Cheap Adventures Within 1 Hour of Seattle's Eastside

Looking for an adventure that won't break the bank?  Check out some of these destinations within an hour of Seattle's Eastside for a change of scenery or to try something new.

#1 Go for an easy, local hike: http://dotsonstories.blogspot.com/2015/04/easy-eastide-hikes-with-kids.html. Check out the list of nearby hikes that are generally under a mile long.  Since adults often walk around 3 miles per hour, many of these would only take an adult 20 minutes to do.  However, kids as young as 3 or 4 can walk these on their own if you plan for an hour to allow them time to explore rocks, bugs, trees, and streams.

#2 Farrel-McWhirter Farm Park (Charlotte's Trail, Lowland Creek Trail) - Redmond, WA

Fees: None.  Totally free!
Address: 19545 Redmond Road, Redmond, WA 98053
Website: http://www.redmond.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=169&pageId=4101
Trail map: http://www.redmond.gov/common/pages/UserFile.aspx?fileId=23566
Restrooms: Yes, there is a restroom facility opened year-round near the barn.
Stroller / wheelchair options: Yes
Why you want to go:  Kids love visiting the animals at the little red barn.  This isn't a petting zoo, but kids can get up close to pigs, goats, and chickens.  There are a couple of swings across the lawn from the barn and there are a couple of tire swings down the trail from the barn.  Kids up for a little adventure beyond the barn can explore the Lowland Creek Trail or Charlotte's Trail (15 minutes each) to see some little foot bridges.  Have the kids wear boots because it's fun to stomp in the tiny streams year-round.
Getting there: From the parking lot, head towards the barn to see the animals.  To get to the trail, go through the gate just past the restrooms.  Charlotte’s Trail is the paved path that goes past a horse pasture and tire swing.  Take it out and back for a wheelchair-accessible option.  A minute past the gate, find the trailhead to the Lowland Creek Trail on the right.  Once on the trail, take a left turn at each junction and you will work your way back to the animal barn.

#3 Rattlesnake Lake – North Bend, WA
Fees: None.  Totally free!
Address: 19901 Cedar Falls Road SE,  North Bend, WA 98045
Website:http://www.seattle.gov/util/EnvironmentConservation/OurWatersheds/CedarRiverWatershed/RattlesnakeLake/index.htm 
Trail map:http://www.seattle.gov/util/cs/groups/public/@spu/@conservation/documents/webcontent/strolling_200312081358153.pdf 
Restrooms: Yes.  Check trail map for locations.
Stroller / wheelchair options: Yes
Why you want to go:  The Cedar River Watershed Environmental Center is a destination itself.  Kids will love sending ping pong balls from wall to wall with vacuum tubes (like tubes at a bank drive-through.)  
After checking out the Environmental Center, walk down to the lake.  Kids love walking along the beach and throwing rocks into the lake.
If the family is up for a stroll, the trail between the Environmental Center is paved and passes by the little Cedar Falls waterfall.  It is .75 miles between the boat launch and the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, or 1.5 miles roundtrip.  To scale it down, just start by the Education Center, walk down to the lake, and go as far or as little as your family likes.  Point out the impressive Rattlesnake Ledge across the lake and let kids know that they will be able to hike up there someday, too!
Getting there:  Just one exit east of the North Bend outlet mall, Rattlesnake Lake is perfect for a quick getaway.  Parking can get crowded weekend mornings, so try for either a weekday or a weekend afternoon.  When entering the Rattlesnake Lake recreation area, parking for hikers heading up Rattlesnake Ledge is immediately on the right.  Stay on the main road and drive down the length of the lake to the Environmental Center parking lot.  If that lot happens to be full, continue down a little further to the overflow lot.  

#4 Go for a ferry ride - Seattle, Mukilteo, or Edmonds, WA