Scenic Lake Washington Boulevard winds its way straight into the thick of the UW Arboretum's floral wonderland. Pack a picnic or a frisbee and wander through 267 acres of trees, shrubs and flowers from all over the world. The scenery reaches its height of beauty in the spring, but the Arboretum is worth a visit at any time.

Pick a trail and stroll past over 5,500 species of plantlife. Natural wetlands surround the Foster Island nature trail, which is on the north end of the park and offers good views for birdwatchers. The Azalea Way path will take you past cherry, dogwood and rhododendron trees and bushes. If you're coming in the cooler months, head to the Joseph A. Witt Winter Garden.

Another fun place to stop is the Japanese Tea Garden at the south end. Here, 3.5 acres of land have been transformed into an ornamental garden filled with wooden walkways, carp-filled ponds and a teahouse that opens for ceremonies once a month.

Details
The arboretum is open daily from dawn until dusk and there is no charge to enter. The Graham Visitors Center is on the park's north end and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Hour-long guided tours are offered on Saturday and Sunday during the summer at 1 p.m. Phone: (206) 325-4510. The Japanese Tea Garden opens at 10 a.m. daily March - November and closes at varying times. Admission costs $2.50 for adults; $1.50 for kids and seniors and kids under 6 are free. Phone: (206) 684-4725.

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