Ballard Ave is known for its restaurants, nightlife, and Sunday Farmers Market. Visit the Ballard Locks to see the salmon run, Golden Gardens Park for beach views of the Olympic Mountains, and the many breweries throughout the neighborhood- the Cycle Saloon is a fun way to see multiple (www.thecyclesaloon.com)
To see Mt. Rainier up close, head down to the National Park to visit either Paradise (2 hr 30 min drive) or Sunrise visitor centers and hiking trails. For a shorter drive, visit Crystal Mountain Resort (under 2 hrs) and take the ski gondola to the summit for a great Rainier view and the mountaintop restaurant (reservations required)
Take a half-day trip to Bainbridge Island. Walk on to the ferry from downtown Seattle for a scenic, 35 min voyage. Explore the town of Winslow near the Bainbridge ferry terminal and check out the local shops, restaurants, wine tasting rooms, and breweries