Washington Park Arboretum

Highly recommend for nature lovers!!! Tbh I thought it would just be a big park with lots of trees but IT WAS A WHOLE PLANT WORLD! It was very cloudy when I went but the green grass and trees and the colors were still so vibrant and lively that I can only imagine how much more colorful and awesome the arboretum would be on a sunny day. One hour should be plenty for doing a loop around the park and check out different areas and viewpoints. They have pond with turtles, trails, a wide variety of trees and flowers and there is always something new to discover and admire. Will definitely be back again!

Washington Park Arboretum is a haven of tranquility nestled within the bustling city of Seattle. As you wander through its lush greenery, you'll find yourself transported to a world of natural beauty and serenity. The arboretum boasts an impressive collection of plants from around the world, meticulously curated to create a stunning landscape that changes with the seasons. One of the highlights of the arboretum is its extensive network of trails, perfect for leisurely strolls or invigorating hikes. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a photography buff, or simply seeking a peaceful retreat from the city, there's something for everyone to enjoy at Washington Park Arboretum. The variety of plant species is remarkable, offering visitors the chance to explore ecosystems ranging from wetlands to woodlands. Educational signage throughout the arboretum provides fascinating insights into the flora and fauna, making it a great destination for both casual visitors and avid botanists alike. In addition to its natural beauty, the arboretum also hosts various events and activities throughout the year, from guided tours to seasonal festivals. Whether you're visiting solo, with family, or friends, Washington Park Arboretum offers a delightful escape into the wonders of the natural world.

Urban oasis. So much to see. I wish the park would put more labels on the diverse plants it has. Be sure to walk to Foster Island towards the north. It is magical! Best it opens till 8pm. It is not as dramatic as a manicured botanical garden but still so so much to see.

This park is big with many varieties of plants in different sections. We walked the entire loop and even in the rain, it was enjoyable. I wish there were more labels on the trees but nevertheless, it was a great visit. Our favorite place is the Japanese garden. It is the only area that charges admission but it is well worth it. It is better in our opinion that the Portland, OR Japanese gardens and that is saying a lot as that is also spectacular. We loved it enough to probably visit again this week. There are only 2.5 gardeners for the perfectly cared for Japanese garden - amazing.

Beautiful botanical garden and park in Seattle near UW, part of the UW arboretum. The loop trail is a great way to navigate the park and then you can take the smaller trails to specific areas that you want to see. Took a detour to see the union sculpture and saw a blue heron on foster island trail. Dog friendly. Will be back to do more exploring another day!

Excellent place to take a walk, jog, ride a bike, or picnic. I painted here many times. Beautiful scenery in Summer, Spring and Fall. Numerous varieties of plants, and trees. There is even a pond. Highly recommend.

My friend and I visited the Arboretum today as it was listed on a “free things to do in Seattle” list on the internet. It’s a beautiful free park with free parking. Plenty of walking trails that mix in elevation, it would be a great place for a bike ride or family picnic. I appreciated how many benches there were for sitting and resting. Such incredible biodiversity. I highly reccomend visiting here if you’re in the Seattle area!

Beautiful Year Round. I know many people like to come here specifically for the trees blooming, or the fall foliage, but I really like this space when the buds are just getting ready to open. There are so many picturesque spots here, plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the beauty, lots of stone lanterns, and fun wildlife spotting. They have a lovely collection of koi too. There are certainly larger gardens to explore in the area, but I like this spot because you can enjoy it, knowing you have time to see and really appreciate the entire space.

What a gorgeous park this was. So many beautiful spots and ample trails to walk along. Loved the woodland and azalea trails. We saw a lot of rhodonderons, magnolias and all sorts of plants and ponds. Very beautiful and very green with ample spots to picnic. There was also a kids playground with clean bathrooms. Absolutely my favorite part of visiting Seattle

Washington Park Arboretum is gigantic and has many different paths to go and walk through. You can find many people walking around on the different trails and seeing many different plants and trees. I love all the green here. One of the coolest and biggest arboretums I have ever been to in my life. I'm glad I got to visit here and I would totally suggest people come here as well. Staying healthy and also just having a nice walk.

