Getting Around
One road rings the whole lake, though it keeps changing names as you travel. Depending on the stretch, you will see East Green Lake Way N, East Green Lake Drive N, West Green Lake Drive N or West Green Lake Way N, so keep that in mind when you look up an address.
Other handy routes include N 65th, N 71st and N 80th Streets, along with NE Ravenna Boulevard heading southeast. Quick connections to Interstate 5 and Aurora make this an easy trip from Downtown.
Spend a Day at Green Lake Park
The park is the star here, and it suits you whether you want to work up a sweat or simply settle onto a bench by the water. For trail details and amenities, browse our full Green Lake Park guide.
Walk or Run the 2.8-Mile Loop
Lace up for a path that is long enough for a real workout yet flat and friendly enough for a gentle stroll. You will be sharing it with joggers, bikes and skaters, so stay alert and keep to your side. One full lap rewards you with views of the entire shoreline.
Get Out on the Water
Head to the Green Lake Small Craft Center, run by Seattle Parks and Recreation right on the lake. It is home to Green Lake Crew, a public rowing program, as well as the Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club, which makes it the place to start if you are curious about rowing or paddling.
Swimming is another reason people come to the park. Water conditions and lifeguard schedules can change, so check with Seattle Parks and Recreation before you plan a dip.
Play Ball or Spread a Picnic
Athletic fields give teams and pickup games plenty of room to play. Grab a blanket and claim a grassy spot near the shore for a picnic, especially on a clear afternoon.
Landmarks to Add to Your Visit
Green Lake Library
On the east side of the lake, along E Green Lake Way N, you will find a Carnegie library that opened its doors in 1910. Built for $35,000 and covering about 5,000 square feet, it became an official City of Seattle landmark in 2003 and still welcomes readers as part of The Seattle Public Library.
Dig into its architecture and story on our Green Lake Library landmark page. For borrowing and current hours, check the Green Lake Branch library guide.
Evans Pool
Evans Pool on E. Green Lake Drive N holds the title of City of Seattle landmark No. 718. Since it sits a short walk from both the park and the library, it pairs nicely with either stop. Learn more on our Evans Pool page.
Local Favorites
Some spots carry no city designation yet feel central to the neighborhood's identity. Beth's Cafe has served the area since 1954, making it one of the longest running restaurants around. The Colson House, built in 1904 by Charles and Sophie Colson, offers a glimpse of the area's early residential days.
The Story Behind the Lake
The land around the lake was surveyed by David Phillips in September 1855 for the United States Surveyor General. In 1869, the first settler, Erhart Seifried, claimed a 132-acre homestead on the northeast shore.
Everything shifted in 1891. That year a trolley line was extended from Fremont along the east shore and around the north end of the lake, and Green Lake was annexed to Seattle.
The "Soviet of Green Lake"
Until redistricting in 1991, the neighborhood sat at the center of Washington's 32nd Legislative District. Its organized, left-leaning Democratic Party group earned the nickname "the Soviet of Green Lake," a phrase that likely nods to a 1930s quip about the "Soviet of Washington," possibly apocryphal, attributed to James Farley.
Life in Green Lake Today
Stroll the side streets and you will notice housing in a wide range of styles and sizes. Since 1995 the neighborhood has seen heavy redevelopment, with many homes remodeled, enlarged or topped with an extra floor, much of it driven by easy commutes to Downtown.
Families have several schools close by, including Green Lake Elementary, Daniel Bagley Elementary and Bishop Blanchet High School. Together with the park, they give the neighborhood a settled, community feel.
