Savvy mother and father perceive that preserving youngsters 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 residence brimming with joyful reminiscences.
Every play space provides one thing particular, whether or not it’s a must-try espresso store, an inclusive area for youths with disabilities or shut proximity to different Seattle bucket checklist sights.
You may entry every of the featured playgrounds in about Half-hour or much less utilizing one type of public transit from Westlake Middle. Verify your maps app for the most effective 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
Neighborhood: Queen Anne at Seattle Middle
Time from West Lake Middle: About 7 minutes through the Seattle Middle Monorail
What you’ll love: Adventurous youngsters 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 simple to spend a full day on the Seattle Middle campus. Ascend the long-lasting Area Needle for 360-degree views, let little ones discover the Seattle Youngsters’s Museum or immerse your self in STEM studying on the Pacific Science Middle earlier than heading for lunch on the Armory. Don’t neglect to test the Occasions Calendar—there are multicultural festivals, theater performances, and sporting occasions nearly each weekend!
Bayview-Kinnear Park
Neighborhood: Queen Anne
Time from West Lake Middle: 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 youngsters may care much less about all that. You’ll win time to snap these Instagrammable photographs when you 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 understood 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 Middle: About 15-20 minutes with a number of bus choices, or take the South Lake Union Streetcar
What you’ll love: This park has a bit of one thing for everybody together with a tot construction, a sand pit with digging gear, an obstacle-course-filled climber for older youngsters, a big discipline, and basketball hoops. With fencing surrounding a lot of the area, you possibly can calm down a bit whereas youngsters 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 & Trade (MOHAI) and The Middle for Picket Boats. Watch seaplanes take off from Lake Union or catch a ship tour (Ice Cream Cruise, anybody?) to make your day full.
Jefferson Park Playground
Neighborhood: Beacon Hill
Time from West Lake Middle: 25-Half-hour. Take the #36 bus for essentially the most direct route or hop on the sunshine rail 1 Line and stroll from Beacon Hill Station (an excellent 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 a bit of additional motion.
What to do close by: The stretch of Beacon Ave S close to Beacon Hill station is chock stuffed with tasty treats. Sip a creamy latte from The Station on a morning go to. For lunch, take pleasure in CheBogz Filipino specialties like adobo, sisig, and crispy lumpia earlier than satisfying your soft-serve ice cream cravings at Milk Drunk.
Othello Playground
Neighborhood: Othello
Time from West Lake Middle: 25-Half-hour on the sunshine rail 1 Line
What you’ll love: Huge youngsters love the difficult obstacle-course-style climber and “elevator” gear at this South Seattle playground. Clear sightlines additionally enable mother and father to keep watch over siblings on the close by tot construction, zip line or sand pit. If in case 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 Crimson provides vegan espresso, pastries and breakfast objects on its heated outside patio, or get your Southwestern brunch or dinner repair at Bang Bang Kitchen.
Seattle Youngsters’s PlayGarden
Neighborhood: Central District
Time from West Lake Middle: Half-hour on the #7 bus route
What you’ll love: One of many first inclusive play areas in Seattle, this fully fenced area encompasses 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: Study in regards to the wealthy contributions of Black Pacific Northwesterners on the Northwest African American Museum only a block away. In case you’re up for an extended stroll, cruise by the sculpture honoring musical legend Jimi Hendrix in your strategy to one other nice playground at Sam Smith Park.
Volunteer Park
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Time from West Lake Middle: 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 outstanding spot to spend a summer season afternoon. Convey just a few toys for the sand pit and let youngsters roam free on climbers. Resident squirrels know that busy toddlers typically drop snacks, so hold meals nicely secured in backpacks or strollers.
What to do close by: You could possibly spend an entire day on this park! Decide 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 throughout the summer season months.
Washington Park Playfield
Neighborhood: Madison Valley
Time from West Lake Middle: About 25 minutes on the #11 bus route
What you’ll love: The Seattle Japanese Backyard and Washington Park Arboretum supply gorgeous floral shows that can attraction 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 just a few blocks to Cafe Flora, a vegetarian paradise that’s surprisingly kid-friendly.
Yesler Terrace Park
Neighborhood: Yesler Terrace/First Hill
Time from West Lake Middle: 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. Convey or borrow some cardboard for the most effective journey down the turf. Clear days characteristic views of Mount Rainier, and a seasonal splash park retains youngsters cool in the summertime.
What to do close by: You may’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 when you meander via Kobe Terrace and Danny Woo Neighborhood Backyard (cease to feed the chickens some dandelion leaves!).
West Woodland Park Playground
Neighborhood: Phinney Ridge
Time from West Lake Middle: 20 minutes on the #5 bus route
What you’ll love: Alongside conventional climbing constructions for toddlers and massive youngsters, this playground provides particular options like a hilly labyrinth, a big sand pit, and tremendous excessive swinging motion on the longer-than-usual chains. A big grassy discipline and spring cherry blossoms make a picnic on the park additional interesting.
What to do close by: This playground is positioned adjoining to the Woodland Park Zoo, so it’s an excellent spot to hang around when you arrive early (with espresso and a pastry from Contemporary Flours Bakery) or want a spot to relax after a busy day. Filling up after a day on the park is as simple 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 steadily 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 present anticipated in 2025. This marine-themed play area will characteristic an 18-foot jellyfish climbing construction and slide that’s certain to essentially reel households in.
Further Sources
As alternate options to your maps app, try these transit web sites for route-planning steerage and repair updates.
Sound Transit (Hyperlink gentle rail, Sounder Practice and Specific Bus providers)
King Nation Metro (Bus and Water Taxi providers)