Bringing the Great Outdoors In

Courtesy Stone Gardens

The Seattle Bouldering Project (900 Poplar Pl S) on Beacon Hill offers two floors of bouldering walls—the kind of climbing you do without a rope. Afterward, you can wind down with a drink and a bite at on-site West Wall Bar (900 Poplar Pl S). Stone Gardens (2839 NW Market St) in Ballard offers a little more variety with both bouldering and top-rope climbing. South Lake Union’s flagship REI (222 Yale Ave N) retail store also has fun climbing opportunities, as well as a 0.1-mile loop trail for testing out a variety of mountain bikes.

Few boating options are as accessible or affordable as Washington State Ferries. The many terminals and destinations include pier 52’s ferries headed to Bainbridge Island, 35 minutes away. Huddle up with a hot drink from the robust galley offerings and watch Puget Sound go by from indoor booth seating or semi-covered benches.

Love colorful tidepools at the beach? The Seattle Aquarium’s (*1483 Alaskan Way) Life on the Edge exhibit is like a year-round version, as you can interact with urchins and other sea creatures inside. The aquarium’s various animal habitats, like the otter pool viewable from both below and above the water’s surface, blend seamlessly into the outdoors. To continue connecting with fascinating creatures, hold out your hand and let a butterfly alight at Pacific Science Center’s (*200 Second Ave N) Tropical Butterfly House, a rejuvenating experience.

*Visit Seattle Partner.