SEATTLE WALK, BIKE & PADDLE
FULL DAY TOUR
AN URBAN MULTI-SPORT ADVENTURE!

Activities: Walking, cycling, paddling, birding, wildlife spotting
Interests: Local & natural history, sustainability, ecology, geology, landscape architecture, sculpture art,
agriculture, wetlands, locks, marine biology, parks, fishing


Inclusions:
Highly qualified and knowledgeable naturalist guide, water bottle, morning snack, NW style ‘On Safari’ Lunch, fresh fruit and comprehensive naturalist commentary on local and natural history

Escape Plan:

Walk…
Many Seattleites cite our region’s natural beauty and proximity to outdoor adventures as their primary motivations for living here. It is amazing how much beauty and nature survives within the city limits. This fun, educational and informative northwest experience leads you around downtown Seattle highlighting a few of the iconic points of the city but hidden treasures and inspiring examples how even nature lovers can enjoy our cityscape. You will have the opportunity to spot for Pacific Northwest birds and other wildlife along this walk, including expert interpretation of local and natural history, architecture, culture, geology, urban ecosystems. Discuss the three fault lines that live in the city and the powerful geological forces that have been shaping our region since the ice age. Take in the historical Pioneer Square area of old Seattle, learn of the Great Seattle Fire, the Klondike Gold Rush and hear the history of the Space Needle, Smith Tower, Pike Place Market and experience the Olympic Sculpture Park, a nine-acre open and vibrant green space for art! Along the way, your guide will point out important Seattle industry, past and present as well as highlighting those leading the way in environmental and social sustainability. Come on this urban escape and experience first hand the Emerald City!

Bike…
Seattle has been ranked among the top-five destinations for bicycling by Bicycling Magazine. For today’s urban cycle ask you to meet your “Escape Artist” guide at the Olympic Sculpture Park, a transformed a nine-acre industrial site that is now an open and vibrant green space for art. We start our pedal from here experiencing a variety of sculpture in an outdoor setting, while enjoying the incredible views and beauty of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. We gain inspiration from those jagged peaks dominating the western horizon and cycle along the glistening Elliot Bay, making this one of the most stunning of waterfront rides in the nation. If we keep a good pace we may push through all the way to Seattle’s largest natural park, Discovery Park. Otherwise, we crank through to the Ballard Locks, which links salty Puget Sound with the fresh waters of our urban lakes. We observe the parade of sailboats, yachts, fishing boats and kayaks making passage. We even take a few minutes by the fish ladder, watching them navigate their way through the ladder, adjusting to the “21 steps” of salt along their way to their origins and final destinations. If we are lucky, we may witness a clever sea lion hanging out, waiting for his next meal. After a leisurely spin down the ship canal we arrive at Fisherman’s Terminal and the F/V “Sea Star” from the Emmy Award winning television series that shares the world of Bering Sea crab fishing! Continuing down the canal we glide though the funky neighborhood of Fremont, the self-proclaimed “Center of the Universe” and make a sweet stop for a dollop of ice cream. As we make our last turn, we come upon Lake Union and are immediately greeted by the myriad of kayakers, floating homes, seaplanes and the sparkling emerald city skyline! We even catch a glimpse of the “Sleepless in Seattle” floating home before hopping off our bikes and moving onto your next adventure.

Paddle…
Lake Union is considered a beginner paddling adventure but appeals to the experienced as well. Who wouldn’t like to paddle around and soak up the magnificent views of downtown Seattle, or poke in and around the many coves populated by moored ships and houseboats. You'll enjoy seeing the Space Needle from the middle of the lake or watching and listening to the float planes take off and land. We launch from down town Seattle and paddle north out of Lake Union through Portage Bay and the Montlake Cut, and explore the west side of Lake Washington and the Washington Park Arboretum. The Arboretum is an extraordinary urban paddling destination, with narrow waterways that wind through wetlands teeming with wildlife. Your naturalist guide interprets the surrounding flora and fauna and shares the local natural history all while spotting for the birds of the arboretum. It's definitely a wild paddling experience right in the middle of the city.

** Maps and directions to your next destination will be given to each escapist.

*** These tours can also be booked a la carte!

Tour Length: 9.5 hours
Tour Code: EV24
Starts: 9:00 am at “Hammering Man” – Seattle Art Museum– Google Map
Ends: around 6:30 pm at South Lake Union- Google Map
Season: Year round
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Tour Cost: $195 per escapist / all inclusive
Departs: Everyday – and at Private Request

Please inquire about making this a private and tailor-made paddling adventure for you and a loved one, friends or a corporate retreat!
Please email or call for a quote.

Don’t forget to check our online “Calendar of Escape Routes” for other exciting adventures.

Thank you for exploring the Pacific Northwest with EverGreen Escapes!