Green Lake
7.6797° N, 122.3256° W
Welcome to Green Lake
One of my favorite things about living in the Seattle area is the incredible variety of experiences right at your doorstep. Take the Green Lake neighborhood, just north of downtown—about a 15-minute drive from the high rises, yet it feels like a peaceful retreat built around the lake it’s named for.
Green Lake itself is the centerpiece of the neighborhood and a must-visit. A paved trail circles the lake, stretching 2.8 miles—perfect for a jog, bike ride, or a leisurely walk with your dog. During the summer, the lake comes alive with two swimming beaches, offering a refreshing escape on sunny days.
For some fun after your walk or ride, Green Lake Pitch & Putt is a local favorite, providing a casual and entertaining way to spend some extra time outdoors. The area is also filled with charming local shops, cafes, and restaurants, where residents love to support neighborhood businesses. With convenient bike lanes and bus routes, getting around—whether for errands or exploring—is easy and enjoyable.
Between the natural beauty, recreational options, and vibrant community feel, Green Lake is a neighborhood that really showcases the best of Seattle living.
Walk Score: 84
Things to Do: Green Lake
Find Your Magic
Held in early autumn, the Water Lantern Festival is a magical community event for all ages. Gather with loved ones, reflect, and connect as you release your personalized lantern onto the water at sunset. Enjoy food trucks, live music, vendors, a scavenger hunt, and the glowing lantern launch.
See a Show
Seattle Public Theater, nestled in the old Green Lake bathhouse, is a nonprofit that celebrates diverse voices and emerging artists. They create work that sparks conversation and inspires empathy while promoting racial equity, feminist leadership, inclusivity of all gender and sexual identities, and accessibility for all.
But first, coffee
If you’re in Seattle, coffee is a must! Zoka Coffee is a cozy, comfortable coffee house in the heart of TangleTown, and it’s my personal favorite! Retreat is another place that I would highly recommend for coffee as well as teas, smoothies, wellness drinks, and even cocktails. And their Morning Bowls are worth the price of admission!
Sweet Treats
If you’re craving something sweet, you have to try Bell’s Cookies! From Dubai Chocolate to Stuffed Pumpkin Cheesecake, every bite is a treat. For chocolate lovers, Chocolati offers beautifully crafted confections that are as stunning as they are delicious. And if ice cream is more your style, stop by Ben & Jerry’s—don’t miss the Mango with Sweet Cream flavor!
Life On the Lake
At the heart of Seattle, Green Lake is one of the city’s most cherished parks and home to nationally recognized youth rowing, canoe, kayak, and sailing programs. Opened in 2024, the new Green Lake Community Boathouse removes barriers of cost and accessibility, creating an inclusive space for everyone to enjoy the water.
Visit Wildlife
The Woodland Park Zoo is a perfect afternoon outing for animal lovers. Explore exhibits like Tropical Asia, Northern Trail, and the African Savanna, and discover a variety of exotic creatures. The zoo also leads important conservation efforts through its Living Northwest program, supporting native wildlife and their habitats.
Ready to Start Your Next Adventure?
Living Here: A Neighborhood Snapshot
Seattle’s neighborhoods are unusually distinct and character rich because Seattle isn’t one city — it’s like a constellation of small towns that just happen to be next to each other… each with its own micro culture, its own tempo, its own aesthetic language. Coffee, pubs, bakeries, boutiques, bookstores are very neighborhood specific and beloved here. People belong to their café. Their bakery. And the architecture makes it even better — old craftsman, mid-century, modern, industrial conversions, Victorian leftovers, Scandinavian touches. Porches, gardens, hidden alleys, random staircases… it all creates this lived-in story everywhere you walk.
