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The 5 Best Seattle Parks to See on Vacation — Locals’ Picks

By U.S. News & World Report

Seattleites hold their green spaces sacred. Seattle Parks and Recreation alone manages more than 485 parks and natural areas. Rain or shine, intrepid locals sport whatever layers and rain gear are necessary to take advantage of these magnificent outdoor spaces. They offer anything an outdoor-lover could want — lush foliage, photo op-friendly vistas, cultural must-sees and all kinds of ways to break a sweat. Sure, Seattle is an urban jungle, but if you make a small effort, there are plenty of peaceful green spaces to enjoy.

Gas Works Park

For a stellar view of downtown Seattle, head to Gas Works Park on the north shore of Lake Union. The nearly 20-acre park sits on the site of the former Seattle Gas Light Co. plant, and some of the old industrial structures remain. It’s a year-round favorite for locals, but it’s especially popular during summer months when the landscape is packed with people picnicking, sunbathing and flying kites.

“It’s got that iconic downtown Seattle view from the other side,” says Lara Dennis, concierge at Kimpton Alexis Hotel Seattle. “Most movies that say they take place in Seattle do a quick little snapshot from Gas Works Park. You can say you’ve been there, and it’s right by the University District as well, so there’s some fun places to explore along the way to get you out of the downtown a little bit.”

[Read: The Best Hotels in Seattle.]

Amenities include restrooms, drinking fountains, grills, picnic sites (be sure to make a reservation) and a play area.

Green Lake Park

Whether you prefer courts, asphalt, water or grassy lawns, there’s an outdoor space at Green Lake Park for everyone. From downtown, it’s an easy 15-minute drive north (parking is another story) or 30 minutes on public transportation. On any given day, bikers, skaters, runners and walkers dot the 2.8-mile loop around the lake. On weekends, the trail is considerably more trafficked by locals. During summer months, the lake is filled with swimmers and water sports fans who rent stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and canoes from the Greenlake Boathouse.

“Green Lake makes people feel like locals because rain or shine, locals are there,” says Jessica Gomes, VIP coordinator at Hotel 1000. “You can take your kids. You can sit and stop. You can walk a half-mile and decide you’re just going to drink beer the rest of the day. It’s all right there and Green Lake Alehouse is right there. … I think Green Lake is a good, really proper local Seattle experience.”

Amenities include baseball/softball fields, basketball courts, restrooms, drinking fountains, fishing piers, grills, hand-carry boat launches, a playground, soccer fields, wading pools, swimming beaches and tennis courts.

Volunteer Park

If you’re looking for a mix of culture and natural beauty, head to the historic Olmsted Brothers-designed park in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. Flower aficionados flock to Volunteer Park in late August and September to enjoy the abundant blooms of the city’s official flower — the dahlia. For a unique view of the Space Needle, seek out the 1969 “Black Sun” sculpture by famed artist Isamu Noguchi on the eastern edge of the park. Position yourself so the large black ring frames the iconic tower, and Instagram away.

[Read: The 6 Best Museums in Seattle.]

Alexis Beeton, chief concierge at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Seattle, thinks Volunteer Park is wonderful. “It’s a historical site, so they have a lot of different areas to enjoy,” she says. “They’ve got the Seattle Asian Art Museum, the Volunteer Park Conservatory, which only costs about $4 [for adults] to go into and is absolutely magnificent. A lot of people get married there. They also have an old water tower from which you can get some of the best views of the city, straight across to West Seattle, over to Queen Anne and Lake Washington.”

Amenities include restrooms, drinking fountains, gardens, a playground, wading pools, tennis courts and trails.

Washington Park Arboretum

If you want to get away from the urban hustle and bustle and lose yourself outdoors, find Washington Park Arboretum on the shores of Lake Washington. This public park is too often overlooked in a city packed with stunning green spaces. Stroll among 230 acres of woody plants and wetlands via footpaths and boardwalks. Don’t miss the Seattle Japanese Garden (entrance fee is $6 for adults), which is located in the park’s southwest corner, or Azalea Way in the springtime.

Dennis has a soft spot for the arboretum, which is jointly managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the city. “It flies really under the radar,” she says. “Their Japanese gardens are beautiful. They’ve got a pretty low admission price for those, but the arboretum itself is free to walk around. They maintain that space so well.”

[Read: 8 Unique Seattle Tours.]

Amenities at the arboretum include restrooms, drinking fountains, hand-carry boat launches, a visitors center, a gift shop, a meeting room, trails and free public tours on seasonal topics.

Discovery Park

Not far from downtown, Discovery Park is roughly a 20-minute drive or 30-minute jaunt on public transportation. It’s well worth the trip — this more than 530-acre city park feels much farther away. Meander nearly 12 miles of forest and trails, and be sure to explore the shoreline for seriously gorgeous views of Puget Sound and the snowcapped Olympic Mountains.

“It’s actually the city’s largest public park and is especially beautiful because of its location, positioned right along the shores of the Puget Sound,” says Jeff Wilbur, concierge at The Arctic Club Seattle – A DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. “If you have an afternoon to spare on the trails, keep your eyes peeled, because the park is a prime bird-watching location. Because of its size, you can find something new to explore every time you come back.” If you’re lucky, he adds, you might even spot a sea creature from the shore.

Amenities include restrooms, drinking fountains, a play area, tennis courts, trails and volleyball courts.

To experience more of what Seattle has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.

More from U.S. News

The Best Hotels in the USA

Why You Should Get Outdoors on Your Next Vacation

The 11 Best Things To Do in Seattle

The 5 Best Seattle Parks to See on Vacation — Locals’ Picks originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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