9 Perfect Picnic Spots Around Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound

Neighborhood gems, ideal for family picnics

At its best, a family picnic is a mini vacation: a chance to leave the day-to-day routine behind and spend some time together out under the open sky. These best picnic spots in Seattle and beyond offer a range of experiences, from farm fun to exploring tidepools to hiking.

What they have in common are beauty, nature and that sense of getting away from it all.

Mount Baker Park, Seattle

This leafy lakefront park is one of Seattle Parks’ swimming beaches that’s open this summer, with lifeguards on duty. The most popular place to picnic is probably near the swimming area, but there are many lovely shady spots in the inland part of the park. The updated playground will enthrall the kids. For biking families, pack your wheels and enjoy a ride along Lake Washington Boulevard. A section is closed to cars on summer weekends to accommodate cycling.

Eats: Pick up a wood-fired pizza and a salad at Mioposto Pizza, just across the street from the Mount Baker Park playground. (3601 S. McClellan St., Seattle).

Next up: the farm in the woods

The farm in the woods

Farrel-McWhirter Farm Park, Redmond

Located just 10 minutes from Redmond Town Center, Farrel-McWhirter feels a world away. Enjoy birdsongs as you walk through a forest of tall trees to reach the farm. There, kids can peep goats, pigs, chickens, horses, rabbits and Tom the cat. (Note that the barnyard is typically open 9 a.m.–4 p.m.) The best picnic spot area, with a shelter, tables and a wide lawn, is located between the farm and Mackey Creek (19545 N.E. Redmond Rd., Redmond).

Eats: Grab excellent banh mi sandwiches, which some consider Seattle’s signature sandwich, at Yummy Pho Vietnamese Restaurant, about 10 minutes away (8920 161st Ave. N.E., Redmond).

Next up: the city at your feet

The city at your feet

Dr. Jose Rizal Park, Seattle

Perched on the northwest corner of Beacon Hill, this park boasts a sweeping view overlooking Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle. Long before this spot became a park, the hillside was a favorite picnic destination for Filipino families living in the neighborhood. It’s named after Jose Rizal, a brilliant writer, scientist and a hero in the Philippines’ struggle for independence. The fantastic Seattle picnic spot also has a playground, an off-leash area for dogs and walking trails (1007 12th Ave. S., Seattle).

Eats: Order some delicious takeout at the wonderful Vietnamese restaurant The Tamarind Tree (1036 S. Jackson St., Seattle), or wander around the International District and pop into some kid-friendly eateries recommended by a local mom in the know.

Next up: sports hub

Where all sports meet

Magnuson Park, Seattle

If you live in Seattle, and you or your kids have any inclination to be sporty, chances are you’ve spent time in this sprawling park on the shore of Lake Washington. The park plays host to a huge variety of organized and disorganized sports, from soccer to cricket (on the specially built pitch south of the Tennis Center) to boating (at Sail Sand Point).

But there’s a quieter side to the park: the woods, natural meadows, lovingly restored wetlands and a children’s garden, just north of the large Junior League playground. 

The best picnic spots are by the lake, near the swim beach and its spacious bathrooms, which are a stone’s throw from Kite Hill (7400 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle).

Eats: Pick up freshly baked bagels, sandwiches and other goodies from beloved Wedgwood bakery Grateful Bread (7001 35th Ave. N.E., Seattle).

Next up: a big, beautiful beach

Big, beautiful beach

Dash Point State Park, Federal Way

This state park offers woods and trails, but the main attraction is the beach. At high tide, it is broad and sandy. At low tide, it grows enormous, with acres of sand flats to explore. Spot sea stars, moon snails and other tidal life. A Discover Pass is required for parking when you visit this Seattle picnic spot (5700 S.W. Dash Point Rd., Federal Way).

Eats: Located near Interstate 5, about 15 minutes away from the park, Marlene’s Market & Deli carries a variety of wholesome sandwiches, salads and baked treats. If your family can’t agree on a picnic food (mine certainly can’t!), you can order, say, a sandwich for one person and quinoa salad for another (2565 S. Gateway Center Pl., Federal Way).

Next up: Poo Poo Point

Gateway to the sky

Poo Poo Point, Issaquah

For kids and adults who have the energy to take on a 2-mile hike uphill, this amusingly named destination in the Issaquah Alps offers huge rewards. (Not that it makes any difference to a snickering 7-year-old, but the name refers to the loggers’ steam whistles that once resounded through these hills.) After ascending the Chirico Trail (look for a view of Mount Rainier along the way), you come to a broad, clear area, with a sweeping view of Lake Sammamish, Issaquah and Bellevue. Watch the paragliders set themselves up, check and recheck the wind, and finally launch themselves into the breeze. As for where to set up picnic camp, there are two picnic tables and a composting toilet. (No running water here.)

Eats: Pick up artisan bread, sticky buns and other baked goods from Forest Fairy Bakery (485 Front St. N., D-1, Issaquah; closed on Sundays). For decent sandwiches and salads, stop in at Panera Bread (775 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Issaquah).

Next up: wind and waves

Wind and waves

Richmond Beach Saltwater Park, Shoreline

Cross a narrow pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks at Saltwater Park in Shoreline and you’re in a world of sun, sea and sand dunes. This is one of Puget Sound’s windy places, so you’ll often spot kiteboarders frolicking in the waves nearby. Even on a sweltering day, you’re likely to find a breeze to keep you cool at this picnic spot in Seattle. Kids will love climbing and playing among the driftwood that’s even more enticing than the castle-themed playground above the parking lot (2021 N.W. 190th St., Shoreline).

Eats: On your way to the park, pick up fresh produce, superb cheeses, just-baked pizza and much, much more from Town & Country Market (15505 Westminster Way N., Shoreline), a local supermarket about 15 minutes from the park that’s wildly popular among families with global tastes. 

Next up: garden delights

Garden delight

Bellevue Botanical Garden, Bellevue

The carefully tended spaces in this 53-acre garden seem designed to please the senses and fire up the imagination. Spot hummingbirds hovering near the delicate dangling blooms of the fuchsia garden. Say hello to the big bronze frog in the Spring Courtyard, wander the quiet pathways in the Yao Garden and walk across the gently swaying 150-foot suspension bridge over the ravine (The Ravine Experience). Admission is free. There are picnic tables near the parking lot, or pick a picnic spot in the garden (12001 Main St., Bellevue). Note that pets are not allowed at the garden.

Eats: For tasty picnic fare, stop in at the Bellevue location of Uwajimaya, the extraordinary Asian grocery that offers pretty close to everything you could think of, less than five minutes away (699 120th Ave. N.E., Bellevue).

Next up: meadow and beach

Beachfront and meadow

Titlow Park, Tacoma

This park features grassy meadow, a lagoon and a wide swath of beach, all worth exploring during your picnic outing. There’s a playground here and a sprayground for warm summer days. Admire the view of the twin spans of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge from the beach, and try out a nature mission with the free Agents of Discovery app. The historic craftsman-style lodge at the park is worth a gander as well. Titlow Park is a free summer meals site.

Eats: Pick up your lunch at nearby Lefty’s Burger Shack (8317 27th St. W., University Place). If you need a sweet treat, head to Pao’s (6919 6th Ave., Tacoma), a doughnut shop with a legendary following. (To burn off all that sugar, consider this urban hike with a considerable thrill factor.)

Editor’s note: This article was originally published back in 2016 and just updated for 2023.