We came searching for the cherry blossoms because according to Google, this is a top place to see them. We walked all the way down Azalea Way, which is supposedly where the cherry blossoms are located, but we only saw two or three trees scattered about. Certainly not deserving of a top spot, unless they were all hiding in another undisclosed location of this large park. Nevertheless, this is a pretty park with cool flowers, plants, and trees. I wish more of the flora were labelled because I wanted to learn the names. I resorted to using my phone camera to identify them. I appreciate how it's open 8am to 8pm, and it's free. The Japanese Garden is the only paid section.

Whether you are a nature nerd or are just looking for a beautiful place to lose track of time, the Arboretum is a true gem of Seattle. They also have some really awesome educational programs for all ages, if that's something you're into, be sure to check those out! *beautiful spot for cherry blossom viewing/pictures in the Spring, if that's your jam!

Looking to spend some time outdoors and enjoy a lovely Seattle spring day, my husband and I decided to walk around the Washington Park Arboretum. The park is expansive and has a variety of different subsections that specialize in certain plants and habitats. It was wonderful to just stroll through the park and enjoy all that it had to offer.

A gorgeous park with lots of paved trails perfect for taking a nice stroll. There are little park signs which tell some history and information about the plants at the park which we enjoyed reading. We came a little later in the day so we didn't have too much time to walk around but we saw some beautiful blue hydrangea flowers in bloom. There's also a field with a little park and bathrooms nearby. There is also a japanese garden in the park, but we didn't have time to go see it. This park is dog friendly and a perfect place to spend time with friends, family, and your pup!

Went here once for an evening walk after work. It was lot bigger than I thought. It's a pretty park for walking or going for a bike ride. There are several places to park around this park. When you walk to the water, you can see that it's a good place to picnic. Would recommend this park.

This is one of our first stops on our family trip to Seattle. It was our second trip to Seattle, so I don't know how I didn't visit here last time. It was definitely hot when we visited, so we didn't stay as long as we would have liked to. First off, parking was very easy and bathrooms were very accessible in front. The park is very large, so I would anticipate spending about 2 hours here at least if you want to see the whole thing. Entrance is free. It would be better if the trail/walks were better labeled, as we were often confused where we were exactly. We kind of just walked along where was shaded due to the heat. There are ample flowers to see, but it would be better if there were more labels so you knew what you were looking at. There is a nice pond. Overall, I greatly enjoyed my experience.

Wow the flowers here are just beautiful!! Multiple trails that are mostly paved, easy for a mothers with baby strollers. Lots of dog owners walking their pups. Plenty of parking and scattered toilet areas. Reception isn't the greatest but you'll have at least one bar to work with. Very quiet, despite the surrounding city. Japanese tea garden is here.

This arboretum is so beautiful! So many fleurs, tall trees, and just a peaceful atmosphere. It's open from 8am to 8pm and FREE so that's always great too! I saw many people going on walks, jogging, and biking. I could easily spend a whole day here and it would be magical. We also stopped by the Japanese garden (ticketed) which was nice and quaint- with more structured flora, but honestly the rest of the arboretum would be delightful in itself. I would say this is one of the best parks I've ever been to in my life. The nature is abundant and beckoning here, so meditative and so healing. :)

This is a glorious park with loads of walking trails that go around the lake. Views are spectacular. Plenty of benches so you can rest and admire the views , but no bathrooms. Get there early for easy parking.

This is a nice paved flat loop path through Washington Park. Where it loops around we decided to take the waterfront path (highly recommended) past the hornets nest. The waterfront trail is less flat and not paved, but we enjoyed it more, since in the general park in September, the flowers weren't blooming and the trees weren't changing colors yet. The 1 star loss for me is there was no bike path and we were almost hit twice by bicyclists blasting through the park. For larger paths sharing the road is less of a problem, but the paths just aren't wide enough here. We did appreciate the restroom stop and gift shop for the park, both of which were clean and cute respectively. So all in all Washington Park Arboretum wasn't a bad throughway between the Japanese Garden and the waterfront trail.

