Need a fun day trip or weekend escape near Seattle? Head to Shoreline! Enjoy peaceful waterfront parks, hike forested trails, and savor the convenience of suburban life with big-city access. Whether you're exploring beaches, kayaking Puget Sound, or dining at cozy neighborhood spots, Shoreline offers a relaxing Pacific Northwest experience just minutes from the city.
Shoreline, WA Highlights:
- Richmond Beach Saltwater Park: Relax on sandy beaches, hike coastal trails, and enjoy sweeping views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.
- Cromwell Park: Play, picnic, or stroll landscaped paths at one of Shoreline’s favorite family-friendly parks.
- Boeing Creek Park: Explore forested trails, creeks, and hidden waterfalls in this lush urban green space.
- Shoreline Farmers Market: Shop for local produce, artisanal foods, and crafts at this lively Saturday market (seasonal).
- Kayak or Paddle Puget Sound: Launch kayaks from Richmond Beach and enjoy scenic paddling with seals, eagles, and incredible views.
When I like to visit
The best time to visit Shoreline is during the late spring through early fall (May–September). Warm, sunny days are ideal for beach visits, hiking, and outdoor festivals. Winter brings cool, rainy weather but also fewer crowds and cozy indoor activities nearby.
Tips for getting There
- If you are traveling by car: Shoreline is located just 10–15 minutes north of downtown Seattle along I-5.
- By Light Rail: The new Link light rail stations (Shoreline South/148th and Shoreline North/185th) connect to Seattle starting in 2025.
- By Plane: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is about a 30–40 minute drive depending on traffic.
Where I like to stay
- Hotel Nexus Seattle – Modern, comfortable hotel just south of Shoreline with easy access to I-5 and Northgate Station.
- Extended Stay America – Seattle – Northgate – Affordable suites ideal for longer stays or families, located close to Shoreline’s parks and dining.
- Vacation Rentals – Many cozy house rentals and apartments offer peaceful stays near beaches, parks, and trails.
Best Things to Do
1. Boeing Creek Park
Boeing Creek Park, along with Shoreview Park, is part of a park system that encompasses approximately eighty-eight acres of land in the city of Shoreline, Washington. These two parks both have a border with the Shoreline Community College, as well as an internal border with each other.
Boeing Creek Park consists of primarily forested areas, while Shoreview Park features a number of recreational facilities, such as an off-leash area for dogs, soccer fields, baseball fields, and tennis courts. Boeing Creek itself meanders along Boeing Creek Park’s western edge, and also Shoreview Park, before flowing into Hidden Lake.
Boeing Creek Park, 17229 3rd Ave NW, Shoreline, WA 98133, Phone: 206-801-2700
2. Kruckeberg Botanic Garden
Established in 1958 after Dr. Art Kruckeberg moved to a four-acre farmhouse in Shoreline, Washington with his wife Mareen, the Kruckeberg Botanic Garden is now a public garden full of plants native to the Pacific Northwest region. The garden is also home to many different unusual species from several other lands, all set within a park-like, wooded atmosphere. The four-acre Kruckeberg Botanic Garden offers guests a chance to view over two thousand species of plants.
Kruckeberg Botanic Garden, 20312 15th Ave NW, Shoreline, WA 98177, Phone: 206-546-1281
3. Shoreline Historical Museum
The Shoreline Historical Museum was founded in 1976 as part of a Bicentennial Project for the preservation of the historic area’s heritage, including the history of Lake Forest Park, North Seattle, and Shoreline, Washington.Visitors can stop by the history museum to learn more about the Shoreline area from 10:00am until 4:00pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Visitors can explore several different ongoing exhibits, as well as rotating exhibits. There are also a variety of different activities and programs offered by the Shoreline Historical Museum in addition to its museum exhibits, such as Discovery Trunks, traveling exhibits, Hands-On Days, and more.
Shoreline Historical Museum, 18501 Linden Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133, Phone: 206-542-7111
Where to Eat
4. Taqueria El Sabor
Taqueria El Sabor first started out as a simple taco truck from 1997 to 1999 in Kent, Washington. A small restaurant was opened later with around eight to ten seats, and then expanded in 2003 to thirty-two. Four years later, Taqueria El Sabor opened its second location in 2007 in the city of Shoreline, followed by a third location in Tacoma, Washington in 2011. The restaurant serves authentic Mexican cuisine, which includes salads, soups, seafood, quesadillas, burritos, and enchiladas. Taqueria El Sabor is committed to providing excellent service, food quality, and guest satisfaction, as well as the best possible Mexican food.
Taqueria El Sabor, 15221 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133, Phone: 206-417-3346
5. Dockside Cannabis
The goal of the unique Dockside Cannabis is to provide a place where anyone is welcome and everyone feels included, a kind of place where people would feel comfortable visiting with their grandparents or parents. The cannabis shop strives to not just be the “best in the industry,” but also the “best for the industry.” Dockside Cannabis carries products based on relationships instead of price points, believing that great products are produced by great people, and is dedicated to positioning itself to its customers as a trustworthy access point by only carrying brands or producers they believe in.
Dockside Cannabis, 15029 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133, Phone: 206-531-0156
6. Pagliacci
Pagliacci is a Seattle-based pizza restaurant chain that first opened in the city’s University District in February of 1979. Since then, Pagliacci Pizza has expanded to more than twenty locations across the Bellevue and greater Seattle area. The Shoreline location of Pagliacci on Ballinger Way features a spacious dining room, outdoor seating, and television, and serves whole pizzas and pizza by the slice, as well as lasagna, calzones, and salads. There is also a wine and beer menu. The pizzeria is open Sunday to Thursday from 11:00am until 11:00pm and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00am until midnight.
Pagliacci, 20059 Ballinger Way NE, Shoreline, WA 98155, Phone: 206-726-1717
7. Hamlin Park
Hamlin Park is Shoreline’s oldest and largest park and is named for a pioneer family who once lived in the area. Although the Hamlin family extensively logged the location in the 1900’s, the park is home to many 100-year old second-growth trees which form the backbone of the park. Hamlin Park is a popular recreation area for local residents and there is a network of hiking/walking trails to explore, one of which (Main Trail) is gently sloping and suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. The trails are suitable for children and dogs and you should be on the lookout for birds and other wildlife. There are parking lots and restrooms close to the park.
Hamlin Park, 16006 15th Ave North-East, Shoreline, WA 98155, 206 801 2600
My favorite local events:
- Shoreline Arts Festival (June) – Annual community celebration featuring art exhibits, music, food vendors, and family activities.
- Summer Outdoor Concert Series (July–August) – Free live music in Shoreline parks throughout the warm summer evenings.
- Shoreline Farmers Market Events (Summer) – Special seasonal events featuring chef demos, kids activities, and live performances.
My favorite day trips within 30 Minutes of Shoreline, Washington:
- Seattle, WA (15–20 min) – Visit Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and vibrant downtown neighborhoods.
- Edmonds, WA (10–15 min) – Explore a charming waterfront town known for ferry rides, boutique shops, and beaches.
- Bothell, WA (20–25 min) – Discover wineries, trails, and craft breweries along the Sammamish River Trail.
- Green Lake Park (Seattle) (15–20 min) – Walk or bike around this scenic urban lake, popular for boating and picnicking.
- Ballard Locks and Fish Ladder (20–25 min) – Watch boats pass between Puget Sound and Lake Union, and view salmon migration up close at the fish ladder.
Plan Your Trip