The 607-foot Space Needle in the Center dominates Seattle's skyscape and provides commanding views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. Weekends are filled with music festivals, street fairs, rock concerts, arts and crafts shows, ethnic celebrations, exhibits, parades, regattas, runs, and food fairs. Seattle's music scene includes an active community of jazz and folk devotees, although it is currently most notable as the home of Nirvana and Pearl Jam. The City of Seattle maintains 5,000 acres of rich and diverse beaches and parklands for leisure and recreational pursuits. Ball fields and tennis courts are plentiful.
Paths abound for jogging, strolling, roller blading, and biking.
The mild climate allows year-round outdoor sports participation. Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and the many smaller lakes provide abundant opportunities for boating, sailing, fishing, swimming, water skiing, crewing, kayaking, wind surfing, and scuba diving. Seattle boasts more boats per capita than any other city in the country. Affordable downhill and cross-country skiing is only an hour away. Climbers of all skill levels, hikers, campers, and backpackers have a world of forests, lakes, streams, and mountains to explore.