The Seattle, Washington, area is known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities. If you're going to be in the Pacific Northwest, get off the beaten path and explore King County, the region around Seattle. Tour a winery, explore a local farm or take a bike ride. The area around Seattle is full of healthy and enjoyable activities.
Tour a Winery
There are more than 35 wineries in the area around Seattle. According to Wines Northwest, the wine industry is one of the fastest-growing agricultural industries in Washington, with a 400 percent increase in wineries since 2000. Many wineries offer tours and tastings. If you're going to be in the Woodinville area, tour Chateau St. Michelle. Chateau St. Michelle offers guided tours, wine tastings, wine and food classes, special dinner events and a summer concert series.
Explore a Working Farm
There's nothing healthier than fresh, locally grown food, and King County is a great place to find it. Seattle is surrounded by agricultural land, and many working farms offer tours, markets and events throughout the year. Sample the freshest produce, including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, squash, peas and tomatoes, according to the season. If you're visiting in the fall, look for harvest festivals, corn mazes and pumpkin patches.
The "Seattle Times" writes that each farm offers a different experience, with different crops to try and livestock to see. Supporting small family farms helps to preserve the environment, as well.
Ride a Bike
King County offers more than 175 miles of biking trails, ranging from level, paved paths to rocky, technical trails. Trails pass through urban and rural communities as well as undeveloped areas. If you're interested in bike racing, or would just like to watch a race, try the velodrome in Redmond's Marymoor Park.
Since 1975, the velodrome has hosted cycling races, including a regular Friday night race series, programs and classes. The velodrome is a 400-meter track, used just for bike racing. National racing championships, classes for kids, and programs for all abilities of bikers are available.
Wildlife Viewing
The region around Seattle is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, beavers, bald eagles, salmon and even the occasional--albeit rare--bear. Many public parks provide habitat for raptors, waterfowl, turtles and other native species, but if you'd like to get a closer look at some of the Pacific Northwest's wildlife, try Issaquah's Cougar Mountain Zoo. Set on a hilltop with views of the mountains and the town of Issaquah, this small zoo features many local species, as well as animals from around the world.
Salmon Viewing
The Pacific Northwest is famous for its mighty salmon runs, and the area near Seattle is a great place to experience it. If you'd like to see this amazing spectacle up close, the King County website lists several active salmon spawning creeks around the Seattle area.
You can also stop by the Friends of Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. This unique hatchery is the result of a public-private partnership and, according to the organization's website, is the "only urban location in Washington where visitors can get nose-to-nose with a salmon that has returned home to spawn." Though the hatchery is open all year, the Chinook and Coho salmon runs take place in the fall, creating the most action.
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