Seattle, one of the cities in Washington State, is located on the west coast of the U.S.A. It is a part of the greater Pacific Northwest area. Sometimes it is called the ‘Emerald City’ because it is filled with greenery all year round. And ‘seaport city’ because it is surrounded by water. The climate here is a mix of wet, cool, and dry. Despite its reputation for rainy days, this city is not your basic stay-at-home kind of place.

The city is packed with everything, from beautiful parks to iconic landmarks and waterfront tourist attractions. It is also a great hub for exploring the nearby mountains, islands, and volcanoes with family and friends.

Snoqualmie pass

If you are a lover of heights and spontaneity then you must not miss visiting the Snoqualmie pass. It has beautiful mountain scenery that favors outdoor activities befitting any climate. There are varieties of trails here for different activities.

The best hiking trail in the area is the snow lake trail, which takes you to a beautiful clear Alpine lake. The Snoqualmie pass is one of the best places for skiing in the winter and hiking or climbing in the summer. While one is here, one can make a quick stop and check out Snoqualmie or Franklin Falls.

Driving to this destination can be quite a hassle, as cars need to have certain requirements in other to drive safely through. If you do not want to drive through with your car or you do not have one, you can rent one. If you are visiting with family or friends, you can rent a 12-passenger van, which is spacious to accommodate everyone. You can get one from any Seattle car rental company or site.

Mount Rainier

Another wonderful place to visit near Seattle is Mount Rainier. It is also referred to as Tahoma and is one of the highest mountains with scenic views in Washington. Located about 60 miles south of Seattle, this volcanic peak is the centerpiece of the National Park, which covers more than 240,000 acres of forest.

There are multiple entrances to the park but the Nisqually entrance to the southeast of the park is the most popular one due to its proximity to Seattle. It is a great place for hiking as well as snowshoeing in the winter. The best trail in the park is the Tolmie peak lookout trail. One of the best ways to see this place is by different tours or trips from Seattle. Either day or night, you can get tours privately or with groups with any Seattle passenger van rental.

Puget Sound

The Puget Sound is an inlet linked to the Pacific Ocean. It is dotted with many Islands, which one can get to by riding ferries. Seattle is one of the major cities found on the Sound. This place is very popular because of the abundant marine life found here. Some of the islands include Vashon Island, Camano Island, and Harstine Island. On the Islands, there are many things to do and places to visit.

There are beaches, restaurants, parks, campgrounds, hiking trails, shops, etc. One can visit with family and friends and explore everywhere here with a 12-seater rental car.

Discovery Park

Your visit is incomplete if you do not check out Discovery Park. This beautiful and large natural park displays the northwest landscape. It is located on the shores of Puget Sound in downtown Seattle.

The park has miles of different trails, a military barrack, and other tourist spots. It is home to varied landscapes such as tidal beaches, open meadows, dramatic sea cliffs, and thick forests. There are also spaces for parking in Seattle if you come in a car. Other beautiful places include Green Lake Park and Alki Beach.
With professional sports teams and a famous grunge music scene, you can watch games or enjoy concerts in the city.
You can choose to watch baseball plays at T-Mobile Park or visit the Lumen Field to watch football or visit the amazing Museum of Pop Culture.

Pike Place Market

You can also make a stop at the Pike Place Market. It is very popular because of the crowd-pleasing stunts performed by marketers. The Pike Place Market has something for everyone.

There are restaurants nearby where one can eat. You can grab a bite to eat for lunch there and check out the Original Starbucks [the first Starbucks ever in Seattle].
Apart from the market, you can also visit the Post Alley Gum Wall. This unique and colorful spot has millions of used gums that are stuck on the wall by tourists. Feel free to stick yours too when you visit.

There are many other amazing and interesting unexplored places within and around Seattle. Some of which are not mentioned here. There is no reason why you should not add this city to your list of places to visit. Do not hesitate to plan your next trip to this destination soon. So much fun awaits you here.