traveldk.com

Hiking near Snoqualmie Pass along I-90 is a mecca for families with kids. The creek pours over a series of rocks and creates pools for perfect old-fashioned swimming hole fun.

Dozens of trails for family day trips and picnics are available; try one out near the Carbon River entrance.

Has a great selection of climbing gear.

Climate changes have decreased the area of Rainier’s permanent snow cap and facilitated glacial retreats.

In Ballard’s far northwestern edge along Puget Sound, the wide sandy beaches of Golden Gardens take on the characteristics of a cherished vacation spot. The Olympic Mountains stand to the west, a marina lies adjacent, and Lake Washington Ship Canal is nearby so pleasure crafts are always in view. There are two wetlands, a wooded area, a stream, and a loop trail.

The well-worn paths in this lake’s (see Greenlake Jogs) sylvan setting take visitors around a placid lake in a quiet neighborhood north of downtown. Mirror-smooth or gently rippling with the wind, Greenlake’s mesmerizing surface lets minds wander freely. It’s packed on weekends, especially in summer months when sunbathers flock to the grassy areas for day-long solar treatments.

Hire ride bikes or inline skates here.

There’s only one open-all-year ice rink that serves Seattle. It entertains legions of loyal customers including graceful figure skaters, daredevil hockey skaters, and families with young children just starting to learn the ropes.

Drive to this 5,230-ft (1,594-m) mountain top at one of Olympic National Park’s most visited sites. The routes are paved, and bring visitors to one of the best 360-degree alpine overlooks. In winter, when the snowpack is immensely deep, the roads remain open for skiers and snowshoers.