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Kirkland is a lakeside city of about 90,000 people on the eastern shore of Lake Washington, across the water from Seattle. Founded in the 1880s by Peter Kirk, who dreamed of building a steel mill here, it became instead a relaxed waterfront town and is now home to tech offices, art galleries and some of the best lake beaches in the Seattle area.
Downtown Kirkland faces the lake, with restaurants, wine bars, galleries and public sculptures along the waterfront, and Marina Park has a beach, a pavilion and docks for summer boat tours. Peter Kirk Park hosts concerts and a farmers market, and historic buildings such as the Kirkland Woman's Club and the Forbes House recall the town's early days.
Juanita Beach Park has a swimming beach and boardwalk, and Juanita Bay Park offers wetland trails full of turtles, beavers and herons. The Cross Kirkland Corridor trail runs along an old rail line through town, and the new 85th Street transit hub connects Kirkland to Seattle.
Marina Park is a small waterfront park in downtown Kirkland on Lake Washington, with a beach, a pavilion, a public dock and views across the lake. It is busy on summer evenings and hosts events. Walk the waterfront path after dinner downtown, and look for boats and the occasional seaplane.
Juanita Beach Park is a large park on Juanita Bay with a swimming beach, a long boardwalk pier, picnic areas, playgrounds and a farmers market in summer. Lifeguards are on duty in peak season. Bring a picnic and stay for sunset over the lake, when the boardwalk is at its best.
Juanita Bay Park is a wetland nature park with boardwalks crossing marshes on the old causeway of Juanita Drive. It is one of the best places near Seattle to see beavers, turtles, herons, eagles and ducks. Bring binoculars, walk quietly, and visit early morning or at dusk for the most wildlife.
Peter Kirk Park is a central park in downtown Kirkland with lawns, a playground, a pool in summer and the Kirkland Library and Performance Center along its edge. It hosts summer concerts and the Wednesday farmers market. Use it as a base for exploring downtown shops and the waterfront nearby.
O.O. Denny Park is a wooded waterfront park on Lake Washington in Kirkland's Finn Hill area, with a beach, picnic lawns and forest trails through tall firs and cedars. The trails follow a creek into a ravine. It is quieter than the downtown parks, and a nice escape on a warm summer afternoon.
Bridle Trails State Park is a forest park on the edge of Kirkland with about 28 miles of soft trails, used by hikers, runners and horse riders under tall evergreens. It has a horse show arena. Wear sturdy shoes because trails can be muddy, step aside for horses, and bring a Discover Pass for parking.
The Cross Kirkland Corridor is a gravel rail-trail about six miles long following an old railway line through Kirkland, from the South Kirkland Park and Ride to Totem Lake. It connects parks, neighborhoods and breweries. It is flat and easy, so bike or walk a section and stop at cafes along the way.
Carillon Point is a waterfront complex on Lake Washington south of downtown Kirkland, with a marina, hotel, restaurants, shops and a public promenade. The views across the lake toward Seattle are wide. Walk the pier to the end, and come for dinner at sunset when the light falls on the water.
Kirkland Performance Center is a mid-sized theater beside Peter Kirk Park presenting concerts, comedy, dance, plays and family shows through the year. Its 400 seats give a close view of the stage. Look for its season calendar and combine a show with dinner at one of downtown Kirkland's restaurants.
Kirkland Arts Center occupies the historic 1891 Peter Kirk Building downtown, one of the oldest brick buildings in the area. It runs a gallery with free exhibitions and offers art classes in ceramics, painting and more. Stop in while walking downtown and look at the building's original brickwork.
The Kirkland Woman's Club is a historic clubhouse built in the 1920s by a women's group founded in the early years of the town. It is listed on historic registers and is still used for meetings and events. View the building from the street on a walk through downtown and the nearby Norkirk neighborhood.
Forbes House is a historic early 1900s home at Juanita Beach Park, built by the Forbes family, who ran a local business and a resort on the bay. It is one of the oldest homes in the area and has been restored by the city. See it on a walk around the park, and look for its occasional open days.
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Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
Washington, United States
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Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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