Recreational Equipment, Incorporated (REI), was founded here in Seattle back in 1938 and today is the nation's largest co-op selling outdoor gear. The company's impressive flagship store is located just off I-5 not far from Lake Union and is a cross between a high-tech warehouse and a mountain lodge. The store is massive and sells almost anything you could ever need for pursuing your favorite outdoor sport. The store also has a 65-foot climbing pinnacle, a rain room for testing rain gear, a mountain-bike trail for test-driving bikes, a footwear test trail, even a play area for kids. With all this under one roof, who needs to go outside? Up on the top floor is a cafe with an outstanding view of downtown.