Visiting Seattle in mid-April, best things to see then? (Bellevue: neighborhoods, vs)

[mortgageboss]

We made our first visit to Seattle last June and had a blast! Next month, we have a week off and thought about making another visit.

What are some things to see in April? We are outdoors types and not afraid of a little cold or rain.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[CrazyDonkey]

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is April 1-30. See:

Skagit Tulip Festival

April can be either very dreary or very beautiful, or both. Some more suggestions (if the weather is nice):

* Walking tour of "mansion row" on upper Capitol Hill, from 14th & Mercer north to Volunteer Park, where you can climb the Water Tower for a 360-degree view, explore one of Seattle's oldest and most beautiful parks, and visit the Conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM).

* Wander through the Arboretum, featuring trees/plants from around the world, for a delightful walk, including Azalea Way, Foster Island, and the Waterfront Trail (to the Montlake Cut).

If the weather isn't nice, explore some of our museums: Seattle Art Museum (Downtown), Frye Art Museum (First Hill/free), MOHAI (South Lake Union/Seattle history), Burke Natural History Museum (UW campus), Klondike Gold Rush Museum (Pioneer Square/free), Wing Luke Museum (International District), Flight Museum (Boeing Field).

[Jalhop]

Kubota Garden in Renton, south of Seattle, is a neat outdoor option. It's like a mini Butchart Gardens (in Victoria B.C.).

See Snoqualmie Falls if you haven't already. You can take a trail from the top to get closer to the base for a different viewing angle.

[bloom]

skip Snoqualmie Falls - not so great at all vs other options in same category

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by bloom

skip Snoqualmie Falls - not so great at all vs other options in same category

You mean Niagara? Niagara Falls are bigger, but Snoqualmie Falls are higher. The hydroelectric power plant was considered an engineering wonder when it was originally built.

It can be a good excuse to get out into the County (and out of the friggin' City). Other County attractions, other than the Falls:

* Downtown Snoqualmie and the Northwest Railway Museum. Take a vintage train excursion ($18/adults).

* Go for a hike at Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. Other hiking possibilities: Tiger Mountain, Mount Si.

* Want a leisurely walk: Bellevue Botanical Garden and/or the Mercer Slough Nature Park. Both free.

* Tour Chateau Ste Michelle Winery in Woodinville.

* Visit Marymoor Park and/or Sammamish River Trail. See the Clise Mansion in the Willowmoor Farmstead (grounds designed by the Olmstead brothers).

* Rainy? Visit a museum: Bellevue Art Museum (BAM), Issaquah Depot Museum/Gilman Town Hall Museum (Issaquah), The Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum (Kent).

* Shopping? Try Country Village (Bothell), Tuxedo's Antique Mall (Duvall), Redmond Town Center.

[bloom]

Donk, Hoover Dam is more impressive. In WA, like Rattlesnake Ledge, Twin Falls...

[cis_love]

Originally Posted by Jalhop

Kubota Garden in Renton, south of Seattle, is a neat outdoor option. It's like a mini Butchart Gardens (in Victoria B.C.).

kubota garden is in seattle, not renton. i agree it's a beautiful place to visit!

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by bloom

Donk, Hoover Dam is more impressive. In WA, like Rattlesnake Ledge, Twin Falls...

Hoover Dam? Or do you mean Grand Coulee? The OP is asking about the Seattle area, with an emphasis on "outdoors".

The volume of water going over Snoqualmie Falls varies greatly with the season, so might be less impressive at some times, more impressive at others. I believe the volume is more on the high side in April.

[phoenixmike11]

If you like baseball-Safeco Stadium (where the Mariners play) is a nice place to see a ballgame or take a ferry from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton for excellent views and a nice ride

[Ira500]

You can't not go on a ferry ride, whether it's to Bainbridge Island, Bremerton, or a walk on only boat to Vashon, or drive 45 minutes and take the ferry to Whidbey Island(where there are some awesome hiking spots, including miles on the beach.
Go for a hike in Seward Park( 2.5 miles on the lakeshore loop, plus many more miles of trails in the woods), then go for dinner in Columbia City, Hillman City, or Rainier Beach, neighborhoods less likely to see tourists.