Seniors Head To Redmond

Senior travelers will find Redmond, an affluent suburb, located 10 miles northeast of Seattle, within the Seattle metropolitan area.  The population runs just over 45,000.  Redmond is commonly recognized as the home of both Microsoft and Nintendo of America. With an annual bike race on city streets and the state’s only velodrome, Redmond is known as the “Bicycle Capital of the Northwest”.

Native Americans have lived in the Redmond area for at least 10,000 years.  The first European settlers arrived in the 1870s.

Luke McRedmond filed a Homestead Act claim for land next to the Sammamish Slough on September 9, 1870. The rivers and streams had so many salmon that the settlement was initially named Salmonberg. In 1883 the name was changed to Redmond.

The largest employer in the city by far is Microsoft Corporation, which moved its headquarters to Redmond in 1986.  Perhaps you have heard of SpaceX. In January 2015 SpaceX announced it was opening a facility in Redmond. Its focus will be R&D and manufacturing for a proposed internet communications satellite constellation.

 Senior Bikers Like Redmond’s Trails

Today, Redmond has a lot going for it including access to the water and great parks, and the excitement is building as the Downtown Redmond neighborhood transforms into a vibrant urban center. Senior bikers can pick up a bike and enjoy the city’s numerous trails.

TripAdvisor has it all set for you including the 31 top rated things to do in Redmond. I’d want to make it a point to visit the Woodinville Lavender Farm. The farm store offers a large range of lavender products including, plants, fresh cut bouquets, aromatherapy, cleaning, home decor, bath & body, and culinary items. And oh…that smell, one of my favorite essences. Four spas and wellness centers are in town and my wife would enjoy those.

Redmond offers all of the natural beauty and fun activities one would expect to find in the Pacific Northwest. From serene and meandering bike paths to competitive cycling events; from lively outdoor concerts to diverse family activities; from an upscale outdoor shopping center (Redmond Town Center) to local boutique stores.

Seniors Enjoy Washington’s Fine Wineries

Redmond has some fine wineries for senior eonophiles. Woodinville Wine Country features over 100 wineries and tasting rooms, offering some of Washington State’s finest.

 Senior visitors can enjoy the Marymoor Park, Sammamish River Trail, The Old Redmond Firehouse, Overlake Fashion Plaza, Bear Creek Village and the Redmond Historical Society. A picnic lunch would be nice in one of the 23 well maintained parks in Redmond.

Winter provides snow activities such as skiing and snowboarding at Snoqualmie Pass which is about a half hour drive from Redmond. So set your GPS for Redmond and enjoy all the amenities the city has to offer. It will be a memorable experience. -jeb