The 230 acre Washington Park Arboretum is simultaneously a research arboretum and the jewel park in Seattle's famed Olmsted Parks Plan. Within the sprawling grounds you'll find majestic oaks, mature cherry trees, an internationally recognized collection of hollies, and more trees than you can shake a stick at.

Starting at the visitor's center take Azalea Way (you can grab free trail maps at the visitor center) south through the heart of the arboretum. Along Azalea Way you'll pass the cherry tree collection.

To your left along Azalea Way are a series of trails leading to the interior of the park. My favorite is to that the trail next to the woodland garden (look fo the duck pond), cuting across the park to the Japanese Maple glen.

If you get a chance, there is a lookout gazebo on the hill at the southern edge of the arboretum (just south west of the Rhododendron Glen) which provides a commanding view of the arboretum and Madison Valley.

When you weave your way back to the visitor's center continue walking north across the parking lot and you'll find another series of trails leading under the freeway and onto the islands that hug the shoreline of Lake Washington. There is a trail which will lead you under the freeway, along the islands, through the marsh (with many lookouts onto the cut and ducks) and all the way to the Museum of History and Industry. It takes about 30 minutes roundtrip, and is well worth it.

Early to mid spring (varies each year) is the best time to catch the cherry trees in bloom on Azalea Way. The trees are only in bloom for a couple of weeks, and it's quite a show.

Fall of course brings the traditional earthy orange, red and yellow palette of deciduous trees losing their foliage in preparation for winter. The arboretum has a number of deciduous trees including several remarkable Japanese Maples.

Website:  http://depts.washington.edu/wpa 

Trail map: http://depts.washington.edu/wpa/html/wpa02trailmap.pdf

where is it? Address 2300 Arboretum Drive East Seattle, WA 98112 View larger map... Get driving directions... Find a bus route...

how to get there? From I-5 Exit 168: SR-520 East (Bellevue) Exit Montlake Ave (first exit) Proceed STRAIGHT through the intersection onto Lake Wastington Blvd Follow main road 0.5 miles Turn LEFT onto Arboretum Drive East (first stop sign after freeway onramp) Turn RIGHT into vistor's center From Downtown Seattle Take Madison Ave EAST Turn LEFT onto Lake Washington Blvd. Turn RIGHT onto Arboretum Drive East (first stop sign after freeway onramp) Turn RIGHT into vistor's center Park near the vistor's center if you can. Alternatively you can drive down Arboretum Drive East and park in the smaller lots along the east side of the park.