The first thing you will notice as you fly into Seattle is the abundance of blue water and green trees. Two great National Parks and several National Forests are within a few hours of Seattle, but there is no shortage of natural beauty in the city, which can be enjoyed without renting a car! With hundreds of parks showcasing Puget Sound and dozens of lakes and waterways, it’s easy to find great places to walk, bike, or picnic and take in fantastic natural and urban views.
With some planning to avoid monster hills, bicycling is an exciting way to see the city and get around to some of Seattle’s best parks. Seattle is home to Pronto cycle sharing service, where anyone can rent a green bike from kiosks located conveniently all over town. Rentals are $8 for 24 hours, or $16 for a 3-day pass; helmets are required by law for cyclists in Seattle and can be rented for $2 – protect your money-maker! This video explains the Pronto kiosks, and this awesome interactive bike map highlights common bike routes for riders of all levels.
If you do get a bike (or brought running shoes), be sure to check out the Cheshiahud Loop Trail. This mostly flat 6.2-mile loop circling Lake Union connects several lakefront parks featuring the city’s cultural, maritime, and industrial heritage. Experience some of Seattle’s unique neighborhoods and the historic drawbridges that help connect them.
South Lake Union Park and the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI).
Bicycle or not, South Lake Union Park is a gem located just a 20-minute walk from the Convention Center or 15-minute ride on the Seattle SLU Trolley. Here you will find the MOHAI Museum, Center for Wooden Boats, and a beautiful waterfront for picnicking, dipping your toes in the water, and watching sailboats and seaplanes.
View from Gasworks Park looking south across Lake Union.
Gasworks Park, located on the north side of Lake Union, is perhaps Seattle’s strangest park and is also accessible via the Cheshiahud Loop Trail. Built upon the remnants of a former coal gasification plant, several pieces of old ruins have been preserved in homage to Seattle’s more industrial days. The park has a sweeping view overlooking Lake Union towards downtown Seattle, picnic and play areas, and a giant kite-flying hill.
Section of the path around Green Lake overlooking the soccer field and pool house.
Just north of Downtown, Green Lake Park speaks of Seattle’s active lifestyles, drawing thousands of people each day to its athletic fields (hosting daily pick-up soccer and basketball), indoor pool, swimming and play areas, wildlife, paddleboat rentals, and even fishing spots. A flat 2.8-mile path circles the lake for walking, running, skating, bicycling, etc. and offers prime people- and dog-watching. Located in the dense Green Lake neighborhood, the park is also close to several restaurants, markets, and bars for before or after your visit. Several buses serve Green Lake from Downtown Seattle.
Olympic Sculpture Park overlooking Downtown (left) and the Seattle Aquarium (right).
The Olympic Sculpture Park is a free waterfront sculpture garden operated by the Seattle Art Museum; it leads into the southern end of another park, Myrtle Edwards Park. Combined, the parks feature winding bike and pedestrian paths along Elliott Bay, fantastic views of the Olympic Mountains, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and of course the sculpture park’s monumental works of art.
Here are a few more of Seattle’s finest outdoor offerings:
Freeway Park – Small park one block from the Convention Center with a fountain, Downtown views, and a lawn
Cal Anderson Park – Grassy urban park less than 10 minutes from the Convention Center with athletic fields
Seattle Japanese Gardens – located within the Washington Park Arboretum ($4-6 admission)
Seattle Center International Fountain – water shows coordinated to music surrounded by benches and lawn
Kerry Park (Franklin Place) – small Queen Anne park featuring iconic views of the Space Needle and Downtown
Golden Gardens Park – sandy beachfront Northwest Seattle park with fire pits
Alki Beach Park – sandy beachfront West Seattle park with fire pits
Carkeek Park – Large North Seattle park with nice urban hiking trails that end on a beach