Tucked away in the beautiful northwestern corner of the United States, Seattle is both naturally stunning and technologically advanced. Home to numerous high-tech companies as well as the majestic Western Washington landscape, Seattle is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest cities in the country. Take advantage of the countless things to do in the Emerald City that involve getting out and getting moving.
Hiking
Nestled between two sensational mountain ranges, the Olympics and the Cascades, the area offers plenty of naturally created playgrounds perfectly suited for hiking. Choose your mountain range, gear up and spend the day exploring the pristine nature in the crisp, clean Pacific Northwestern air.
A popular hiking area with locals that is only a 30-minute drive from Seattle is Mount Si and Little Si. Although Little Si is only 2.2 miles to the summit, it is by no means an easy climb, as evidenced by the 700-foot elevation change in the first quarter mile. Mount Si is a 4-mile hike to the summit, with a vertical elevation change of around 3,700 feet.
Attractions
It's hard to not stay in shape while walking around downtown Seattle, with all of its steep hills at every turn. Simply walking around Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square or Seattle Center is enough to keep the calories from your late-night splurge at bay.
Spend a day or two walking around and exploring all that downtown Seattle has to offer, starting, of course, with the world-famous Space Needle located in Seattle Center.
Within a short walk of the Needle is the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, along with the Children's Museum and Pacific Science Center. You will get a workout both for your legs and for your mind, as there is plenty to learn and explore within this complex.
Biking
In this healthy and fit city, biking is both a means of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Everywhere you turn it seems as though there are bikers in sight, with hundreds of miles of bike lanes throughout the city and surrounding communities. Bike east over the Interstate-90 or 520 bridges to Redmond, home of Marymoor Park, the largest park in King County.
Marymoor Park even has a velodrome for organized bike racing and events. King County residents have access to 20 free Trek Classic Cruiser bicycles as part of the Community Blue Bikes Program, where you can rent a bike for the day.
Water Activities
Seattle is an area surrounded by seemingly-endless shoreline and sparkling waters. Located on the Puget Sound and with two huge lakes, Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish just east of Seattle proper, there is no shortage of things to explore on the water.
Rent a boat, Jet ski, kayak or canoe for the day and venture out onto one of the many lakes. Fishing is a popular Seattle pastime as well, with the abundance of fresh seafood waiting to be caught.
During the summer, don your swim trunks or bikini and take a swim at one of the area beaches, one of the most popular being Alki Beach in West Seattle. Lake Sammamish State Park is also a popular tourist destination for those looking to spend their time on the water.
Local Food
As an area obsessed with health-conscious lifestyles, it's no surprise that fresh local food is popular among locals and tourists alike. Blueberries, blackberries, Marionberries and cherries thrive in the Pacific Northwestern climate
Catch a flying fish at the world-famous Pike Place Market. With the abundance of fresh seafood caught daily, you have access to some of the purest and freshest seafood in the country.
The dungeness crab and coho salmon are consistently local favorites and are rich in nutrients to keep your body healthy as you take advantage of all of the things to do in Seattle.
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