I’ve lived in Seattle most of my life and just discovered my new favorite place a month ago. The Blaine Street Stairway in the Eastlake neighborhood is really popular among locals as the steps are used for training and working out. I personally like to climb them slowly and enjoy the amazing (and free!) view.

I usually park on Lakeview Boulevard E., the street directly below the stairs. Halfway up the stairs, there’s a beautiful garden that a local Seattle couple donated to the city almost 20 years ago. Streissguth Gardens is the perfect spot to catch your breath, take in the magnificent view of Lake Union and the Space Needle, and see the different seasonal flowers on display.

When I get to the top of the stairs and see the sun setting on the Olympic mountains, I feel beyond lucky that this is the city I get to call home.