On the shores of Lake Washington, Seattle keeps a living museum where the collection grows taller every year: the Washington Park Arboretum, 230 acres of trails, gardens and tree collections cared for by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Arboretum Foundation.
The famous Azalea Way promenade draws crowds in spring, but the Arboretum rewards visitors in every season — maples glowing in autumn, camellias and witch hazels brightening winter, and quiet woodland paths where wood ducks glide across still ponds. The Graham Visitors Center offers exhibits, classes and tram tours for curious explorers.
Families love the easy loops and picnic lawns, birders keep their binoculars busy, and the Arbor Creek trail feels like a mountain escape without leaving the city. Admission to the grounds is free, making this one of Seattle’s happiest bargains.
Come for a lunchtime stroll or a full afternoon of wandering: in the Arboretum, every path leads to a new favorite tree.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
