Location: Bellevue Address: 1625 118th Ave. S.E., Bellevue Acreage: 320 Most people zip through the I-90/405 interchange in their cars without realizing that beneath the concrete jungle is a peaceful green jungle teeming with plants and wildlife. Mercer Slough Nature Park spans more than 300 acres of parkland in central Bellevue and is a dream… Continue reading Mercer Slough Nature Park
Category: kids
Waverly Beach Park
Location: Kirkland Address: 633 Waverly Way, Kirkland Acreage: 2.76 With these long, warm days, the lakefront parks that ring Lake Washington have been drawing me in this summer. I can’t resist checking out as many as possible–and sneaking in a swim. Waverly Beach Park in Kirkland has been one of my favorite spots for years,… Continue reading Waverly Beach Park
Newcastle Beach Park
Location: Bellevue Address: 4400 Lake Washington Blvd. S.E., Bellevue Acreage: 29 A summer birthday party brought me to Newcastle Beach Park, the biggest beachfront park in Bellevue. Park in the large parking lot and take the winding path around the huge lawn to the beach. Along the way you’ll pass a great playground, which includes… Continue reading Newcastle Beach Park
Summit Park
Location: Issaquah Address: 30th Ave. N.E. and N.E. Harrison St., Issaquah Acreage: approx. 1.25 Summit Park is tucked deep into the Issaquah Highlands community high up on the plateau. So why would I recommend the winding trip up there? The answer is two of the steepest, most exciting slides I’ve seen on a playground. You… Continue reading Summit Park
Enatai Beach Park
Location: Bellevue Address: 3519 108th Ave. S.E., Bellevue Acreage: 2.98 With a cool location almost directly under the I-90 Bridge, Enatai Beach Park is another of Bellevue’s great waterfront parks. In addition to being a great swimming spot, it is the perfect place to drop in a kayak for a sunset outing. The park is… Continue reading Enatai Beach Park
Les Gove Park
Location: Auburn Address: 12th St. S.E. and Deal’s Way, Auburn Acreage: 20 Les Gove Park is a bit of a drive for people who live in Seattle, the Eastside or north King County. But summer is a great time for families to visit this Auburn park that’s packed with fun activities for kids to last… Continue reading Les Gove Park
Chism Beach Park
Location: Bellevue Address: 9600 S.E. 11th St., Bellevue Acreage: 18 I’m on the hunt for calmer spots to go swimming in the Seattle area away from the crowds at the popular beaches. With a sandy waterfront on Lake Washington, Chism Beach Park in Bellevue is a great spot for a dip. Wind through the curvy… Continue reading Chism Beach Park
Bellevue Botanical Gardens
Location: Bellevue Address: 12001 Main Street, Bellevue Acreage: 53 Enjoy a peaceful stroll through 53 acres of incredibly varied gardens at the Bellevue Botanical Gardens and take your time examining the diverse plant groupings. Or, take my lead and do it the less peaceful way and bring along three kids under the age of 5.… Continue reading Bellevue Botanical Gardens