Travel

Summer Guide 2011: the Water Issue

Like the mountains that frame our city, water gives Seattle its identity. Life here is a life aquati

By Kristen Russell, Roddy Sheer, Michelle Lafrance, Nick O'Connell with Cayla Lambier, Sarai Dominguez and Jana Moseley July 19, 2011

0811_wateropener_0

This article originally appeared in the August 2011 issue of Seattle Magazine.

From the briny smell of Elliott Bay wafting over downtown to the sight of sunlight sparkling on Lake Washington during a summer morning commute; from the lapping sound of waves against docks and kayaks to the taste of our drinking water—some of the purest in the world. And—we’ll say it—the feeling of warm rain splattering down our necks during an unexpected drizzle. (Then again, is any Seattle drizzle truly unexpected?) Water draws us together in fun—and in water-logged, ruined-picnic shared misery. But we know that what comes down on our heads also comes down on our lakes, rivers and streams, creating watersheds, unparalleled natural beauty and seemingly endless options for play.

Whether your preferred water spot is a remote or urban lake, a glacier-fed river or the Pacific Ocean, here is your guide to playing in, living on, eating from and celebrating Seattle’s abundant liquid assets.

Lakes
Puget Sound
Pacific Ocean
Rivers
Eat from the Sea
Creatures of the Deep
Owning a Boat

 

 

Follow Us

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World's Best  

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World’s Best  

Sparkling red and strewn with sea stacks, Washington's rugged shoreline stands out

Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, Ruby Beach is known for its towering sea stacks sculpted by centuries of wind and waves, and its thriving tide pools.

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

New study pinpoints visitors, dollars in Washington state

A study for the Pacific Whale Watch Association by Martin Associates finds that whale watching expeditions in Washington state create $119.1 million in economic value and support 1,125 jobs...

You Better Belize It

You Better Belize It

Fly nonstop from Seattle and enjoy the jungle, the sea, and everything else the country has to offer

With its colonial past as British Honduras, Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region. But the blend of European, Central American, Mexican, Spanish, and Caribbean influences doesn’t even begin to describe Belize’s unique potpourri of cultures. The landscape is dotted with numerous Mayan temples, both ready to visit and still under excavation. The

Direct, Connect, Reflect

Direct, Connect, Reflect

It’s easier than ever to reach these sun-splashed sensations from Seattle

Need to escape Seattle this winter? Need some inspiration to pack a carry-on and cash in those miles? Here are four nonstop flights for nonstop escape. In June, Alaska Airlines announced new nonstop service to Nassau, Bahamas, beginning Dec. 15. Board one of these flights at 9 a.m. and land just six hours later. Even…