Seattle is an exciting city, filled with restaurants, coffee shops, highrises, bookshops, and boutiques. But just five miles from downtown is a vast wilderness in which city dwellers can shed their urban armor and hike, explore, picnic, and frolic on the beach. At just over 534 acres, Discovery Park is the largest city park in Seattle. It is situated northeast of Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood, and borders the Puget Sound.
Discovery Park is home to lush meadows, a variety of foliage and towering trees, hiking trails, and a white, sandy beach. On weekends, one can find families brazing the trails, pet-lovers with playful canine companions in tow, bicyclists riding the paths, picnickers enjoying an afternoon lunch in the sun, and beach lovers tanning and enjoying the surf.
Discovery Park is open to the public year-round. It can be accessed via car or bus routes 24 or 33. You can learn more about the park by visiting the City of Seattle's website.
Home to the Seattle Asian Art Museum, the historic water tower, an outstanding conservatory, two reflecting pools, a reservoir, and acres of land filled with grass, trees, and a variety of flowers and plants, 
Built in 1912, the Volunteer Park Conservatory houses more than 600 varieties of flowers, according to the city's website. The conservatory is situated on the north end of the park and is free to the public.
The Seattle Asian Art Museum, or SAAM, sits near the eastern entrance to the park. It houses rotating collections of Asian art from various countries and time periods. Admission to the museum is $7.00 for adults, but is free to the public on the first Thursday of each month. 
Volunteer Park was developed by the city just before the turn of the century. It spans 48 acres and is located in northern Capitol Hill. It is accessible via the 10 bus.
Though Madison Beach Park is more popular in the summer months when Seattleites can take full advantage of the water and beach access, during the cooler times of the year one can still enjoy spectacular views of Lake Washington. 
The park is accessible via car or public transportation, specifically the 11 bus.
Marked by Pioneer Square Park (pictured above) on 1st Avenue South and Yesler Way, and Occidental Square (pictured below) on Main Street and 2nd Avenue South, the area serves as a miniature refuge and history lesson to city dwellers and visitors. The Tlingit Totem Pole pictured above was acquired from an Alaskan tribe in 1899. There is some controversy regarding Seattle's acquisition of the pole, as it is said to have been not so much purchased from the tribe as taken without permission, with a payment of retribution made at a later time.
The cool beach, gentle waves, and crisp air attract families from all over the Seattle area, and are quite popular with seagulls and in the summer months, even seal pups! Alki is a perfect spot for swimming, playing in the surf, or sunning on the beach.
Alki Beach offers breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountain Range, as well as sparkling visions of the city and the Space Needle. Along Alki Avenue, beachgoers can find cafes and restaurants in which to take refuge from the day.
Often a place of recreation where Seattleites choose to cool off in the summer, Alki Beach is open and can be enjoyed year-round. If you are seeking solace, you may want to visit Alki in autumn. Though considerably colder, the area is more peaceful and virtually devoid of crowds.
Alki Beach is accessible via car or public transportation, specifically the 56 and 37 bus. 
One of the most appealing draws at the center is the International Fountain, located in the heart of the Seattle Center Campus. Children, adults, and even pets can enjoy the refreshing spray of the exuberant jets. The fountain is a delight not only for the eyes, but the ears as well, as music from around the world can be heard in accompaniment to the fountain's mist.
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Atop the Space Needle sits a revolving restaurant along with a 360 degree observation deck. Visitors who purchase 
The Space Needle has become a beloved symbol of Seattle, and can be seen from most points within the city. It stands at 605 feet and is located near the east entry to the Seattle Center campus.
The Peace Garden was created by Seattle Center staff in 1996 with the theme of peace and reflection in mind. It includes a peace pole as well as a conflict resolution table, which highlight the garden's theme.
Seattle Center lies in the heart of the city, and is bordered by the Belltown and Queen Anne neighborhoods. The campus is accessible via car or public transportation, specifically, the 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, or 16 bus.