Seattle has so many incredible parks that it’s easy to see how it earned the nickname Emerald City.
I’m a Seattle local who loves spending time in the city’s parks, several of which made my list of the best things to do in Seattle. I’ll overview the best parks in Seattle in this guide so you can decide which ones are best for you and your travel buddies.
This list includes all the popular, crowd-pleasing parks, but I’ve sprinkled in a few local favorites too. Get ready to find out where to go for fantastic views, nature walks, family-friendly outings, and sports. These are my picks for the best Seattle parks.
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29 Best Parks in Seattle
Alki Beach Park
Beloved West Seattle park with delicious dining options, summertime volleyball tournaments, and Olympic Mountains views.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Alki Beach Park Website
Visit Alki Beach Park to feel like you’ve been transported to a quaint little beach town.
This West Seattle park is always buzzing with activity in the summer. Volleyball matches, sandcastle building, seal-watching, and sunbathing are some of the top activities.
Go running, rollerblading, or biking along the paved path that will take you all the way to Lincoln Park. Rent bikes from Wheel Fun Rentals and kayaks from Alki Kayak Tours to get in on the fun.
Restaurants are plentiful in the area. You’ll have no problem finding tasty beer, fish and chips, and ice cream to keep you satiated. Alki gets quite crowded on any sunny day in Seattle, but it’s a gem regardless. Move this park to the top of your list!
⛴️ How To Get There: You could drive to Alki, but I’ve always loved visiting via the water taxi from downtown. You’ll have spectacular views of the Seattle skyline during the 15-minute ride. When you deboard, get to this popular Seattle beach via bus, scooter, or a 2-mile walk along the water.
Jefferson Park
A Beacon Hill park with meadows, a driving range, and a volunteer-run food forest.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Jefferson Park Website
Jefferson Park is a relaxed and communal Beacon Hill park that rarely feels crowded. The pup-friendly park boasts underrated views of downtown Seattle and has a paved loop trail that winds around its pretty, picnic-ready meadows.
The park’s playground, spray park, and skate park make it a fun destination for families with kids. Jefferson Park also has a driving range on its east side, but the Beacon Food Forest is arguably its best feature.
The Food Forest is a 7-acre community-run garden that’s free to enter, wander, and harvest. Volunteers from the neighborhood help with garden upkeep to ensure the neighborhood will continually benefit from its local ecosystem.
Green Lake Park
Popular park in the Green Lake neighborhood with boat rentals, athletic fields, and kid-friendly spaces.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Green Lake Park Website
Green Lake Park is in the aptly named Green Lake neighborhood in north Seattle. It’s one of the most popular spots on this list for outdoor recreation (and it made my list as a top Seattle date spot).
Stop at Greenlake Boathouse to rent kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, or water bikes. Don’t want to get on the lake? You can bike, rollerblade, or jog around the paved 2.8-mile loop. Play baseball, frisbee, and soccer in its many athletic fields.
Kid-friendly features include the wading pool, playground, and swimming beaches. Restaurants are close and plentiful on the east side of the lake. Enjoy everything from dumplings and Mexican food to acai bowls and pub grub.
Green Lake is one of the most popular city parks, which means it can be crowded, even on days you’d least expect it. Parking is not always readily available. I recommend searching for nearby street parking or busing here instead.
Discovery Park
This 500-acre park in Magnolia is the best city park for hiking and spectacular views.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Discovery Park Website
Discovery Park is the largest city park in Seattle. It dominates the entire western end of the Magnolia neighborhood and is the best spot to go if you want to hike without leaving the city.
Its many trails wind through forests and open fields. Stunning views of the mountains and Sound from the park’s bluffs further its crowd-pleasing qualities. It’s about a 2-mile hike to Discovery Park’s iconic West Point Lighthouse.
Make sure to visit the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center as well. This historic cultural center is a space for all Indigenous communities and has a collection of Native art on display.
