The Seattle, Washington, area is home to endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Pacific Northwest's climate is mild and the rain, mostly mist-like rather than downpours, gives the area an abundance of greenery and wildlife. The mountain, sea and urban areas combined make the Seattle area a place to enjoy life to the fullest.
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier is part of the Cascade Mountain Range that runs from Canada to Northern California and includes many famous volcanic peaks. Mount Rainier National Park is filled with breathtaking scenery and trails.
During the summer you can enjoy the views and wildflower meadows at the Paradise area. Winter activities here include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The highest point that can be reached by vehicle at Mount Rainier is the Sunrise area at 6,400 feet. From here you will have views of surrounding volcanic peaks and the Emmons glacier.
Olympic National Forest
Across Puget Sound from Seattle on the Olympic Peninsula is the Olympic National Forest. The forest's geography has five major landscapes, making it a place unlike any other. You can picnic or shuck oysters at one of the beaches or hike the mountain trails.
Mount Olympus is the highest point in the Olympic Mountain Range with an elevation of 7,965 feet. The Quinault Rain Forest Nature Trail and the Hoh Rain Forest Nature Trail provide beautiful examples of the temperate rain forest landscape. The river areas provide opportunities for camping, picnicking, fishing and hiking.
Alki Beach
Alki Beach Park is one of the favorite beaches in Seattle located at 1702 Alki Avenue SW. It runs from from Alki Point to Duwamish Head on Elliott Bay. It has paths that are enjoyed year-round by joggers, cyclists and rollerbladers. The paths have been widened to ADA standards.
You can do some leisurely beach-combing or sunbathe here, and there are places to picnic and a boat launch among the recreational activities available. The entire area has beautiful views of Puget Sound.
Tacoma
South of Seattle is the port city of Tacoma. Downtown Tacoma is home to the Museum of Glass and the Glass Bridge that connects the museum to the Washington History Museum. Some of the works of glass artist Dale Chihuly are on display here.
While in Tacoma you can visit Point Defiance Park, one of the largest parks inside a city with 750 acres. Point Defiance has a zoo and aquarium, forest walking and hiking trails, saltwater beaches and botanical gardens. The park offers spectacular views of Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains, Puget Sound and the Narrows Bridge.
Winter Sports
With several ski resorts in the area, there is no shortage of winter fun in the Seattle area. The Summit at Snoqualmie is the closest to Seattle, east off Interstate 90. Other nearby resorts include Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain and White Pass. Snowboarding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are all popular winter sports in the Pacific Northwest.
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