Been meaning to come here since I moved here. Earth day seemed the perfect time. Loads of beautiful trees, flowers, trees full of flowers and trails. I parked by the Japanese garden which was labeled parking lot #1. I followed the signs to the loop trail. East peasy. Along the way there are different areas to explore and each one is labeled so you know what you're looking at. This park appears to be specifically categorized to show off the climate of Seattle and compare it to similar places. There is the New Zealand area. China area. A woodland garden and more!! Just follow the signs. Easy walking and you can choose. Trails or concrete. Happy Yelping!

The arboretum is an absolutely wonderful place to come and take some really relaxing walks. The layout is very picturesque and the planting is extremely well thought out and looks lovely regardless of the season. It's recently easy to get lost though, because the signage is not stellar. Thankfully the parking lots are numbered which made it easier to find my way back to the car, and the restrooms are well kept at the visitor center for which I am always grateful. I look forward to coming back to watch the changing seasons.

Located near the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle is a beautiful peaceful part of the city that everyone should visit. It's also free which is another reason why you should come. First of all, it is HUGE. It spans 230 acres and contains a wide variety of plants. You can explore it on your own with all the gardens and hiking trails that they have. They have parking lots throughout which make it convenient to find parking and explore a certain area before moving onto the next part. Dogs are permitted so you can bring your furry friends on hikes. There are picnic tables throughout which made for a great quiet picnic (speaking from experience). If you want, you can also take a guided tour and other guided events. Unlike the rest of the Arboretum, the Japanese Garden is not free. It's a 3.5 acre area that acts as a sanctuary as you walk around it to see all of its beauty. These are the admission costs for the Japanese Garden (as of August 2022): - Adults 18-64: $8 - Youths 6-17, students, & 65+: $4 - Children 0-5: free Near the top of the Arboretum is Graham Visitor Center which is where you can get more information about the gardens and walk through their gift shop. There's also a terrace area that you can book for private events. If I lived closer I would definitely come here for peaceful walks or morning runs. It's huge and we did not explore anywhere near the entire thing, but this is a nice place to visit for many reasons.

This is an amazing, beautiful place to see what Washington has to offer. I couldn't get enough of all the plants and trees this park exhibits Wonderful place for a day date.

Mission statement: "The Washington Park Arboretum is a living plant museum emphasizing trees and shrubs hardy in the maritime Pacific Northwest." It has over 4000 species of vegetation. Free entrance (except Japanese Garden is $8) to the many trails traversing the 230 acres of wood & wetlands. Few bathroom stations and parking lots make it convenient. Extra lovely for fall colors, spring flowers and the annual 5K (during cherry blossom season). Go to uwbgeduc@uw.edu for 1. Venue rental 2. Classes & programs 3. SR 520 Boater Restrictions The Olmsted brothers (designers of NYC Central Park) designed the park's master plan layout and location in 1903. James Frederick Dawson of Olmsted Brothers Landscape Architects firm drew up the initial plans in 1936. Work started in the Great Depression. Bathrooms (listed from north to south) -The Graham Visitors Center (GVC) -Pacific Connections Garden -Japanese Garden -WA Park Playfields Canoe/Kayak Landing -rental nearby of canoes & kayak -at north end of park Dogs -leased dogs allowed except in the Japanese Garden Event venues -Wisteria Hall -The Center for Urban Horticulture The Graham Visitors Center (GVC) -information desk, -gift shop & -restrooms -at north end of park Japanese Garden -at 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E. (located toward the SW side of the arboretum) -Tue-Sun; admissions is $8 ($4 for students/seniors); free parking lot -self-guide tour booklets at entrance -free guided 12:30pm tours (currently suspended) -40 minutes tea ceremonies in the tea house ($10 fee; needs reservations; private for 10+ but currently suspended) -"not available as a venue for weddings. Other private event reservation requests can be directed to the ticket booth at (206) 684-4725 " -no dogs allowed -at south end of park Located -on the south side of the 520 bridge (while U of WA is on the north side of it) Parking -near visitor center -near Japanese Garden Tours -Private Tram with ($20ppl?) fee for up to 12 passengers -private walking tours ($175?) for 15ppl+ Wilcox Footbridge -goes over the Lake WA Blvd. -enter by NW park entrance at E Lynn St.h -this 180ft walkway over sewer pipes was built in 1911.

