Free Seattle walking tour guides: history, art and staircases

Image via Flickr user Eric JusinoAccording to the weather forecast right now, there are at least SOME partly sunny days ahead. If you’re feeling stir-crazy from the gray weather we’ve been having, why not plan to head out on a long walk. Here are some free guides to some great walks around the city; each has a different focus:

City of Seattle public art walking tour guides: "This downloadable series of maps provides the opportunity to explore the artistic wonders of downtown Seattle and its neighborhoods. The maps include public art from city, county and state collections as well as corporate artworks, community gardens, significant architecture and other cultural surprises. Individual sites were chosen for aesthetic significance, cultural interest and variety of routes."

Seattle Stairway Walks: "A blog about discovering and exploring the neighborhoods of Seattle through its often hidden, always picturesque stairways."

History Link has online cybertours, “interactive maps allow you to take virtual tours of selected communities, historical districts, rivers, and other areas in Washington,” and many of the Seattle ones have printable PDF versions, too.