Very pretty garden! It's a quick walk through but there were tables inside if you wanted to sit and…read moreenjoy the scenery! The leaves on the Japanese maples are very pretty right now for fall!

Nice place to relax and enjoy a waterfall. Beware of the local homeless population nearby!read more

Beautiful park right by the water. I enjoyed a nice run here with views of the water, mountains and…read morecity. Super well maintained.

Very beautiful beach park Sunset is gorgeous here , and this…read moreis very good place for picnicking

We have been to yhis park quite a few times and it is always busy. But is a good thing because kids…read moreenjoy it except for the jellyfish body which gets packed!! Difficult for kids to get to the top. Plenty of different kind of games. That is fantastic because this.makes unique this park. Great view and addition to this walk through piers. Restrooms are so cool and clean. Be sure to get in theough the right side. Usually a line.

I've been to the Seattle area a handful of times to visit family and I always enjoy walking the…read morewaterfront area. They have improved the area quite a bit since my first visit so it is a nice place to get your steps in, dine on seafood and simply just enjoy the vibes.

Bellevue Botanical Garden is a beautiful place. And the fact that it is always free too! It's open…read moreevery day even holidays! To be a small botanical garden, there's a nice walking path and many, many beautiful flowers and plants to see. There are often local community events hosted here. Activities for the young to adults. They have classes that you can find and sign up for on their website as well. And the classes are affordable!! You may even see people taking wedding photos here because again it's beautiful. The park is ADA friendly. The path is dirt and pebbled but can be navigated with a wheelchair. There are bathrooms on site and a small shop. I have never purchased bulbs or plants from here but I know there is a big community around that. The coffee shop in the garden can get busy. But a benefit is we were able to charge my husband's wheelchair there on a visit. While the park is open every day, the coffee shop is not. Definitely this should be a spot for all locals. And not just a one time visit either.

This was a nice little find. We got here late as my sister had to take her son to this de's appt…read more By the time we got to Seattle, it was already 1 pm. Once the entire family met up, we climbed back into the car and headed to Bellevue. Not sur if it was due to the time. But we were surprised there was a lot of parking available. We spent a good 2-hrs here which included getting lost and finding other street entries into the botanical park from a school and from other busy street corner at the bottom of the park. Nice and shaded, quiet little creeks, plenty of seating for those that were inspired to journal, plenty of elderly people using this time to exercise and stretch. We enjoyed the different areas like the swinging bridge, the Japanese garden and even the little cafe they have there. Fairly priced items and plenty of tables to enjoy a refreshment and snack. By the time we were done, the gift shop was already closed. So I took the opportunity to drop a donation into the box instead.

I'm a Washington native and love hiking and climbing mountains in our state. I have come across…read moreWTA work parties on various occasions, and have seen the work they do on our trails numerous times. Likewise, I look up trip reports and research my hikes on their website. I support WTA and encourage anyone who hikes and climbs to donate and contribute to the trail reports on their site. As a community we can preserve, maintain, and keep our beautiful outdoors just the way we like them!

I'm writing to express how blessed I am to have the opportunity to volunteer and proudly be a…read moremember of this great organization. There are few groups that after you volunteer with, you instantly see the results of your labor. I'd like to take a moment to write about my experience as a volunteer. Since the first "work party" with WTA, I have fallen in love again with nature. I am smitten with the trees, wildlife, and the sound of the forest. Every volunteer event is another chance to reconnect with mother earth. You would be amiss if you never visited a state or county park, never mind renovating or building a trail for others to also experience. So what's the experience so special? I would go out on a limb, and say that from the moment that you step foot into your first event; people who genuinely care about giving back instantly surround you. Conversations are struck, and you are in a family, you are accepted, no matter whom you are. Sign in; helmet on, safety lesson, and the team is on their way. The number one rule is to be safe. Second rule is to have fun. Third rule is to get work done. I remember being nervous about hiking a trail carrying a shovel and pick, not really sure where and what I was doing. That quickly passes, as Assistant Crew Leaders help guide you forward; you probably know more about what you are doing, than you think. Common sense rules, before you know, you have improved on a section of trail. You have literally moved earth. I have met some of the most awesome people out on the trail, working with them, and forming friendships and respect for hard work. Along the way, hikers pass through, sometimes thanking you, but always appreciative of the work done. It's 8 hours of commitment, and they expect you to be there. You take breaks when you need to, and you work at your own speed. You can make it a casual weekend, or make it into an intense workout. I encourage anyone to volunteer with WTA. It's fulfilling and without question, one of the best experiences when it comes to giving back.

If you're thinking about rafting but don't have a crew or your usually friends or partner isn't…read morereally into this, stop trying to convince them, just sign up and come by yourself! I came with just two other guys and there were groups of all sizes to parties that had enough people for a full raft to both guys and girls who came on their own and joined in on a raft like ours who didn't have a party that would fill a full raft. If you're signing up for the morning session dress appropriately. I went rafting before but it must have been in the middle of the day because at that time I was hot in my gear, this time I was super cold. The trip was a blast. The guides are awesome. One raft lost people to the drops but we helped rescue everyone. I think it's totally worth your time and money. Save up for the experience, it certainly is worth it. If you are going to do only 1 or so trips, do the class 5.

