Savvy dad and mom perceive that preserving children entertained throughout a jam-packed day of sightseeing requires some creativity. One tried-and-true trick? Sneaking in a playground pit cease to unleash youthful power whereas caregivers seize a well-deserved break. Whether or not you’re visiting Seattle or an area seizing the day within the metropolis, stash this checklist of 10 playgrounds close to downtown in your again pocket to make sure your loved ones returns house brimming with joyful recollections.
Every play space gives one thing particular, whether or not it’s a must-try espresso store, an inclusive house for youths with disabilities or shut proximity to different Seattle bucket checklist sights.
You’ll be able to entry every of the featured playgrounds in about Half-hour or much less utilizing one type of public transit from Westlake Heart. Examine your maps app for the perfect route throughout your go to and use an app like OneBusAway for real-time bus and Hyperlink gentle rail arrival estimates.
Need to see the place these playgrounds are? Try the map under.
Artists at Play Playground Natasha Dillinger
Artists at Play Playground
Neighborhood: Queen Anne at Seattle Heart
Time from West Lake Heart: About 7 minutes by way of the Seattle Heart Monorail
What you’ll love: Adventurous children can’t get sufficient of this playground’s sky-high climber whereas youthful siblings experiment with the enjoyable musical options scattered all through the park. Accessible swings, a merry-go-round, and turf surfacing additionally make this an area for youths of all talents.
What to do close by: It’s straightforward to spend a full day on the Seattle Heart campus. Ascend the long-lasting Area Needle for 360-degree views, let little ones discover the Seattle Kids’s Museum or immerse your self in STEM studying on the Pacific Science Heart earlier than heading for lunch on the Armory. Don’t overlook to examine the Occasions Calendar—there are multicultural festivals, theater performances, and sporting occasions virtually each weekend!
Bayview-Kinnear Park
Neighborhood: Queen Anne
Time from West Lake Heart: About 20-25 minutes with a number of bus choices
What you’ll love: Neighboring Kerry Park is a basic spot to seize panoramic views of the downtown Seattle skyline, however most children might care much less about all that. You’ll win time to snap these Instagrammable photographs for those who promise to skip down the steps to this small playground afterwards. The slide embedded within the hill is a big crowd pleaser!
What to do close by: Queen Anne is thought for its hilly terrain—stroll 10 minutes to Molly Moon’s Ice Cream or Caffe Fiore and also you’ll have earned a post-playground deal with.
Cascade Playground
Neighborhood: South Lake Union
Time from West Lake Heart: About 15-20 minutes with a number of bus choices, or take the South Lake Union Streetcar
What you’ll love: This park has somewhat one thing for everybody together with a tot construction, a sand pit with digging gear, an obstacle-course-filled climber for older children, a big area, and basketball hoops. With fencing surrounding a lot of the house, you may loosen up a bit whereas children play.
What to do close by: Cafe Hagen’s plant-filled oasis is true throughout the road, serving Scandinavian pastries and occasional with a cute outside seating space. You’ll even be inside strolling distance of the flagship REI retailer and a 10-minute jaunt to the Museum of Historical past & Business (MOHAI) and The Heart for Wood Boats. Watch seaplanes take off from Lake Union or catch a ship tour (Ice Cream Cruise, anybody?) to make your day full.
Jefferson Park Natasha Dillinger
Jefferson Park Playground
Neighborhood: Beacon Hill
Time from West Lake Heart: 25-Half-hour. Take the #36 bus for probably the most direct route or hop on the sunshine rail 1 Line and stroll from Beacon Hill Station (an awesome space to seize lunch or espresso earlier than your go to)
What you’ll love: You’ll discover a conventional playground at this sprawling park advanced, however wait, there’s extra! Head across the nook to slide down slides embedded within the hill or cool off within the seasonal splash park. Picnic shelters supply summer season shade, and a strolling path makes an ideal spot to walk or scoot for somewhat additional motion.
What to do close by: The stretch of Beacon Ave S close to Beacon Hill station is chock filled with tasty treats. Sip a creamy latte from The Station on a morning go to. For lunch, get pleasure from CheBogz Filipino specialties like adobo, sisig, and crispy lumpia earlier than satisfying your soft-serve ice cream cravings at Milk Drunk.
Othello Playground Natasha Dillinger
Othello Playground
Neighborhood: Othello
Time from West Lake Heart: 25-Half-hour on the sunshine rail 1 Line
What you’ll love: Massive children love the difficult obstacle-course-style climber and “elevator” gear at this South Seattle playground. Clear sightlines additionally enable dad and mom to regulate siblings on the close by tot construction, zip line or sand pit. When you have a necessity for velocity, don’t miss the steep slide set within the hill throughout the park!
