A Seattle Fitness Break Itinerary

[expediafittybreaks-widget-author photourl=”https://viewfinder.expedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/juliamanchikprofile.jpg” websiteurl=”https://www.instagram.com/juliamanchik/?hl=en” name=”Julia Manchik”]A photographer and graphic designer based out of Seattle, but never in one place for too long. She enjoys telling stories for people and brands with a camera and does graphic design for a mobile photography startup in Seattle. Julia and her business partner husband are best known for their travel blog, Mr & Mrs Globetrot, which they started during their 6 month travels around the world following their wedding in 2010. Since then, they have continued to travel, create together, and teach at photography workshops.[/expediafittybreaks-widget-author]

Seattle is a city of hills surrounded by water and connected by bridges. It’s such a fun city to explore if you like good food, music, nature, and the water.  If you’re exploring on foot, you’ll get a solid workout without even trying because of the many hills all over the city. I put together an itinerary to see some of Seattle’s sights while staying active and logging at least 10,000 steps in the process.

The Seattle Fitty Itinerary

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Visit Volunteer Park: 1247 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112

Volunteer Park is one of my favorites green sanctuaries in Seattle. The park is filled with massive trees and a beautiful place to start your day with a walk or run. On a good summer day, all the grassy areas are filled with people on blankets and it feels really cheerful. What makes this park really special is the Volunteer Park Conservatory, a giant greenhouse filled with every plant imaginable. I especially love wandering the cactus room, which feels amazing on a dreary, cold day in Seattle. Before leaving the park, climb up the water tower at the park’s south entrance (more than once if you’re feeling ambitious) to get some stairs in and see the city skyline above all the Seattle trees in the distance.

[expediafittybreaks-widget-at-glance-viewmap imageurl=”https://viewfinder.expedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/volunteer_park_1.jpg” targetlink=”http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/volunteer-park” title=”Volunteer Park” viewonmaplink=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Volunteer+Park/@47.630072,-122.314954,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x2cbf871ebbadc4b4?sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjzi4rnxuzRAhUBQSYKHdCpANUQ_BIIfzAP”]1247 15th Ave E
+1 206-684-4075[/expediafittybreaks-widget-at-glance-viewmap]

Total Steps: 3,209

Total Calories: 476

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Explore Pike Place Market and the Seattle Waterfront: 85 Pike St
Seattle, WA 98101

[expediafittybreaks-widget-event-vertical imageurl=”https://viewfinder.expedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Seattle-Farmers-Market.jpg” targetlink=”http://pikeplacemarket.org/plan-your-visit” eventtitle=”Pike Place Market” eventpromotext=”Seattle’s Public Market” eventdate=”Open 363 days a year” eventlocation=”1st Ave and Pike St., Seattle, WA 98101″ viewmoreinfolink=”http://pikeplacemarket.org/plan-your-visit”]Seattle’s epicenter of fresh produce, specialty foods and independent businesses.[/expediafittybreaks-widget-event-vertical]

Pike Place Market is filled with small businesses and makers selling seafood, flowers, produce, and crafts in one of the oldest markets in the US. There’s almost certainly at least a couple musicians and performers keeping it lively. It’s the most popular tourist destination in Seattle, and conveniently open every day.

Once you’ve made it through all the stalls and crowds, walk down the endless stairs through the market and down to the waterfront. Walk along the waterfront and the piers, watch ferries come and go out to the islands, check out the new Seattle Great Wheel, look for treasures at the Seattle Antique Mall, stop by to get some letterpress stationery at Pike St. Press, and grab some seafood lunch with a view.

Continue walking along the water. At the north end of the waterfront is the Olympic Sculpture Park, which is operated by Seattle Art Museum. Wander through the (free admission) park to see the permanent and visiting installations, and make your way down to the water, where you can walk on the only quaint rocky beach along the downtown Seattle waterfront.

Total Steps: 5,265

Total Calories: 510

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Experience the Seattle Aquarium: 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101

Make your way back along the waterfront, and take some time to enjoy the marine life at the Seattle Aquarium. There’s a giant glass tank where you can be surrounded by moon jellies. If you come at the right time, you can watch the 13-foot octopus being fed.

There are large pools full of local tide pool wildlife that visitors can reach in and touch. It’s a fun way to feel connected to the local area, where marine life plays a big role. On your way out, follow signs back to the market, and get yours steps in on the endless stairs back up.

[expediafittybreaks-widget-at-glance-viewmap imageurl=”https://viewfinder.expedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Seattle-Aquarium.jpg” targetlink=”http://www.seattleaquarium.org/” title=”Seattle Aquarium” viewonmaplink=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Seattle+Aquarium/@47.607445,-122.3429996,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xb965b026b3e615b1!8m2!3d47.607445!4d-122.3429996″]1483 Alaskan Way
+1 206-386-4300[/expediafittybreaks-widget-at-glance-viewmap]

Total Steps: 2,348

Total Calories: 286

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Kayak around Lake Union starting at Agua Verde Paddle Club: 1307 NE Boat St, Lower Level, Seattle, WA 98105

Wrap your Seattle day with happy hour and a sunset kayak at Agua Verde (1303 & 1307 NE Boat Street, Seattle, WA 98105), a Mexican lakefront restaurant with kayak rentals on the lower level. Once you’ve eaten and sampled all their killer salsas, rent a kayak from Agua Verde Paddle Club downstairs, and take it around Lake Union, Seattle’s most urban and picturesque lake.

On one end of the lake you’ll see Gas Works Park (a giant grassy hill usually filled with people, 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103), and on the opposite end, the gorgeous Seattle skyline, with marinas lining the banks in between. Be sure to paddle through the neighborhood of floating houses, dock at Gas Works Park to stretch your legs with a climb up the big grassy hill, and count how many times you wave to other kayaks, boats, and paddle boarders.

[expediafittybreaks-widget-at-glance-viewmap imageurl=”https://viewfinder.expedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/aguaverde.jpg” targetlink=”http://aguaverde.com/” title=”Agua Verde Café and Paddle Club” viewonmaplink=”https://www.google.com/maps/place/Agua+Verde+Caf%C3%A9+and+Paddle+Club/@47.651575,-122.31431,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x73fa232722bfd941!8m2!3d47.651575!4d-122.31431″]1303 & 1307 NE Boat Street
+1 206-545-8570[/expediafittybreaks-widget-at-glance-viewmap]

Total Steps: 309

Total Calories: 349