Such a wonderful place to spend a day!! I typically prefer to go during the Spring to see all of the flowers, but this place is great and has a lot to offer all year long. With plants from all over the world, you're guaranteed to find something to inspire and it's easy to choose between a casual stroll over a several mile walk/run/cycle. The Japanese garden is fee for service, but the rest of the area is free to enter and free to park. This place is very, very popular so if you want a parking spot you're going to want to get here early!

Absolutely phenomenal!! 10/10 recommend!! Parking was easy, free, not much traffic. Entry to park is also free! Staff at visitor center was helpful, gift shop and restrooms are there as well Went on a Friday around 10/11am, spent about 2.5 hours there (could spend much more time there if we didn't have more plans for the rest of the day) Plenty of different paths to take, they provide a map so you can find your way around You're not alone out there, there's people walking around too but not too crowded, people are just scattered in their own spots Nature was gorgeous, so many different trees plants flowers, picture opportunities everywhere. Felt like a forest almost No really a hike, more like a good solid walk in the park, you walk in a circle basically around the entire arboretum, good exercise/not strenuous while admiring the views Didn't go to Seattle Japanese garden because it cost money but I really had so much other things to see so I didn't mind Dog friendly, good for kids/family, really good for anyone to go on lil adventure!!

Amazing public arboretum for fall colors! Free entry (except for Japanese Garden). Perfect for a relaxing walk in nature.

Beautiful place to walk around and spend the afternoon in. They have a small visitor center that has gifts, info, and drinks. There is a restroom located here. The park has walkways for you to follow, some of them are paved while others are dirt/grass. I highly recommend picking up a map so that you could locate and identify the different type of trees and plants. I came during Spring and the hues of pink, white, and yellow were beautiful. You can also bring a picnic basket and have snack or picnic at the park. Dogs are allowed but on a leash.

Looking through the eyes of a first timer... beautiful, well maintained, lots of diversity of trees and plants, well directed trails, great for a fun hike, cute store and nursery, easy walking, even on a sunny frozen morning, more trees and wetlands on the north side on the lake. As a horticulturalist, Wow! So much diversity! And .. What? Wetlands and islands to traverse? Beautiful views of Lake Washington, U of W, Mountains, water, cities, beautifully maintained, such diversity! Like plants from Oz? Almost had me looking for Koalas and Kangaroos! Lol Yes! Eucalyptus and other down under plants do grow in Seattle. I'm so looking forward to returning to see more camellias blooming.. and then the rhododendrons! (State flower btw) and azaleas! It's definitely going to take a few trips through the seasons to enjoy this Gem. Look for added pictures and reviews to this beautiful peace filled piece of heaven. Happy Yelping from a plant nerd. Cheers!

What a gorgeous arboretum to go in the fall! I wish they had something like this in California but the weather wouldn't make it as gorgeous. A must if you live in Washington.

Lovely walking garden, but please put out more specimen labels! We walked past loads of plants from New Zealand, for instance, and luckily found a couple tags, but really a just luck. Plus, more water gardens would be wonderful.

COVID TIMES: outdoor activities so masks are not enforced, but if you're planning to use the restrooms they might be closed. The Arboretum is located close to 520 bridge and the UW. It has several parking lots to enjoy a walk or run. It has small hike trails but also paved roads to ride a bike for small children, or bring the stroller for your babies. Also it's so quiet and peaceful here, that (if you're a fan of yoga) you could practice yoga or meditate or simply enjoy the nature with coffee and a book. My favorite time of the year is definitely spring, they have a wonderful and bast selection of flowers and trees. Perfect place for a photoshoot. Actually, If you're looking for a great spot, my suggestion would be park near parking lot #17, and look for the bridge located in Arboretum Aqueduct (see picture below) Also in this park there's the Japanese Garden, but it deserves its own review. Give it a chance for a wonderful stroll

Every weekend when we're graced with the presence of the sun my husband and I are intentional about being outside all day. While in route to brunch we came across the yet another beautiful landmark the WA Park Arboretum. Parking was tricky only because we arrived in the afternoon, and there were a lot of families enjoying the day. We parked outside of the arboretum, but close enough to the park. We didn't plan or pack for a day at the park, but enjoyed walking a few miles through it. We're planning to return soon, and if you're seeking something to do outdoors I highly recommend this park.

