Ready for an adventure? Seattle is ready for you! First get a kayak from Northwest Outdoor Center and paddle around Lake Union. It’s the quickest way to get out on the water under your own power. You choose how fast you go–and how long you want to paddle! If you don’t know what you’re doing, fear not. Take a lesson!
Drive your car on the ferry down on the waterfront. Head across Puget Sound to the Olympic Peninsula. First, drive north to Port Townsend. We love this little town. Take a whale-watching excursion with Puget Sound Express. They’ve been showing off the San Juan Islands for 20 years–so you don’t want to miss it. If you take the early-morning ferry, it includes a 2.5-hour stop in Friday Harbor. That’s in the heart of the San Juan Islands. You can get out and stretch your legs. In fact, you may want to bookmark this little slice of Heaven for a return visit. Many folks just bring their bikes (and their rain gear) and cycle around from island to island. Ferries link several of the islands, including Orcas Island and San Juan Island.
Back on the Olympic Peninsula, head over to Lake Quinault Lodge in the heart of the Olympic National Forest. From here, you can hike and explore to your heart’s content. Since the lodge is right on the lake, you can take a variety of watercraft out on the lake for some fishing–or sightseeing.
Head down to the coast for some beachcombing. This is a wild coast–so be prepared for some brisk winds, fog and some rain. After all, it is a rain forest. But it’s worth the trip!
Southeast of Seattle are two national parks worth exploring: Mt. St. Helen’s and Mt. Rainier. Gray Line offers day tours to both parks–or you can drive on your own if you want to spend more time exploring.
Another popular adventure east of Seattle is Snoqualmie Falls. It’s an easy hike from the parking lot to the base of the falls. Take the whole family–everyone will have a great time!
Up in the Skagit River Valley there are several whitewater raft trips. Seattle residents love going east of the mountains to Lake Chelan, too.