The Best Places to Have a Picnic in Seattle

Recently my friend was asking me about the best places to eat in my neighborhood. I gave her a few suggestions and then I realized, I barely have any blog posts on the city I have lived in for the past 11 years! I was floored. So this post is dedicated to anyone wanting to visit Seattle (with family or solo) that are looking for a great The Best Places to Have a Picnic in Seattle.

Why a picnic? To be honest, it’s something I always do when I’m traveling to a new place. Especially in the Spring and Summer months. It’s inexpensive and it’s perfect for kids that want to run around, but also for those looking for a killer view.

Let’s jump in cause this list is good!

Books and Snacks at the Park — *Beach Read* and Snacks at the Park

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The Best Places to Have a Picnic in Seattle

Picnics are such a great way to spend an afternoon in Seattle. These parks are all spread through out the city so depending on where you’re staying, one might be easier to get to than the other. Each are totally worth the trek through.

Word to the wise, if you’re in Seattle I suggest swinging by a PCC or a Metropolitan Market for gourmet and artisan hot foods, salad bars and their incredible just-out-of-the-oven cookies. You won’t regret it! We also have a few Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Safeways, etc.

Macrina Bakery is a staple in Seattle for their daily fresh baked baguettes and you’ll definitely want to hit up Beecher’s Cheese Factory if you’re looking to make a cheese spread.

Ella Bailey Park

Starting out with a huge hidden gem to outsiders. This local park is very kid friendly, especially since it’s next to Magnolia Elementary School, but the VIEWS are savored by adults. Holy cow, this view is amazing, every single time. If you go on a Saturday morning, you’re sure to see quite a few kiddos running around but it’s a great place to unpack lunch and lounge on the grass with your next Summer read.

_{Speaking of Summer reading, you should check out my friend Shanna’s rec here.}

Location: 2601 W Smith St., Seattle, WA 98199

Sunset Hill Park

Another hyper local favorite. It’s names appropriately because the sunsets in the summer are killer on that side of Seattle. It’s also on a hill and it’s also a park! There are a few benches, not a lot of kids but still a great stretch of grass for them to run and play. I love this spot for an evening picnic. Maybe a few glasses of wine and charcuterie board. This one is definitely here for the views of the ferries, Olympic mountains and sailor boats.

_{If you’re looking to support local on wine, I recommend my 10 of the Best Washington State Rosés this year. 🍷}

Location: 7531 34th Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98117

Lake Washington Boulevard Park

This park is one of my favorites because of the memories I was able to have during the pandemic. I met quite a few friends 6 feet a part and enjoyed the beauty that is Lake Washington. There are tons of sail boats and ski boats to watch on the water. It’s a very long park with multiple spots that have restrooms but, not many playground areas. It’s a terrific spot for volleyball, frisbee, family BBQs and to kick off from for paddle boarding.

I’m personally found of the Madrona Beach Park. It has a restroom and it’s right next to the Spectrum Dance Theater.

Location: 853 Lake Washington Blvd, Seattle, WA 98122

The View at Ella Bailey Park Seattle — Picnic at Ella Bailey Park, Seattle, WA

Seward Park

If you’re looking for a big area, Seward Park is 300 acres full of forestland, grassland and a 2.4 mile bike trail! Not to mention loads of hiking trails and all of it surrounded by water. There’s an amphitheater that was built in the 1950s that is still used for Greek theater, concerts in the park, etc. I love how it caters to everyone. They have an environmental bird committee (dedicated to teaching bird watching), lifeguards on duty and a clay studio on the premises.

A great family style atmosphere. My friends with children love it.

Location: 5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S, Seattle, WA 98118

Gasworks Park

This is the most famous park on my list for 2 main reasons. The first, because the VIEWS are stunning. Absolutely beautiful on a summers day in Seattle. The second reason is because of the old Gas Light Company gasification plant that’s still on the property (kids love it). Best known for its infamous screen debut and epic paint ball throwing fight in 10 Things I Hate About You.

It’s also my favorite place to watch the Seaplane land on the water. Especially with the Space Needle in sight.

Location: 2101 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA 98103

Olympic Sculpture Park

One of my friends goes on a walk through Olympic Sculpture almost everyday and it’s very obvious why. You get the view of the Space Needle, Alki Beach, the Ferries and sometime the occasional sea lion, if you’re lucky. There’s a darling coffee shop (Uptown Espresso) we pop into before going on a stroll but this park is also a fabulous picnic park due to all of the sculptures in the vicinity. It’s managed and operated by the Seattle Art Museum.

Culture and a picnic. What more could you want?

Location: 2901 Western Ave., Seattle, WA 98121

There you have it, dear friends! Those are some of the The Best Places to Have a Picnic in Seattle.

Please note, there are some other wonderful runner ups for me but during the summer, it gets so packed that it’s more like a party than a park. If you’re looking for that, then I recommend: