Guide to the 5 Best Parks in Seattle

2. Kerry Park

Photo: Sengquan Deng/Shutterstock

It seems like every postcard of Seattle’s Space Needle is photographed from Kerry Park, atop posh Queen Anne Hill north of Downtown.

Maybe it’s a little clichéd, then, to send you here, but I don’t care; Kerry Park is easily my favorite spot in Seattle. On a clear night at sunset, Mount Rainier turns pink and purple behind a brightly lit Needle.

Getting there: This area gets pretty crowded on nights when views are best, so while you can park your car with some effort in the neighborhood (drive up the ridiculously steep Queen Anne Ave. N from Downtown and take a left on Highland Drive) it’s also convenient to grab a bus (the numbers 2 and 13 pass Highland on Queen Anne).

3. Golden Gardens

Photo: Ritu Manoj Jethani/Shutterstock

It’s hard to choose between Kerry Park and Golden Gardens at sunset. From this beach’s vantage point northwest of Downtown, there’s a view of the Olympic Mountains silhouetted by the setting sun.

It’s often impossible to park here on summer evenings, but if you go out early you’ll probably get a spot, and maybe even a fire pit. There are also public bathrooms here, but they tend to get a little gross with all the sandy, wet feet that traipse through.

Getting there: My favorite way to get to Golden Gardens is by bicycle. If you rent from Recycled Cycles (above), you can follow the flat, scenic Burke-Gillman Trail all the way to the park.

4. Gas Works Park

Photo: Laura Waid/Shutterstock

Gas Works’ big hill is popular with kite fliers and is also home to a weird landmark: a former gas plant now partially turned into a picnic area and children’s play barn.

The park sits on a thumb of a peninsula on Lake Union north of Downtown, which makes it my favorite place to watch a regatta — and enjoy yet another awesome view of the skyline.

There’s usually some bizarre group activity taking place here too, like costumed sword fights or unsanctioned public art.

Getting there: Gas Works has a fairly large parking lot, but it’s also easy to bike to because it’s right on the Burke-Gillman.

5. Alki Beach Park

Photo: GeorgeColePhoto/Shutterstock

The strip of beach separating the high-rise condos and charming bungalows from the water in West Seattle is often compared to a California beach town. This is only true, of course, if it’s not raining. But when the sun is shining, the beach is full of volleyball players and kids eating ice cream.

My favorite way to spend a day on Alki is to cycle the long bike path from the ferry landing to the Alki Point Lighthouse, enjoying the salty breeze, views of the islands, and the city’s skyline.

There is a long strip of restaurants (lots of fish and chips, coffee, and ice cream) facing the water, so don’t worry about bringing a picnic.

Getting there: It’s also hard to park at Alki, especially on summer weekends. There are absolutely no spaces available unless you’re a resident with a driveway.

During the summer, though, the city operates a Water Taxi from Downtown to West Seattle, which allows cyclists to bring their bikes on board. And hey, you get to throw in a boat ride to your day at the park.

For more route ideas, download a Seattle bike map.

Community Connection

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