Seattle: In the event of sunshine...

Living in the rainy city has given me a new perspective on sunshine. When the sun's out, I feel obliged to spend the day outside. As charming as the rain can be, Seattle sous le soleil ("under the sun") is one of the loveliest places on earth. Surrounded by mountains and water, the city comes alive as locals rush to the parks and beaches to absorb those precious solar rays. Famous for its gray skies and coffee shops, Seattle's selection of parks is a less-known, but just as unique, feature of the city.

During my first year in Seattle, I stumbled upon several parks that changed the course of my year. They became places of solitude and sanctuary, allowing me an escape from the urban chaos of a city that never sleeps. 

If you are ever in the neighborhood, here's a list of parks you must absolutely explore:

Discovery Park

Discovery is the largest park in Seattle. Located in the Magnolia neighborhood, Discovery's 534 acres along the Puget Sound are easily visible from an airplane descending into Sea-Tac, if you know what to look for. The park features several different ecosystems: coastal, coniferous forest, deciduous wood, and prairie. Beach access is exclusive to hikers, which means your reward for hiking through lush, North-Western ferns and forests is a serene view of the Sound, with the Olympic Mountains in the backdrop. This is the ideal spot to watch the sunset.
To access the beach, hike along the Loop Trail. It circles the park, so you can hop on at any point and follow the signs directing you towards the water. If you follow the shoreline, you will run into West Point Lighthouse, Discovery's signature landmark.
The history of the park is just as endearing as the landscape. It was originally the location of Fort Lawton, which opened in 1900 and played a significant role in World War II. Once the Fort became obsolete, private investors sought to develop the land for residential use. The people of Seattle, however, had something different in mind. By popular demand, the city turned the historical site into a giant public park. Fort Lawton's buildings still stand, making Discovery a military memorial.

Golden Gardens

Facing opposite of Discovery Park, Golden Gardens also lies on the Puget Sound, but in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. It's named for the unreal sunsets that take place there, every single evening. Did I mention that the sun sets over the Olympic mountains? Like I said, unreal.
Golden Gardens is one of the best beaches in Seattle. There are fire pits available, making it the perfect place to gather around a campfire with friends, bury your feet in sand, eat s'mores, and watch that sun set.

Green Lake

Whether you're a mom with a jogging-stroller, a dog-walker, a runner, or a couple that's young and in love, you're going to want to go to Green Lake. The 2.8-mile path around the lake is charming, and the locals are obsessed with it. Green Lake is a scenic getaway in a very urban setting.

Kerry Park

One thing everyone in Seattle agrees on is that the best view of the city is seen from Kerry Park. Located on Queen Anne Hill, the park boasts views of the Puget Sound, the Space Needle, West Seattle, and when the sky is clear, a majestic Mount Rainier. A classic proposal spot.


This is just a taste of a long list of parks found within Seattle's city limits. There are more parks to explore than there are sunny days in a year here. But thankfully, not even the rain can wash away Seattle's charm.