The Best Parks in Seattle Washington

Three Must Visit Parks in Seattle

 One of the truly amazing things about the city of Seattle is the sheer beauty of its parks. Not only are they beautiful, but they can give you the sense that you are in a dense forest, or a quiet beach, even when you are right in the middle of the city!

 

Here I have compiled five parks that I would consider to be “must visit” locations whether you are visiting, or just looking to get out and about and explore the city! So, without any more build up, here is the list of my top three must visit parks in Seattle:

 

#1) Golden Gardens: Arriving at Golden Gardens on a beautiful summer day, you will quickly notice that it is one of the most popular parks in the city. Beautiful sandy beaches, a rarity in Seattle, span the shoreline. You’ll also see a large number of boats going in and out of Shilshole Marina, which is right on the south end of the park. Views of the Olympic mountains, shipping lanes and Bainbridge Island can all be seen as you gaze west on Puget Sound. Part of the charm of Golden Gardens is that you can get from the beach to the forest in just a matter of steps (literally). Although it is a steep climb from the beach to hiking trails above, it is well worth it. A number of trails crisscross the area up on the bluff overlooking the beach.

 

# 2) Lincoln Park: This one is similar to Golden Gardens in some ways, but it’s on a much larger scale. Located further south, in West Seattle, there are miles of walking trails which lead from the beach up to the bluff and through the forest. There’s even a seasonal swimming pool overlooking Puget Sound! If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to hear, and see, Bald Eagles perched on the trees. As an added bonus, there is a ferry terminal right on the south end of the park. So, not only can you enjoy a walk along the beach, you can enjoy watching the ferries come in and out, which makes for a distinctly ‘Seattle’ experience.

 

#3) Gas Works Park: This is a very unique park in Seattle. Not only do you get fantastic views of the Seattle skyline and Lake Union, but you also get some beautiful grassy hills to climb and enjoy. This is one of the most popular picnic spots in the city, and it’s easy to see why! Toss a blanket down on the excellently manicured grass and enjoy lunch. You will likely see a number of Sea Planes taking off from Lake Union and flying right over your head on their way to their destinations. In the unlikely event that you grow tired of the beautiful Seattle skyline, you can explore some of the abandoned buildings that were once part of a gasification plant run by the Seattle Gas Light Company.

 

So, there you have it! I must admit, it was seriously difficult to get this list down to only three parks. Seattle is home to literally dozens and dozens of spectacular parks. Whether you are looking for a spectacular view of the Seattle skyline, or you want to walk along the beach, Seattle has you covered! Come to the city of Seattle and visit one of these parks, and you will have a hard time not falling in love with the city, the beaches and the dense green forests that dominate every area that has not been developed!