Buses bring visitors to two separate entrances, and the park has several parking lots, so it’s fairly easy to get to this wonderful park.
Lincoln Park
Huge, family-friendly park in West Seattle with forest and waterfront walking paths and a heated, outdoor pool.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Lincoln Park Website
Lincoln Park is one of the most family-friendly parks on this list. The forested part of the park has a large playground, a wading pool, a zipline, picnic tables, and plenty of big grassy fields for running around.
Multiple paths lead to the waterfront where people congregate to run, bike, fish, and watch the ferry traveling to and from Vashon Island. Visit this part of the park to find Bruun Idun, one of Seattle’s trolls.
Come to Lincoln Park during summer to check out Colman Pool. This heated, outdoor, saltwater pool is a summertime highlight for local families.
🌮 Need a bite to eat? : Check out Taquitos Feliz across the street from the main Lincoln Park entrance! This small and unassuming permanently stationed taco truck is easy to miss, but it’s one of the best Mexican food joints in the city.
Kubota Garden
Peaceful Japanese garden in Rainier Valley with pretty walking paths through well-groomed foliage .
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Kubota Garden Website
Kubota Garden is a tranquil and historic Japanese garden in the middle of the Rainier Beach neighborhood. It’s well-maintained and free to enter, and its distance from downtown means it’s usually uncrowded.
Meander along pretty paths through flowers, trees, and shrubs. Watch for koi fish, turtles, and ducks in and around the ponds. A large grassy area inside the garden is the perfect place for a romantic picnic.
There is a small parking lot outside the garden, but it can fill up fast. Finding a spot on the street may be a better option.
Volunteer Park
Large park in Capitol Hill with a museum and conservatory, perfect for romantic or casual gatherings .
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Volunteer Park Website
You’ll find two Seattle favorites in Volunteer Park: the Seattle Asian Art Museum and the Volunteer Park Conservatory. These alone make a trip to the park worth it, but there’s a lot more to this popular spot.
The 48-acre Volunteer Park has walking paths encircling lily ponds and wide-open spaces for ultimate frisbee, picnics, and letting dogs run. There’s an observation tower with views of downtown near the park’s entrance.
An expansive playground and wading pool keep children busy. Bruce Lee fans can walk north to the Lake View Cemetery to pay their respects at his gravesite.
Volunteer Park is just as active and full of life as the neighborhood it’s in. Come for the museum, a free Shakespeare in the Park performance, or visit on a lunch break.
🐿️ Pro Tip: The squirrels and crows in the park are notoriously bold. Keep a close eye on your food when picnicking here. Otherwise, you might turn around and see a crow flying off with your snacks (a lesson learned from personal experience!)
Kerry Park
Phenomenal views of the city’s skyline draw visitors to this teeny Queen Anne park .
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Kerry Park Website
Kerry Park is one of the best spots for breathtaking Seattle views. This small park in Queen Anne is worth a trip for anyone interested in capturing iconic skyline photos.
Prepare for crowds during summer. Go early on a weekday if you want the park to yourself. That said, don’t pass up a sunset visit: the glittering light over the Space Needle, Mount Rainier, and downtown Seattle’s building make for the perfect shot.
There are a few benches for visitors to sit and relax, but the park’s main draw is the viewpoint — most people don’t spend a long time here.
There are no bathroom facilities at Kerry Park, and street parking can be tricky. I highly recommend taking the bus to spare your calves from the steep walk uphill if you’re not driving.
Westcrest Park
This West Seattle gem is the perfect park for dog lovers, having two off-leash dog parks and other community spaces to explore.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Westcrest Park Website
Don’t come to Westcrest Park if you don’t love dogs.
Yes, there are human-centric amenities here: a giant playground for kids, open meadows for picnics, an adorable community P-Patch garden, and shady woodland trails. But you’ll also find dogs in pretty much all those areas, especially on sunny days.
