12 Best Things to Do in Burien, Washington

By VacationIdea Staff on June 29, 2022 - Updated

George Cole/stock.adobe.com

Burien is a lovely southern suburb of Seattle, located along the banks of the beautiful Puget Sound approximately half an hour from the city's downtown district. The diverse city has been ranked as one of the most highly walkable communities in Washington State, known for its gorgeous public parks and scenic landscape around Lake Burien. Visitors can enjoy convenient access to Seattle's attractions via car or public transit or stroll along the city's quaint downtown strip, which is home to boutique stores, fine dining destinations, and lively brewpubs. Seahurst Beach Park is a favorite spot for beach activities during the summer months, known as a popular urban wilderness getaway for Seattle residents.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Seahurst Beach Park, Burien, Washington

Seahurst Beach Park is a lovely Burien city park spanning 178 acres along the banks of the Puget Sound, originally incorporated in 1996. The park is a favorite summer destination for Seattle residents, home to 2,000 feet of beautiful beachfront stretch that serves as a seawall for the city. Park visitors can glimpse a variety of native wildlife, including pheasants, eagles, herons, seabirds, and assorted marine life off the Sound's coast. Two streams run throughout the park along its northern and southern ends, separated by a large wetland creek basin area. The park is currently undergoing significant restorations to return much of its lands to a natural state, making it a great afternoon excursion opportunity for visitors looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

1600 SW Seahurst Park Rd, Burien, WA 98166, Phone: 206-988-3700

2.Blissful Knead, Burien, WA

Blissful Knead is a full-service premium spa in Burien, open to the public seven days a week throughout the afternoon and evening hours. The high-quality spa specializes in luxurious massage treatments, including 30-, 60-, 90-, and 120-minute massage treatments meant to relax participants and strip away the stress of the day. All massages are customized to meet clients' individual needs and goals for peak holistic care. A focus on classic Swedish massage techniques increases client circulation and restores the body's natural healing abilities. Deep tissue and sports massages are also available, targeting specific muscle tension areas to clients' needs. All of the company's massage therapists are licensed massage practitioners, ensuring highly skilled, professional experiences for all participants.

140 SW 153rd St, Burien, WA 98166, Phone: 206-939-6007

3.Seattle Ballooning

Seattle Ballooning is one of Washington's premiere luxury hot air balloon experiences, offering once-in-a-lifetime chances to fly directly past the dramatic silhouette of Mount Rainier. The company, which is based out of nearby suburb Auburn, is the most unique way to experience the Seattle area skyline, showcasing the city skylines of Seattle, Tacoma, and Lake Tapps against the backdrop of the gorgeous Cascade Mountains. French-inspired hot air balloons are available for private and semi-private flights throughout the year for up to four passengers. Private experiences make for great anniversary, wedding, and engagement experiences. All experiences include a toast at the end of flights, featuring high-end champagne and elegant hors d'oeuvres.

2825 SW 170th St, Burien, WA 98166, Phone: 206-588-9788

4.Elliot Bay Brewing Company

Elliot Bay Brewing Company is one of the Seattle area's most popular brewpub chains, offering three locations throughout the city's metropolitan area, including a location in Burien. The brewing company, which was founded in 1997 by Brent Norton and Todd Carden, crafts only certified organic beers, reflecting the company's commitment to environmental sustainability principles. Year-round house beers and seasonal offerings include favorites such as the company's Lake City Way IPA, Gateway Amber Ale, B-Town Brown Ale, Luna Weizen Pale Wheat Ale, and Hop von Boorian Belgian-style IPA. A full menu of gastropub fare is served up throughout the day, including gourmet burgers, shareable appetizers, and house specialties such as stout-infused barbecue pulled pork entrees.

255 SW 152nd St. Burien, WA 98166, Phone: 206-246-4211

5.909 Coffee and Wine

909 Coffee and Wine is one of the latest offerings from popular Seattle restaurateur Angelo Ricci and his family, who bring more than half a century of restaurant experience to Burien. The restaurant, which was opened in 2007, is known for its welcoming neighborhood gathering spot vibe and delectable homemade pastries and desserts. Diners can enjoy cafe beverages crafted with locally-roasted Caffé Umbria beans, served up alongside breads from regional Macrina Bakery. Up to 30 glass pours of fine wines are served daily, along with a rotating selection of 11 craft microbrew taps. Delicious fare served up throughout the day includes smoked paprika ribeye steak, harissa-roasted chicken breast, and sambuca-infused prawns.

