Top 10 Beautiful Places in Seattle to Visit This Spring

Need a beach day this spring? Saltwater State Park is one of the best places in Seattle Southside to enjoy time by the water. In addition to its scenic shoreline, the park offers wooded trails that wind through lush forest, making it easy to enjoy plenty of fresh air and natural beauty in one visit. While it doesn’t feature the same concentration of spring blooms as some other spots on this list, it more than makes up for it with peaceful coastal views and the simple pleasure of a springtime walk along the beach. Spring is an excellent time to spot Puget Sound wildlife, such as seals and harbor porpoises surfacing in coastal waters. Shorelines and piers also come alive with bald eagles and migratory shorebirds, and colorful creatures during spring low tides. Learn more about tidepooling and local marine life.

If you’re craving a relaxed stroll, Redondo Beach is an ideal choice. This scenic Puget Sound beach features a welcoming boardwalk, where you can walk for about half a mile one way, taking in stunning views of the water the entire time. Redondo Beach is also popular with fishing enthusiasts, thanks to its well-known fishing pier (note: the pier is currently under construction). While it has fewer seasonal blooms compared to other spots, visitors can still enjoy pops of color from neighborhood gardens and flower-filled yards surrounding the quaint beachside homes. Plus, all of the sea life you can spy at Saltwater State Park can also be seen at Redondo Beach.

Now we're talkin' blooms! With gorgeous cherry trees in full blossom, Angle Lake Park may be the best place in Seattle Southside for a hanami (cherry blossom viewing) picnic. There's an incredible view of Mt. Rainier over the lake on a clear day, plus plenty of planespotting from the nearby airport. It's an ideal spot for taking in springtime vibes with friends over a picnic, thanks to the covered seating and barbecues.

Seahurst Park is a hidden gem that stands as an absolute oasis. One moment, you're driving through town, and the next you find yourself transported into lush, quiet woods that open into a peaceful beach. This quiet park is the perfect place to unwind and take in a beautiful spring day, or better yet, come here just before sunset to watch the sun set behind the Olympic Mountains across the waters of the Sound.

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is one of the destination events for the Pacific Northwest, held each spring throughout April. Hundreds of thousands of people come to enjoy the celebration of spring as millions of tulips burst into bloom. Early blooms can be seen in March, and some late blooms are also visible in May.

See the beauty of the Washington state flower on full display! One of the largest and finest collections of rhododendron species in the world, the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden features more than 10,000 rhododendrons in a 22-acre woodland setting. The flowering season in Western Washington begins in early January and continues through late July with the majority of species in bloom from March to May.

The University of Washington Campus features a grove of 30 mature Yoshino cherry blossom trees that are a total show-stopper when they are in bloom every spring. In addition, Washington Park Arboretum’s Azalea Way, located near UW, is another beautiful place to view cherry blossoms throughout May. Looking for even more cherry blossoms? We know just the place.

If you’re looking to fully immerse yourself in the Pacific Northwest wilderness, Mt. Rainier National Park is a fun day trip for all ages. The park spans five developed areas - Longmire, Paradise, Ohanapecosh, Sunrise, and Carbon/Mowich - that include campgrounds and picnic areas. When the wildflowers are in full bloom in the spring, the meadows are a sight to behold.

The Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden covers 10.5 acres of display gardens, woodlands, and trails. One highlight of the garden is a formal rose garden maintained by the Seattle Rose Society featuring more than 100 labeled roses. The Seike Japanese Garden is another highlight in the spring, with its beautiful cherry tree.

With 96 acres of paved and dirt trails for pedestrians and cyclists, the Des Moines Creek Park offers plenty of room to roam in a peaceful Northwest setting. Throughout the park grounds, there are beautiful seasonal flowers, forested hillsides, and small waterfalls. This park may also have the most breathtaking sunset view in the area.