Seattle Parks
Seattle Parks
One of my favorite aspects of Seattle is the numerous parks tucked throughout the city, providing refuge in the urban jungle. There are so many great parks, you really can't go wrong. Many offer amazing views of the surrounding mountains or a great place to do your favorite activities. Check out the Seattle Parks web site for a complete list of all the available parks.
Gasworks Park seen from Lake Union
Seaplane taking off from Lake Union
Kite Hill behind the cement structures
Seaplane landing on Lake union in front of the skyline during sunset
Aurora Bridge and Olympic Mountains seen during sunset from the park
Gasworks Park is my favorite park in Seattle. On a sunny day I love grabbing something to read or my glove and ball and heading to the park to enjoy the day. Most days you can find people learning how to fly the large parafoil kites, people picnicking, playing sports, slack lining, and usually a wedding party getting photographed, and all for good reason. The park sits just north of Lake Union and has an amazing view of the Seattle skyline across the lake. You can see many houseboats from the lake as well, such as the famed Sleepless in Seattle house boat area. There is a lot of open space to enjoy as well as a few specific features. The most notable is the old refining structure, which helped give the park its name. There is a play barn with a lot of old equipment as well, for kids to climb on, over, under, and around, as well as providing some interesting things for skaters to use. One of my favorite features is Kite Hill. You almost always can find someone flying a kite in the park, but especially from kite hill. Seaplanes are constantly taking off from Lake Union and flying over the park. During the summer Gasworks plays host to many festivities, including some music from the Fremont Summer Festival and the biggest celebration, the Family 4th. There are booths out all day with freebies, food, and a kite making station. When the sun finally sets the show starts and what a show it is! One of the best fireworks shows I've seen, all choreographed beautifully to music. If you don't have a kite, don't worry, just stop by the nearby Gasworks Park Kite Shop on Stone Way and 35th Ave. Even if you have a kite, still stop by because the shop is amazing, it brings out the inner child in everyone. The woman who owns the shop is really knowledgeable and super friendly. Besides finding some great kites you'll find the best assortment of toys to play with from your childhood.
Hours: 4:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Fees: Free
There is a parking lot at the park, 4 hour maximum parking. Many people park along Northlake Way as well, as the park is very busy and the parking lot tends to fill.
Location: 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA
Another favorite Seattle park of mine is Golden Gardens, located in Ballard on Puget Sound. This is my favorite park for sunsets due to the great view across the sound of the Olympic Mountains. The park is pretty large with lots of sand to play in. There are several fire pits as well as picnic table and grills that can be reserved. Golden Gardens is an excellent place to have a bbq - grill some food, throw around a frisbee or football, and enjoy the view. There is parking available along the park but it will fill up due to the parks popularity. There is a rental facility available and weddings are welcome. The grills and fire pits do get taken quickly, so arrive to the park early in the evening to grab one if you haven't already reserved a grill. There is also a kayak rental nearby for kayaking on the sound.
Hours: 6:00 AM - 11:30 PM
Fee: Free
Location: 8498 Seaview Pl. NW, Seattle, WA
Fire pits on the beach at the park
Sun breaking through clouds over the Puget Sound
Sunset seen from the beach
Green Lake Park is a favorite of many Seattleites and I enjoy it too. It's right in the middle of the city and provides a natural retreat for nearby residents. There is a 2.8 mile path that circles the lake and is always busy with runners, walkers, bikers, and roller skaters. There are nearby athletic facilities as well, such as tennis courts, basketball court, soccer, and baseball/softball fields. You can enjoy the lake itself by kayaking or grabbing a paddle boat and hitting the water. If you're a golf enthusiast, you can stop by the 9-hole Pitch and Putt and get a few swings in. I love grabbing breakfast at nearby Beth's Cafe, a little cafe known for their 12 egg omelet, and then walking off my meal around the lake. Greenlake Bar and Grill is another excellent choice, especially their $5 steak and fry Wednesday night. There are several restaurants nearby and a walk around the lake afterward can offer a perfect ending to the evening.
Hours: 24 hours
Fee: Free
Location: 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N, Seattle, WA
Discovery Park is a favorite of many Seattleites and it’s easy to see why. The park consists of 534 acres of nature plopped right in the middle of the city, along the Puget Sound in Magnolia. The park really has something for everyone with numerous trails winding through the more typical forested environment, meadows, and along the beaches. Some of the trails follow old paved roads and double as trails for bikers, but there are the typical dirt trails as well. Definitely pick up a complimentary map at the parking lots because it’s easy to get lost. Luckily there are numerous sign posts, most of them pointing you towards major areas like a parking lot or visitor center. The main loop trail is only 2.8 miles, but deviating from that to see the beach or do some additional exploring will quickly add on the miles. The view along the beach is beautiful with the Olympic Mountains as a back drop behind the Sound, which is usually full of sailboats. If you are seeking more solidarity, try the North Beach which is typically a little less frequented than the South Beach. Discovery Park provides a great area for some light hiking, gatherings in the open fields, or a day soaking up some sun on the beach.
View across the Puget Sound of the Olympic Mountains
Hours: 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Visitor Center: Tuesday - Sunday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Fee: Free
Location: 3801 W Government Way, Seattle, WA 98199
Much of the trails are wooded like this
The Washington Park Arboretum is quite literally a beautiful park to walk through with all of the blossoming trees and blooming flowers. The park is quite long with several paths for creating your own adventure. The Japanese Garden is part of the Arboretum but is run by Seattle Parks and has a fee associated with it. There are informational signs throughout the park so you can learn about the trees and plants you are looking at. There are also a few islands with paths that cross those. There are often numerous kayakers in the waters around the islands, enjoying a calm paddle. The park is a great refuge tucked away near the University of Washington and offers a great sunny day walk through the park.
Hours: Dawn - Dusk
Visitor Center: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Daily, except UW holidays
Fees: Free
Location: 2300 Arboretum Drive E, Seattle, WA 98112
Hours: February 16 - March 21:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
March 23 -May 2:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
May 3 - August 15:
Monday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
August 16 - September 20:
Monday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
September 21 - October 17:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
October 19 - 31:
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
November 2 - 14
Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fees: Adults (18 - 64) $5
Seniors (65+), College Students (with ID), Disabled $3
Children (5 and under) Free
Location: 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E, Seattle WA 98112
Husky stadium and walkways over water to reach the islands
I have not been to this park but it's on my to-do list. The park consists of 2.5 acres of roses to stroll through and is right by the zoo. According to the website, the garden has "roses, hybrid teas, miniatures, climbers, tree roses, and All-America test varieties blends elegantly with the garden's formal architectural design to create a memorable showcase landscape."
Hours: Daily 7:00 AM - Dusk
Fees: Free
Location: 750 N. 50th Street, Seattle, WA
Additional web site links: Seattle Parks and Seattle Parks Foundation