Redmond, Washington

Unveiled in 1990, the Fremont Troll is a quirky Seattle landmark sculpted by Steve Badanes and his team. This 18-foot concrete giant playfully clutches a Volkswagen Beetle under the Aurora Bridge, adding a touch of whimsy to the neighborhood. Originally designed to revitalize a neglected underpas...

Enjoy a wonderful view of the Seattle skyline from Dr. Jose Rizal park. Parking is easy and accessible, and the park has lots of benches for sitting and taking in the view. Walk around the park for different views of the city or take in the surrounding neighborhood, you'll most likely catch a lot...

Discover the enchanting world of The Spheres at Amazon, a lush oasis nestled in the heart of Seattle. This stunning botanical marvel houses thousands of exotic plants, creating a breathtaking indoor rainforest. To experience this unique attraction, visitors must secure a reservation as public acc...

Found my first PNW troll!  Jakob Two Trees is a remarkable wooden troll sculpture located in Issaquah, Washington, crafted by Danish artist Thomas Dambo as part of his worldwide recycled art series. Standing about 14 feet tall, this eco-friendly giant was built using repurposed wooden pallets an...

Seattle's Pike Place Market holds a quirky treasure – the Gum Wall. Located in an alleyway near the Market Theater, this unexpected art installation is a colorful wall completely covered in used chewing gum. Begun in the 1990s by theater patrons, the gum wall has become a symbol of Seattle's uniq...

Although weekend sails are available, this is one of the best ways to get a mid-week fresh air fix in Seattle.Start with a 1.5 hour sunset sail reservation with Emerald City Charters ( approx. $33 per adult). The day of your sail, pack a bag with blankets, drinks and picnic-style dinner. Catch th...

There are 2 ways to get to Blake Island: private boat or via the Argosy Cruises tour boat (or if you're ambitious, I guess you can swim there!). If traveling by private boat, there is a marina with limited dock space as well as buoy moorings around the island for a moorage fee. Blake Island is ...

The Poo Poo Point trail is a great option for beautiful forest and great views only about 20 minutes outside of Seattle. The longer and less steep of the two routes to Poo Poo Point, this trail leaves from the Issaquah High School (the shorter and steeper Chirico Trail leaves from the paragliding...

Kerry Park: Seattle's Most Iconic Viewpoint Located at the top of Queen Anne Hill, Kerry Park is a favorite destination for photography and one of Seattle's most recognizable viewpoints. On any given day you'll find tourists and locals relaxing in the park and enjoying the beautiful view of the ...

If you're looking for something with low-grade steepness, you're not going to find it here. Gaining over 2,000' in under 2 miles to the summit, this isn't for the faint of heart.  The trail exists because of a buried cable, which has since been exposed and which you can see near the top of the t...

From Seattle, take the I-90 E to exit 15. Make a right on 17th Ave. This street will later become Renton/Issaquah Rd. Drive about four miles then turn right on to May Valley Rd. Make a sharp right onto SE 112th St. This street will soon turn into 169th Ave SE as it turns left. The trailhead is ri...

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 ...

Visiting Hat and Boots Park in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood is a journey through kitschy Americana. This giant roadside attraction, once a gas station, boasts the title of the largest cowboy hat and boots in the country. The hat itself even served as the station's office in the 1950s! After ...

Immerse yourself in tranquility at Seattle’s Kubota Garden, a haven of Japanese-inspired design nestled in the Rainier Beach neighborhood. Founded in 1927 by Fujitaro Kubota, a Japanese immigrant who longed to recreate his homeland’s serene landscapes, the garden flourished from a humble 5-acre p...

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...

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...