Sports and Recreation

Mountaineering & Hiking
With Mount Rainier keeping a constant vigil over the city, it's no wonder many Seattleites claim mountaineering as hobby #1. In spring and summer, locals and tourists bolt for the hills and the region's many hikes and climbs. If you've succumbed to the siren song of Rainier's 14,411-foot summit, get in touch with a professional guide service. Feeling a bit mellower? Head to a bookstore and pick up a local hiking guidebook; you'll find profiles of dozens of hikes nearby.

Whitewater Rafting
With the onset of the spring snowmelt, the area serves up prime-time whitewater rafting. Rafters flock to two rivers in particular: the forest-hemmed Skykomish and the wide-open, sun-drenched Wenatchee. Both offer rollicking fun for participants of all skill levels. Guide services offer tours on both rivers.

Sea Kayaking
Seattle is literally inundated with lakes, rivers and saltwater, so it only makes sense that kayaks are a preferred mode of sightseeing. Several outfitters offer rentals on Seattle's Lake Union and Elliott Bay, but if you're hankering for an escape from civilization, head north to the San Juan Islands. Once there, you'll find stunning scenery and first-class paddling - plus a bevy of guide services to provide the boats and show you the way to aquatic nirvana.

Scuba Diving
Home to 8-foot octupi and sixgill sharks, Puget Sound is one of the deepest, most diverse aquatic ecosystems in the Lower 48. Harmless creatures aside, it's also home to some great diving. From West Seattle's Alki Beach to the San Juans, the Puget Sound offers entertaining dive options for beginners and pros alike. Contact a local dive shop for suggested dives and local know-how.

Fishing
From the crystal-clear trout streams of the Cascades and Olympics to the deep-water sport-fishing waters of Washington's Pacific Coast, the Evergreen State offers up an array of angling opportunities that ranks among the nation's best. Whether you're after salmon, steelhead, tuna, trout, halibut or any number of first-class fish, the Pacific Northwest has something for you.

SuperSonics Basketball
After joining the National Basketball Association in 1967, the Sonics made it to the NBA finals in 1978 and 1979, winning an NBA championship in '79. The team earned four division titles within five years in the 1990s. In 1996 the Sonics returned to the NBA finals and were the Northwest Division Champs for 2004-05. The Sonics play at KeyArena on the Seattle Center campus from November through April.

Mariners Baseball
In 1977 the American League Mariners played their first home game, against the California Angels in the now-defunct Kingdome. Today the three-time Western Division champs (1995, 1997, 2001) play in Safeco Field, a modern ball field influenced by the traditions and history of baseball. Baseball season runs from April through September.