ByHillary Richard
Photographs byAaron Huey
Most cities make you leave town to find nature, but in Seattle, the green space is built right in. With more than 6,000 acres of parks and 200 miles of shoreline, including the Puget Sound, this is a place where urban energy and stunning Pacific Northwest scenery can coexist in perfect harmony. Nearly 30 percent of the city is covered by trees, offering a year-round reminder why Seattle is nicknamed the Emerald City. Whether you’re seeking beach days, kayaking adventures, mountain vistas, forest strolls, or garden jaunts, Seattle will help you get back to nature.
In the city he calls home, National Geographic photographer Aaron Huey set out on assignment to reveal something extraordinary: Mother Nature isn’t just present here—but alive—in the very heart of the city.
In Seattle, where the urban skyline rises alongside the shimmering waters of the Pugent Sound, nature is always within reach.
Wander Through Forests and Serene GardensSeattle’s robust urban forest ecosystem has over 4 million trees. Kubota Garden in the Rainier Beach neighborhood is a century-old, 20-acre Japanese garden that blends Pacific Northwest plants with traditional Japanese design. This poetic landscape has 140 varieties of maple trees, 11 ponds, and 30 varieties of hydrangeas.
At Kubota Garden, you can wander the hidden Necklace of Ponds, where spring brings a kaleidoscope of flowers and offers moments of peaceful observation.
The 560-acre Discovery Park is known for its landscape diversity and birdwatching. Hike miles of trails through forests, meadows, sea cliffs, and tidal beaches, and don’t forget to look up—nearly 300 bird species can be spotted here, including bald eagles, woodpeckers, and spotted towhees. The 2.8-mile Loop Trail winds through towering tree canopies and wildflower meadows; at trail marker 12, the South Beach Trail, which includes five rustic staircases, branches off and descends 280 feet down to South Beach and the historic 1881 West Point Lighthouse.
At Discovery Park, a historic lighthouse, sandy beaches, and beautiful driftwood frame stunning views where, on a clear day, you can see the Cascade Range and Olympic Mountains.
Seward Park’s 300 acres are home to nesting eagles, a native plant garden, a 2.4-mile paved loop path, and several hiking trails. The park’s Magnificent Forest—home to the city’s largest stand of old-growth trees—is an urban rarity. The Olmsted Brothers (whose late father’s Olmsted firm designed New York’s Central Park) designed both Seward Park and 48-acre Volunteer Park, nestled in the heart of Capitol Hill. Here you’ll find the city’s largest Norway maple and a rich variety of other plant life.
From the forested trails of Seward Park (LEFT) to the diverse plant life seen in Volunteer Park (RIGHT), these iconic green spaces offer two distinct ways to experience Seattle’s natural beauty.
Discover Urban Green SpacesDid you know that there are more than 485 parks within Seattle’s city limits? Each one offers a little escape and a chance to reconnect with the city’s nature and wild beauty. Golden Gardens Park on Puget Sound features wetlands, beaches, picnic areas, and stunning views of the Olympic Mountains. Compact Myrtle Edwards Park is within walking distance of downtown hotels, and offers mountain and bay views along its 1.25-mile waterfront path. And 11-acre Centennial Park has 4,100 feet of shoreline, a rose garden, and views of Elliott Bay, the Olympic Mountains, and Mount Rainier.
Golden hour at Golden Gardens Park is a perfect way to end the day, with soft light, salty air, and unbeatable views of the Puget Sound.
With a prime waterfront setting and expansive open areas, Myrtle Edwards Park serves as a vibrant stage for local musicians and artists to show off their craft.
The Ballard Locks blend engineering and nature while working as a marine elevator between Lake Washington and Puget Sound in one of the city’s most unique natural attractions. Each year, thousands of salmon migrate right through the city at the Ballard Locks fish ladder, a phenomenon that can be viewed easily through underwater windows. Commodore Park, a 3.9-acre public park on the Magnolia side of the locks, is ideal for watching nesting herons and osprey—or simply relaxing on the lawn by the canal, surrounded by nature.
LEFT: The Ballard Locks allow three species of Pacific salmon to safely migrate 40 to 50 miles upriver to spawn, making it a sight to see from mid-June through early October. RIGHT: Commodore Park, tucked along the Magnolia side of the Ballard Locks, invites visitors to reconnect with nature at every turn.
Commodore Park’s rolling hills overlook the canal, providing a serene space to watch Ballard Locks in action while surrounded by native flora and wildlife.
Dive into Waterfront AdventuresIn Seattle, you’re never that far from the water, be it saltwater, lakefront, or tidal beaches. Hop the Water Taxi from downtown, and head to the 4.5-mile (one way) paved Alki Beach Trail. The trail passes the Alki beaches and ends near Duwamish Waterway and Harbor Island, offering views of the downtown skyline, Puget Sound, and the Olympic Mountains along the way. Alki Beach (one of Seattle’s most popular beaches) is perfect for paddleboarding, beachcombing, or kayaking. While you’re in the area, don’t miss the Alki Flower Houses. These two plant-adorned homes date back to 1914 and are officially registered wildlife habitats.
In West Seattle, just off Alki Beach, you can kayak straight into a postcard of the skyline while watching the city reveal itself with every stroke of your paddle.
Bursting with color and vibrancy, the Alki Flower Houses are a unique sight, and every detail—big and small—makes for a truly unforgettable experience.
In Elliott Bay, you can kayak from Seacrest Boathouse to the active Alki Point Lighthouse. South of Alki Point, Constellation Park is perfect for strolls and tide pool explorations by day (watch for anemone colonies and ochre sea stars), then stargazing at night. Seattle’s interior also has several lakes, like freshwater Lake Union (located entirely within the city limits), Lake Washington (the second largest natural lake in the state), and glacial Green Lake.
At Alki Point Lighthouse, with its small-town feel, be sure to walk the beaches, where driftwood lines the shore and a lighthouse still keeps watch at the point.
The tide pools at Constellation Park in West Seattle offer a fantastic opportunity to explore and observe a diverse array of marine life in its natural habitat.
Soak in Seattle’s sunset views around a beach bonfire, a beloved nighttime tradition at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens Park. Designated fire pits are available at select sites at these two parks on a first-come, first-served basis.
In Seattle, water meets wilderness, and urban skyscrapers are surrounded by green space. Seascapes are framed by mountains, and trees―some older than the U.S.―watch over the city. Mother Nature is everywhere here, serving as a stunning reminder that urban areas and the great outdoors can coexist and flourish―even within city limits. Whether you seek flora or fauna, relaxation or recreation, you’ll find it all in the Emerald City.