Seattle's Top Outdoor Activities

HIKE HEAVEN

Discovery Park

This 534-acre city park in Magnolia feels like true wilderness, with meadows, beaches, bluffs, mountain views, and tall trees. Stroll the nearly 12 miles of walking trails, or visit the West Point Lighthouse for a postcard-worthy photo op.

Mount Si

One of the most popular hikes in the area, Mount Si is a great place to gain some elevation—3,150 feet of it, to be exact. You’ll see plenty of people with loaded packs training for summits like Mount Rainier, but it’s just as enjoyable for casual day hikers traveling at a leisurely pace.

Mount Rainier

Make a day trip to Mount Rainier, the icon looming on the horizon. It’s a 2.5-hour drive to the active volcano, with many tour operators offering guided tours. The Paradise visitor area is a great place to start, with trailheads that are both beginner-friendly and suited for expert climbers. Take in the alpine meadows abloom with wildflowers in the summer, or embark on a snowshoe excursion in winter.

Mt. Rainier Courtesy of Amelia Vaughn Photography

PEDAL POWER

Burke-Gilman Trail

Winding 27 miles through many of Seattle’s notable northern neighborhoods—such as Ballard, Fremont, and the University District—the Burke-Gilman Trail is a cyclist’s delight, offering uninterrupted pedaling past spectacular scenery.

Seattle to Portland (STP)

A Northwest rite of passage since 1979, the STP riding event takes bikers all the way from Seattle’s University of Washington campus to Portland’s Holladay Park. Most of the 10,000 or so participants spend two days traversing the 200 miles, but the truly ambitious can complete it in one.

WATER WORLD

Washington State Ferries

Hop aboard the largest fleet of ferries in the United States for a super-convenient (and beautiful) way to get out on the water. From downtown Seattle, head to Bainbridge Island (35 minutes away) or Bremerton (60 minutes away), both of which have attractions within walking distance of the docks.

Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club

After renting a kayak and exploring the floating homes of Portage Bay, the lily pads of the Washington Park Arboretum, or the unique architecture of Gas Works Park, paddle back to Agua Verde and refuel with nachos and a margarita.

Argosy Cruises

You’ll see a little bit of everything on the narrated Locks Cruise from Argosy Cruises, which starts in Elliott Bay and ends in Lake Union. Along the way, the ship passes through the Ballard Locks, which raise and lower to allow passage of vessels from salt water to freshwater.

REI Co-op Experiences

Hit the waters of Lake Washington from REI’s two boathouses offering a variety of equipment from single or tandem kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and canoes. Sign up for a guided tour or adventure out on your own. Advance reservations are recommended.

Sailing Seattle

Trim the sails or sit back and relax. Sailing Seattle makes getting out on the water fun and easy for anyone. Bring your own food and beverage and sit back as our highly skilled crew do all the work. But don’t be afraid to ask the captain to try your hand on the helm.

Seattle’s Tall Ship

Set sail upon a historic 19th-century style gaff-rigged schooner. Seattle’s Tall Ship offers three public sailing tours daily from Seattle’s downtown waterfront from May to October. Their Harbor Sailing tour is family-friendly and is an excellent way to see the Seattle skyline, the beauty of the Puget Sound, and surrounding mountain views.

Be Your Own Captain

Want to explore on your own? Boatsetter and The Electric Boat Company both offer opportunities to explore Seattle’s waterways at your own speed.

Lake Union Courtesy of Amelia Vaughn Photography

SNOW BUSINESS

Stevens Pass

When winter hits, the skis and snowboards come out at Stevens Pass. Located a two-hour drive north of Seattle, this resort features 52 named runs and 1,800 vertical feet on its two different mountains. Added bonus: Stevens Pass offers night skiing so you can catch some powder under the stars.

Crystal Mountain Resort

Crystal is the largest ski and snowboard resort in the state, but even if you’re not planning to go downhill, you can still have a ball here. Just board the Mt. Rainier Gondola and take a 12-minute ride more than 2,000 feet up, where you’ll find enviable views and the highest-elevation restaurant in the state.

Summit at Snoqualmie

There’s winter fun to be had for the whole family at the Summit at Snoqualmie, where you can take group lessons on some of the best beginner terrain, ski the back bowls of Alpental, or tube down a 550-foot-long hill.

TAKE FLIGHT

Seattle Ballooning

Get a birds-eye view of downtown Seattle and Mt. Rainier from aboard one of Seattle Ballooning’s beautiful hot air balloons. Book a semi-private or private flight depending upon the occasion and they’ll take you on an upscale experience you’ll never forget. The end of the flight is celebrated in traditional French style: with a champagne toast, fresh-baked croissants, triple-cream brie, and organic strawberries.

Kenmore Air

For a look at the city that can’t be beat, catch a flight on a floatplane with Kenmore Air. Their 20-minute tours take off from Lake Union and offer views of the stately University of Washington campus, famous Space Needle, downtown skyline, and magnificent lakeside estates before landing gently back onto the water.

Atomic Helicopters

Hop into a helicopter and cruise above Seattle’s signature landmarks, including the skyline, Space Needle, sports stadiums, marinas and more with Atomic Helicopters. And if you want to get away from the heart of Seattle, Atomic Helicopters offers a special, 40-minute flight to see the breathtaking 268ft waterfalls of Snoqualmie Falls, made famous from TV’s Twin Peaks.