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Get Outside in Kirkland

Make Kirkland your playground

From picturesque views, public art and al fresco dining, there is fresh air and paired with outdoor drinking and dining around every corner. Looking to get outside and explore? Here are a few ideas for the spring:

Fresh Air

The Cross Kirkland Corridor is a 5.75-mile former rail line which has been fully renovated as a ‘walk and roll’ vehicle-free trail.  Traversing the city, from South Kirkland to Totem Lake, the corridor connects eight neighborhoods and several parks with gorgeous views of Lake Washington. Specific spots to stop along the way include:

·       Carillon Woods – a forest park with natural greenspaces, nature trails, children’s play area, and paved walking path.

·       Merrily Dicks’ Spikes sculpture – Built using old railroad spikes found along the Cross Kirkland Corridor, this public art is on the northwest side of the 85th Street underpass.

Follow the blue arrows between downtown Kirkland and Carillon Point to enjoy the stunning 1.2-mile Lakeview Walk, which winds past waterfront parks, offering spectacular views alongside Kirkland’s charming collection of public art.

In the heart of downtown, adjacent to many restaurants and shops, Marina Park is the hub of local life and offers a sandy beach — perfect for getting your toes wet — as well as a beautiful open-air pavilion with magnificent views of Lake Washington and Seattle. The park is home to many of Kirkland's special events, including the Fourth of July Celebration and Kirkland Uncorked.

Bridle Trails State Park is a 489-acre state park within Kirkland’s boundaries providing 28 miles of trails that welcome equestrians, hikers and other visitors. Located between Kirkland and Redmond,. it is often called "the wilderness in the city".

The mission of Northwest Paddle Surfers, located in Juanita Beach, is to introduce the low-key sport of stand-up paddleboarding to as many people as possible. Residents and visitors can reserve kayaks and multiperson stand-up paddleboards, as well as try PaddleFlow® yoga. Season opens in spring.

Departing from the Carillon Point Marina in Kirkland, Seaplane Scenics offers the special experience of a narrated 20-minute flight in a seaplane. Guests will see downtown Seattle high-rises, Lake Washington, the Space Needle, the Ballard Locks, and beyond.

Juanita Beach Park spans 1,000 feet of Lake Washington shoreline and offers outdoor fun for the whole family; with a newly-renovated playground catering to all abilities, sand volleyball courts, ball fields, tennis courts, walking paths, picnic shelters, and a seasonal swimming area. In March and April, it hosts the “Wheels and Reels” Winter Drive-In Movie Series. During the summer months, it’s the location of the Juanita Friday Market, a weekly farmers market offering local artisanal goods and produce.

Kirkland is known for its public art installations and galleries. We recommend a visit to the Park Lane Outdoor Sculpture Gallery in downtown Kirkland, curated by the Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission. Sculptures are displayed on a rotating basis, with whimsical and dynamic pieces that are for sale to the public.

Fresh Fare

Brand-new to Kirkland, Pop! Culture offers indoor and outdoor spaces to enjoy delicious bubbly (and a few bites). It’s the perfect place for friends to enjoy a fun and casual champagne-filled evening in the heart of downtown Kirkland.

For the best Asian cuisine in Kirkland, locals love dining downtown at Soi, Isarn, Hanuman Thai, and Kiwami SushiLynn’s Bistro for French-Vietnamese dining is a beloved Kirkland institution. 

Beach Café is a popular marina restaurant attached to The Woodmark Hotel and known for its innovative, seasonally influenced menu featuring daily seafood specials and cocktails. The outdoor seating area is just a few steps away from Lake Washington.

Inspired by the active outdoor lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest, Chainline Brewing Company provides Kirkland with the finest locally made Northwest–style ales and lagers. Embrace the outdoors at their taproom located in Kirkland Urban.

Experience the vibrancy of downtown Kirkland on Hearth’s spacious year-round patio. The companion restaurant of The Heathman Hotel, Hearth offers comfort food at its best, along with contemporary cocktails, local brews and wines that pair perfectly with the menu’s hearth-fired dishes.

Locals love the fresh seafood, high-quality local ingredients and meticulous French cuisine with an American twist at Le Grand Bistro Américain at Carillon Point. Book a table to soak up some sun while also taking in those stunning marina views.

 Anthony’s HomePort Restaurant on the eastern shore of Lake Washington is the spot to indulge in fresh Northwest seafood while basking in unmatched views of Hunt’s Point, Sand Point, and the Seattle skyline.

To learn more, visit ExploreKirkland.com and ShopLocalKirkland.com.

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