Seattle is a city where contrasts come together in perfect harmony. On one side, the salty waters of the Puget Sound stretch to the horizon, and on the other, majestic snow-capped peaks hold up the sky. It’s enough to awe first time visitors, and for Portlanders, it’s a bit like home, with a dash of big city excitement and enough change of scenery to warrant the trip north. Expand your culinary horizons at that restaurant you’ve always heard about, and then put the tread to new trails in nature’s playground. But before you answer the call of curiosity and novel experiences, you’ll need to secure a basecamp to rest and recharge. Fortunately, Hilton has plenty of properties in the area, replete with all the amenities you’ll need to wash away the day’s exploits and dream of what else awaits beyond the doorstep.

The beauty and grandeur of the region is on full display for those lucky enough to have a bird’s eye view on their way to the city. Upon landing, two of Hilton’s locations—DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport and Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center—are conveniently situated for travelers flying into the Pacific Northwest. From there, hardcore adventurers will want to head straight to Tiger Mountain State Forest and the miles of hiking and mountain biking routes that crisscross its land. On the western flank, outside of Issaquah, Chirico Trail winds up to an outcropping that supplies views of Lake Sammamish. If the conditions are right, you may even witness paragliders taking off and soaring above the trees.

For longer stays, Hilton’s downtown hotels are ideal for splitting time between sightseeing, outdoor recreation and chowing your way through the Emerald City’s world-class dining scene. Hilton Seattle is within walking distance to great museums, piers, the Seattle Aquarium and Pike Place Market, plus Embassy Suites by Hilton Seattle Downtown Pioneer Square sits adjacent to CenturyLink Field—excellent for catching sporting events or concerts. Not far away, The Charter Hotel Seattle, Curio Collection by Hilton or The Sound Hotel Seattle Belltown, Tapestry Collection by Hilton are great starting points to discover the Space Needle, the Olympic Sculpture Park, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) and even Chihuly Garden and Glass. As for food, pasta at The Pink Door is a can’t-miss fine dining encounter, while Piroshky Piroshky and its sweet and savory pastries are an equally necessary, yet more casual affair. 

Whatever your plans, make sure to save at least one day to discover Mt. Rainier National Park. The sleeping giant is an iconic feature of Washington’s landscape and the tallest in the Cascades (sorry, Mt. Hood fans). Multiple trails offer the chance to get up close and personal to its immensity; a stop at Sunrise Visitor Center will help you decide how you want to tackle it. Glacier Basin Trail is a moderate seven-mile out-and-back journey, providing the opportunity to observe subalpine lakes, seasonal wildflowers, and, if you’re lucky, mountain goats. The Carbon River and its valley (home to a unique, inland rainforest) offer another thrilling option, if you can stop your legs from shaking long enough to cross the log bridge to take in Chenuis Falls.

Staying in Bellevue is a great alternative for visitors looking to avoid the bustle of Seattle, affording more off-the-beaten-path activities. Four-star Hilton Bellevue is centrally located with easy access to the botanical garden, Mercer Slough Nature Park, and Coal Creek Natural Area—all of which are within the city’s borders. Want to explore more? Venture beyond the city to Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, where you’ll find abundant wildlife, pleasantly gurgling streams, and views of the encompassing terrain. From there, heading to the highlands is a breeze, and stops at both Snoqualmie and Twin Falls are a must. A six-mile out-and-back on Mt. Si (just outside of Snoqualmie) will take you to Teneriffe Falls, another gorgeous display of whitewater plummeting down a cliff face. At the summit of Snoqualmie Pass, hike alongside Gold Creek or around the edge of Keechelus Lake as you breathe in the lofty air.

There is an incredible abundance of things to do and see on any trip to Seattle; Hilton’s expert team of concierges will help you come up with a feasible game plan and take the stress out of finding accommodations, so you can focus on the more important things. To find out more about rates and offerings, visit Travel.Hilton.com/Seattle.