Parks & Nature
This park is great. Miles of hiking trails that make you feel like you're 100 miles out of the city, hiking in the mountains. Playground, bathrooms, baseball diamond.
20 locals recommend
Hamlin Park
16006 15th Ave NEThis park is great. Miles of hiking trails that make you feel like you're 100 miles out of the city, hiking in the mountains. Playground, bathrooms, baseball diamond.
Perfect for beach access on a sunny day. Swimming, playground, etc. Great views of Mt. Rainier.
21 locals recommend
Log Boom Park
17415 61st Ave NEPerfect for beach access on a sunny day. Swimming, playground, etc. Great views of Mt. Rainier.
This is our favorite day hike within about 90 minutes of the house. The Mountain Loop Highway is a great area for hiking, but Vesper Peak is the best hike of the group (these hosts opinions). Like many hikes in the region, it's fairly strenuous. But the views are incredible all the way up, with a huge panorama from the top.
Not worth it on a rainy day.
Vesper Peak
This is our favorite day hike within about 90 minutes of the house. The Mountain Loop Highway is a great area for hiking, but Vesper Peak is the best hike of the group (these hosts opinions). Like many hikes in the region, it's fairly strenuous. But the views are incredible all the way up, with a huge panorama from the top.
Not worth it on a rainy day.
Great for less than sunny days and an easy enough hike for children. Great views of the stream on the way up and the falls at the end. A little over an hour drive from our cabin.
89 locals recommend
Wallace Falls State Park
14503 Wallace Lake RoadGreat for less than sunny days and an easy enough hike for children. Great views of the stream on the way up and the falls at the end. A little over an hour drive from our cabin.
There is nothing in this world that quite compares to the Enchantment Lakes. Can be through-hiked in one long day, but you'd better be an experienced hiker who doesn't mind a bit of scrambling up and over granite. Better yet, make a reservation for a permit, though these must be booked months in advance.
Don't have a whole day? Hike 8 miles to Colchuck Lake and turn around for a taste of the experience. Though there is nothing like the core!
Enchantment Basin
There is nothing in this world that quite compares to the Enchantment Lakes. Can be through-hiked in one long day, but you'd better be an experienced hiker who doesn't mind a bit of scrambling up and over granite. Better yet, make a reservation for a permit, though these must be booked months in advance.
Don't have a whole day? Hike 8 miles to Colchuck Lake and turn around for a taste of the experience. Though there is nothing like the core!
You only have to walk a few hundred feet to see the massive falls. A great trip with young kids. Great on rainy days!
There is a fancy restaurant on site. I've never been. Let us know what you think if you end up going!
505 locals recommend
Snoqualmie Falls
6501 Railroad AveYou only have to walk a few hundred feet to see the massive falls. A great trip with young kids. Great on rainy days!
There is a fancy restaurant on site. I've never been. Let us know what you think if you end up going!
You have to park a mile away, but this is a great area for bird nerds and an easy walk for children.
Tip: drop the kids off with one parent, have the other drop off the car. Lock it up tight!
Spencer Island Park
5033 4th St SEYou have to park a mile away, but this is a great area for bird nerds and an easy walk for children.
Tip: drop the kids off with one parent, have the other drop off the car. Lock it up tight!
This is another birding hotspot. But beautiful even if you're not into birds!
65 locals recommend
Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
100 Brown Farm Rd NEThis is another birding hotspot. But beautiful even if you're not into birds!
Carkeek Park
950 NW Carkeek Park RdThis is a great little beach park with playground.
Richmond Beach Saltwater Park
2021 NW 190th StAnother great beach park with playground.
Sightseeing
In Fremont (the center of the universe), you'll find a giant troll under the bridge, a statue of Lenin, huge ivy dinosaurs, and some of the best chocolate around. Also check out the Fremont Vintage Mall.
583 locals recommend
Fremont Troll
Troll Avenue NorthIn Fremont (the center of the universe), you'll find a giant troll under the bridge, a statue of Lenin, huge ivy dinosaurs, and some of the best chocolate around. Also check out the Fremont Vintage Mall.
