Washington Park Arboretum trails

Location: Seattle.

Length: Several miles.

Level of difficulty: Flat to moderately sloping dirt trails and grassy lawns; boardwalk on parts of Foster Island Trail.

Setting: Few cities boast a 230-acre living plant museum in their midst, let alone one whose mild climate allows some plants to bloom in winter (mention that to your gardener brother in Minneapolis). Take a break to work off those holiday cookies and synthesize some serotonin in the sunlight by strolling through portions of the Arboretum that you may never have explored.

Follow your nose — many winter-blooming plants are fragrant. The Winter Garden, located across from the Graham Visitors Center, showcases plants with visual interest during this season.

Near the south entrance of the Arboretum, various hollies flaunt shiny foliage and colorful berries, and the camellias currently display white, pink or red flowers, while bright-yellow blooms adorn the witch hazels. Other flowering plants in the Arboretum include winter jasmine, viburnum and winter heath. The Pinetum, an evergreen sanctuary of towering conifers, features a newly renovated trail.

Highlights: Pick up a free map at the visitors center to see where certain plants are located; there's also a free handout listing books on winter gardening. Free guided tours at 1 p.m. on first and third Sundays (except no tour Jan. 1; tours resume Jan. 15 after the holidays).

Facilities: Restrooms, water, phone and gift shop at the visitors center, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (closed for the holidays on Dec. 24, 25, 26 and 31, and on Jan. 1 and 2).

Restrictions: Bikes on paved roads only; leash and scoop laws in effect; no pets allowed on waterfront trails.

Directions: From Highway 520 eastbound, take the Montlake Boulevard exit. At the end of the exit ramp, go straight across Montlake Boulevard onto East Lake Washington Boulevard, and follow it into the Arboretum. From Highway 520 westbound, take the first exit west of the lake (Lake Washington Boulevard South), and at the stop sign, turn left, and then at the next stop sign, turn left onto Arboretum Boulevard to reach the visitors center.

Bus: Metro routes 11, 43 and 48 provide service near the Arboretum. 206-553-3000 or http://transit.metrokc.gov.

Information: 206-543-8800 or http://depts.washington.edu/wpa.

Cathy McDonald, a Renton-based freelance writer, is a regular contributor to Northwest Weekend.