Seattle's Outdoor Staircases

It's no secret we like to eat. And sometimes blog posts require that we eat 5 donuts in one morning (it's for research, people!). So, it's probably smart if we occasionally try to get outside and move our bodies so we can tackle more donut shops in the afternoon. Of course, we want something that is going to pack a serious punch in the shortest amount of time. Enter stair climbing. It's one of the fastest ways to burn fat, tone your legs, scream curse words, and not be able to get out of bed the next morning. Outdoor staircases in and around the city are numerous. In fact, there is an entire website dedicated to finding these hidden leg burners. Today, we are here to tell you about our 3 favorites. They get you to different parts of the city and are pretty to boot! If you are going to do a workout from hell, you might as well get some scenery, amiright?

Thistle Street Stairs

Location: 8261 Northrop Pl SW, Seattle, WA 98136

This long stair case is located in West Seattle right next to Lincoln Park, which is sort of perfect because Lincoln Park is a beloved and large park located right on the Puget Sound (and home to Colman Pool). It's worth the trek to West Seattle to visit the park and you can tackle this stair climb as part of your outdoor adventure day. The stairs start at Fauntleroy Ave. right by the park and the ascend 367 steps towards SW Thistle Street. They start off fairly gradual with long steps, but eventually steepen before reaching the top. Take a deep breathe, and get moving! You got this.

Howe Street Stairs

Location: 810 E Howe St, Seattle, WA 98102

The very long Howe Street Stairs

Howe Street Stairs and Blaine Street stairs are located right next to each other and run parallel from Lakeview Blvd E. all the way up to E. Howe Street and E. Blaine Street. There are 388 steps making them the longest, continuous staircase in Seattle. They are relatively popular, so you will have to share the steps with others looking to get in a workout, but the steps are wide and there is plenty of room. The steps run alongside houses with beautiful backyards and lush vegetation making them a beautiful place to get your steps in. If you haven't passed out from running up and down Howe Street stairs, we recommend walking the short distance to Blaine Street and doing it all over again.

Beautiful backyards along Howe Street Stairs

Wilcox Wall

Location: 8th Ave. West at West Lee St.

The Wilcox Wall

The Wilcox Wall is a lovely retaining wall located in Queen Anne with stairs built into it. While the number of stairs in the wall are actually relatively small, this one makes the list because it can be combined with the Lee Street Stairs located not too far away and, if you are really ambitious, can also be combined with the Galer Street Stairs for one long, epic workout. It also offers sweeping views of the Sound! We recommend starting at Olympic Way W. and W. Lee Street, running up the Lee Street Stairs, up the Wilcox Wall then following W. Lee St. all the way to Queen Anne Ave. N. where you can finally hit the final 36 steps that brings you to the top of Galer St. Here is a map for reference.

The best part about this run is that it ends right at Queen Anne's 5 Spot, so you can get a lovely brunch (and mimosa) after you are done. You deserve it.

Lee Street Stairs

The view from the top of the Wilcox Wall

What are your favorite outdoor staircases? We would love to know!

5 Secret Tiny Parks of Seattle

Seattlelites love parks, and with over 485 to choose from in the city, there are countless options to find a place to spend a sunny afternoon (check out our parks and hikes page to see a few of our favorites). But what if you don't want to be surrounded by a bunch of people? What if you just want a quiet spot and a patch of grass to call your own? Well, no problem! There is a good chance you'll be one of the only people visiting these tiny, but mighty, parks around Seattle.

Bhy Kracke Park

Probably the most popular and well known park in Queen Anne is Kerry Park because it boasts what are arguably the best views of the city. However, with popularity comes crowds and tourists (and lots of selfie sticks). What most people don't know is that Bhy Kracke Park is located right down the street and it's just as wonderful in its own way. This tiny park has an upper and lower level connected by a winding little path. The lower level has a playset for kids and a picnic table tucked under an arbor of ivy. The upper level has a nice grassy lawn for spreading out and beautiful views of Lake Union, the Space Needle, and downtown.

Sidenote: Hanging out in Queen Anne always involves walking the streets and staring at the homes. They give us serious house envy -- how do we get one?!

Louisa Boren Lookout

Located right next to Volunteer Park, this little park has breathtaking views of Lake Washington, some impressive trees, little benches for watching the world go by, and a unique (and untitled) sculpture by artist Lee Kelly. There is also a running path that goes right through the park in case you feel like getting some exercise. This is a perfect spot to have a picnic, mediate, or take a little rest. It's in a very quiet and quaint neighborhood with only a few joggers and dog walkers passing through.

Howell Park

It's hard to find a spot on the shores of Lake Washington where you don't have to wrestle crowds and jockey for a spot. Howell Park is a true secret Seattle gem. It's hidden down a tiny street (that looks almost like a driveway) and has no parking, but the little park butts up right to the lake with a little shore providing easy access for wading in on a hot day. Chances are you will have this lake front spot all to yourself. Since there is also no parking on Lake Washington Blvd., your best bet is to park down the street at Denny Blaine Park (another tiny park with amazing views!) and walk to it.

