming scene in Redmond, this is probably the easiest way to check it out. ⚽ Watch International Soccer With Other Fans You don't have to stay home to watch international soccer this week. The Redmond Library is hosting a World Soccer Watch Party featuring Uruguay versus Cabo Verde on Sunday, June 21 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Whether you're following the tournament closely or just enjoy watching a match with other fans, it's a fun community event that's a little different from the usual weekend lineup. Bring your soccer knowledge, or don't. Either way, you'll have people to cheer with. 🕰️ Redmond History Minute Okay, it's time for the Redmond History Minute, where we share an interesting piece of history, trivia, or tidbit about life in and around Redmond. Washington state went dry with Prohibition in what year, and how many years before the rest of the country? A) Same year as national Prohibition B) 2 years before C) 4 years before D) They never had Prohibition Answer revealed at the bottom of this newsletter. 🔮 Redmond Rumor Mill Here's one making the rounds this week. Sources say an axe-throwing venue may be circling the light rail station area. Before you picture a bachelor party from ten years ago, apparently these places have evolved quite a bit. Think league nights, walk-in throwing lanes, food, drinks, and regular customers who take the sport surprisingly seriously. What we don't know is whether a deal has actually been signed or whether permit discussions will turn into a real project. The question is simple: would an axe-throwing venue work in downtown Redmond? If you've got a guess or have heard something, head to our Facebook page at facebook.com/BestOfRedmond and drop it in the "Redmond Rumor Mill Guesses" post. 🗳️ Your Picks: Best Tavern in Redmond Alright, that's it for this week. Head on over to facebook.com/BestOfRedmond, find the post called "Your Picks," and drop your vote in the comments. We want to know who you think is the best tavern in Redmond. 📻 Don't Miss the Podcast If you enjoyed this newsletter, you're gonna love the companion podcast. Find it at bestofredmond.com. We'll see you in the next one... or maybe before then, walking around Redmond. 🎯 History Minute Answer The answer is C – 4 years before Washington adopted Prohibition in 1916, four years before national Prohibition took effect in 1920. When Redmond's saloons shut down, the town lost a significant source of tax revenue. The liquor didn't disappear, though. It simply moved into the woods, where bootleggers and illegal stills kept things going until Prohibition finally ended.