things to do

IN THE CITY

See map link and list below for suggestions in Seattle.

FURTHER AFIELD

See map link and list below for hiking, wine tasting, and other adventures out of the city!

Pike Place Market

You can't come to Seattle and miss Pike Place. Highly recommend visiting early in the morning, before it gets crowded.

Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Serene Hike

Gas Works Park

Gas Works Park is a brownfield park designed by Richard Haag in 1975, featuring the industrial ruins of the Seattle Light Company. It's long been a favorite topic of Cathy's research. More importantly, it's where Amelia proposed on April 27, 2019!

Wallace Falls State Park Hike

5 miles round trip, amazing waterfalls! Discover Pass required for parking. <https://discoverpass.wa.gov/>

Discovery Park

One of our favorite places for a quick walk in the woods and a stunning view of the Puget Sound.

Mount Si Hike

One of the most popular trails near Seattle, for good reason. 8 miles round trip. Expect a tough climb, crowds, and stunning views.

Washington Park Arboretum

Spectacular arboretum, botanical gardens, and Japanese gardens.

Annette Lake Hike

8 miles round trip to a stunning alpine lake. Northwest Forest Pass required. https://www.wta.org/go-outside/passes

Olympic Sculpture Park

Part of the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), 9 acres of sculptures including one of our favorite Richard Serra pieces, "Wake."

Cherry Creek Falls Hike

5-6 miles, one of our first hikes when we moved out here! Fairly easy and rewarding.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

The Space Needle is great and all, but if you're a fan of color, texture, and shine, do not miss the Chihuly Museum. We recommend checking out the Garden in the evening when it's all lit up.

Mason Lake Hike

6.5 miles roundtrip to a gorgeous alpine lake, continue on to conquer Mt Defiance if you dare!

Fremont Brewing's Urban Beer Garden

Our favorite beer garden in Seattle.

Woodinville Wine Country

Less than half an hour from the city, Woodinville is packed to the brim with amazing wineries. It's hard to go wrong, but we've never had a wine we didn't like at Bookwalter, and Amelia's firm won awards for the Novelty Hill-Januik tasting room.

Green Lake Park

Our wonderful neighborhood park. Walk or run the 3 mile loop. At its finest around sunrise and sunset!

Olympic National Park

Stunning peaks, old growth forests, and decommissioned dams. Nothing compares.

Ballard Locks

Great place to see one of the phenomena that makes the PNW so special: the salmon migration. The Ballard Locks (a.k.a. Hiram M. Chittenden Locks) has a fish ladder through which all salmon migrating into the Lake Washington watershed must pass. Watch them swim underwater through the windows. Early September is near peak time for Chinook Salmon; you might also see Coho or Sockeye. Also boats if you're into that.

The Islands

Beaches, hills, farmland, craggy cliffs, views, cute towns, great food, wineries, hiking, shops, and more. There are so many islands worth checking out but Bainbridge and Whidbey island are both the closest, and our favorites. To get to Bainbridge, catch the ferry on foot, on bike, or by car from the Seattle Ferry terminal downtown and enjoy the view of the city. When you hop off, there are tons of great sights and restaurants within a five minute walk. For Whidbey, take the Mukilteo Ferry to Clinton in a car and enjoy the drive up the island to Deception Pass State Park. Then take the bridge and loop back towards the city through the Skagit Valley. If you're staying a few more days, definitely consider making a trip to the San Juans. Check the link for more ideas!