What to do close by: Cafe Purple gives vegan espresso, pastries and breakfast objects on its heated outside patio, or get your Southwestern brunch or dinner repair at Bang Bang Kitchen.
Seattle Kids’s PlayGarden Natasha Dillinger
Seattle Kids’s PlayGarden
Neighborhood: Central District
Time from West Lake Heart: Half-hour on the #7 bus route
What you’ll love: One of many first inclusive play areas in Seattle, this fully fenced house incorporates a basket swing, accessible surfacing, and musical parts that welcome playground-lovers of all talents. Households can go to exterior of preschool hours (after 3 p.m. Monday via Friday and on weekends).
What to do close by: Be taught in regards to the wealthy contributions of Black Pacific Northwesterners on the Northwest African American Museum only a block away. For those who’re up for an extended stroll, cruise by the sculpture honoring musical legend Jimi Hendrix in your method to one other nice playground at Sam Smith Park.
Volunteer Park
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Time from West Lake Heart: 20-25 minutes on the #10 bus route
What you’ll love: Shade from tall bushes and an adjoining wading pool make this playground an excellent spot to spend a summer season afternoon. Deliver a number of toys for the sand pit and let children roam free on climbers. Resident squirrels know that busy toddlers usually drop snacks, so maintain meals nicely secured in backpacks or strollers.
What to do close by: You may spend a complete day on this park! Choose up espresso and a pastry at Volunteer Park Cafe & Pantry to begin your day. Cease within the Seattle Asian Artwork Museum or Volunteer Park Conservatory (each supply free admission on the primary Thursday of the month) and catch free concert events through the summer season months.
Washington Park Playfield
Neighborhood: Madison Valley
Time from West Lake Heart: About 25 minutes on the #11 bus route
What you’ll love: The Seattle Japanese Backyard and Washington Park Arboretum supply beautiful floral shows that may enchantment to adults, however the climbers and swings at this park make for an ideal play break when youthful consideration spans begin to wane. Professional tip: convey your miniature vehicles for the key racetrack on the tot construction.
What to do close by: Seize a espresso and pastry at Belle Epicurean simply up the hill or stroll a number of blocks to Cafe Flora, a vegetarian paradise that’s surprisingly kid-friendly.
Yesler Terrace Park Natasha Dillinger
Yesler Terrace Park
Neighborhood: Yesler Terrace/First Hill
Time from West Lake Heart: 15-20 minutes with a number of bus choices
What you’ll love: Yesler Terrace Park takes full benefit of its hillside location with a curler slide and a number of climbing challenges. Deliver or borrow some cardboard for the perfect journey down the turf. Clear days characteristic views of Mount Rainier, and a seasonal splash park retains children cool in the summertime.
What to do close by: You’ll be able to’t go to this park with out crossing the road for a heat welcome and caffeine repair at Tougo Espresso. It’s additionally a brief stroll to the scrumptious meals and tradition of the Chinatown-Worldwide District for those who meander via Kobe Terrace and Danny Woo Group Backyard (cease to feed the chickens some dandelion leaves!).
West Woodland Park Playground
Neighborhood: Phinney Ridge
Time from West Lake Heart: 20 minutes on the #5 bus route
What you’ll love: Alongside conventional climbing buildings for toddlers and massive children, this playground gives particular options like a hilly labyrinth, a big sand pit, and tremendous excessive swinging motion on the longer-than-usual chains. A big grassy area and spring cherry blossoms make a picnic on the park additional interesting.
What to do close by: This playground is situated adjoining to the Woodland Park Zoo, so it’s an awesome spot to hang around for those who arrive early (with espresso and a pastry from Recent Flours Bakery) or want a spot to sit back after a busy day. Filling up after a day on the park is as straightforward as pie—select from Windy Metropolis’s deep dish pizza or A La Mode’s candy pie fillings.
Bonus Stops
Pocket Parks – when your mini adventurers simply want a fast downtown spot to stretch their legs, head over to Westlake Park or Pioneer Sq.’s Occidental Park. Each supply climbing gear and transportable video games and often host pop-up particular occasions on weekends. Households who discover themselves close to Amazon’s Seattle Spheres will respect the newly accomplished City Triangle Park.
Park to observe – we’re eagerly awaiting the brand new playground at Pier 58 alongside Seattle’s Waterfront, with completion at the moment anticipated in 2025. This marine-themed play house will characteristic an 18-foot jellyfish climbing construction and slide that’s positive to essentially reel households in.
Further Assets
As alternate options to your maps app, take a look at these transit web sites for route-planning steering and repair updates.
Sound Transit (Hyperlink gentle rail, Sounder Practice and Specific Bus companies)
King Nation Metro (Bus and Water Taxi companies)