Westcrest Park is a big destination for people with pups due to its two off-leash dog parks. There’s a huge one for large or friendly dogs, and another for small or shy ones. People can be pretty lax with this, though. You’ll probably encounter dogs roaming off-leash outside of those designated spots.
Westcrest Park is a hidden gem in West Seattle, primarily because it’s not the easiest to get to if you’re relying on public transit. But don’t let that keep you from it. Take a car and stop at Highland Park Corner Store on the way in for snacks and ice cream (thank me later).
Golden Gardens Park
This park beach in the Ballard neighborhood is known for its stunning sunsets.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Golden Gardens Park Website
Golden Gardens is part beach and part forested park. It’s one of Ballard’s top attractions and the place to be on a hot day in Seattle.
Most people come for the beach. Beach bumming, barbequing, searching tidepools, and bonfires are some of the highlights. Make sure you stay for sunset if you decide to spend the whole day here. They’re, simply put, spectacular.
Golden Gardens Park also has wooded areas and hiking trails that’ll take you to the water. An off-leash dog park adds to its appeal for those with furry companions.
No bus will bring you directly to the beach, so you’re better off driving here. However, parking can be difficult. Circle the lot several times, commit to parking further away and walking, or plan to come early to snag a good space.
🦀 Pro Tip: The Seattle Aquarium hosts a beach naturalist program where local volunteers help you identify different sea creatures and marine life at low tide. Golden Gardens and a few other parks have this program so bookmark dates if you’re interested!
Olympic Sculpture Park
Expansive park with impressive sculptures and waterfront views.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Olympic Sculpture Park Website
The Olympic Sculpture Park is an extension of the Seattle Art Museum. It spans nine acres along the waterfront with views of Elliott Bay on one side and the Space Needle on the other.
A gravel trail guides visitors past abstract, modern sculptures and down to the water. From here, you can continue to Pier 62 or Myrtle Edwards Park.
Olympic Sculpture Park is just steps from Belltown’s nightlife scene, which makes this a good place to spend a relaxing afternoon before hitting up bars and pubs on 1st and 2nd for the remainder of the evening.
This is an easy park to walk to if you’re staying downtown, in Belltown, or Lower Queen Anne. But parking in the area can be nightmarish. Anyone coming from further afield should consider taking the bus.
Seward Park
Family-friendly peninsula park in south Seattle with Lake Washington access and space for large group gatherings.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Seward Park Website
Seward Park is right along Lake Washington and the 300-acre park becomes a lively destination during summer.
Several trails of varying difficulties lead you through the park’s forests. But there are also paved walking paths for people with strollers, bikes, or wheelchairs.
There is a lot of shoreline access in Seward Park. You can easily launch a handboat or go swimming. Check out the amphitheater on the south end to watch performances like the Shakespeare in the Park summertime series.
Multiple parking lots, lots of open space, and a great playground make Seward Park another family-friendly destination. Come here for a day of playing, barbecuing, and hanging out with a group of friends.
Cal Anderson Park
This park in the heart of Capitol Hill is surrounded by great nightlife and hosts many fun events.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Cal Anderson Park Website
Always expect lots of activity at Cal Anderson Park. It’s right by the Pike/Pine Corridor, so rowdy bars and clubs, packed music venues, and fantastic Seattle restaurants are mere blocks away.
On any visit, you’ll see people testing their skills at the skatepark, playing a game of pick-up basketball, and watching cute ducks in the fountain. At night, you’ll see them stumbling into the park with friends to scarf down a Seattle dog or burger from Dick’s to cap off a night of bar hopping.
I suggest coming during an event. Art markets, the Capitol Hill Farmers Market, and June’s pride celebration are when I’ll make the biggest effort to get here. Cal Anderson is equal parts odd and fun (especially if you love people-watching)… but it’s not everyone’s definition of fun.
What I mean is yes, there is a playground here. But this park is right in the heart of Seattle’s nightlife scene. Parents will probably feel more comfortable taking little ones north to Volunteer Park instead.
