Secret Seattle
Parks
Located in the Rainier Beach neighborhood of Seattle, this stunning 20-acre Japanese garden is open daily to the public free of charge.
202 locals recommend
Kubota Garden
9817 55th Ave SLocated in the Rainier Beach neighborhood of Seattle, this stunning 20-acre Japanese garden is open daily to the public free of charge.
Located on the shores of Lake Washington, this 230-acre park is gorgeous in every season and free to visit. You can walk your dog there, see the fall leaves turning colors, take pictures of the cherry blossom trees blooming in the spring, or bring a picnic when the weather is nice.
313 locals recommend
Washington Park Arboretum UW Botanic Gardens
2300 Arboretum Dr ELocated on the shores of Lake Washington, this 230-acre park is gorgeous in every season and free to visit. You can walk your dog there, see the fall leaves turning colors, take pictures of the cherry blossom trees blooming in the spring, or bring a picnic when the weather is nice.
This quiet neighborhood in the northwest corner of Ballard is an underrated place for views of the Puget Sound. Hot tip: Check out Sunset Hill Viewpoint Park, located at 7531 34th Ave NW.
83 locals recommend
Sunset Hill Park
7531 34th Ave NWThis quiet neighborhood in the northwest corner of Ballard is an underrated place for views of the Puget Sound. Hot tip: Check out Sunset Hill Viewpoint Park, located at 7531 34th Ave NW.
This Seattle park isn’t on many tourists’ radar because it’s fairly north of downtown, but locals love it for its plentiful picnic spots, its 2.8-mile path around the lake, its two swimming beaches, and (of course) Green Lake itself.
624 locals recommend
Green Lake
This Seattle park isn’t on many tourists’ radar because it’s fairly north of downtown, but locals love it for its plentiful picnic spots, its 2.8-mile path around the lake, its two swimming beaches, and (of course) Green Lake itself.
This 9.6 acre park is located in Beacon Hill and provides a stunning view of the Seattle skyline and Puget Sound. It also has an off-leash area for dogs and a play area for children.
23 locals recommend
Dr. Jose Rizal Park
1007 12th Avenue SouthThis 9.6 acre park is located in Beacon Hill and provides a stunning view of the Seattle skyline and Puget Sound. It also has an off-leash area for dogs and a play area for children.
Swing by the Madrona neighborhood to take a refreshing dip in this freshwater beach located along the western shore of Lake Washington. You’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of Mount Rainier. Lifeguards are on duty in the swimming area during the summer season. The 2022 season runs from June 26 to Labor Day (noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays).
43 locals recommend
Madrona Beach
853 Lake Washington BlvdSwing by the Madrona neighborhood to take a refreshing dip in this freshwater beach located along the western shore of Lake Washington. You’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of Mount Rainier. Lifeguards are on duty in the swimming area during the summer season. The 2022 season runs from June 26 to Labor Day (noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays).
You might recognize this beach in West Seattle from the classic movie Sleepless in Seattle, but it retains its underrated feel despite its moment on the big screen. It gets crowded on summer weekends (the 2022 season is May 27 to September 4) but it’s a great spot to go for views of the Seattle skyline during the off-season and on rainy days.
865 locals recommend
Alki Beach
You might recognize this beach in West Seattle from the classic movie Sleepless in Seattle, but it retains its underrated feel despite its moment on the big screen. It gets crowded on summer weekends (the 2022 season is May 27 to September 4) but it’s a great spot to go for views of the Seattle skyline during the off-season and on rainy days.
This small park in the Denny-Blaine neighborhood of Seattle is charming, but what it’s really known for is the location of Kurt Cobain’s memorial bench. Many visitors come to this park expressly for the purpose of leaving a note or trinket on the bench in honor of Kurt Cobain’s memory.
7 locals recommend
Viretta Park
151 Lake Washington Blvd EThis small park in the Denny-Blaine neighborhood of Seattle is charming, but what it’s really known for is the location of Kurt Cobain’s memorial bench. Many visitors come to this park expressly for the purpose of leaving a note or trinket on the bench in honor of Kurt Cobain’s memory.
Seattleites who mentioned Volunteer Park made sure to specify the Conservatory and the Water Tower as two underrated attractions. The Conservatory is a historic greenhouse located at 1400 E Galer St and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (note that it is closed on Mondays). The Water Tower is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and you can just walk right up to the top to take in 360-degree views of Seattle. The park itself is a 48.3-acre park located in Capitol Hill, and is a beautiful spot to enjoy a picnic or a relaxing stroll.
563 locals recommend
Volunteer Park
1247 15th Ave ESeattleites who mentioned Volunteer Park made sure to specify the Conservatory and the Water Tower as two underrated attractions. The Conservatory is a historic greenhouse located at 1400 E Galer St and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (note that it is closed on Mondays). The Water Tower is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and you can just walk right up to the top to take in 360-degree views of Seattle. The park itself is a 48.3-acre park located in Capitol Hill, and is a beautiful spot to enjoy a picnic or a relaxing stroll.
This urban park located in downtown Seattle was actually the first park built over a highway but not many people know about it. It’s a peaceful respite in the middle of the city’s clamor and bustle.
17 locals recommend
Freeway Park
This urban park located in downtown Seattle was actually the first park built over a highway but not many people know about it. It’s a peaceful respite in the middle of the city’s clamor and bustle.
Residents of Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood are lucky enough to enjoy this 0.5-mile wooded ravine that offers a gorgeous escape in nature for picnics, biking, and jogging.
86 locals recommend
Ravenna Park
5520 Ravenna Avenue NortheastResidents of Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood are lucky enough to enjoy this 0.5-mile wooded ravine that offers a gorgeous escape in nature for picnics, biking, and jogging.
Located at the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus, this 4.6-acre Sichuan-style Chinese garden has incredible views as well as year-round natural beauty. The garden offers private tours, events, and classes. Admission to the garden is free although donations are appreciated.
19 locals recommend
Seattle Chinese Garden
6000 16th Ave SWLocated at the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus, this 4.6-acre Sichuan-style Chinese garden has incredible views as well as year-round natural beauty. The garden offers private tours, events, and classes. Admission to the garden is free although donations are appreciated.
Earning itself a spot on Atlas Obscura, this staircase is the longest staircase in Seattle with an elevation of 160 feet and 388 steps. It’s a common workout spot for locals—and you get rewarded with views at the top.
Howe Street Stairs
810 E Howe StEarning itself a spot on Atlas Obscura, this staircase is the longest staircase in Seattle with an elevation of 160 feet and 388 steps. It’s a common workout spot for locals—and you get rewarded with views at the top.