909 SW 152nd, Burien, WA 98166, Phone: 206-243-7909

6.Tin Room Bar, Burien, Washington

Tin Room Bar pays homage to the 20th-century history of Olde Burien, named in honor of the historic Hi-Line Tin Shop, best known for its creation of set pieces for the Disney feature film White Fang. The bar, which is housed within the tin shop's former historic building, repurposes many of its former design elements and equipment, including work benches crafted into tables and a bar cap created from the shop's original sign. Delicious entree options served up at lunch and dinner include Cajun-style shrimp tacos, vegan quesadillas, and signature bourbon mushroom gravy meatloaf. A selection of draft macrobrews is complemented by a classic cocktail list and an assortment of wines by the glass or by the bottle.

923 SW 152nd St, Burien, WA 98166, Phone: 206-242-8040

7.Frankie's B-Town Bistro

Frankie's B-Town Bistro has been owned and operated by fourth-generation Burien residents Frank Yellam, Jr. and Frank Genzale since 1979. The Old World-style Italian bistro serves up full dinner menus each evening crafted with locally-sourced seasonal fare, including produce procured from Seattle's historic Pike Place Market. Excellent house specialties include ragu bolognese with beef and vegetables, housemade gnocchi di formaggio, linguine with pancetta and clams, and hearty cioppino prepared with Bering Sea cod. High-quality Neapolitan-style pizzas are also served, along with clever twists on traditional Italian desserts, such as amaretto and triple sec crème brûlée. Italian cafe-style beverages are complemented by an extensive traditional wine list.

653 SW 152nd Street, Burien, WA 98166, Phone: 206-946-1334

8.Osteria da Primo, Burien, Washington

Osteria da Primo is a delicious Italian restaurant in Burien, owned and operated by executive chef Carlo Guida and his wife Lindsay White since 2008. The restaurant, which is named in honor of the couple's son, brings the culinary traditions of Italy's Calabria region to the Seattle region, specializing in wood-fired pizzas, housemade pastas, and fine Italian wines. High-quality pasta entrees include pappardelle with gorgonzola and pistachios, porcini mushroom fiochetti, and potato gnocchi with Calabrian sausage and tomato sauce. Diners can craft their own 12-inch pizzas or enjoy delicious land and sea entrees such as pollo al diavolo or osso buco di porco.

631 SW 152nd Street, Burien, WA 98166, Phone: 206-246-5561

9.Highline Heritage Museum

The Highline Heritage Museum is dedicated to collecting, telling, and preserving the local history and heritage of the Highline area and its local community. After all, at the museum, they believe that exploring one’s heritage is crucial to understanding what it means to be in a community – and Highline’s community in particular. At the museum, visitors can take tours of the regular gallery, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum, or take a dive into the museum's research collections. The Highline Heritage Museum also hosts regular seasonal exhibits by various artists such as Phillip Levine’s Expressing Human Figure, or the Arnulfo Ramirez Exhibit.

819 SW 152nd Street, Burien, Washington 98166, Phone: 206-402-4029

10.Logan Brewing

Situated in downtown Burien, the Logan Brewing Company is dedicated to crafting fantastic, high-quality IPAs with some of the most interesting ingredients that the area has to offer. Guests who want to sample their unique brews can drop by the family and dog-friendly taproom from Tuesday to Sunday. Sample any of the brewery’s 15 craft taps or try one of the regularly rotating guest taps. While visitors are welcome to bring their own food with them, the brewery also has a great snack bar to pair with the great craft beers the Logan Brewing has to offer. Check out the brewery’s calendar to schedule a visit during one of their fun events or to come when things are quieter.

510 SW 151st Street, Burien, Washington 98166, Phone: 206-486-6569

11.Burien Actors Theatre

Come and enjoy a great performance by local talents at the Burien Actors Theatre, a community-based theatre founded in 1995. Dedicated to making people laugh, cry, and dream all at the same time, shows at the Burien question today’s norms and are crafted to celebrate the theatre’s diversity. Apart from watching great shows, the Burien Actors Theatre also welcomes aspiring actors to come and audition, and theatre enthusiasts to volunteer their time and be part of live theatre. Additionally, the BAT also regularly hosts a world-famous Script Club which gathers theatre-enthusiasts to read over scripts and discuss them much like book clubs.

437 SW 144th Street, Burien, Washington 98166, Phone: 206-242-5180