10 of the Best Places to Swim in Seattle
July 13 2018 - King.tegna@gmail.com
Consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and vacation, Seattle has a lot going for it – from being the headquarters of Amazon and Starbucks, to attractions like Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, to its proximity to Mt. Rainier. While the Emerald City may be best known for these reasons, its abundance of water means it’s a fantastic place to swim. Here are 10 of the best places to take a dip.
On the shores of Lake Washington, Madison Park boasts grassy areas, a bathhouse and swimming beach patrolled by lifeguards during the summer. The idyllic atmosphere and close proximity to the diverse Capitol Hill neighborhood has made it a popular spot for families.
Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
Puget Sound is gorgeous, but its water is treacherously cold – only warming into the low 50s during the summer. If you want to experience the beauty without the chill, Colman Pool may be your best bet. The public pool offers sweeping views, a water slide and diving boards. The water is pumped in from the Sound and heated to a comfortable 85 degrees.
Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
One of only two outdoor public pools, Mounger is a family-friendly destination in the Southeast Magnolia neighborhood. It has a big pool with a 50-foot corkscrew slide and a smaller, shallower pool heated to 94 degrees – perfect for teaching young kids to swim.5
Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
Perfect for rainy days, the pool at Rainier Beach Community Center is an indoor playground for kids and adults alike. It has a lap pool, lazy river, hot tub, sauna and a fountain which dumps buckets of water.
Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
Situated between Seattle and Tacoma, this state park is one of the only spots in the Puget Sound region where the water is warm enough to swim. Dash Point is also a hotspot for skimboarding – a cross between surfing and skateboarding that involves jumping onto and riding a small, thin board.
Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
The three-mile loop encircling Green Lake is one of the most popular running trails in Seattle, and the lake itself is the perfect place to cool off after a jog. There are several beaches, docks and diving boards scattered around the perimeter.
Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
Dogs aren’t left out of the fun at this park. The off-leash area is the only one within city limits with water access, providing your pooch with the opportunity to romp in Lake Washington. The water is shallow enough for puppy playtime and humans are invited to join in as well.
Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
If you want a California-esque experience, Alki Beach may have what you’re looking for. Located in West Seattle, the beach offers a lively mix of beach volleyball, hamburger and ice cream stands, sunbathers and warm, sandy shores.
Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
Close to downtown Seattle, this beach is an urban gem, blending green space with water access. It’s a popular spot for kayakers and paddleboarders, and its shallow water makes it great for kids.
Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
The perfect swimming hole for daredevils, the Fremont Rope Swing lets you soar over a narrow, boulder-lined shipping canal filled with commercial vessels and pleasure craft.
#1 - Madison Park
On the shores of Lake Washington, Madison Park boasts grassy areas, a bathhouse and swimming beach patrolled by lifeguards during the summer. The idyllic atmosphere and close proximity to the diverse Capitol Hill neighborhood has made it a popular spot for families.
#2 - Colman Pool
[caption id="attachment_596" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
Puget Sound is gorgeous, but its water is treacherously cold – only warming into the low 50s during the summer. If you want to experience the beauty without the chill, Colman Pool may be your best bet. The public pool offers sweeping views, a water slide and diving boards. The water is pumped in from the Sound and heated to a comfortable 85 degrees.
#3 - Mounger Pool
[caption id="attachment_597" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
One of only two outdoor public pools, Mounger is a family-friendly destination in the Southeast Magnolia neighborhood. It has a big pool with a 50-foot corkscrew slide and a smaller, shallower pool heated to 94 degrees – perfect for teaching young kids to swim.5
#4 - Rainier Beach Community Center
[caption id="attachment_598" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
Perfect for rainy days, the pool at Rainier Beach Community Center is an indoor playground for kids and adults alike. It has a lap pool, lazy river, hot tub, sauna and a fountain which dumps buckets of water.
#5 - Dash Point State Park
[caption id="attachment_599" align="aligncenter" width="750"] Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
Situated between Seattle and Tacoma, this state park is one of the only spots in the Puget Sound region where the water is warm enough to swim. Dash Point is also a hotspot for skimboarding – a cross between surfing and skateboarding that involves jumping onto and riding a small, thin board.
#6 - Green Lake
[caption id="attachment_600" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
The three-mile loop encircling Green Lake is one of the most popular running trails in Seattle, and the lake itself is the perfect place to cool off after a jog. There are several beaches, docks and diving boards scattered around the perimeter.
#7 - Magnuson Park
[caption id="attachment_601" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
Dogs aren’t left out of the fun at this park. The off-leash area is the only one within city limits with water access, providing your pooch with the opportunity to romp in Lake Washington. The water is shallow enough for puppy playtime and humans are invited to join in as well.
#8 - Alki Beach
[caption id="attachment_602" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
If you want a California-esque experience, Alki Beach may have what you’re looking for. Located in West Seattle, the beach offers a lively mix of beach volleyball, hamburger and ice cream stands, sunbathers and warm, sandy shores.
#9 - Lake Union Park Beach
[caption id="attachment_603" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
Close to downtown Seattle, this beach is an urban gem, blending green space with water access. It’s a popular spot for kayakers and paddleboarders, and its shallow water makes it great for kids.
#10 - Fremont Rope Swing
[caption id="attachment_604" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image from: Seattle.gov[/caption]
The perfect swimming hole for daredevils, the Fremont Rope Swing lets you soar over a narrow, boulder-lined shipping canal filled with commercial vessels and pleasure craft.
Enjoy Your Seattle Summer in a New Toyota
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy all the swimming spots Seattle and the diverse Puget Sound region has to offer. If you need a new vehicle to transport you and your family to your summertime destinations, stop by Toyota of Seattle. We offer a wide selection of new and used Toyota vehicles, so you’re sure to find the car of your dreams. Check out our inventory online or call 206-382-4300 to schedule your test drive today.
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