- Sea Kayaking on Lake Union: Lake Union is a very urban body of water, but it has a great view of the Seattle skyline, and you can paddle right up to several waterfront restaurants. For more natural surroundings, kayak over to the marshes at the north end of the Washington Park Arboretum.
- Cycling the Burke-Gilman Trail: Seattle-area cyclists are blessed with a plethora of great cycling paths, and the granddaddy of them all is the Burke-Gilman Trail, which stretches for more than 14 miles from the Ballard neighborhood to the north end of Lake Washington. The Sammamish River Trail extends the trail for another dozen miles or so. There's even a gravel extension of the trail along the east shore of Lake Sammamish.
- Going to an Outdoor Summer Movie or Concert: When the summer sun shines, Seattleites spend as much time outdoors as they can, and among the city's favorite outdoor activities is attending outdoor concerts and movies. Whether in parks or parking lots, these outdoor performances bring out the lawn chairs and blankets.
- Hiking up Mount Si: There's no getting around the fact that this hike is a real killer, but ooh, the view from the top! Mount Si is less than 45 minutes east of Seattle and rises straight up from the valley of the Snoqualmie River. The trail also goes straight up, so if you aren't in good shape, don't even think of trying this hike.
- Day-Tripping to Mount Rainier National Park: With growling glaciers, meadows full of colorful wildflowers, and thousand-year-old trees, Mount Rainier National Park gets our vote for best day trip from Seattle. In summer, the opportunities for hiking are abundant and the views are absolutely breathtaking. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing provide opportunities for exploring a snowy landscape.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
