A great park on the north shore of Lake Union and a Seattle icon! If you're up for a long walk, go all around the lake on the Cheshiahud Loop - about 6 miles total - and enjoy Gasworks along the way!

A perfect launch to Lake Union from Downtown, South Lake Union Park features beautiful views of the lake and Gasworks, as well as a cool local history museum, the MOHAI. Pop across to Tapster for a build-your-own tasting at the best self-pour beer & cider bar in town!

Our first option for getting out on the water has a few different types of boat to choose from - their standard electric seats about 10 and is great for a cruise around the lake, their donut boats are a fun filled and whirly ride for about 6, and then featured above (from the roof of the boat!) is their electric catamaran, their only swim off boat for a bit more of an adventure!

A central spot for paddleboard and single and double kayak rentals. Walk up & launch right into the center of Lake Union! If there's any wait (or if you just need a snack or drink before launch), head across the boardwalk to White Swan for a great menu of local seafood and yummy beverages.

One of the most unique ways to see the city - day or night! It's a good idea to reserve these a bit ahead, especially if you're interested in a sunset cruise. There are a couple different companies but this is our favorite - each boat seats (or is it floats?) up to 6!

A first stop for anyone wanting to see quintessential Seattle, and a launching point for our ferry based adventures below, Waterfront Park is recently renovated and has never been more beautiful! Home to our Ferris wheel, pier parks, the Seattle Aquarium, and the best culinary cabaret theatre in Seattle, Can Can! And with Pike Place Market and our Stadium district on each end there's something for everyone!

Catch the water taxi from the downtown ferry terminal for a lovely boat ride down the Sound to West Seattle - and a short bike or scooter ride to Seattle's best beach! The water is cold and the sand's a bit rough, but it's lots of fun we promise! Stop at DiLaurenti's in the market to pick up picnic fixins before departing downtown, or go to Cactus or Spud's once you're there for a great lunch. And the sunset on Alki is truly special!

Walk on the ferry from the downtown terminal for a 30 min journey to nearby Bainbridge Island. Enjoy a great view of Seattle from the water, and maybe even see Orcas on your crossing! Once on Bainbridge make the short walk to their adorable Main Street and enjoy tasting some wonderful Washington wine at one of their many tasting rooms, have a great lunch at Cafe Hitchcock or just enjoy the sights and shops of a cozy beachfront town.

A bit of a drive (25 mins or so) but so worth it if you want a taste of PNW nature without driving out to the mountains. Over 12 miles of trails spanning 500+ acres of park, forests, bluffs and shoreline, and yes that is a baby seal pup in the background of our picture!

August is the perfect time to catch an M's game - keep an eye out to see if Fireworks Night happens while you're here - always a fun night whether we win or lose!

So many beautiful options! Pictured is Naches Peak Loop. The main entry points to Mount Ranier National Park are 2-3 hours' drive from Seattle, so it can be a long day or you can rent camping gear from our Downtown REI to make it an over-nighter. Just be sure to check ahead to see if any permits are required for where you want to hike or camp!

Drive an hour and a half north to the Anacortes ferry terminal, which services our beautiful San Juan Island Archipelago. Pictured above is Lopez Island, Friday Harbor is another beautiful stay. Plan ahead for this one, Island lodging and the drive-on spots for these ferries can get competitive in the summer!

In case you don’t have a car but still want a good trip - our favorite way to visit our southern sister city is to catch the Amtrak from King Street station in Seattle, which takes you straight to downtown Portland! Stay at the Kennedy School, an historic elementary school lovingly restored and converted to a multi-use bar, restaurant, and hotel complex if you want a quirky stay, or one of Jay's personal favorites, the Hi-Lo if you want to be closer to downtown and one of our favorite places on earth, Powell's City of Books.