👉 Pro Tip: Avoid the park’s bathrooms. Seriously. Really gotta go? Head a block away to Elliott Bay Bookstore and use the bathrooms in the cafe there instead.
Washington Park Arboretum
Meticulously maintained gardens with a variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers make this a serene city retreat.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Washington Park Arboretum Website
The Washington Park Arboretum is an oasis of beauty within city limits. Find it in the Madison Park neighborhood.
Visitors will encounter plants native to the Pacific Northwest alongside ones from Chile, China, and New Zealand. You can take a self-guided tour through the grounds or book a walking or tram tour with an expert.
The Arboretum is huge. You’ll have plenty of nooks and crannies to explore whether you’re going for a nature walk, want a good hike, or romantic stroll.
The Arboretum is free, but the Seattle Japanese Garden on the south side of the Arboretum has an admission fee. Still, it’s worth checking out if you want to get the full experience.
👉 Pro Tip: The best time to visit Seattle for most park exploration is the summertime, but the Arboretum is an excellent choice for year-round visits. The foliage is stunning in the fall, and there’s even a dedicated winter garden with colorful plants that bloom against some of Seattle’s grayest weather.
Gas Works Park
A hilly park on Lake Union with skyline views, kite-flying, and Fourth of July festivities.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Gas Works Park Website
Gas Works Park is on the north side of Lake Union between the Fremont and Wallingford neighborhoods. You’ll have unobstructed views of the rest of the city at Gas Works, making it another popular place to get that coveted skyline shot.
The park’s rolling hills and lack of trees make it a prime place to fly a kite. There’s also plenty of room for picnics and a playground for kids. Bikers will love its proximity to the Burke-Gilman Trail.
Gas Works is a popular destination for big Fourth of July celebrations, but make sure to arrive early and bring something for shade if you’re going — it can get really hot here when the sun’s out.
Do not go swimming or boating in the water at Gas Works Park. The lake sediment contains hazardous chemicals. Gas Works is the site of a former oil plant, after all. The imposing, old steel buildings are still there as a reminder of its past.
Lake Union Park
Lakefront park in the South Lake Union neighborhood where boating, seaplanes, and museums coexist.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Lake Union Park Website
Lake Union Park is a peaceful escape from all the busyness of the South Lake Union neighborhood. It’s one of the top parks in the city because it’s home to The Museum of History and Industry and ample opportunities for water exploration.
The Center of Wooden Boats (one of the best places to go for those doing Seattle on a budget) offers free pea boat rentals. Other fun options for getting on the water? Rent a donut boat or hot tub boat. Or hop aboard the ice cream cruise.
The spray park opens up to keep little ones entertained during warmer months. There are benches, tables, and plenty of places to enjoy lunch, play cards, or watch the seaplanes take off.
One note of warning: watch where you step during spring and summer. The park is also popular with geese… which unfortunately equates to lots of geese droppings.
Carkeek Park
Anorth Seattle park with an apple orchard, salmon viewing area, and a beachfront just past train tracks.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Carkeek Park Website
Carkeek Park has a lot to explore. It’s one of the northernmost parks within Seattle city limits, consisting of forests, meadows, wetlands, a beach, and even an orchard.
Pipers Creek runs through the park and the Pipers Creek Trail will take you past the 100-year-old apple orchard, along a coho salmon viewing area, and to the beach.
To get down to the water from any trail, you’ll have to cross a pedestrian bridge over the railroad (a great spot to snag some cool photos!).
The beach at Carkeek Park is decidedly less busy than the ones at Alki Beach Park or Golden Gardens Beach Park. This makes it a good option for anyone who wants time by the water without having to vy for space.
Freeway Park
Architecturally interesting park in downtown Seattle that hosts community events throughout the summertime.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Freeway Park Website
Freeway Park is on the border of downtown and the First Hill neighborhood. Not only is it a good retreat from the bustle of the city, but it also has a lot of architectural interest.
