Burn Calories, Not Carbon: Outdoor Adventures

by Whitney Ricketts - Citysearch Contributor - 30 Reviews - 63 Lists

Updated: April 04, 2008

Put your keys down and back away from the car. Instead, frolick in the mud, water, and grass. Seattle's got a bounty when it comes to outdoor activities, whether you're a trained hiker or dirt-averse. We've got outdoorsy ideas ranging from the work intensive to the downright leisurely.

On this page:Woodsy Adventures, Get Your Feet Wet.

Woodsy Adventures

  1. 1 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Carkeek Park
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    950 NW Carkeek Park Rd, Seattle, WA 98177 (map)

    A steep labyrinth of trails, streams, ferns and roads greets visitors to this north Seattle park. Hike to the beach and watch the sun set over the Olympics.

  2. 2 Lincoln Park
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    8603 Fauntleroy Way, Seattle, WA 98136 (map)

    Pretend you're the hero in a Jack London novel (minus the whole stranded in the wilderness part) at this seaside park in West Seattle with 130 acres of beachfront, hiking trails and more.

  3. 3 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Washington Park Arboretum
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    2300 Arboretum Dr E, Seattle, WA 98112 (map)

    It would take days to explore all the 230 acres of the Arboretum, so start small before dreaming big. Make sure to check out the pond near the Rhododendron Glen and the Japanese Garden.

  4. 4 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended Cougar Mountain Zoological Prk
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    19525 SE 54TH St, Issaquah, WA 98027 (map)

    Baby tigers, oh my! Nestled on Issaquah's Cougar Mountain, this wildlife zoo imaginatively helps visitors appreciate animals. You can commune with nature and appreciate wild animals while only minutes from civilization.

Get Your Feet Wet

  1. 5 Waterfront Activities Center at the University of Washington
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    On the UW campus southeast of Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA 98195 (map)

    Rent a canoe and try not to capsize at this Lake Washington outpost. Pack a picnic and make a day of it as you explore nearby Foster Island and the Arboretum.

  2. 6 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Northwest Outdoor Ctr
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    2100 Westlake Ave N Ste 1, Seattle, WA 98109 (map)

    Play Meryl Streep in "The River Wild" when you get a kayak from NWOC. But who will play Kevin Bacon's part?

  3. 7 3 Star Rating: Average Moss Bay Rowing & Kayaking Ctr
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    1001 Fairview Ave N Ste 1900, Seattle, WA 98109 (map)

    Splash in the Lake Union pond with a rented kayak from Moss Bay, and see who can make it across the Lake to Gas Works first.

  4. 8 Pocock Rowing Ctr
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    3320 Fuhrman Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102 (map)

    Ready to commit to a long-term relationship with the outdoors? Learn to row at Pocock and impress your friends with your follow-through. With six sessions for $50, commitment's never been this easy.