Have you checked the extended weather forecast recently? With several upcoming days predicted to reach the high 70s, now’s the time to start planning outdoor activities to soak in the sunshine. With 465 parks, miles of trails, and 26 community centers offering an array of recreational activities, Seattle Parks and Recreation has you covered for getting the most out of our upcoming sunny Seattle days!
Enjoy lunch outdoors
Whether you grab something to go from a downtown food truck, or pack a proper picnic and blanket, eating lunch outdoors is a great way to break up your work day, get some vitamin D, and enjoy the fresh air.
- Westlake Park: This urban park is located in the heart of downtown Seattle’s shopping district and features a variety of daily food trucks. There are plenty of spots to grab a seat, enjoy a meal, and do some serious people watching.
- Lake Union Park: This 12-acre park, located on the north side of Lake Union, features several benches, small tables and a long wood-surface sitting area facing the waterfront—the perfect spot to enjoy a bite to eat while watching sailboats and seaplanes come and go.
- Victor Steinbrueck Park: Located right next to Pike Place Market, Victor Steinbrueck Park is a great place to sit and enjoy all the culinary treats the market has to offer. On a sunny day, the park bustles with locals and tourists alike, all enjoying the stunning views of Puget Sound, downtown Seattle and the Seattle Great Wheel.
Go for a shaded hike
There’s no better place to be on a sunny day than outside enjoying our 2,500 acres of urban forest. Let the forest canopy keep you cool while enjoying the health benefits—both mental and physical—of time spent in nature.
- Carkeek Park: This popular park offers extraordinary views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Here, 220 acres of lush forest, meadows, wetlands, creeks and beach have been formed by the magic of water and time.
- Discovery Park: Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular views of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams.
- Camp Long: Camp Long is one of Seattle’s best-kept secrets. Located in West Seattle, this 68-acre park offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy nature, hike in the forest, camp overnight in rustic cabins, rock climb, and learn about natural history.
Learn a new game
Our downtown/center city parks offer a variety of games, cultural activities, performances and more throughout the year. Enjoy a sunny day engaging with others through art, celebration and gathering.
- Drop-in Bocce: Daily, Occidental Square Park. Borrow balls at information kiosk.
- Drop-in Chess: Daily, Bell Street, Hing Hay, Westlake and Occidental Square Parks
- Drop-in Ping Pong: Daily, Hing Hay, Pier 62/63, Westlake and Occidental Square Parks
Bring Fido along
We know dogs love basking in the sun, so why not spend a beautiful Seattle day with your four legged friend at one of our 14 off-leash areas? Many of our off-leash areas include open spaces, doggie drinking fountains, trees, paths, shaded areas, separate areas for small/shy dogs, and more.
- Magnuson Park off-leash area: Located in northeast Seattle, Magnuson Park’s off-leash area contains 8.6 acres. It is a place where city hounds can romp with buddies in Seattle’s biggest fully-fenced backyard for canines. This off-leash area is the only one inside city limits with water access (Lake Washington’s freshwater shoreline). The site has a large, generally flat play area, a winding trail with several open areas and changes of scenery along the way, and it gives dog owners and their dogs of all ages plenty of space to “work out”.
- Westcrest Park off-leash area: Located in southwest Seattle, this area contains approximately 8.4 acres and features open spaces and paths, a doggie drinking fountain, shade, trees and lots of open space. For people, the off-leash area provides benches, chairs, and a shady place to relax.
- Blue Dog Pond off-leash area: Blue Dog Pond in southeast Seattle near I-90 is 1.7 acres and is a wide, rectangular field perfect for throwing balls with grassy side slopes that your dog can run up and down. There are interesting art sculptures throughout the park that make it unique, including a giant reposing “blue dog” at the entrance.