Hi all, I will be stopping by Seattle for a couple of days (excl. days of travel). However, I must return to the city during the night so I'll be staying in the Seattle. As an ourdoor person, where can I go to see some scenary during my 2 one-day trips... (Note: my wife don't like to drive as much & not much of a hiker). Any recommendation is appreciated... Thanks!
Mt. Rainer? Olympic? Which one makes more sense as one day trip & where would you recommend us to go...

December? July? Makes a difference.

We are traveling 1st week of November...

Hmmm....this is kind of a tough one. November is usually very gray and rainy, which makes going to the mountains pointless (you'll be IN the clouds with no visibility). And the days are so short-you'll need an early start for either Rainier or Olympic. If the weather forcast is good, and the roads are clear of snow (you should probably call the park before going, since your rental car won't have the required chains), you can drive up to Paradise at Mt. Rainier. You don't have to hike to enjoy the scenery-it's all paved nature trails, picnic areas, visitor's center, etc. The drive does take about 2.5 hours.

It's about the same amount of driving from Seattle to Hurricane Ridge, in Olympic National Park, but the whole trip takes longer due to the ferry ride. The ferry is scenic and part of the fun of the trip to most people but I don't know if your wife will count it as a plus or not. The same weather/road considerations apply here, too.

If the mountain weather is bad, you might consider exploring Whidbey Island-you could make a loop with ferries going from Seattle to Bainbridge Island to Port Townsend to Whidbey then either up to Deception Pass State Park or down back to the ferry at Kingston-there a number of nice beach parks on Whidbey. Though this too is best in decent weather. Chuckanut Drive along northern Puget Sound is another scenic drive option.

Well, November can be very iffy weather-wise, but Christy had some good suggestions for easy day-trips. Also, if you want to see some beautiful areas without going too far, there are several great parks in the city, and the Arboredum is beautiful, as is the Japanese Garden there.

Another nice day trip (weather allowing) might be to go to Index and go a bit further to Exit 39--fabulous waterfalls just off the road. Also, Snoqualmie Falls is an easy daytrip and is gorgeous and there's a decent (though overpriced) restaurant there with a great view of the falls.

On the way is another place I LOVE--Tin Falls--off I90 at exit 34 less than 2 miles down the road, but this really is a bit of a hike, though one well worth taking (but, like you, I love to hike, so don't know how your wife would like it.)

Have a great trip. Hope you have great weather (for both our sake).

Correction--that should be Twin Falls, not Tin Falls...

Sticking to Seattle is also a good idea, as mentioned above by Artlover-walking around the woods and beaches at Lincoln Park or Carkeek Park is a lovely way to get a nature fix in the city.

I agree that you will have plenty to do in Seattle without driving to Mt. Rainier or the Olympic Peninsula.

A trip to Bainbridge Island on the ferry is a great way to see the city skyline (and mountain views on a clear day). It is a short walk to downtown Winslow where you might have lunch a Cafe Nola.

We also have a wonderful zoo, which has beautiful grounds. It is a great place for a walk.

If you're staying downtown, walk over to our new award-winning library and, if you're in the mood for a little climb, walk up the hill to St. James Cathedral and the nearby Frye Museum (which has free admission).