Best park: While north Seattle's Green Lake is popular with joggers and walkers, Discovery Park (206-386-4236), a 534-acre wilderness area just northwest of downtown, offers real treks. Formerly a U.S. Army fort, it's now the largest park in the city and home to an extensive trail network, tidal beaches along Puget Sound, and a lighthouse. Save time for a trip through the park's Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center (206-285-4425, www.unitedindians.com), an art gallery and Native American Community Center. Among the permanent collection are works by Nathan P. Jackson, a member of the Tlingit tribe, who carves and paints western red cedar planks with native legends.

Best family outing: Woodland Park Zoo (206-684-4800, www.zoo.org), near Green Lake, is rated as one of the top zoos in the country. It initiated the now-common method of building exhibits that mimic natural ecosystems, rather than restrictive cages. A self-guided Rainy Day Tour (download a map from the Web site) means you can explore the zoo's many covered exhibits and interactive indoor displays without having to wait for the weather to cooperate.

Best way to see the water: Kayaking around Seattle can be as easy as ordering dessert. The Agua Verde Paddle Club and Cafe (206-545-8570, www.aguaverde.com) is part Mexican restaurant and part kayak-rental shop situated on Portage Bay in the center of town. Head west and you'll kayak through the floating community of houseboats for which the city is famous (as seen in the movie Sleepless in Seattle). If you're looking for the city's natural side, an eastern route paddles past the Washington Park Arboretum (206-543-8800, www.depts.washington.edu/wpa), where any of more than 200 bird species may be spotted. The paddle club has boats designed for beginners, and guided tours—including a popular Full Moon route—are available to groups of eight or more with advance reservations.

Best vantage point: The photographers behind Seattle Daily Photo Blog (www.seattle-daily-photo.blogspot.com) know the city well; every day the site presents a new Seattle scene. One of their top selections for a postcard-worthy view is from Kerry Park lookout on Queen Anne Hill's southern slope. "This vantage point includes the downtown skyline, the Space Needle, and Mt. Rainier all in one shot," says one of the photographers. "Keep walking west along Highland and you'll pass gorgeous homes from several architectural periods, quaint private gardens, and a serenely small public park. In addition, the sunset is magical on this little jaunt."

Best scenic stroll: The informative, in-depth See Seattle Walking Tours (425-226-7641, www.see-seattle.com) make the most of Seattle's noted walkability. These tours draw nearly as many locals as visitors, thanks to their emphasis on the city's history and oft-overlooked architectural details in its signature art deco buildings. You'll begin at Westlake Plaza in the downtown business district and end at Pioneer Square near the waterfront. It's a full day of walking, with stops for lunch and rest breaks. Tours leave daily Monday through Saturday at 10 A.M., as long as at least six walkers have made reservations, which are strongly recommended.