The park is built over the freeway, and it’s a maze of fountains, waterfalls, and concrete structures intermixed with tall pines and shady, flowering trees. This is another park that’s great in any season. It looks especially pretty under a blanket of snow.
Freeway Park is a treat for downtown workers and anyone who just so happens to stumble through it while wandering the city. Come during the summer to catch a special event. The Freeway Park Association hosts everything from movie showings and Zumba to yoga and live music.
📚 Related Reading: Freeway Park and several parks on this list are incredibly easy to get to if you’re staying downtown. Check out my article on where to stay when visiting Seattlefor more ideas for good spots (don’t worry, each area is close to cool parks!).
Woodland Park Rose Garden
This zoo-adjacent rose garden is the perfect spot for romantic picnics or solo strolls.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Woodland Park Rose Garden Website
The Woodland Park Rose Garden is often overshadowed by its neighbor, the Woodland Park Zoo, but this tiny gem is a destination in itself. Bring a date and visit between May and August for the best chance of seeing the garden at its prettiest.
Wander through paths lined with colorful roses, fragrant lavender, and clusters of dahlias. A fountain teeming with lilies, a charming gazebo, and manicured bushes complete the look. The garden is, in a word, picturesque.
The setting is romantic enough to enjoy with a partner. But I’ve also come solo when I’m craving a peaceful stroll or want to lay out with a book and smell the roses at my own pace.
Keep in mind the garden’s parking lot is the same one used for the zoo. Visit when the zoo is closed to park here fee-free.
Jack Block Park
A tiny and industrial harborside park with some of the best skyline views.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Jack Block Park Website
Not many people know about this park, and that’s one of the reasons I love it.
Upon first glance, Jack Block Park doesn’t look much like a park. But don’t let its industrial surroundings fool you. Cross the train tracks and drive further into its lot, and you’ll realize there’s more than meets the eye here.
Jack Block Park has unobstructed views of the Seattle skyline (and Harbor Island) and a maze-like path that will take you to the viewpoint. Wander past rhododendrons and other flowering trees on the way to the lookout, or head down to the beach instead.
The beach is rocky (classic Washington), but perfect if you love skipping rocks. Search beneath the rocks for tiny crabs or sit on a slab of driftwood and watch for seals and otters. There’s not much else to do here, but it’s the kind of park that’s ideal when you just need a private place to get away at the start or end of the day.
Schmitz Preserve Park
A hidden gem in West Seattle featuring a hike through an old-growth forest.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Schmitz Preserve Park Website
Schmitz Preserve Park is a quiet and secluded West Seattle retreat.
Several trailheads start in residential neighborhoods and wind down into an old-growth forest. The main trail takes you down to Alki Beach, though you can explore several others that branch off from it.
Identify plants, listen for wildlife, and take a moment to relax by the stream that runs through the park. You’ll feel like you’ve traveled to the Olympic Peninsula without leaving the city.
It’s perfectly fine to bring your dog with you through the Preserve, but make sure you also bring some good boots – the path can get quite muddy. There are no restrooms or spots to picnic here, but there are in Alki once you’ve completed your hike.
Pier 62 and Waterfront Park
Resting point along the downtown waterfront with giant outdoor chess and checkers.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Pier 62 Website
Pier 62 is a fun place to stop if you’re exploring the downtown waterfront. This park isn’t a green space, but it’s a nice break from the bustle of the waterfront area and an especially good place to people-watch.
Here, you’ll find many tables for relaxing, eating lunch, or admiring the view across the Sound. There are also games like cornhole, oversized checkers, chess, and connect four to keep you entertained.
This is one of the best parks to enjoy while exploring other Seattle attractions. It’s right next to the Great Wheel, Seattle Aquarium, and close to the Olympic Sculpture Park.
Warren G Magnuson Park
Sand Point’s uncrowded, dog-friendly park with athletic fields, wide-open spaces, and lake swimming .
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Warren G Magnuson Park Website
Warren G Magnuson Park is along the shores of Lake Washington and takes up almost the entirety of the Sand Point neighborhood.
