Recreation in Seattle

( Lake Washington )

Seattle’s public parkland covers more than 2,000 hectares (more than 5,000 acres), ranging in character from the wetlands and glades of Washington Park Arboretum to the formal gardens at Woodland Park to the baseball diamonds and soccer fields at Green Lake.

( Seward Park )
On Lake Washington, Seward Park offers forested waterfront and beautiful views of Mount Rainier to the south.

The urban trail system of Greater Seattle connects city trails to county trails for activities such as biking, in-line skating, and walking. Also, the city offers nearby opportunities for more adventurous recreation.


Residents can enjoy skiing, climbing, or hiking in the nearby mountains of the Olympic and Cascade ranges, as well as boating and fishing on the many lakes and waterways of the area.

Seattle sports fans follow the fortunes of the University of Washington Huskies, who play basketball in Edmundson Pavilion and football in Husky Stadium. Sports fans can root for the city’s professional ice hockey team, the Seattle Thunderbirds, and the professional basketball team, the Seattle SuperSonics, both of which play at Key Arena in the Seattle Center.

( The Seattle Storm )
The Seattle Storm, a new women’s professional basketball team that began play in 2000, also holds its home games at the Key Arena. Seattle sports fans also enjoy the Seattle Sounders soccer team, which plays at the Seattle Memorial Stadium.

In 2000 the Kingdome, long the home of the city’s professional baseball team, the Seattle Mariners, and its professional football team, the Seattle Seahawks, was demolished.

In July 1999 the Mariners moved into a new baseball stadium. Known as Safeco Field, the stadium seats more than 45,000 fans and features natural turf and a retractable roof.

In 2002, the Seahawks moved into their new football stadium, Seahawks Stadium (later renamed Qwest Field).