Recreation and attractions in and around Issaquah

Boehm’s Candies chocolate factory, known world-wide for its award-winning confections, has attracted thousands of visitors annually to Issaquah since 1956. The manicured grounds are graced with fountains, a replica of a 12th-century alpine chapel near Saint Moritz Switzerland, and the Edelweiss Swiss-style chalet which was the home of founder Julius Boehm. Escorted tours are available by appointment.

Established in 1972, the Zoo is dedicated to increasing the understanding and appreciation of the earth’s vanishing wildlife and the role of humanity in nature through education, research, captive breeding, conservation, recreation and exhibition.

It all began in 1972 when Marvin and Ruth Mohl started saving unwanted buildings from around the old farming and mining town of Issaquah. In saving the buildings, the idea was to honor the character and ambiance of the old community rather than to create a museum. They moved, renovated and combined them into an attractive retail area in a park-like setting with the ultimate goal of creating a haven for independent shops and restaurants. Over a quarter of century later, the 40-plus shops and restaurants that make up Gilman Village constitute one of Puget Sounds’ best known and most distinctive shopping destinations.

Another good source of trail information is the Issaquah Alps Trail Club website: www.issaquahalps.org. The Visitor Information Center located at 155 NW Gilman Blvd. also has a selection of maps and information about local hiking trails.

In the heart of Issaquah’s old downtown, this facility is the most-visited hatchery in the state. About 300,000 people a year come to take the self-guided tour, or tours guided by docents on weekends. The Hatchery was originally constructed as a Works Project Administration (WPA) project during 1936-1937.

The best time to visit is in September and October, when the salmon return, and Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (F.I.S.H.) offer public tours. The fish start arriving in early September with the Chinook coming through late October. Coho arrive in mid-October through the first of December.

The Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (F.I.S.H.) offers one-week day summer camps that are held at the Watershed Science Center at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. Camps will help kids learn about one of Issaquah’s greatest natural resources – the salmon! Participate in games, exercises, and experiments. Learn about: microscopes, animal tracks, Native American legends, pollution, the food chain, water quality, and the salmon life cycle. Call for camp session dates by age group and cost per week.

Operated by the City of Issaquah, the pool is open to the public for lap swim, public swim and classes. Children in the 5th grade and under must be accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian while using the Pool. Children under the age of 6 must be accompanied in the water by an adult. Open Monday thru Friday from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The park is a 512-acre day-use park with 6,858 feet of waterfront on Lake Sammamish. The area around the lake was an important culture zone for local Indian tribes for centuries. The park provides deciduous forest and wetland vegetation for the enjoyment of visitors. A salmon-bearing creek and a great-blue heron rookery are additional features. The park has more than a mile of waterfront with public beaches and nine boat ramps.

Bark Park is in Issaquah Highlands is about 2 acres of land enclosed with a fence so you can let your dog run wild. There are large rocks to sit on, a water fountain and poop bags are provided. It’s a great place to take your dog to burn off energy!

The Issaquah Parks & Recreation Department offers a wide range of activities for children of all ages, as well as teens, and adults. Classes include aquatics, cultural arts, education programs, Kinder Kamp, Day Camps, Adventure Camps, Adventure Pursuit Expeditions, Mighty Mite Camps, health & fitness classes, preschool classes, special events, sports activities, youth center and teen activities.

Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to dusk, the Skate Park provides skateboarders and rollerbladers recreation opportunities. The Park is adjacent to and on the southeast side of the Issaquah Community Center and although it is unsupervised, safety rules are posted.

Snoqualmie Falls is one of Washington’s most popular scenic attractions. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the Falls every year. At the Falls, you will find a two-acre park, observation deck, gift shop, the Salish Lodge, and the famous 270-foot waterfall.

Offering tent camping and trailer parking with water and electricity, the expansive grounds and beach area are also available to rent for family reunions, company parties, birthday parties and picnic reservations. Fee is dependent upon the number of people. A lifeguard is on duty.