- I have been under appreciating the Washington Park Arboretum for all these years! Either that or I have going during the wrong time of the year. During this visit on April 12th, the cherry blossoms are in full glory, so are the many species of magnolia, of which the arboretum host 200 varieties! Many types of spring flowers are blooming. It was quite a beauty contest. My heart be still! I am definitely making a note to myself to return yearly to these gorgeous blooms. Be sure to look for the totem pole, which illustrates the Pacific Northwest coast natives' folktale, "Origin of the Eagle Clan". The details and condition of the totem pole are magnificent! Some logistics: - We parked at the parking lot closer to the Japanese Tea Garden (we didn't go there). There is one more parking lot by the Visitor Center (currently closed). The spaces are quite limited. I suspect it can be quite a challenge if visiting on a weekend. I suspect you'll have better luck on a weekday (that's when I went). - The paths are easy to follow and no chance of getting lost. Feel free to explore off the main path. It felt great to take the face mask off when one one is in sight! - When we first arrived, not 1, not 2, but *3* vehicles had smashed windows. THREE! All 3 sets of owners had just returned to the cars to this ordeal. Please do be careful with your belongings. The blooms AND the thieves are out in full force, sadly.

This was a beautiful park to walk in. There were many trails throughout and had Azaleas and hydrangeas. I was most excited to see the redwood trees. Definitely returning on my next visit!

We had our wedding at Wisteria Hall this summer, and we absolutely loved this venue. Our wedding had about 70 guests and felt very intimate while also not being overly crowded. The venue managers said this location can comfortably hold 100 guests, but from our experience, I think that would feel a little crowded once dancing starts. I would say this place is perfect for 90 or fewer guests. Our pictures in the Arboretum turned out perfect and were reason enough to choose this location. The venue manager, Andrew, was also very easy to work with. He responded to our texts/emails quickly and was accommodating with any alteration to the space we requested. We met in-person to discuss potential layout options and he helped answer all of our questions with ease. Overall, we had an amazing experience with Wisteria Hall and everybody involved there and can't recommend this space enough.

The arboretum is a great location for a short stroll, a long power walk, or a picnic with a view. This is one of my favorite spots when I want to get out for a walk but am not quite in hiking mode. On the weekends, the arboretum gets really busy. That being said, there seems to be plenty of free parking and of course lots of space for people to spread out while exploring the grounds. I'm not quite sure how many acres of land are in the arboretum but it's a lot. There are walking trails for miles and so much beauty to see. The paved walking trails are very accessible for individuals of all abilities but there are certain spots with a small amount of elevation gain. During non-COVID times, you can enter the visitor center or take a tram tour to obtain some fun education. The Seattle Japanese garden is located within the arboretum as well and is simply amazing. See the Yelp page of the Japanese garden for more details.

Beautiful, picturesque. Great parking. Great for photography, easy walk with kids and dogs. I highly recommend.

Huge space to walk around and enjoy the plants and trees. It will take you all day to completely explore the area and you probably won't be able to see it all. There are plenty of trails around the arboretum to walk around and explore. Cherry blossom season is beautiful but it's a nice place to visit all year round.

What a hidden gem! Or I thought I found a hidden gem until I realize that everybody knows about this spot meanwhile I'm sheltered on the Eastside never knowing about Washington Park Arboretum. There's options on the map to take routes whether you have 20 minutes or an hour. I found this place by Googling, "best places in Seattle to have picnics" in case I find friends with weekdays off to enjoy life with, I'd have a plan ready. But in the meantime, I checked this place out by myself. It feels safe knowing there's always people passing by, it's a huge land so everybody is spaced out, but nice to know it's popular enough that there'll be people passing by frequent enough to know you're not alone in some areas that can get wooded. I found a bench in front of a lovely pond to read a book, this is as close to hiking as I'll ever want to do. You can bike or walk on the path, many grass area to set up a picnic. There's also gardens that you'll be passing by. Tell me about your experience if you've been here or is going to after reading this review:)

