8 best things to do outside when visiting Seattle

Why is Seattle named The Emerald City? Year-round, it’s compellingly lush and green but is especially beautiful in the spring. With forests, mountains, and almost 500 parks, Seattle is made for outdoor activities. It’s sandwiched between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, so there are plenty of opportunities to get out on kayaks, boats, and paddleboards, too. If Washington’s supposedly famous rain puts you off, you’ll be pleased to learn that it isn’t the wettest state, not even in the top 10. So whether you enjoy scenic hikes in the likes of North Cascades National Park, summiting dizzying peaks like Mount Rainier, or cruising on stunning waters like Puget Sound, you’ll find the perfect activity in this roundup of the best things to do outside in Seattle.

1. Puget Sound

A vast inland estuary connected to the Pacific Ocean fringed with rivers, lakes, and waterways, people flock to the Sound for its natural beauty and wildlife, not to mention recreation such as boating, fishing, kayaking, and whale-watching. Take to its waters in a historic tall ship, or try stand-up paddleboarding through the serene tributary of Lake Union. You’ll get phenomenal skyline views from your off-shore perspective, with mighty Mount Rainier looming above the cityscape and the Space Needle observation tower puncturing the sky.

When to go:

Mid-June to September offers the best chance of seeing orcas, humpbacks, and minke whales. Avoid early to mid-fall, October and November, as that’s Seattle’s fog season, and you won’t see much from the water.

Distance from Seattle:

The ferry terminal and boat docks from where you’ll depart into the Sound are an 8-minute drive, a 25-minute bus ride, or a 40-minute walk from central Seattle.

2. Mount Rainier

The highest mountain in Washington, at a towering 14,411 feet (4,392 m), Mount Rainier dominates most views, and its snowy peak is even depicted on the state license plate. It’s also, technically, an active volcano, a fact that doesn’t stop 10,000 thrill-seekers from attempting to make their way to the top every year. If you’re not a mountaineer, you can enjoy hikes around the lower slopes of the mountain, which sits within a 237,000-acre national park. Most people head to the Paradise visitor area, 5,400 feet up Mount Rainier’s south side, where trails crisscross pretty alpine meadows and overlook the impressive Nisqually Glacier.

When to go:

The best time to visit is in July and August, when wildflowers carpet the meadows, and the dry, warm weather offers optimal hiking conditions.

Distance from Seattle:

Mount Rainier National Park is around 88 miles from central Seattle and takes about 2 hours by car.

3. Snoqualmie Falls

The breathtaking Snoqualmie Falls cascade thunderously over granite cliffs down a 270-foot drop — almost twice the height of Niagara Falls — and vary in width between 50 and 150 feet, depending on water levels. The spectacle attracts over 1.5 million visitors keen to take in their majesty every year. There’s a short trail loop to reach the two observation decks to view them and plenty more hiking opportunities elsewhere in the area.

When to go:

Spring, when meltwater from the snow on the nearby mountains feeds into the falls and makes them even more ferocious.

Distance from Seattle:

Just 31 miles from central Seattle, driving to Snoqualmie Falls takes around 40 minutes.

4. Mount St. Helens

The violent eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 was the deadliest and most destructive volcanic event in US history. Luckily, there have been no eruptions since 2008, and every year, thousands of people come to experience the striking beauty of this sleeping giant. You can climb to the crater rim, hike subterranean lava tubes, kayak or fish in clear mountain lakes, or take a tour with a geologist. Don’t miss the moss-cloaked forest by the Lewis River, home to a series of spectacular tumbling waterfalls.

When to go:

Stick to spring or fall to see nature at its best without the summer crowds. In winter, you can snowshoe, ski cross-country, and roar around on snowmobiles.

Distance from Seattle:

Mount St. Helens is around 191 miles from central Seattle and takes around 3.5 hours by car, so it’s great for a day trip.

5. The Cascades

Often referred to as the “American Alps,” the North Cascades National Park is home to more than 300 glaciers and dozens of waterfalls, which give the Cascade Range its name — the ultimate outdoor adventure in Seattle. Picture serene turquoise lakes dominated by misty, jagged peaks, and mountainsides carpeted with pine trees, crisscrossed with scenic hiking trails, and peppered with wooden cabins and campsites where you can spend the night gazing at the stars. Boating and birdwatching are also popular pastimes, but this is essentially a place to slow down and connect with nature.

When to go:

Winter can be wet and cold, so the best time, particularly if you’re looking to hike, is summer — mid-June to late September.

Distance from Seattle:

North Cascades National Park is 107 miles from central Seattle and takes about 2 hours by car.

6. Olympic National Park

Seattle’s Olympic National Park has been rated the best in the US, and you’ll understand why when you experience its blend of forest, coastal, and mountain ecosystems, sprawling over nearly a million acres. Its eclectic scenery and landscapes, which range from sandy beaches to the lush Hoh rainforest, are home to a wide variety of wildlife, from the Roosevelt elk to deer, cougars, and bears. Take in the night sky from Hurricane Ridge, marvel at the ancient and giant Kalaloch Tree of Life on Kalaloch Beach, and bike the scenic Discovery Trail.

When to go:

In summer, you’ll be dazzled by the fields of wildflowers that erupt colorfully all over the park; July and August are also the best months to spot the Milky Way.

Distance from Seattle:

Located 112 miles from central Seattle, you can drive to Olympic National Park in just over 2 hours.

7. Wallace Falls State Park

The 1,380-acre Wallace Falls State Park, on the west side of the Cascade Range, is home to impressive waterfalls, old-growth coniferous forests, backcountry lakes, gushing mountain rivers and streams, and railroad remnants of its former logging days. There are three falls: Upper Wallace Falls, which drops 240 feet; the more dramatic 367-foot, three-section Wallace Falls; and the 212-foot Lower Wallace Falls. These are best observed along the 5.6-mile loop, which also offers breathtaking views of the Wallace River and Lake, but there are several other hiking trails to choose from.

When to go:

May is an excellent month to see Wallace Falls at total capacity, with maximum volume and power after the spring snowmelt.

Distance from Seattle:

An hour’s driving from central Seattle (47 miles) brings you to Wallace Falls State Park.

8. Whidbey Island

The largest island in Washington state at 168 square miles, Whidbey Island is home to dozens of beaches and more than 50 parks, including Deception Pass, Washington’s most-visited state park. People come for the plentiful views of Puget Sound and the Cascades and bird-watching. You might spot grebes, loons, kingfishers, and oystercatchers — keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, too. Deception Pass is a must-visit, with its old-growth forest, driftwood-strewn beaches, rugged cliffs, and waters teeming with marine life, including sea lions, orcas, and porpoises. Whidbey is also home to a community of artists, writers, and sculptors inspired by the beautiful scenery around them.

When to go:

Springtime brings warm temperatures and remains pleasant through August; avoid November, which tends to be the rainiest month.

Distance from Seattle:

It will take around 1.5 hours to drive the 35 miles from central Seattle, including the ferry crossing from Mukilteo on the mainland to Clinton on Whidbey Island.