Within touching distance of Seattle’s city charms, Kenmore is a gateway to the majestic landscapes of the Pacific Northwest’s Puget Sound region. The small town boasts a serene lakeside setting and a booming brewing culture. Hiking, paddling and taproom hopping are all on offer at this hotspot for outdoor adventure.
FOOD AND DRINK
Along with its neighbour Bothell, Kenmore is an epicentre of the thriving Pacific Northwest brewing scene. Beer lovers – or ‘hopheads’ – can spend happy hours flitting from taproom to taproom, sampling the latest ales, IPAs, stouts and more. Non-drinkers will still enjoy soaking up the convivial atmosphere of the breweries, which often serve classic American fare or host visiting food trucks. 192 Brewing Co. and Cairn Brewing are two highlights of the Kenmore trail.
NATURE
No matter what time of year you visit Kenmore, be prepared to get outside. The town is a perfect base from which to explore some of the region’s most beautiful natural sights, including the 326 acres of St. Edward State Park. The Burke-Gilman trail is a biker and hiker friendly route that winds along Lake Washington’s shoreline, forests and the Seattle cityscape. Log Boom Park, on the trail, is a great spot to watch the sun set over the lake’s calm waters. Just don’t forget your sun cream – and, given this is the Pacific Northwest – a raincoat.
ADVENTURE
Get a bird’s eye view of Lake Washington from a Kenmore Air seaplane – a unique and thrilling way to soak up your surroundings. Kenmore is a mecca for lake-based water sports, so you can take to the water yourself on a canoe or kayak, or test your balance on a stand-up paddle board. You can even paddle the Sammamish River one way, and pedal back home on a beach cruiser bicycle along the Burke-Gilman trail, to take in the views from every angle.
Take off your socks for a visit to Bastyr University’s reflexology path, and relax as its smooth stones massage acupressure points in your feet.
