With May being National Bike Month, it’s the perfect time to dust off your bikes, trailers and training wheels and hit the trails. To help you get off on the right foot er pedal, we’ve mapped out nine fantastic stops along the Burke Gilman Trail—from Ballard to Kenmore—to keep you and your little cyclists happy and fueled. Read on and get ready to plan a day on Seattle’s best urban bike trail.
Miri's at Golden Gardens
It's the perfect place to begin your journey: the sandy beaches of Golden Gardens lie at one end of the trail. Forgot to pack a picnic? Miri's got you covered. The popular spot specializes in local, organic breakfast and lunch goodness, with an emphasis on poffertjes. Poff-what? As owner Miri Plowman says, "Tiny Dutch pancakes, the little ones love them." Open Thurs.-Sun. and Mon.-Sun. starting in mid-June.
8498 Seaview Pl. N.W.
Seattle, WA 98117
360-317-8530
Online: mirisseattle.com
The Lockspot Cafe
The Hiram Chittenden (aka Ballard) Locks provide endless fascination for kids of all ages watching the boats go through. The Lockspot guards the entrance, making sure no visitors will go hungry or thirsty. With a kids' menu and a large flowery patio, put this spot on your summer bike map. Is it too early for a fish sandwich? Never.
3005 N.W. 54th St
Seattle, WA 98107
206-789-4865
Online: facebook.com/TheLockspotCafe
Hale's Ales
Hale's Ales and the Burke-Gilman go together like beer and bicycles, sharing the same corner of the path in Fremont since the 1980s. Order yummy Mexican food from on-site food truck fave El Camion. Hale's hosts a full roster of live events as well; don't miss The I Hate Children Children's Show, a very funny magic show starring...you guessed it, kids!
4301 Leary Way N.W.
Seattle, WA 98107
206-782-0737
Online: halesbrewery.com
Ivar's Salmon House
A Seattle icon, Ivar's makes a perfect stop just off the trail for epic water views. Lock up your wheels and enjoy the back patio. Birds, boats and kayaks rush by to entertain while the Space Needle and skyline shine in the distance. Don't forget to show the kids the incredible First Nations art collection inside the restaurant. Another option is to grab some grub from the easy to-go window right in front. Baby prawns, fries, clam chowder and salmon Caesar salad make the perfect picnic to take to Gasworks Park.
401 N.E. Northlake Way
Seattle, WA 98105
206-632-0767
Online: ivars.com/locations/salmon-house
Recycled Cycles
Need a bike—or several—for the family? Recycled Cycles has bikes of all shapes and sizes for the little ones. The Trail-a-Bike allows kids to pedal along while still safely attached to your bike, while the Burley Bee is a tiny trailer for the smallest of cyclists. The friendly shop also has air, parts, new and used bikes...everything to make your day on the Burke-Gilman a huge success.
1007 N.E. Boat St
Seattle, WA 98105
206-547-4491
Online: recycledcycles.com
Agua Verde Cafe & Paddle Club
Looking to add some aquatic fun to your epic day on the Burke-Gilman? Agua Verde rents stand-up paddleboards and kayaks to landlocked cyclists of all ages. They also have a full Mexican restaurant with tacos, nachos, and—that's right—margaritas!
1307 NE Boat St
Seattle, WA 98105
206-545-8570 (ext. 2)
Online: aguaverde.com
Great State Burger & Burke Gilman Brewing Company
Two great stops in one! After a long day pedaling in the sun, sometimes only a burger, fries and a Northwest IPA will do. Great State Burger has joined the Renee Erickson restaurant empire with a satisfying, inexpensive burger.
Burke Gilman Brewing Company opened last July, causing hundreds of cyclists to screech on the brakes to check it out. They specialize in the beers sweaty cyclists crave and hop-forward ales. Their mantra: "Kid-friendly, dog-friendly, also we are quite friendly."
Feeling fancy? Erickson's Bistro Shirlee just opened in the same bike-friendly complex.
Great State Burger
3600 N.E. 45th St.
Seattle, WA 98105
206-775-8990
Online: greatstateburger.com
Burke Gilman Brewing Company
3626 N.E. 45th St.
Seattle, WA 98105
206-268-0220
Online: burkegilmanbrewing.com
Magnuson Cafe & Brewery
Take N.E. 65 Street—with a fully protected bike lane—off the trail down into Magnuson Park, then head north. Magnuson Cafe & Brewery is a peaceful oasis with gorgeous views overlooking Lake Washington. Featuring beers from the team behind Mollusk, it's the place to recharge before visiting the park. Make the pilgrimage to Cascade Bicycle Club, right next door, to find out about the latest group family rides. For extra credit, head out to A Sound Garden, part of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration complex. The wind-activated sculpture art installation once upon a time inspired the name of—you guessed it—Soundgarden.
7801 62nd Ave. N.E.
Seattle, WA 98115
206-525-0669
Online: magnusonbrewery.com
192 Brewing Co. Lake Trail Taproom
What started as a 192 square foot brewery has become a vast urban beer garden and event space right on Lake Washington in Kenmore. Kids and dogs are welcome, and there is a full menu for all ages, from pub grub to falafel. Psst...don't miss the Sunday afternoon Blues Jam, the perfect way to end the weekend before heading home on the bike path, under the roar of the seaplanes on one of those endlessly bright summer nights.
7324 N.E. 175th St.
Kenmore, WA 98028
425-424-2337
Online: 192brewing.com
—Natalie Compagno
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