Mountlake Terrace, Washington

Getting Here: Heading North on I5 from Seattle Center, take exit 178 for 236th Street SW and Lakeveiw Dr. Take a left on Lakeview Dr. and follow along for a half a mile before you see the Lake Ballinger Boat Ramp parking area on the left. There is a community park and rental facility on the noir ...

An easy stroll beneath a canopy of giant moss covered trees. There is a fair grade from the top to the bottom, along several well maintained gravel footpaths. It’s quiet and feels very secluded. Great for walking your dog, strolling, and jogging.

If you plan to hike to this beach on the weekend, arrive early because the parking lot fills up fast. From the trailhead, hike down through an old forest along a stream to reach Meadowdale Beach Park. Take in the sounds of birds, wildlife, and the stream adjacent to the trail. At one mile you wil...

Green Lake is one of Seattle’s most beloved parks. Its expanse of water and green space in the center of a dense urban neighborhood draws thousands of people daily from all over the city. The park serves as a natural preserve for hundreds of species of trees and plants, as well as numerous birds ...

Looping around a freshwater lake surrounded by tranquil natural scenery, Green Lake Park trail is considered by many to be Seattle’s go-to running spot. I love it because it’s an urban run that doesn’t feel like one. It’s especially popular with beginning runners and the after-work/weekend crowd....

Golden Gardens Park is a beautiful, sandy gem that’s perfect for spending a sunny summer day lounging on the beach, exploring the shore, stand up paddling, or even playing beach volleyball. This park also features some of my favorite views in Seattle. As day turns to night, enjoy a beautiful suns...

All benefits of a stair master paired with fresh air is the perfect recipe for a northwest workout. 210 wooden railroad ties make up a staircase that will test your endurance, build strength and get you sweating in no time. The stairs are open year round, 24 hours a day and offer parking for abo...

Discovery Park and its beach area great for walking, running, photography, and taking in a sunset. If you want to put your feet in the sand, head down to the western most part of the park. This beach is a sand beach with an iconic lighthouse at the end. Dirftwood also washes up on the beach provi...

Everyone knows Gasworks Park for its awesome views of downtown Seattle. A great spot during anytime of the year, the park is even beautiful at night, when you can see reflections of the city lights in Lake Union. Make sure you bring a tripod to capture some awesome long exposure images!During the...

The Loop Trail in Discovery Park offers a nice respite from the city, with views of the Puget Sound, open fields and forest. Given it's a loop, there are a couple of different options to begin the hike. The most common is to park at the East Visitor Center Parking lot and take a short connector t...

Situated just southeast from the shores of the University of Washington, the Washington Arboretum Loop is a short yet gorgeous paddling excursion. What it lacks in length, it more than makes up for in its peaceful escape from the city and its beautiful path carved out through fields of lily pads....

The Washington Park Arboretum is the perfect place to swing through if you're looking for a short and gentle trail run without leaving the city. This expansive park includes the UW Botanic Gardens, Japanese Gardens, entire length of the Arboretum Creek - all landmarks you'll pass on this trail. T...

This Beautiful park in Seattle offers up gorgeous views of Puget Sound. The park has an easy to follow loop, which is about 4.5 miles. There are easy offshoots of the loop if you're looking to get a little extra distance. Keep an eye out for Hidden Valley Trail and North Beach Trail if you're up ...

As the sun sets over Queen Anne Hill, there are few better places to be in Seattle than Lake Union. Sitting just 2 miles from downtown Seattle, the Lake is a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. No matter the season, catching a sunset and dusk on the lake is absolutely stunning. U...

The Howe Street Stairs are Seattle’s longest continuous stairway, and your quads will confirm this fact after you’ve done a few sets of repeats. This is a great place to raise your heart rate and get some exercise outside of the gym. If you’re up for it, throw in some push-ups and sit-ups in betw...

Woodland Plateau and Lloyd Trail Loop is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Woodinville, Washington.