What a magical forest walk! I imagine this is what the unspoiled Northwest might have looked like. Other areas look like a magical location like the Shire from The Hobbit. There is also a Japanese winter garden area. The park has a mix of asphalt and dirt hiking trails. Pleasantly shaded, too. There is a visitor center. On the other end is playing fields and a separate Japanese gardens.

its a bit embarrassing that i had never gone to this park despite living 15+ years in the seattle area. came on a summers day with my parents and enjoyed a nice walk in the gardens and near Lake Washington. quiet, spacious, and meditative

The Arboretum is a must go if you're in Seattle! I recently traveled to Seattle and wanted to go somewhere I haven't been before and was recommended to visit the Arboretum. I went during a rainy day and even then it was absolutely beautiful. I can't imagine how much better it would have looked if it was sunny out. The trees and plants were lush and the walk around the Arboretum was very pleasant even when it was raining. If I lived nearby or even in Seattle I would definitely come here often since it is so nice to walk around. There's also a quaint visitor center that has a gift shop located inside it. Bathrooms are located on the exterior side of the building and there's a spot inside where people can refill their water bottles. There's also plenty of parking spots located outside the visitor center. Honestly I would go back to Seattle just to visit the Arboretum again!

My husband would have been 60 today so I spent the day at the Arboretum remembering him. The Arboretum had been on my list for years and I'm glad I finally went. It's a beautiful place and I'm sure that I only saw a small part of it. I plan on coming back often b/c I'm hoping that more fall colors will emerge soon. My only real "complaint" is that when I arrived this morning at 930, the visitor's center wasn't open. Despite the map that was posted on a pole in front of the center, I had no idea how to find the trails. There were no directional signs that I could see and I spent the first few minutes of my visit walking around in circles trying to find my way. Someone finally pointed me toward the entrance gate, but even then I wasn't sure where the one mile loop was. I ended up walking on one of the smaller trails, but felt really disoriented. Eventually I figured out where the one mile trail was (I think) but I was on a time limit, and again I saw no signs to direct me. I passed the same people at least three times which told me that the trail wasn't very long at all. However, the whole experience was rather confusing and when time became a major issue (I had to catch a scheduled ride), I worried that I wouldn't make it back in time. Seems that I become very turned around while on the "big" trail and ended up having to walk much rather than I intended. I finally found a very small sign that told me that I had .28 miles left before I got back to the visitor's center. I hate to complain b/c this place is beautiful, even though I was here past the bloom "season". It was the perfect place to spend a few hours and I hope that future visits won't be as confusing and that I will be able to get help finding my way since there wasn't anyone around today.

This place is very refreshing for people that lives nearby. You can walk or bike and be with nature, look and study all the different species of plants and it is free. You don't drive 2 hours to nearby national parks/forrest to be with nature and relax. It is also a cool place to host events too.

What a gorgeous, accessible, and gigantic place of greenery. Decided to come here on a whim with family. Took a nice laid back stroll to the waterfront and saw all sorts of trees and plants along the way, as well as ducks and bunnies galore. When we reached the lake, we found an empty bench to watch the kayakers and boaters passing by, the serene waters lapping against the rocks, the ducks swimming along. We could see snow capped peaks in the far distance. Behind us were large groups of families and college students having picnics. There were so many dogs, which I love. What a nice place to be.

My friends and I took a stroll through the Washington Park Arboretum while visiting Seattle in late August last year. Unfortunately we missed the peak season for all the flowers, but it was a nice green getaway from the city. It was pretty hot the day we were there, but we were able to mostly stay in the shade while wandering around the trails. The park itself is free to enter, but the Japanese garden has an admission fee. When we were there, it was super peaceful and quiet and we only saw a handful of other people walking around. Overall this is a really nice place to stretch your legs, enjoy nature, and relax. If I lived nearby I would come here a lot!

I'm so happy I visited this place. Since the place is really huge there are plenty of places to start your hike and plenty of places to explore. Sadly, due to very little time I had I didn't get to fully enjoy it. The feeling of being in nature is very calming.

