Parks & Recreation - Parks And Recreation
The natural beauty found in the entire Pacific Northwest is also here in Seattle, lending itself to a nearly endless list of recreation, sports, and outdoors adventures. The local community is full of avid cyclists, hikers, climbers, boaters, and just plain active, health-oriented people who love to take advantage of nature’s bounty that we have been given.
Whether you are here for a day or forever, it’s easy to get outdoors in Seattle. This chapter is meant to give you a great resource for finding the places you can go for recreation, as well as important details such as where to rent a bicycle or boat, how to take an exciting thrill ride in a hot-air balloon or seaplane, where to hit the beach or pool, and even a few indoor activities for those rainy days (yes, we do have a few from time to time). This chapter will also tell you where to find gyms and fitness facilities with day pass privileges during your stay, and where to smack a few golf or tennis balls.
1. Seattle Hot Air Balloons
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (800) 791-5867
Description: Experience the freedom and tranquility of floating across the sky, with a bird’s-eye view of places you may have seen before, but never as you will see them from above. Balloon rides are taken from launching points around the Seattle area, and generally flown around sunrise or sunset when air conditions are traditionally calm, cool, and stable. Once you are aboard the wicker basket, your magical flight begins. As you drift along with the breeze, the scenery slowly changes until, after approximately an hour in the air, it is time to land. The successful completion of the flight is celebrated with a special toast.
2. Soaring Adventures Of America
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (206) 241-0098
Description: This national company with locations all over the United States offers hot-air balloon flights in Seattle. The Great American Hot Air Balloon Ride has room for one to four people. After the balloon is inflated and boarded at the launch site, you will gently ascend and float between 500 and 1,000 feet, traveling wherever the wind takes you. The balloon flies above the treetops and below the clouds for about an hour, covering 5 to 10 miles. Upon landing, celebrate with a champagne or fruit juice toast, an old ballooning tradition. The whole experience takes about three hours. The company also provides glider and skydiving experiences.
3. Alki Beach Park
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (206) 684-4075
Address: 1702 Alki Ave. SW (South)
Description: This 2.5-mile beach in the West Seattle neighborhood runs from Alki Point to Duwamish Head, and in the summer months is filled with joggers, in-line skaters, kids, bicyclists, beachcombers, and sunbathers. Picnic tables, fire pits, and restrooms are fairly plentiful, although on perfect summer weekends it’s advised to arrive early for prime spots. The entire beach faces incredible views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains in the distance. Free; street parking is plentiful, though can fill up on weekends. You can also take the water taxi across; it leaves the downtown Seattle waterfront between Piers 55 and 56, taking you on the 12-minute journey across the bay for $2. A free shuttle to the beach is available at the West Seattle water taxi landing. Open year-round.
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 8498 Seaview Place NW (North)
5. Seattle Parks & Recreation Beaches
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (206) 684-4075
Description: The City of Seattle operates nine safe beaches at different locations, on the shores of area lakes. All beaches have lifeguards and are family-friendly. Amenities at all beaches include swimming rafts, drinking fountains, public restrooms, and parking. Some beaches also have play areas for children, picnic areas with grills, fishing piers, diving boards, and sports courts. Note that dogs are not allowed at city beaches. Admission fees are nominal.
6. Center For Wooden Boats
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (206) 382-2628
Address: 1010 Valley St. (Central)
Description: Both a sailing club with lessons and rentals, and a museum of the artifacts and history of wind- and human-powered boats, the Center for Wooden Boats are free to the public all the time. In addition, while lessons and rentals are available for a fee, every Sun afternoon the center offers free boat rides on Lake Union. The rides take place at 2 and 3 p.m., weather permitting, and you can make reservations in person as early as 10 a.m. on the day of (no phone or prior reservations allowed).
7. Green Lake Boat Rental
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (206) 527-0171
Description: Green Lake Boat Rental, a private company located on the northeast corner of the lake near Evans Pool and Green Lake Community Center, offers a variety of boats to rent to the general public including canoes, paddle boats, and rowboats.
