Best Stroll

Highway 99, we all know, cuts off the waterfront from the rest of downtown, and admittedly getting down there from Pike Place Market can seem like you're wandering through a Habitrail designed by M.C. Escher. But take an easy access point from the Harbor Steps or Spring or Madison Streets; duck under the viaduct; walk north up Alaskan Way, ideally when there's a cruise ship in port looming overhead like a second skyline, as the gulls caw and Elliott Bay sparkles; and continue into Olympic Sculpture Park and Myrtle Edwards Park on the quiet, winding strand. You've just passed commerce, history, tourism, art, and nature both green and blue: everything Seattle is, in 20 leisurely minutes. GAVIN BORCHERT