I love the Washington Park Arboretum! I think there is something for everyone there, and the recently updated pathways make it even more accessible. On any given morning you will find all walks of life enjoying the scenery that greets you at every turn. There are multiple paths to choose from and it seems like every time I come here, I find a new path I hadn't explored before. The paths are easy with few inclines and benches located throughout in case you need to rest or just want to sit and soak up all the natural beauty surrounding you. Parking can be a challenge depending on where you want to start your journey, and from the looks of the broken glass in various parking lots, break-ins can be an issue, so definitely don't leave your bag in your car and make sure it is locked before you go.

Wow!!! This place is so beautiful in the Fall. I love coming here for walks and to see the colors of the leaves. There's lots of free parking everywhere and so many trails to choose from. I prefer parking at Donald G Graham Visitors Center cause they have bathrooms there. I took my stroller and managed to walk on a few of the trails easily. Not everywhere is stroller friendly though as there are a few stairs on the trails. Pro tip: grab a coffee and French dessert at Belle Epicurean which is a close 5 minute drive away from the arboretum.

This big arboretum has about every kind of tree u would be delighted to see... & paths r paved, traveled as well as dirt... walking, strollers as well as bikers can avail themselves of this free park. Note that bathrooms r located outside of the Visitors Center. Donations appreciated. Oh & plenty of parking

I had read about car break ins in this area but it seemed busy enough if you park near lots that are more trafficked. It's feasible to walk a loop around the park, and you can also walk north to Marsh Island where there's a moving bridge over water lilies. It was a beautiful day and there were families, joggers, and picknickers!

On our last day in Seattle, we explored the Washington Park Arboretum. We liked how there was no admission fee for Washington Park Arboretum except the Japanese Garden. The Graham Visitor's Center has a gift shop, information desk (where you can purchase a printed trail map for $1), and restrooms. Some of the trails were closed. We regret not purchasing one of these printed trail maps as the trails, gardens, and plant species weren't clearly labeled.

Washington Park Arboretum is a gorgeous, well-maintained arboretum in the middle of the city. There are so many variations of the walking paths you can take, each which take you to another beautiful section of the park. There's plenty of places to picnic and just enjoy the scenery around you.

Arboretum!!!!! Yes please!! Been here pre puppy in the hot summer and spring days for pretty flowers and posey pics!! But now! We come for our 4-6 miles walk almost everyday or every other day!! It's a wonderland for my pup! We go up, we go down! There are branches and there are ponds! There are squirrels!! A whole lot of squirrels!! Misty fog! Frozen ponds! Icy look outs! Many stairs! All the flowers! The woods! All kinds of trees!! (Thank you for saving them all). And andddd! Running into other pups!! It's our daily morning adventure!!!! Baci loves it! I love it because he loves it! The trials are narrow but you'll never see more than one person! There are flat/paved roads as well! And free parking! Right smack in the middle of Madison/ lake union/ downtown/ Montlake! What else do you need! The trails are great for run too. Just don't come early morning with massive cameras and lights for photo shoot! We got pups here!!! Peaceful walks are what we all need!!!

this free, beautiful park is so wonderful. it's split into different sections which are all individually great. so many carefully placed benches and shady areas to picnic or sit. i have nothing but praises; it might be the best park i've ever been to!

I LOVE IT HERE. Someone recommended I check this place out and told me it was one of their favorite places. I checked it out on a Saturday. LOCATION & PARKING // This is located right off the freeway near UW. There IS free parking here which is a huge bonus in my book. There are different places you can park around here too. For a Saturday afternoon, there were about 2 spots left when I got there. My only complaint is that I struggled a bit with getting here while avoiding the 520. So... just be aware if you're trying to avoid any tolls. AMBIANCE // There is the main loop trail (about 2 miles, I think?) but there are also mini trails throughout as well. You'd have to come here multiple times to explore it all. I walked around and checked out the different plants and even sat for over an hour on a bench to read a book. It is so relaxing and QUIET here. OVERALL // 5.0 stars Honestly, this was more amazing than I thought it would be. I'm super excited to come back on a nice day!