From the shores of Lake Washington to the biking, walking and running trails that trace Elliott Bay, Seattle's majestic and varied landscape makes it a mecca for active lifestyles. Come fall and winter, however, the city earns its rainy reputation, sending even the most die-hard outdoor enthusiasts and their fitness routines inside. Fortunately, Seattle offers a lively and diverse collection of healthy and fun activities that you can do under cover while waiting for the sun to come back out.
Indoor Climbing
With more than 16,000 square feet of climbing surface, Stone Gardens provides a spot for indoor climbing and bouldering. The gym welcomes all experience levels--bring your own gear or rent--and offers classes for beginners on up.
For an indoor climb with a view, head over to the flagship REI store, which features a popular 65-foot high climbing wall surrounded by windows. Climbing this behemoth--a sight in itself--rewards you with picturesque, citywide views.
You can take classes or enroll kids in summer camps at Vertical World, the first climbing gym in the U.S.
Sports
Get your bounce, swing and cartwheel on at the School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts, based in the industrial Georgetown area. Adults and children can learn how to fly on a trapeze, maneuver a unicycle, rotate on a trampoline, juggle and more.
If you prefer a classic team sport, try indoor soccer and indoor beach volleyball at Arena Sports, where people of all abilities and ages can join up with a league or sign up for drop-in sessions.
Hone your serve at the city-run Amy Yee Tennis Center, which offers 10 indoor courts.
Family Fun
Kids can wade through treasure at the Scratch Patch, an indoor play space where 150 different types of gemstones cover the floor. Visitors get to sift through bounty such as quartz, tiger's eye and agate, and take their finds home singly or by the bagful; the purchase price of a bag includes the cost of admission. The scratch patch concept began in South Africa. Collectors can read about the stones' origins and uses.
Seattle offers 20 indoor play areas geared to toddlers. Energetic and inquisitive little ones will be fascinated by the Children's Museum, Seattle--babies to three-year-olds can wander through Discovery Bay, an interactive marine-themed space, while children of any age can create art with a variety of materials at the Imagination Studio.
Swimming Indoors
There are eight indoor pools around the city, which offer both swim lessons and drop-in times. All are 25-yard, six lane pools, with variations on features like diving boards, rope swings and saunas. The Southwest Pool features a therapy spa with a water temperature of 102 degrees.
Dance
Salsa, swing and waltz your evening away on one of the largest dance floors in Seattle, Century Ballroom. You can sign up for regular classes, drop in for an a la carte lesson or just bring your own moves. Both live bands and DJs provide the beat at this popular and classic dance venue.
Saunas
What better way to banish the damp, chilly outdoors from your system than to head inside for a stress-relieving and rejuvenating steam? While any number of spas and gyms around the city include sauna facilities, head to the places that specialize in the art of the steam for a real treat.
At Russian-style spa Banya 5, inhale 113-degree, eucalyptus-scented vapor in the Turkish-style steam room, invigorate the senses with a cold plunge, and float in the saltwater tepid pool. Recover in the tea lounge and nap room, and check out additional services like massages and wraps.
Similar but more basic, Hothouse Spa and Sauna offers a cozy, women-only space tucked away on Capitol Hill and featuring a hot tub, steam room, sauna and cold plunge, along with massage therapy.
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