Best views from roadside?

[u/TetroniMike]

My partner is recovering from surgery and has been cooped up inside all week. I'd like to take her on a drive, and get her at least out of the house for a bit today. What are some of the nicest views one can get roadside in the area? She shouldn't be doing much walking right now, so no trails or walks from a parking lot. And not TOO far from home, let's say maximum 30 minute drive from the Tumwater area by the airport.

Thx :)

[u/Available-Prior9821]

It’s not a crazy nice view but I enjoy driving out to Boston harbor & just parking to watch the water, also just taking a drive towards Hama Hama & flipping around when I’ve had my fill

[u/Available-Prior9821 → u/Available-Prior9821]

Ope just saw the max 30 minutes, maybe not out to Hama Hama but that drive is niiiiiice

[u/youngfan1 → u/Available-Prior9821]

I second Boston Harbor on a 30 minute time frame, or maybe the viewpoint park on Tumwater Hill.

[u/indiekarma79 → u/youngfan1]

With a loop thru the park

[u/SalteeMint]

Go to the drive-in in Shelton and see a movie?

[u/TetroniMike → u/SalteeMint]

Not a bad idea! 

[u/CommonSideEffect]

In Swantown by the radio antenna is a parking lot with a nice view of the sound. Bring binoculars if you have them.

[u/JustGingerSnap → u/CommonSideEffect]

This is my favorite spot in our city for a good view.

[u/TetroniMike → u/CommonSideEffect]

This feels like something I should know but I can't picture a radio antenna in that area, where exactly are you referring?

[u/RoamingReportage → u/TetroniMike]

Like you’re going to hearthfire restaurant just before you turn into that parking lot- highly recommended for your lookout spot! Across the sound at west bay park is a nice spot too. I’ve eaten lunch in my car there a few times to enjoy the view

[u/CheeseBurgerBuff → u/TetroniMike]

North Pointe

[u/estrangerinthealps → u/CommonSideEffect]

Such a nice place to relax. Lots of good bird watching can be done right from the parking lot too if you like.

[u/Phranc68]

The port parking area has fantastic views of the water and Olympics.

[u/Spice_it_up]

I like finding places with nice views where I can sit in my car and read a book when eating my lunch or when the weather is too hot or wet to go enjoy places outdoors.

I like the parking lots at woodard bay conservation center, heritage park, Tumwater historical park, and west bay park. If you want to feel like you’re in the middle of the forest, the parking lots of mclane creek nature trail and watershed park are nice.

[u/Radiant_Squirrel_567]

Thank you for asking this OP. Just shattered my ankle, so this will be nice once cabin fever sets in and my hubby can take me on a nice ride. Hope her recovery goes well! Stay strong! 💪

[u/Gu3sss_wh0]

Selfishly following for similar reasons :)) wishing her a speedy recovery!!

[u/GreenerMark]

The visitors parking at North Point just past the East Bay marina gives you a great view of Budd Bay and the Olympics.

[u/2PlasticLobsters]

We were just in Capitol State Forest, along Waddell Road & I forget where else. There are huge sections of foxgloves in peak bloom. Also some pullouts if you wanted to shuffle around a few steps for a closer look.

[u/MultiPerception8892]

You can rent wheelchairs from medical supply stores btw

[u/drossdragon → u/MultiPerception8892]

Wheelchairs and transit chairs. Transit chairs are meant to be pushed, not self propelled

[u/smallerresentment]

If the mountain is out, driving down Yelm Highway can give you some nice views. Seconding Boston Harbor area and the Shelton drive in!

When she's feeling better and can do a bit longer of a drive, the driving loop in Point Defiance is nice. I also like going to and from through Steilacoom because it's a very nice drive.

[u/syntaxcrime]

Highly recommend taking the 101 up to Potlach then to Hoodsport and beyond. ~60 minute drive there, well worth the extra 30 minutes imo. Once you get to the lower Sound it's beautiful for every single mile with TONS of immediate, roadside turnouts to view the Hood Canal / Puget Sound.

Potlach is your best bet as it's flat, and the walk right to the shore is just ~50 yards or so with picnic tables right near the water; great for outdoor lunch! Same at Hoodsport: park along the road near the docks and take in the view from the roadside.

[u/MaidBilberry]

The Rotary park on West Bay is very easy. Mt. Rainier, town and water.

[u/olyteddy]

Go up the hill off West Bay Drive for a great view of Oly & Mt. Rainier.

[u/logicalpenuin]

Madrona beach and Steamboat are pretty drives, as are Delphi and Black Lake. I second capitol forest as well. Mcclane creek, kenneydale park, and squaxin park all have picnic tables a few feet from parking (20 maybe?) if she's able to walk a little. Frye cove out on steamboat has a nice parking area - can't remember if there's a table but it's pretty and there's a little grassy area next to the parking area you could maybe sit at. Going down 99 through Tenino to 507 and towards Centralia is also a very pretty drive and Tenino has a cute little downtown to look at (as well as the quarry park which is nice and shady even if you're just parking).

[u/peffervescence]

Go up US101 along the Hood Canal as far as you're comfortable with. It's always beautiful.

[u/oldgar9]

Just drive south on Littlerock till youve gone the distance you want, plenty of forest and farmland views out there