Magnuson Park and the Sand Point Shore
Magnuson Park is the reason many people make the trip to this side of town. Once a naval air station, the land has been transformed by the city into a mix of beaches, sports fields, restored wetlands and the largest playground in Seattle.
Days on the Water
Head to the swimming beach on Lake Washington, or use the boat ramps to launch right onto the lake. It makes a natural choice for a summer afternoon, and when the weather turns cooler, the wetlands give you something new to explore. Dive deeper with our guide to Warren G. Magnuson Park.
Room for Dogs and Gardeners
Bring your dog to the off-leash area, where there is real room to run inside the larger park. Our Magnuson Park off-leash area guide covers what to expect before you arrive.
A short stroll from the dog area brings you to the Magnuson Park P-Patch, a City of Seattle community garden with 128 plots. Neighbors have been gardening here since 1977, making it one of the more established patches around. Find the details on the Magnuson Park P-Patch page.
Ravenna and Cowen Parks: A Ravine in the City
Step down into Ravenna Park, a half-mile ravine carved by glacial meltwater, and follow Ravenna Creek as it runs along the floor. Shaded trails and two historic bridges crossing overhead make it feel a world away from the streets above.
Families will find plenty of practical draws too. A wading pool, a ballfield and tennis courts mean the park works as well for a ball game as for a quiet walk. Our Ravenna Park guide goes into more depth.
Cowen Park and Its 1936 Bridge
Continue into Cowen Park, at 5849 15th Ave NE in Roosevelt, which joins Ravenna Park on its east side. A landmark concrete arch bridge built in 1936 spans the park, and walking the two parks together makes a satisfying loop through the ravine. Learn more in our Cowen Park guide.
Want to stretch the walk? Ravenna-Eckstein Park and the small Ravenna Park Triangle are handy nearby stops.
Roosevelt: Pocket Parks and a Compact Garden
Roosevelt pairs a busy residential grid with pocket green spaces. Stop by Froula Playground, at 7200 12th Ave NE, a neighborhood park within a short walk of Roosevelt High School and Cowen Park.
Just around the corner, the Roosevelt P-Patch at 12th Ave NE and NE 71st St fits 29 plots into roughly 3,500 square feet. Gardened since 2003, it shows just how much a small city lot can grow.
Laurelhurst: A Landmark Gathering Place
In Laurelhurst, look for the community center at 4554 NE 41st St, an official City of Seattle landmark and one of the main places where neighbors come together. It sits right beside Laurelhurst Playfield, a Seattle Parks and Recreation park.
Pair the two for an easy family outing, letting kids enjoy the playfield while adults see what is happening at the center. Programs and hours change, so check with Seattle Parks and Recreation before you go.
Ravenna's Library and Neighborhood Playfields
Make the Northeast Branch of The Seattle Public Library, at 6801 35th Ave NE in Ravenna, your base for exploring, with parks, playfields and city landmarks within a short walk. Our Northeast Branch guide maps out the surroundings.
Across the wider area, you can seek out neighborhood parks such as View Ridge Playfield, Dahl Playfield, Bryant Neighborhood Playground, Burke-Gilman Playground Park, Maple Leaf Reservoir Park, Inverness Ravine Park and Wedgwood Square. Green spaces including Picardo Farm and Burke-Gilman Gardens round out the mix.
Historic Buildings and Bridges to Spot
Keep an eye out for older architecture as you travel between parks. The Cowen Park Bridge and the 20th Ave NE Bridge are both notable crossings, and schools with long histories include Roosevelt High School, Bryant Elementary School and Nathan Eckstein Junior High School.
Other names worth knowing are Fire Station #38, the Ramsing House, The Theodora, the Battelle Research and Talaris Conference Center site, and the Benton's Jewelers street clock. Many are private or working buildings, so admire them from the sidewalk.
