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The trail leads from the South Gate along a meadow’s edge to the majestic overlook with breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound.

The park is dotted with clusters of abandoned and still-in-use army base housing, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most are off limits to visitors, but you can get a closer look at them near the former parade grounds.

Operated by the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, the center houses a collection of Native American art. There’s an arts and crafts gallery, traditional salmon bakes, and an annual summer pow wow celebration on the grounds of Discovery Park.

As picturesque as can be, the lighthouse shines light through the fog from its perch on a narrow spit of land jutting out into the water. Feel free to stroll up to and around the automated sentinel, even though it’s not open for touring.

Building lean-tos with driftwood and shell hunting are favorite pastimes for Seattleites at many waterfront parks around the Sound, and the beach at Discovery Park is a preferred spot for insiders.

Stroll along the trail that brings you through the varied terrain of Discovery Park. Explore the easy route to find overgrown rainforest ravines, flowering mead-owlands, creeks, thickets, streams, sand dunes, and blackberry brambles galore.

Occasionally, bald eagles nest in the highest treetops in Discovery Park, home to more than 250 species of birds and other wildlife. You may find park volunteers surrounded by eager bird-watchers with binoculars. Chances are, they have sighted a nest.

For an outing with children, head for the small playground behind park headquarters at the East entrance. Or, ask for one of only five parking passes available for families with young children so you can drive directly down to the alluring shore of Discovery Park.

An extraordinary reminder of the city outside, this facility is so exquisitely landscaped to be almost invisible from hiking trails. This ultra-modern wastewater treatment plant is as environmentally conscious as technology allows.

The hilly field between the main bluffs and a radar ball behind barbed wire makes for some of the best kite flying in town, as updrafts from the sea seem almost constant throughout the year.