Arts & Culture
Seattle and Puget Sound history in a beautiful nutshell. Outstanding museum featuring everything from early Native American people through Seattle's rise to glory.
357 locals recommend
Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)
860 Terry Ave NSeattle and Puget Sound history in a beautiful nutshell. Outstanding museum featuring everything from early Native American people through Seattle's rise to glory.
Entertainment & Activities
Cinerama
2100 4th AveThe coolest place to catch a movie in Seattle.
Crest Cinema Center
5001 16505 5th Ave NESecond-run movies at budget prices. Like $4-$5 for a movie!
Order food and drinks while you watch the latest movies. Not many places you can do this around Seattle, and this one is within walking distance (1.3 miles) of the Chalet, in case you have a few too many!
46 locals recommend
Cinebarre - Mountlake Terrace
6009 Van Ry BlvdOrder food and drinks while you watch the latest movies. Not many places you can do this around Seattle, and this one is within walking distance (1.3 miles) of the Chalet, in case you have a few too many!
Getting Around
This is Seattle's bike freeway, connecting NW Seattle (Ballard) with Woodinville (wineries). Between, you can stop at Fremont, Wallingford, UW, Lake Forest Park, with very few road crossings.
233 locals recommend
Burke Gilman Trail
Burke-Gilman TrailThis is Seattle's bike freeway, connecting NW Seattle (Ballard) with Woodinville (wineries). Between, you can stop at Fremont, Wallingford, UW, Lake Forest Park, with very few road crossings.
Drinks & Nightlife
Emily & I work in the tasting room here on occasional weekends. But you don't have to take our recommendation - JM was recently named tasting room of the year!
Wine is incredible, and the grounds and tasting room are beautiful. You won't be disappointed!
Open 11-4, Fridays - Sundays (much less busy on Fridays).
8 locals recommend
JM Cellars
14404 137th Pl NEEmily & I work in the tasting room here on occasional weekends. But you don't have to take our recommendation - JM was recently named tasting room of the year!
Wine is incredible, and the grounds and tasting room are beautiful. You won't be disappointed!
Open 11-4, Fridays - Sundays (much less busy on Fridays).
Emily's stepdad is head winemaker here. But again, this place speaks for itself. One of the only tasting rooms in Seattle, with great views and fantastic restaurant options around.
19 locals recommend
Charles Smith Wines Jet City
1136 S Albro PlEmily's stepdad is head winemaker here. But again, this place speaks for itself. One of the only tasting rooms in Seattle, with great views and fantastic restaurant options around.
Rum is good. Puget Sound Rum is better. Stop by my friend Matt's other baby - Four Leaf Spirits. Try the C&C - a honey-sweetened rum - with fresh-squeezed lime and coconut soda (la croix) over ice. Perfect for a hot day, or the other 360 days each year we wish were hot days.
Mention that Hans sent you, and get a free tasting!
Four Leaf Spirits
12280 NE Woodinville DrRum is good. Puget Sound Rum is better. Stop by my friend Matt's other baby - Four Leaf Spirits. Try the C&C - a honey-sweetened rum - with fresh-squeezed lime and coconut soda (la croix) over ice. Perfect for a hot day, or the other 360 days each year we wish were hot days.
Mention that Hans sent you, and get a free tasting!
Everything Else
When in Seattle...
This place is within walking distance from the cabin, and has great prices and selection. Very friendly staff. Everything you need whether it's your first time, or whether you're a seasoned veteran. Not a smoker? Plenty of sweet treats for you to try - cookies, candies, sodas, etc.
365 Recreational Cannabis
17517 15th Ave NEWhen in Seattle...
This place is within walking distance from the cabin, and has great prices and selection. Very friendly staff. Everything you need whether it's your first time, or whether you're a seasoned veteran. Not a smoker? Plenty of sweet treats for you to try - cookies, candies, sodas, etc.