Sports & Recreation

RV rental: great for fall & winter travel, home office space, holiday overflow

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Sponsored by RVshare.com It's common to rent an RV or motor home for summer travel. But there are other times of the year, and many great reasons, for renting an RV – weekend getaways, holiday travel, or just some extra space at home. In many parts of the Pacific Northwest, fall is the perfect time to get … [Read more...] about RV rental: great for fall & winter travel, home office space, holiday overflow

7 affordable winter sports on ice and snow

Here is a list of winter sports you can enjoy in Washington State, including popular sports such as skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding. In addition, we list several other fun activities that appeal to a wide variety of recreational enthusiasts, from weekend family outings to athletes seeking more … [Read more...] about 7 affordable winter sports on ice and snow

13 free park entrance days in Washington State

Take advantage of free entrance days in National Parks and Washington State Parks throughout the year. Mark your calendar for these fee-free days and plan an outing with family or friends at the nearest park or a getaway to another park around the state. Short History of Our National Parks In 1872 in the … [Read more...] about 13 free park entrance days in Washington State

Best parks for a Thanksgiving Weekend stroll

Here are some recommended mostly urban parks and trails that make for a nice after dinner "constitutional" on Thanksgiving Day or anytime over the long weekend. These easy, beautiful nature walks are perfect for a leisurely stroll with the whole family. All are all open daily from dawn to dusk. (Grouped buy … [Read more...] about Best parks for a Thanksgiving Weekend stroll

13 best nature walks to see Seattle fall color

In an average year, the best time to see Seattle fall color is the first two to three weeks of October. Fall foliage in Seattle is particularly vibrant after dry, hot summers. In 2020, most of Washington State is experiencing "neutral" conditions with average rainfall and temperatures, which means we've had some hot … [Read more...] about 13 best nature walks to see Seattle fall color

Mountaineers virtual hiking and nature events

The Mountaineers is a volunteer-led nonprofit organization with 14,000 active members in the Pacific Northwest. With several branches and mountain lodges, it's easy to find a nearby community of enthusiasts for all kinds of outdoor pursuits, including hiking, trail running, climbing, backpacking, camping, skiing, … [Read more...] about Mountaineers virtual hiking and nature events

10 best free outdoor activities year-round

The following outdoor activities feature popular year-round sport and recreation pursuits around Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula. Our list focuses on activities that are relatively easy to learn and pursue. Newcomers to these recreational pursuits can quickly get introduced to the basics without a lot of time or … [Read more...] about 10 best free outdoor activities year-round

Free water safety guides & Washington boating laws

If you plan to get out on any of the many waterways in Seattle and around the Puget Sound region, be sure you are prepared. Whether you will be in a motor boat, sailboat, canoe, kayak, or paddleboard, or enjoying lakes and rivers as a swimmer or water skier, be sure to get familiar with Washington Boating Laws and … [Read more...] about Free water safety guides & Washington boating laws

Free trail maps for running or walking

Listed below are free regional and Seattle trail maps for running and walking, whether you want ideas for a regular fitness program to enjoy all year long, or just a casual family outing or romantic stroll in a nearby park. The information includes a variety of downloadable and printable maps, online … [Read more...] about Free trail maps for running or walking

Center for Wooden Boats, Seattle and Camano Island

The Center for Wooden Boats (CWB) is a non-profit organization that celebrates the rich and varied watercraft heritage that is a vital part of the history of Seattle and the Puget Sound region. At this hands-on maritime museum, the exhibits are on the water and the public is encouraged to use them. The organization … [Read more...] about Center for Wooden Boats, Seattle and Camano Island

Rent an RV for summer vacation or travel

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Advertiser article This year, many families are opting for a nature vacation or a road trip, instead of flying off to resorts or hotels. And why not? Getting outdoors and "roughing" it a bit has a lot to offer: relaxing around a campfire, enjoying a summer read punctuated with a fishing trip or hike, and … [Read more...] about Rent an RV for summer vacation or travel

Free guided low tide beach walks in summer 2020

During summer, you can visit Puget Sound beaches during low tide and learn about the marine plants and animals. Biologists and volunteer guides will be on hand from the Seattle Aquarium and Harbor Wild Watch. Reservations are not needed. Just check the lists below and show up during low tide. Each year, dozens of … [Read more...] about Free guided low tide beach walks in summer 2020