This military-base turned park is the second biggest park in Seattle and it’s great for sporty visitors. There are playfields for soccer, frisbee, baseball, tennis courts, and jogging and biking trails throughout.
Magnuson Park also has a sizable off-leash dog area that makes it an exciting destination for pups. Visit the Magnuson Park Hangar too. Numerous events take place here, most notably the Seattle night markets.
Because it’s removed from the rest of the city, parking is usually easier here than at the parks closer to downtown.
Genesee Park and Playfield
Mellow Columbia City park with an off-leash dog park and plenty of space for kids to play.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Genesee Park and Playfield Website
Genesee Park and Playfield is a laidback park that’s good for children and dogs. It has a wide grassy expanse, a fun playground, and fenced off-leash areas.
This park is close to Lake Washington, so you could easily follow a path to the lake after you’ve picnicked, played soccer, or run along the trails.
Stop here in the summer if you’re around during Seafair. You’ll be able to watch the Blue Angels perform from the comfort of this cozy neighborhood park.
Myrtle Edwards Park
A small park in Belltown for joggers and bikers with pretty views.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Myrtle Edwards Park Website
Myrtle Edwards Park is one of several highlights on the Elliott Bay Trail. Its 1.25-mile-long path makes it great for bikers and walkers alike. Views of the Olympics, Mount Rainier, and Puget Sound add to its charm.
A small, sandy area makes Myrtle Edwards a good place to dip your toes in the water on warm days. You’ll find people lounging around on driftwood, in the grass, or on rocks when the sun’s out.
It’s better to get here by bus or foot like many of the parks in the downtown area. And because of its proximity to the Olympic Sculpture Park, visitors can easily hit up both parks in one day.
Waterfall Garden Park
This secluded Pioneer Square park brings calm to hectic city living.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Waterfall Garden Park Website
Waterfall Park is a public space in Pioneer Square that provides respite from an otherwise rowdy neighborhood. This hidden gem is one of Seattle’s smaller and more unique parks. It also marks the birthplace of the UPS.
The park has a man-made 22-foot waterfall, a calming backdrop for people taking a break to read, eat lunch, or catch up with friends. Pretty potted flowers and trees add to the relaxing atmosphere.
Oxbow Park
Quirky, tiny park in Georgetown with a notable art installation.
📍 Google Maps | 🌳 Oxbow Park Website
You can’t miss Oxbow Park. Despite its small size, it’s got a feature that makes it stand out: the giant hat and pair of boots that earned it the nickname “Hat and Boots Park”.
The hat and boots were originally designed to draw customers to a gas station in the 50s. Now, this Seattle landmark is in a small park in the middle of Georgetown. It’s an eclectic homage to the neighborhood’s history.
This quirky bit of outdoor art is the park’s big draw though it also has a playground and community P-Patch. The park is in a residential neighborhood, so you’ll need to find street parking.
After visiting the park and snapping a photo with the hat and boots, take a short walk to the main Georgetown strip of restaurants, bars, and cafes.
📚 Related Reading: Want to get out on a hike after all your park adventures? Check out my article on the best hikes near Seattle to help you decide where to go on an outdoorsy day trip from the city!
FAQs
What is the largest park in Seattle?
Discovery Park is the largest park in Seattle at 534 acres. The park encompasses forests, meadows, beaches, and bluffs.
How many Seattle parks are there?
There are over 485 Seattle parks. These range from small playgrounds to vast, 100+ acre green spaces for hiking.
For more, see my list of fun Seattle facts.
Is alcohol allowed in Seattle parks?
According to Seattle Parks and Recreation, alcohol is not allowed in the parks.
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Seattle’s parks are some of the best places to explore on a trip here. Which parks piqued your interest the most? Let me know in the comments.
And I suggest visiting Bellevue or Tacoma‘s many green spaces next if you’re searching for even more excellent PNW parks. Happy exploring!
