Best Things to Do in Fall in Seattle

From dawn to dusk, wander this urban refuge that includes 53 acres of beautifully cultivated gardens, restored woodlands and natural wetlands. The city of Bellevue maintains the facility, keeping it in impeccable shape year-round. Explore unspoiled woodlands, Japanese gardens and the conservation area. Don't forget to browse the garden lovers' gift shop or the botanical library, which has hundreds of books in stock. Through October, take a free, 1-hour docent-led tour on Saturdays and Sundays (donations encouraged). Throughout the year, be on the lookout for special events from arts-centric gatherings to enticing seasonal events that illuminate the green spaces around the holidays.

Some of Washington's most magnificent scenery can be found within this national forest's expansive boundaries. The rugged--and at times harsh--landscape encompasses the Cascade Mountains as well as an active volcano in the form of Mt. Baker. Beginning in mid-September, the forest's flora slowly changes from bright greens to reds and oranges, providing an attractive contrast to the area's coverage of conifers. Huckleberry, mountain ash and heather offer a patchwork of warm colors, often reflected in the forest's many lakes. Since the forest is so extensive, a driving tour is an ideal way to see as much fall foliage as possible in a relatively short time. Try the Mt. Baker Highway or the North Cascades Highway for some unforgettable views.

This beautiful arboretum, designed by Edmond S. Meany, covers 200 acres and features many species obtained via a seed exchange with universities throughout the world. The Japanese Garden is a lovely, quiet refuge from the busy city, and the waterfront trail leads visitors through a Native American burial ground to the Duck Pond. If you're in the mood for some time alone, you can take a canoe out on the pond and relax in Mother Nature's care. The Arboretum is open every day from dawn to dusk, free of charge. Visitors of all ages might enjoy exploring the site through the help of a self-guided tour. (Go online to print out a trail map, listen to an audio tour and more.)

Located in Seattle's historic Mann Building in the heart of downtown, this intimate and sophisticated, award-winning music and dinner theatre occupies the renovated space that formerly housed the Embassy Theater (originally a 1920s vaudeville house). The Mainstage, downstairs on the lower level, is an intimate candlelit spot with state-of-the-art sound and booths that offer clear sight lines to the stage. An Asian-fusion menu is provided by adjacent Wild Ginger restaurant, and the same cuisine can be enjoyed upstairs in the bar. In this upstairs lounge-like space, live music, DJ sets and a stellar happy hour menu have become legendary around town.

A scenic 30-minute drive from Seattle brings you to the charmingly rustic-chic Salish Lodge & Spa, which offers Old-World ambiance and modern elegance. Get out and enjoy nature near the lodge, whether hiking around the rushing cascades or trying activities like fly fishing and snowshoeing, depending on the season. Back at the cozy venue, dine on award-winning Northwest cuisine while enjoying romantic views of Snoqualmie Falls. The team here prides itself on attending to a honeybee apiary that produces 2,400 pounds of honey per year, as well as a thriving herb garden and 800-square-foot organic vegetable garden, that provides The Dining Room and The Attic with unique culinary opportunities. For the ultimate getaway experience, book a dreamy spa service to round out your visit.

Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, this expansive urban park--the largest in Seattle--offers two miles of beach trails and nine miles of winding footpaths. Ostensibly a bluff-top reserve, Discovery Park protects a remarkable urban wilderness and provers a great place for nature-watching. The Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, which features art and cultural exhibits, is also located at the park, as is a marine reserve. (Check latest opening info befogging visiting the cultural center.) An 1881 lighthouse, the oldest in the area, can also be found here. Offering breathtaking views of both the Cascade and the Olympic mountain ranges, the park's remote site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams.

From Seattle's downtown waterfront, it takes only 35 minutes to arrive at Bainbridge Island. Along the way, you can enjoy all the wonderful sights that make Seattle such a unique city as well as the changing colors of the seasons (the ferry ride itself is worth the journey!). The snowcapped Olympic Mountains, Seattle's skyline and the eastern view of Mount Rainier are all points of interest along the way. (It's also fun to watch all the car and bike commuters onboard.) Peak season is early May through mid-October. Once on Bainbridge Island, it's easy to walk to the quaint "downtown" strip that features some shops, eateries and coffee spots. The island also features wineries, an organic distillery and other popular destinations like The Bloedel Reserve.

Sights, smells and sounds make Pike Place a head-spinning whirlwind for first-time visitors. Fishmongers near the main entrance entice buyers with loud hawking and dexterous salmon throwing antics, the briny smell of fresh seafood filling the air. Countering that are the rows of vibrantly colorful flower stalls, which emit their pleasing perfumed aromas to passersby. Farm-fresh produce is mounded high along the aisles, and local artisans display their art and wares unique to the Northwest. Restaurants, a brewery and specialty shops for everything from antiques to movie ephemera fill the multi-level maze. Once you have your bearings, pick out a favorite spot and enjoy some of the best people-watching around in this eclectic and progressive environment.

This slumbering volcano is the second-tallest mountain in the continental United States after California's Mt. Whitney. Because of its northern locale and more extreme weather, though, Washington State's prime peak is used by many mountaineering groups to train for ascents of the world's most challenging climbs. In warmer months, flocks of climbers are queued up to challenge the summit's less strenuous routes, and throughout the year a variety of activities are available to extreme athletes and vacationing families alike. Hundreds of miles of hiking trails wind through dense past placid lakes and frothing waterfalls. There are plenty of short, spectacular day trips as well, whether hiking in summer or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter. Lodging is available on the mountain at the historic inn at Paradise, where the visitor center offers meals and interpretive natural history.

Seattle-area residents and visitors alike are thrilled to see the return of the San Juan Clipper, the only operator offering half- and full-day whale watching tours from the downtown Seattle waterfront (Friday through Monday, May through October). At this time of year, passengers can glimpse mammal-eating transient orca whales, humpbacks and gray whales finishing their northern migration across the Salish Sea, plus a variety of playful seals, sea lions and swooping bald eagles. Guests can also choose to enjoy the Clipper's direct, fast ferry, featuring a brand-new interior, prime for weekend getaways that give sufficient time to explore magic-tinged San Juan Island.