Discover Auburn: Nature, Trails and History

Auburn offers different themes to explore during a stay: trails through parks, a wetland with wildlife viewing, a seasonal market, and architectural and agricultural history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Auburn, it helps to consider these interests separately: the trail network offers a different focus from the boardwalk in the Environmental Park, while the market and historic sites each have their own appeal.

Trails and Wetlands

Auburn has 33 developed parks and more than 26 miles of trails. One specific example is the 4.5-mile section of the Interurban Trail, which is used for biking, walking, running, and skating. The two distances refer to different scales: more than 26 miles for the trail network as a whole, and 4.5 miles for the named trail section.

Auburn Environmental Park is a 250-acre wetland park. The Boardwalk Trail is about a quarter of a mile long and offers views of marshland and Auburn’s wildlife. Visitors can spot dragonflies, hummingbirds, salamanders, Marsh Wrens, and Great Blue Herons there. This combines views of the landscape with the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife.

For planning purposes, the nature experiences differ by activity: the Interurban Trail offers several ways to get active along a named section, while Environmental Park focuses on wetland views and wildlife watching.

Market and Regional Products

The Auburn Farmers Market takes place every year from June through September at Les Gove Park. Local farmers and artisans offer fresh food and regional products there. If you’d like to include the market in your travel plans, check the dates for your intended visit.

Architectural and Farm History

Auburn Masonic Temple was built of white glazed terra cotta in the understated Italian Renaissance Revival style. The restoration of Auburn Pioneer Cemetery was officially dedicated on August 22, 2019. It included new paths, interpretive signs, a gathering area, and restoration of the Tora-Kato Memorial. The temple stands out for its materials and architectural style, while the cemetery is notable for a dated restoration and its specific elements.

Another way to explore rural history is through a restored barn, a farmhouse, and a centuries-old orchard. Visitors can tour the 1897 barn. The 1902 farmhouse offers a glimpse of what life on a rural farm was like; visitors can walk through the orchard and learn about the apple and cherry varieties cultivated by Alfred Olson. These features have different points of focus: a historic building, an interpretation of farm life, and the history of cultivated varieties.

Discover more destinations: Seatac, North Bend, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Federal Way, Redmond, Normandy Park, Seattle

For the overview of the wider area: King.