Washington Park Arboretum

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"An expansive arboretum with curated plant collections and trails that become a prime spot for cherry blossoms and other spring blooms." - Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines

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"Particularly in the spring when Azalea Way is in full bloom, and in the fall when the Japanese Garden is ablaze with color, the arboretum is a gorgeous place for picnicking, kayaking, bird watching, and wandering. Watching waterfowl from the floating docks on Union Bay and collecting fallen leaves in the Japanese Garden are favorite things to do in the arboretum. Additionally, the Pacific Connections Interpretive Center shelter was built as a community art project using fallen trees from the park." - Hannah Kirshner, Allison Williams

Washington Park Arboretum – Garden Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Give us an overview? Particularly in spring when Azalea Way is in full bloom and in fall when the Japanese Garden is ablaze with color, the arboretum is a gorgeous place for picnicking, kayaking, bird watching, and just wandering around the gardens. Any standout features or must-sees? Watching waterfowl from the floating docks on Union Bay, and collecting fallen leaves in the Japanese Garden are my favorite things to do in the arboretum. The Pacific Connections Interpretive Center shelter was built as a community art project using fallen trees from the park. Was it easy to get around? A new 2-mile wheelchair accessible path opened in 2018. Those looking for a longer walk, on foot, can easily create a 5-mile loop. Admission is free, except the Japanese Garden ($8). There's limited free parking, so come by public transportation if you can. Any other tips You don't have to be the most active to enjoy the arboretum. You can walk a lot or a little, depending how you feel." - Hannah Kirshner

Jointly cared for by UW Botanic Gardens and the City, this living museum spans Azalea Way to the Pacific Connections Garden. Time Out and Axios Seattle highlight it for year-round color and serene loops just minutes from downtown.

Jointly run by UW Botanic Gardens and Seattle Parks, the arboretum’s 230 acres are free daily. Recommended by Condé Nast Traveler and Lonely Planet, it’s a year-round walk among global plant collections; note the nearby Japanese Garden charges admission.