Where is Madison Park in Seattle?

Madison Park is in eastern Seattle on the western shore of Lake Washington. It is bordered by Union Bay to the north, Lake Washington Boulevard E. to the west and East Prospect Street to the south, where Denny-Blaine begins.

Is there a beach in Madison Park?

Yes. Madison Park, the 8.3 acre city park the neighborhood is named for, has a swimming beach and dock on Lake Washington, plus a playground, playfield and tennis courts.

Is the Washington Park Arboretum in Madison Park?

Yes. Washington Park falls within the neighborhood, and the arboretum is a city-owned landscape run mainly by the University of Washington, known for Azalea Way and the Seattle Japanese Garden.

Who founded Madison Park?

Judge John J. McGilvra developed the area in the 1860s, built his family home there and donated 24 acres for a public park.

Madison Park Seattle: Lakeside Beach, Arboretum and History

A swimming dock reaches out into Lake Washington at the foot of Madison Street, where a city park meets the water on the eastern edge of town. That lakefront anchors Madison Park, Seattle's mostly residential neighborhood of single-family homes on the lake's western shore, with a small business district clustered by its namesake park. Come for the beach and dock, the nearby Washington Park Arboretum, and a long history as a summer escape for Seattleites.

Finding Your Way Around Madison Park

The neighborhood takes its name from the city park at the foot of Madison Street, right on the lake. Lake Washington runs along its eastern edge and Union Bay curves around the north. Lake Washington Boulevard E. traces the western line, while East Prospect Street marks the southern boundary with Denny-Blaine.

Two roads carry you through most of it. Follow E. Madison Street on its diagonal down toward the water, or take McGilvra Boulevard E. to travel north and south. Washington Park and the private Broadmoor community, with its golf course, both sit inside the neighborhood's borders.

Read the full Madison Park guide

Swim, Play and Relax at the Lakefront Park

Head straight for Madison Park's beach, dock and playfield, the 8.3 acre city park on Lake Washington that serves as the heart of the neighborhood. It divides neatly in two, with the swimming beach and dock on one side and a playground, a playfield and tennis courts on the other.

That layout suits a group with different plans. Let the swimmers make for the water while the kids burn off energy on the playground and a pair of players claims a tennis court. Summer is when the park feels busiest, since locals still treat it as their warm-weather gathering spot.

Before You Go

Check with Seattle Parks and Recreation for current beach and facility details before you set out, since seasonal schedules can change from year to year.

Wander the Washington Park Arboretum

Spend a few hours in the Washington Park Arboretum, a city-owned garden landscape managed mainly by the University of Washington. Stroll Azalea Way and visit the Seattle Japanese Garden, the two features it is best known for. The grounds also carry a long and layered history, so anyone who likes to read a landscape while walking it will find plenty to take in.

Pair the arboretum with the lakefront park for a full day. Spend the morning on the trails, then drift down toward the water for the afternoon.

The Story Behind Madison Park

The neighborhood's development began in the 1860s, when Judge John J. McGilvra settled his family at the end of Madison Street. He gave 24 acres to be used as a public park, setting the tone for the lakeside character Madison Park still has, and you will see his name today on McGilvra Boulevard E. and McGilvra Elementary School.

In 1890 the city's first ballpark went up along Madison Street. By the early 1900s, cable cars and ferries to the Eastside had turned Madison Park into a favorite summer getaway for people from all over Seattle.

Historic Buildings to Look For

Pioneer Hall, also called Washington Pioneer Hall, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lake Court Apartments on 43rd Avenue E is an official City of Seattle landmark, a short walk from the lakeside parks.

Keep an eye out for other names around the neighborhood as well, including the Samuel Hyde House, Hyde Place and Lambert Place.

Planning Your Day in Madison Park

Madison Park rewards a slow pace, so take your time. Begin at the arboretum, wander toward the small business district near the park, and finish at the beach as the light drops over the lake. Before heading out, check the official sources for hours and current details on any park or garden.