Popular King County parks for day hikes

King County park system covers 26,000 acres of public lands. That's an unlimited amount of awesome. The award-winning parks and recreation division offers recreational experiences for every interest, including 200 parks, 175 miles of regional trails, and 180 miles of backcountry trails, plus ballfields, playgrounds and … [Read more...] about Popular King County parks for day hikes

Summer camps & school break camps

We've updated our summer camps list for 2020 nd indicated those that are cancelled and those that are accepting registration. There is a lot of variety in summer camps schedules and activities in the Seattle-Tacoma metro region. There are day camps, weekly camps, half-day camps, full day camps, and overnight camps. … [Read more...] about Summer camps & school break camps

30 great park trails for kids in the Puget Sound region

Here's a list of parks throughout the Puget Sound region that feature easy nature walks that are great places to take your kids. These park trails make for pleasant day trips, weekend outings, or as part of a longer summer vacation. These kid-friendly trails are an especially nice destinations for families or anyone … [Read more...] about 30 great park trails for kids in the Puget Sound region

List of Washington State Parks open for recreation

Remember when using Washington State and other parks, trails, and recreational areas that it is crucial to maintain social distancing in 2020. Your behavior affects the health of our entire community. And what we do as a community protects us all. Listed below is a list of guidelines for using parks and trails safely … [Read more...] about List of Washington State Parks open for recreation

Free Skateboard Parks in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond

Listed below are Seattle skateboard parks, roughly in order from north to south throughout the city. After the Seattle list, you will find a list of skateboard parks in surrounding cities throughout the Puget Sound region. Seattle skateboard parks Seattle, Dahl (Waldo J.) Playfield, 7700 25th Ave. NE … [Read more...] about Free Skateboard Parks in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond

3 hour tour! Guided canoe trip through the Mercer Slough

Explore the beautiful Mercer Slough Nature Park by water with Bellevue Park Rangers. The rangers lead 3-hour canoe trips during summer. Canoe tours leave from , starting from Enatai Beach Park. Enatai is conveniently located just off I-405 and I-90. During the guided canoe tour, you will learn about the … [Read more...] about 3 hour tour! Guided canoe trip through the Mercer Slough

Car-free Bicycle Sunday in southeast Seattle

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites everyone to bike, jog, or stroll along Lake Washington Boulevard South on Bicycle Sunday between Mount Baker beach on the north and Seward Park on the south. On selected days from May to September, the boulevard is closed to motorized traffic from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Here's a list of … [Read more...] about Car-free Bicycle Sunday in southeast Seattle

Seattle parks named after African Americans

The African American legacy at Seattle Parks and Recreation is a lasting one.From the mid-1960s until 1987, Seattle Parks had the services of Willis Lee Ball, who went to work for the Seattle Parks Department when he was just 35 years old. He started as the parks recreation manager and several years later was promoted … [Read more...] about Seattle parks named after African Americans

Best Seattle parks to visit on a rainy day

Seattle has over 400 parks. Here, we're listing just a handful that can be fun to visit, even on a drizzly day--not that there are many rainy days in Seattle (just kidding). These parks are great for a walk in the rain because they feature paved walking paths and some have indoor features. They're also fairly short … [Read more...] about Best Seattle parks to visit on a rainy day

Bird Watching in the Puget Sound region

Bird watching is a popular activity for many residents and visitors in the Puget Sound region. More than 500 bird species have been observed in Washington State. It is relatively easy to see and study birds in the wild. Birdwatching is one of the fastest growing recreational activities in the country. Washington … [Read more...] about Bird Watching in the Puget Sound region

Late night bowling around Puget Sound

Bowling is an easy, fun recreational activity the entire family can enjoy. Many bowling centers offer late night discount bowling, which is a great alternative to common nighttime entertainment such as movies or strolling the nearest shopping mall. In the list below, we've cherry-picked the late night bowling … [Read more...] about Late night bowling around Puget Sound

Best value gym and CrossFit

For gym memberships, CrossFit classes, and other fitness programs, we offer a list of facilities with modest fees, based on the average gym and fitness class prices in the Seattle metro area. In the lists below, we include only regular prices and initiation fees. However, many fitness retailers offer discounts at … [Read more...] about Best value gym and CrossFit

Everything you need to know about bike riding

If you are a bike rider, this is your one-stop site for information about riding in the Puget Sound region whether you are a pleasure seeker, commute daily to work, or are new to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area and need basic information about two-wheeled transportation. As with all the information at Greater Seattle … [Read more...] about Everything you need to know about bike riding