Thomas C. Wales Park

This park was once a gravel quarry, but now it's a unique park tucked in Downtown Seattle. The city worked with an artist to create these amazing rock structures. There is a small pond in the center, which makes it an ideal spot for birds (and apparently bats) to hang out. We suggest grabbing a sandwich at the nearby Lyon's Deli and finding a bench to pass the time.

Rainbow Point

Hiding next to an I-5 on-ramp in North Seattle, you are almost guaranteed to have this little park to yourself. It has great views of downtown, Green Lake, and (on a clear day) the Olympics. There are a few benches for sitting and a little grassy area for relaxing and picnicking. We recommend grabbing snacks from the deli at the nearby PCC and heading here for a quiet afternoon of reading.

What are some of your favorite little spots to visit around Seattle on a nice day? We would love to hear about them in the comments! 

Freeway Park

Freeway Park is a little spot in the middle of Seattle that often goes unnoticed. Unless you work or live nearby you might never venture to this park built over I-5 in downtown Seattle. We were itching to get outside last week when it was warm and sunny for one of the first times in a long time in Seattle and discovered it is actually a nice slice of quiet in a city full of construction and noise. 

The park is a little difficult to actually enter. We had to plug it into GPS and navigate to an entrance off 7th Ave, near Town Hall. When we go back we will definitely opt for the 6th and Seneca entrance, which looks a bit like a courtyard for the federal building, but don't worry, keep walking east and you'll find the park!

Our favorite discovery was Canyon, a giant concrete structure that was built to muffle the noise from the interstate and give visitors something to climb and explore, just like if they were in a natural canyon. 

Disclaimer: This park is a tad dirty. It serves as one of the only spots in the area for people with dogs to get some grass, so watch your step, and at night many of the city's homeless sleep here, so there is some trash and debris as well. 

If you can ignore some candy wrappers and enjoy creative and functional art, this is a great spot to check out and explore. We will definitely be using this as a workday escape. With the tables and chairs in the courtyard area it makes for a great place to enjoy your lunch in the sunshine and the long stretch of pathways are great to stretch your legs for a mid-day break. 

Occidental Park: Games, Food Trucks, and Art

This urban park has gotten a serious facelift in the last year and we keep finding ourselves going back for more.

This "park" is located in the heart of Pioneer Square and even though there isn't much grass to be found it has a lot to offer us city folks. Year round bright green and blue tables and chairs sit out for people to enjoy the mild Seattle weather. Peppered in between all the seating are a ton of fun games for groups to play and often in the summer time musicians come here to play for the people enjoying the space. 

Food

Occidental Park is home to our favorite city thing: Food Trucks. There is a happy little pod that sets up shop here Monday through Friday. We recommend Wednesdays when Nosh and El Cabrito Oaxaca are in attendance. (Read more about Seattle's best food trucks here)

Grand Central Bakery always has a line out the door and for good reason. Their flagship location is located inside Grand Central Arcade on the west side of Occidental Park. They bake fresh bread daily and their specials are always unique and delicious, with their permanent menu full of tried and true options.

Look for the ivy entrance to Grand Central Bakery

Swannies is a sports bar located on the west side of Occidental right next to the Comedy Underground. This is a great place to grab some greasy burgers and fries and cheer on the Sounders with friends. 

The London Plane is a hot new spot in the neighborhood. Find it right across the street on the south end of Occidental Park. This place has great baked goods and coffee. Stop in for a croissant and latte and take a sea salt chocolate chip cookie for later! 

Games

Occidental has gained a reputation as a great park to take friends or kids for some fun and games. This is because with the improvements last year they brought in a ton of actual games for people to play free of charge, out in the open. Most of them are oversized which adds to the fun (Think giant chess, checkers, and connect four). There are also a couple foosball tables, bocce ball courts, and cornhole boards around the park. 

Art 

Occidental is full of wonderful art, especially native art. The totem poles and wood carvings tell stories from a culture rich in history. Our favorite is Tsonoqua, "a mythological giantess and 'nightmare bringer' invoked by exasperated North Coast mothers to frighten their children into obedience." You can also find Sun and Raven telling the story of the raven's theft of the moon and Man Riding on Tail of Whale. The other large sculpture is the Seattle Fallen Firefighters Memorial by Hai Ying Wu. The life size firefighters pay tribute to generations of Seattle heroes. 

Welcome to Occidental Park!

Find Occidental Park here: 117 S Washington St., Seattle, WA 98104

There is also a tourism booth located in the southeast corner of the park. If you have questions head over here to learn more about the area, rent bocce balls, etc. 

Insider tip: If you have some time, make sure to walk the block over to check out the Waterfall Garden Park! It's one of Pioneers best secret spots.