Tourists and out-of-towners need a quickie map overview of Seattle Parks by the water. Here are the approximate locations, by neighborhood, of Myrtle Edwards, Alki Beach, Gas Works Park, Magnuson Park, and Green Lake. Seattle has tons of waterfront parks, but these are easy to find and worth the effort.
Myrtle Edwards Park – Seattle Tourists without a Car
Myrtle Edwards Park is a short walk from the Seattle Center and the Pike Place Market. For downtown tourists, without a car, this is their best bet. Hempfest weekend (much like an Amsterdam coffee shop) will make it a little more Haight-Ashbury, so ask granny if she remembers the 60’s. If she doesn’t, or if she smiles, it’s cool. (Third Weekend – August)
Alki – Best Sandy Beach is in West Seattle
Alki Beach has saltwater and sand but only tourists from the North Pole are crazy enough to go into these frigid waters. Even Alaskans’ legs will go numb before they get waist deep. This place is gorgeous on a sunny day, with zen-like views for photo meditations, ferries and sailboats sweeping Puget Sound, and the Olympics hazy in the distance. Whew. Summer doesn’t get better than this.
Magnuson Park – Seattle Dog Park and Lake Washington Beach
This is a fab off-leash dog park. But, it’s also a really great place for dogless kids and adults. The park is close to some pretty ritzy hoods, like Windermere and Laurelhurst. While walking along the shores of Lake Washington, Seattle Grunge fans can see the wind-pipe metal tube sculptures that whistle and moan, which were the inspiration for the name Soundgarden. Thank god this spot never became an airport again. Soundgarden might have been called Airport Noise, though that might be a great name for some other bands.
Gas Works Park – North Lake Union
Do not visit this park without a camera. It has one of the best views of Seattle’s skyline. This is a cool place to hangout and watch the Kenmore Seaplanes take off for the San Juans. Gas Works Park was an old gas “factory” and still has rusted hulks, some of which the kiddies are not supposed to climb around on, but do anyway. It's the best kite flying spot in town, which sounds retarded, but is actually a blast. Gas Works becomes a giant mosh pit on July 4th when the fireworks explode over Lake Union.
Green Lake – Cool Seattle Groove
Green Lake has a paved path around it and this is a great place to walk for exercise because once one is half-way around the lake, there is no way to wimp out. This park is more Seattle than the Pike Place Market and is a great representation of the heart and soul of the city. Green Lake is a fabulous cross section of meditating hippies, jock joggers, moms with strollers, flatland bikers, and people just out to escape workday worries.
There are other good waterfront parks, like cool little Madison Park, huge and wild Discovery Park, and Seafair partying Seward Park. However, tourists and Seattle Newbies will love close in Myrtle Edwards, hip Alki Beach, Soundgarden's Magnuson Park, high flying Gas Works Park, and iconic Green Lake. Click on the little map below to get an overview of where these parks are. Make it bigger with Ctrl and + keys. (The yellow square with red squiggle is the Space Needle / Seattle Center. The dark area with lots of streets is Downtown Seattle.)
Author Twinkle Brar
Myrtle Edwards Park – Seattle Tourists without a Car
Myrtle Edwards Park is a short walk from the Seattle Center and the Pike Place Market. For downtown tourists, without a car, this is their best bet. Hempfest weekend (much like an Amsterdam coffee shop) will make it a little more Haight-Ashbury, so ask granny if she remembers the 60’s. If she doesn’t, or if she smiles, it’s cool. (Third Weekend – August)
- Downtown / Belltown
- Walk to Downtown Seattle Waterfront and turn right (North)
- Photographers: see views of city and the Olympics (mountains)
- Benches for picnicking
- Near the wacky but cool sculpture park
- Paved trail is good for strolling or jogging
Alki – Best Sandy Beach is in West Seattle
Alki Beach has saltwater and sand but only tourists from the North Pole are crazy enough to go into these frigid waters. Even Alaskans’ legs will go numb before they get waist deep. This place is gorgeous on a sunny day, with zen-like views for photo meditations, ferries and sailboats sweeping Puget Sound, and the Olympics hazy in the distance. Whew. Summer doesn’t get better than this.
- West Seattle
- Joggers, rollerbladers, volley ball players, bicyclists
- Different feel, but still beautiful, on gray days
Magnuson Park – Seattle Dog Park and Lake Washington Beach
This is a fab off-leash dog park. But, it’s also a really great place for dogless kids and adults. The park is close to some pretty ritzy hoods, like Windermere and Laurelhurst. While walking along the shores of Lake Washington, Seattle Grunge fans can see the wind-pipe metal tube sculptures that whistle and moan, which were the inspiration for the name Soundgarden. Thank god this spot never became an airport again. Soundgarden might have been called Airport Noise, though that might be a great name for some other bands.
- Sand Point Neighborhood, out past UW and Laurelhurst
- Cool Wind Sculptures
- Pick up something at U Village for a picnic
- Dog or Dog-free swimming areas in Lake Washington (water’s warm in August)
Gas Works Park – North Lake Union
Do not visit this park without a camera. It has one of the best views of Seattle’s skyline. This is a cool place to hangout and watch the Kenmore Seaplanes take off for the San Juans. Gas Works Park was an old gas “factory” and still has rusted hulks, some of which the kiddies are not supposed to climb around on, but do anyway. It's the best kite flying spot in town, which sounds retarded, but is actually a blast. Gas Works becomes a giant mosh pit on July 4th when the fireworks explode over Lake Union.
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- Fremont / Wallingford / North Lake Union
- Burke-Gilman Bike Trail goes by Gas Works
- Eat at Ivar’s Salmon House for cheap food
- Nearby: Gasworks Park Kite Shop
Green Lake – Cool Seattle Groove
Green Lake has a paved path around it and this is a great place to walk for exercise because once one is half-way around the lake, there is no way to wimp out. This park is more Seattle than the Pike Place Market and is a great representation of the heart and soul of the city. Green Lake is a fabulous cross section of meditating hippies, jock joggers, moms with strollers, flatland bikers, and people just out to escape workday worries.
- North Seattle
- Watch out for Lance Armstrong wannabees (cyclists)
- Top notch people watching
- Good exercise for lazy Boomers
- The quintessential Seattle Experience
There are other good waterfront parks, like cool little Madison Park, huge and wild Discovery Park, and Seafair partying Seward Park. However, tourists and Seattle Newbies will love close in Myrtle Edwards, hip Alki Beach, Soundgarden's Magnuson Park, high flying Gas Works Park, and iconic Green Lake. Click on the little map below to get an overview of where these parks are. Make it bigger with Ctrl and + keys. (The yellow square with red squiggle is the Space Needle / Seattle Center. The dark area with lots of streets is Downtown Seattle.)
Author Twinkle Brar
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