Most Romantic Things to Do in Seattle

West of Ballard, visitors find one of Seattle's finest treasures: Golden Gardens beach. Located on Puget Sound, this popular public park offers extraordinary views of the water and nearby Olympic Mountains. The park includes wetlands, beaches, hiking trails, as well as picnic and playground areas. The park is bisected by the BNSF Scenic Subdivision railway line. Golden Gardens offers wanders along a rugged coastline, hikes through forest trails, sunbathing on sandy beaches, fishing from a pier and a boat launch. In summer months, sandy volleyball courts fill with active folks, while the waters fill with swimmers, kite-surfers, kayakers, sailors and other nautically-inclined guests. The park is also home to an off-leash area for dogs in the upper northern portion of the park.

Fremont Brewing is a small, family-owned microbrewery founded in 2008 to brew small-batch artisan beers "made with the best local ingredients." Brew masters use barley from Washington State, hops from a fourth-generation, hop-growing family in the Yakima Valley and water from the Cedar River Watershed in the Cascade Mountains. Located in Seattle's funky Fremont, guests can enjoy beer at the "Urban Beer Garden" (think long communal tables inside and out). Beer lovers will also find this company's gems on draft at many Seattle bars and restaurants as well as at neighborhood bottle shops or grocery stores. Looking for a larger quantity of Fremont Brewing's fine beer? Pick up a keg or growler to go.

Spend a romantic day savoring the sights, smells, sounds and flavors of Pike Place Market, perhaps gathering seasonal provisions for a delightful meal to be enjoyed at home later on. Fishmongers near the main entrance entice buyers with loud hawking and dexterous salmon-throwing antics, the briny smell of fresh seafood filling the air. Countering that are the rows of vibrantly colorful flower stalls, which emit their pleasing perfumed aromas to passersby. Farm-fresh produce is piled high along the aisles, and local artisans display their art and wares unique to the Northwest. Restaurants, a brewery and specialty shops for everything from antiques to movie ephemera fill the multi-level maze. While in the Market, support local businesses by popping in for a celebratory coffee or glass of Champagne, served alongside a romantic water view.

Relish the arts with your loved one. Dating to the late 19th century, this grand venue has been restored to the glory it knew as a movie theater in the 1920s, making it a perfect destination for a romantic outing. This year Seattle Theatre Group once again brings its productions to stages at The Paramount, Moore and Neptune Theatre. At Paramount, enjoy music, dance and other performances, while savoring the sumptuous, gilt-edged surroundings as you take in a show. The ambiance is decadent; for example, three million crystal beads adorn 218 chandeliers and light fixtures. If dancing is called for, the seating area quickly converts to a stunning hardwood ballroom floor. The "wow" factor here is definitely worth the trip!

Seeking a romantic spread (think wine, cheese, chocolate) that represents the bountiful destination you're visiting? While wandering Pike Place Market, look no further than brand-new, chef-driven grocery concept Kitchen & Market (think fresh goods, easy-to-assemble meal kits and recipe ideas, too). This bright and welcoming space is the perfect place in which to pick up local goods to be enjoyed back in your hotel room or alfresco, with a festive picnic at one of the city's countless parks or beaches. From Pike Place, you can wander down to the downtown waterfront, or enjoy sensational water views from the Olympic Sculpture Park (a quick walk away, or a 20-minute drive). The shop especially supports local women chefs and purveyors; you can also pick up Seattle-specific gifts for yourself or your loved ones while here.

From Seattle's downtown waterfront, it takes only 35 minutes to arrive at Bainbridge Island. Along the way, you can enjoy all the wonderful sights that make Seattle such a unique city (the ferry ride itself is worth the journey!). The snowcapped Olympic Mountains, Seattle's skyline and the eastern view of Mount Rainier are all points of interest along the way. Peak season is typically early May through mid-October. Once on Bainbridge Island, it's easy to walk to a quaint "downtown" strip that features some shops, eateries, coffee spots and tasting rooms. The island also features wineries, an organic distillery and other popular destinations, like the Bloedel Reserve, which can be accessed by car..

Stroll through the grounds and admire the fascinating large-scale works on display at this nine-acre green space; on a nice day, pack a picnic to enjoy in the expansive space, too. Extensive landscaping enhances the park's beauty, and a walkway, extending from the beach to Belltown, provides views of the Puget Sound and of downtown landmarks. Among the pieces on view along the way is "Eye Benches I, II, III" by Louise Bourgeois, a series of functional carved-granite benches that take the form of giant eyeballs. Also here is a work from the height of famed sculptor Alexander Calder's career, "The Eagle" from 1971, a huge abstract steel sculpture in bright orange.

The 5th Avenue Theatre is known as one of the nation's leading musical theater companies, especially for its production and development of new works. Lovers of the arts have continued to support the downtown Seattle venue with digital subscriptions these past couple years, and now are thrilled to celebrate the return of live theatre with Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." The beautiful building carries much history; after 11 months of construction, it celebrated its grand opening on September 24, 1926. Under the guidance of architect Robert C. Reamer and interior designer Gustav F. Liljestrom, the ornate interior was modeled after three of Imperial China's most spectacular architectural achievements: the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heavenly Peace and the Summer Palace.( At the time, the theater was considered a technological marvel, thanks to its state-of-the-art sound, lighting and ventilation systems.)

Spend a romantic afternoon relishing the swanky new hub for Washington wine located in Woodinville, directly next to Willows Lodge. Inside the former space of the Redhook Brewery, Sparkman Cellars and DeLille Cellars have found an inviting new home in which to offer elevated, seated tastings, flight-based offerings and small bites. Eventually guests will also enjoy the venue's expansive patio and wine club room. While in Woodinville, be sure to check out the more than 130 tasting rooms and eateries that span four distinctive districts in the picturesque Sammamish River Valley. A true hub for Washington wine, Woodinville boasts more 90+ rated vintages than any wine region in the world.

Located in Seattle's historic Mann Building in the heart of downtown, this intimate and sophisticated, award-winning music and dinner theatre occupies the renovated space that formerly housed the Embassy Theater (originally a 1920s vaudeville house). The Mainstage, downstairs on the lower level, is an intimate candlelit spot with state-of-the-art sound and booths that offer clear sight lines to the stage. An Asian-fusion menu is provided by adjacent Wild Ginger restaurant, and the same cuisine can be enjoyed upstairs in the bar. In this upstairs lounge-like space, live music, DJ sets and a stellar happy hour menu have become legendary around town. (While the music and happy hour are currently on hold, the lounge is open on show nights from 4 to 9 p.m.)