Fun & sun in Seattle

By Tram Le

Argosy Cruises offers one-hour harbor tours departing six times a day from Pier 55 in downtown Seattle.You may not think of lush forests, sparkling beaches, and stunning mountains when someone mentions Seattle, but the diversity of the city's natural playground offers countless ways to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.

The "Emerald City" has more than 400 parks and open areas. Take in some of Seattle's most beautiful scenery at Discovery Park (3801 W. Government Way). This 534-acre park is the largest in Seattle and offers breathtaking views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges. Take a nature walk on 8 miles of trails that will lead you to saltwater beaches, open meadows, and forest groves.

Sandy beaches await at Golden Gardens Park (8498 Seaview Place N.W.). Play in the water, enjoy a company picnic, or join a game of beach volleyball. Nearby, Green Lake Park (7201 E Green Lake Drive) is just a short drive from downtown. Rent a canoe or paddleboat here and enjoy stunning views from the lake. Other scenic parks in the area include Carkeek Park, Alki Beach Park, and Seward Park.

Walk among forest and wetland creatures at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (11610 Trek Drive E., Eatonville), which is home to more than 200 North American animals. Visit animals you normally don't see at most zoos, such as bighorn sheep, bobcats, caribou, and moose. Watch the animals roam in spacious natural exhibits while you ride a tram or walk on forest pathways surrounded by scenic lakes. Woodland Park Zoo (5500 Phinney Ave N.) is an award-winning zoo that's only minutes from downtown. Visit the Asian elephants, take a safari around the African Savanna, or trek in a tropical rainforest, all without leaving the city! Both the park and zoo offer educational workshops, hands-on exhibits, and picnic grounds.

A family takes a summer stroll through the trees at the Washington Park Arboretum. (Courtesy of Joy Spurr/Arboretum Foundation)Just east of downtown Seattle, the Washington Park Arboretum (2300 Arboretum Drive E.) features 230 acres of assorted plants and trees, as well as native wildlife. Stroll on trails surrounded by fragrant sorrel and linden trees and towering native trees. The plants featured in July are eucryphia, hydrangeas, and maackias. The new Pacific Connections Garden features a unique forest of international plants and trees from Australia, China, Chile, and New Zealand. Free walking and audio garden tours are available.

Discover the unique islands of Seattle during your visit. The Washington Park Arboretum offers guided walking tours to the wetlands of Foster and Marsh Islands, where you may get a glimpse of the great blue herons, turtles, and beavers that reside here. You can also rent a canoe or rowboat from the Waterfront Activities Center at the University of Washington (UW campus southeast of Husky Stadium at 25th Avenue) and paddle in the lily-pad lagoons near Foster Island.

For a fun tour of the city by land and water, come Ride the Ducks of Seattle (516 Broad St.). One of the most popular attractions in Seattle, this combined boat and bus tour promises an entertaining sightseeing adventure. Sit back and enjoy while tour guides narrate the history of Seattle and provide background facts of notable landmarks, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, downtown shopping district, and sights along Lake Union. Tours depart every day and last approximately 90 minutes. Other popular tours of Seattle include the Show Me Seattle Tour, Seattle Harbor Cruise, and the Cascades and Casks tour.

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	146th AVMA Annual Convention Daily News—Saturday, July 11, 2009—Seattle, WA Convention News > News headlines > Seattle outdoor attractions Fun & sun in Seattle By Tram Le Argosy Cruises offers one-hour harbor tours departing six times a day from Pier 55 in downtown Seattle.You may not think of lush forests, sparkling beaches, and stunning mountains when someone mentions Seattle, but the diversity of the city's natural playground offers countless ways to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. The "Emerald City" has more than 400 parks and open areas. Take in some of Seattle's most beautiful scenery at Discovery Park (3801 W. Government Way). This 534-acre park is the largest in Seattle and offers breathtaking views of the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges. Take a nature walk on 8 miles of trails that will lead you to saltwater beaches, open meadows, and forest groves. Sandy beaches await at Golden Gardens Park (8498 Seaview Place N.W.). Play in the water, enjoy a company picnic, or join a game of beach volleyball. Nearby, Green Lake Park (7201 E Green Lake Drive) is just a short drive from downtown. Rent a canoe or paddleboat here and enjoy stunning views from the lake. Other scenic parks in the area include Carkeek Park, Alki Beach Park, and Seward Park. Walk among forest and wetland creatures at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (11610 Trek Drive E., Eatonville), which is home to more than 200 North American animals. Visit animals you normally don't see at most zoos, such as bighorn sheep, bobcats, caribou, and moose. Watch the animals roam in spacious natural exhibits while you ride a tram or walk on forest pathways surrounded by scenic lakes. Woodland Park Zoo (5500 Phinney Ave N.) is an award-winning zoo that's only minutes from downtown. Visit the Asian elephants, take a safari around the African Savanna, or trek in a tropical rainforest, all without leaving the city! Both the park and zoo offer educational workshops, hands-on exhibits, and picnic grounds. A family takes a summer stroll through the trees at the Washington Park Arboretum. (Courtesy of Joy Spurr/Arboretum Foundation)Just east of downtown Seattle, the Washington Park Arboretum (2300 Arboretum Drive E.) features 230 acres of assorted plants and trees, as well as native wildlife. Stroll on trails surrounded by fragrant sorrel and linden trees and towering native trees. The plants featured in July are eucryphia, hydrangeas, and maackias. The new Pacific Connections Garden features a unique forest of international plants and trees from Australia, China, Chile, and New Zealand. Free walking and audio garden tours are available. Discover the unique islands of Seattle during your visit. The Washington Park Arboretum offers guided walking tours to the wetlands of Foster and Marsh Islands, where you may get a glimpse of the great blue herons, turtles, and beavers that reside here. You can also rent a canoe or rowboat from the Waterfront Activities Center at the University of Washington (UW campus southeast of Husky Stadium at 25th Avenue) and paddle in the lily-pad lagoons near Foster Island. For a fun tour of the city by land and water, come Ride the Ducks of Seattle (516 Broad St.). One of the most popular attractions in Seattle, this combined boat and bus tour promises an entertaining sightseeing adventure. Sit back and enjoy while tour guides narrate the history of Seattle and provide background facts of notable landmarks, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, downtown shopping district, and sights along Lake Union. Tours depart every day and last approximately 90 minutes. Other popular tours of Seattle include the Show Me Seattle Tour, Seattle Harbor Cruise, and the Cascades and Casks tour. Return to previous page