Get Out of Town and Stay Out: Top 5 Outdoors Cities

Who says that you
can’t have the best of both worlds? Check out these
hot, fit cities that offer fantastic accommodations,
thrilling restaurants, and pulsating nightlife, as
well as a surfeit of outdoors opportunities within
city limits and on their doorsteps.

Seattle

Like its outdoors
adventure-focused neighbors, Portland and Vancouver,
Seattle is a city obsessed with going out to play. Local
papers run Hike of the Week columns, mountain bike
ownership is practically obligatory, and when summer
fades, Seattleites gamely swap their trail running shoes
for snowshoes and hit the slopes.

What to Pack: Running gear, hiking boots,
climbing gaiters, skis, snowboard, snowshoes, mountain bike,
fishing rod, deck shoes, PFD.

Make Tracks: Run or bike in the fresh Pacific
breeze along the city’s 75 miles of trails through
parks and across sandy beaches. Kayak or sail Lake
Washington or Lake Union, or head out into the Puget
Sound for stunning skyline views. Head north to Mount Baker,
east to Snoqualmie, or south to looming Mount Rainier for
incredible hikes and climbs among alpine flowers in
summer. In winter, Mount Baker and Snoqualmie offer
spectacular slopes for skiing, snowboarding, and
snowshoeing.

Going Clubbing: It’s no surprise that Seattle
has a slew of LGBT outdoors clubs. If you want to join other
like-minded types, contact Out
Ventures and head out hiking, climbing, backpacking,
horseback riding, kayaking, biking, and scuba diving.