The trip was excellent perfect for family with younger kids. We had a few hiccups in the beginning…read moreand the owner who answered the telephone call was super helpful each time. Our guide Jace was awesome as well as the whole entire rafting team of Maddie, Duncan and another gal. Jace made a younger kids, feel safe and comfortable. I'd highly recommend these tour guides and the company!

A MUST when visiting Mt. Rainier / Crystal Mountain resort - it was the perfect way to admire what…read morethe wifey had just accomplished, running down the gigantic mountain, the ride up is about 10 - 15mins, all worth it!!! breath taking views of Mt. Rainier, do dress accordingly, it was pretty windy and about 10 degrees colder up on the mountain. there is a restaurant/restrooms observation chairs and a beer garden at the top! but the view!!! stunning, the greens/whites/ snow peak colors with the sky blue in the background. as usual parking could be hit or miss, they do have several parking lots but the closest one to the gandola ( the paved one ) is on the smaller side, they have other lots designated by letters ( which also unpaved ) Info on Gondola here: https://www.crystalmountainresort.com/things-to-do/activities/mt-rainier-gondola

We were recently traveling with our dog in the area so we had to take her on the pet friendly Mt…read more Rainier Gondola. Even though the weather didn't agree with us, we still had an enjoyable time. We purchased our tickets online a few days ahead because you get a better price that way. Each ticket is good for two separate rides. We arrived just after 10 in the morning and it was grey and overcast. The sky was very cloudy and there was a foggy mist over the mountains. It was lovely but not the best weather for sight seeing. We went ahead and rode up the mountain and back and it was fun but as you can guess the views weren't great from the gondola. About half the ride it was just like being inside frosted glass and all we could see was grey. We stayed at the top for a while but the winds were to fierce for our pup so we headed back down and spent some time eating, shopping and enjoying the area. We were hoping the weather would clear up later in the afternoon. Unfortunately for us, Mother Nature had other plans and it was cool, foggy and totally overcast all day. I wasn't even really that disappointed though because it was just so beautiful being there. It was honestly my favorite kind of weather. On our second ride, we did try riding the famous "Green Gondola". We had seen other people waiting for it on our earlier ride and asked a staff member what it was all about. They said it was just a replacement gondola so it didn't match the others exactly and we kind of laughed at how silly it is but people love things that are unique. There was no line, so we gave it a go and I'm here to tell you that it didn't part the clouds and I haven't won the lottery since riding it :) Sorry to say it is just like the red ones. Even with the weather, we made a really nice day of it and if you haven't seen this area, I would definitely recommend giving the gondola a try. I think next time we will probably risk the higher prices at the gate to make sure the weather is cooperating for the ride.

The Olympic Sculpture Park has been on my list to visit since it was built in 2007 and I finally…read moredid! It is a free oasis of calm, a view of the Sound, the Olympics on a clear day, and an opportunity to wander among world class contemporary sculptures. It is the free part of the Seattle Art Museum along with the original Volunteer Park building and the downtown Venturi-Cloepfil building which charge admission. Like most all museums, the work has been donated by Seattle families. It was a brownfield. The site is sloped and difficult to design to, with roads and rail going under it. It connects to the Eliot Bay Trail. The shoreline by the trail was extensively rebuilt in a natural way. The design is a success. The usual entry is from Western and Broad. Seattle has done well building apartments in the area, so parking can be fierce. The main entry has a large, clean, indoor pavilion with a minimal cafe, restrooms, some tables and chairs, artworks, and events. In rain it could be good for children, but may not have activities. To the Northwest is a narrow amphitheater. The backdrop to the amphitheater stage is a significant Serra. It is a great introduction to the artist, created in 2004, and the first piece installed in the park. The Eagle by Calder is the icon of the park often seen in photos. Seattle has a romance with Calder usually associated with his indoor hanging mobiles. Louise Bourgeois has a fountain and stone benches. A Roxy Paine stainless steel tree holds its own against the sea and mountain backdrop. A favorite artist of mine, Louise Nevelson, has a steel sculpture. They have an artist mini golf. I was especially excited to see Ai Weiwei's Circle Of Animals / Zodiac Heads on loan from the artist. I've seen other variations. Each head is a Chinese zodiac animal. I think kids would love it, but no climbing. The story of the originals is fascinating as is Weiwei's autobiography, 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows. With all the art, to me it is primarily a park. People just walk, sit and read, decompress, and children play. It's easy to visit, except for parking, is open 24 hours, has significant contemporary artists, you don't need to know anything about art to enjoy it, and it is free!

The perfect park for a nice stroll…read more I love that you have to go "looking" for the sculptures and that it's not all in one place. It makes it fun and feel like an adventure.

Miles Hike Club was an unbelievable experience. First of all, Booby & Ish are extremely…read moreaccommodating. They provided a time/place to meet. They provided a van to transport us to/from the hike. They provided food/beverages on the trip. They also provided recommendations on clothes to wear and bring. Secondly, they are extremely knowledgeable. Throughout the hike, they provided fun facts about the trail specifically and provided guidance on how to hike safely. They ensured to take time before and after the hike to make sure everyone stretched and warmed up. They took pictures for everyone throughout the hike. They were fun to interact with and talk to. They kept the group engaged throughout the day and often made us laugh. I could not have asked for a better experience.

This tour exceeded my expectations. This was my first real hiking experience and it will definitely…read morego in my memory book. The the views were breathtaking. Our tour guide Ismail was the best, he was very knowledgeable on the surrounding areas and knew exactly were to take first time hikers.