great for weeknights after work

Reviewed by Amber K, 2009-07-20

I bought these cards because I know there are a lot of places I just don't make a point to go to anymore, like West Seattle/Alkai Beach, even though I enjoy them when I get there. Thus, by making it a point to take these walks, I get out of my house and usually jogs along the Interurban Trail and trips to nearby Golden Gardens Park, and get out to the places I used to love to explore when I first moved here.

I noticed that almost all the walks begin or end with a bite to eat (walk #2 Seattle Waterfront begins at Ivar's Fish Bar; walk #3 International District ends with Seattle Best Tea. Others mention coffee shops; Kapow! on walk #10 South Lake Union or Uptown Espresso on walk #12 Olympic Sculpture Park) which makes these walks perfect for taking after I get off work. Others, such as Kubota Gardens, Discovery Park, and Marsh and Foster Islands walks, do not. I usually take these walks on the weekends.

I like that the cards list the metro bus numbers that run along the beginning and end points, and include actual addresses of many of the points of interests.

Because I live in Seattle, naturally a lot of the points of interest I have already been to, but there are definately some I wasn't aware of! That's another reason I love these cards. For example, Walk #27 University of Washington- of course I've been to the Burke Museum (point of interest #1) and Agua Verde Paddle Club and Cafe (point of interest #8)- but I didn't know that the Theodor Jacobson Observatory (point of interest #2) was open for stargazing the first and third Weds Mar-Nov!

The cards are palm sized and made of thick coated paperboard, so I can throw them in my bag as I make my way to the start point and they don't get destroyed. They also resist rain and coffee stains. I also believe the cards to be written by a Seattleite, since walk #26 is called The Ave.

One side of the card is an area map with route outlined in pink, and the reverse has a title, an introductory description, and verbiage. "The leafy campus of the state's largest university is home to a number of noteworthy sites, including the Suzzallo Library and it's 1.6 million books, the Burke museum, and the sizeable Medicinal Herb Garden" "Start at 15th Ave NE and NE 45th St (via bus #48 or 70). Walk east along 45th, turning right onto Memorial Way. The Burke Museum (1; 4500 15th), a natural history and cultural treasure trove will be on your right...."

Seattle has so many parks, I expected most of the suggested walks to be in the parks. Many are, but many are not! I started Walk #8 Belltown because I LOVE Wasabi Bistro. The walk starts at the Federal Army Navy Surplus store, guides you along the street past mentionable art galleries (JH Terry Gallery eastern treasures, Roq La Rue pop surrealism, Seattle Glassblowing Studio), shops (Chartreuse mod home furnishings) bakeries (nationally renowned Macrina), and bars (Cyclops). When I did this walk I made a mental note to return some other evening with some friends to El Gaucho. The walk ends at Tom Douglas's signature restraint Dahlia Lounge. Bus #2, 7, or 5 departs from 3rd and Virginia. The descriptor at the top gives you a little history on what Belltown used to be known for and what it is now. It also recommends you take this walk later in the day, when the neighborhood comes to life.

And these are just examples. There are too many to list- there are 50 walks total. Every singe walk is worth taking, and each one is packed with juicy points of interest that will attract both newbies and long-time residents. The walks are scattered all over the Seattle area, so they give you a good taste of the many neighborhoods Seattle is host too. Many of the walks expectedly hit tourist spots like the fish ladder at the Locks and the Fremont troll, but I never mind seeing these favorites again.