8. Green Lake Small Craft Center
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (206) 684-4074
Address: 5900 W. Green Lake Way North (North)
Description: Green Lake Small Craft Center is located at the southwest corner of Green Lake in North Seattle, a popular lake totally surrounded by parkland. Here rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and sailing classes for children and adults are taught during daylight hours. Annual events include the Green Lake Spring Regatta in Apr, the Summer Rowing Extravaganza in Aug, and the Frostbite Regatta in Nov.
9. Electric Boat Company
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (206) 223-7476
Address: 2046 Westlake Ave. North, Suite 102 (Cen
Description: This is a different sort of boating experience. The Electric Boat Company rents 21-foot electric Duffy boats on Lake Union. Each boat seats a maximum of 10 adults comfortably, with plush leather seats, two tables, and a sound system with CD player. They are fully enclosed and heated for even chilly days. Open seven days a week; two-hour minimum rental.
10. Moss Bay Rowing Club
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (877) 244-8896
Address: 1001 Fairview Ave. North, Suite 1900 (Ce
Description: Boating enthusiasts of all ages, sizes, and abilities can enjoy access to the water and take in the sights on Lake Union. Within minutes of your arrival at the easy-access marina, the folks at Moss Bay will get you out on the lake to row, sail, or kayak. Boats can be rented from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer (more limited winter hours), and they also do take-away kayak rentals, which enables you to rent for a weekend and take it to another location. In addition, Moss Bay offers instruction in rowing and sailing, and offers two-and-a-half-hour and half-day guided boat tours.
11. Mount Baker Rowing & Sailing Center
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (206) 386-1913
Address: 3800 Lake Washington Blvd. South (South)
Description: Mount Baker Rowing & Sailing Center is located on Lake Washington at Stan Sayres Park, about midway between Seward Park and the I-90 floating bridge in southeast Seattle. The center offers programs for ages 8–100 in rowing, sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing for all ability levels. Because Stan Sayres Park features a boat-launching ramp, as well as several piers for power or sailboats, one could arrive by water to take a class!
12. Northwest Outdoor Center
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (800) 683-0637
Address: 2100 Westlake Ave. North, Suite 1 (Centr
Description: The NWOC is the place to rent kayaks or, if you’re feeling brave, a stand-up paddle board. The center has around 100 kayaks available for immediate use, right from its docks into Lake Union. The center also offers lessons and classes for all skill levels. Lake Union makes a great place to kayak, with its great view of the Seattle skyline and Space Needle. You can paddle around the unique and charming floating home community there, while seaplanes take off and land in the middle of the lake.
13. Puget Sound Sailing Institute
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (800) 487-2454
Address: 2203 Alaskan Way, Bell Harbor Marina (Ce
Description: This organization charters out skippered sailboats, with a capacity of four to six people. The institute is run by highly experienced director Michael Rice, who has won ASA Instructor of the Year an unprecedented six times. You can sail yourself if you know how (under the skipper’s supervision), learn to sail, or just sit back and enjoy. You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages on board. The fleet for charter includes boats from 22 to 38 feet.
14. Seattle Parks & Recreation Motorized Boat Launches
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (206) 684-7249
Description: Seattle has more pleasure boats per capita than anywhere else in the U.S. Seattle Parks & Recreation manages seven motorized boat launches on Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and the Ship Canal. A permit is required for anybody using a ramp lane regardless of where you park your vehicle and trailer. A single-day launch permit costs $7 and is good until midnight of the date purchased. Overnight permits are $8 per night and can be purchased for a maximum of four nights. You can buy permits at yellow fee machines and kiosks at each boat launch location. Visit the Web site to locate one.
15. Shilshole Bay Marina
City: Seattle, WA
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (206) 787-3006
Address: 7001 Seaview Ave. NW (North)
Description: Located just a few blocks from the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard, Shilshole Bay Marina is only 20 minutes from downtown Seattle. Shilshole’s stunning setting and convenient saltwater location make boating easy. The premier sailing center of the Northwest, Shilshole Bay Marina provides 2,700 linear feet of guest moorage, serving kayaks to mega yachts, 24-hour staffing, and a fuel dock with gas, groceries, and ice. The marina also features a public fishing pier and more than a mile of public promenade to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Located to the north of the marina is a public boat ramp, another fishing pier, and beautiful Golden Gardens Park.