9 Peaceful Places to See Spring Blooms around Seattle

University of Washington Campus

The University of Washington campus is by far one of the most popular places to view and take pictures with spectacular blooms, especially if cherry blossoms are your jam. If you really want to wow your kids, the Quad is the place to be. You'll find 29 huge cherry trees, planted over 86 years ago. A great spot to capture your crew frolicking around in the beautiful, fluffy pink and white flowers. Don't forget you can celebrate all of the above at the annual Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival, taking place in-person this year, from April 8-10, 2022.

1410 N.E. Campus Pkwy.
Seattle, WA 98195
Online: washington.edu

Washington Park Arboretum

Speaking of UW, we would be remiss if we didn’t include the Washington Park Arboretum. Spanning from Madison Park to Montlake, just south of the U District, the Arboretum is alive with flowers this spring, including cherry blossoms, cascading yellow gold chain trees and blooming true ashes. Start your trip outside the Graham Visitor’s Center (open Weds.-Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.), then let the little ones burn off some energy as they explore the more than 200 acres of foot trails, lawns and paths leading to ponds. During your visit, check out the iconic Azalea Way. It’s a 3/4-mile walk through the heart of the Arboretum, chock full of gorgeous flowering plants and trees. You are sure to find a spot or two perfect for snapping some heart-warming pics of your kiddos. Also, consider checking out the gorgeous Seattle Japanese Garden. It just reopened for the season March 1, 2022. Psst…after your shots, don't forget to take advantage of the two-mile Arboretum Loop Trail. It's a perfect stroll for after the camera roll.

2300 Arboretum Dr. E.
Seattle, WA 98112
206-543-8800
Online: botanicgardens.uw.edu

Kubota Garden

Rainier Beach’s gorgeous Kubota Gardens was built by Fujitaro Kubota in the late 1920s. Red and purple flowers, including large magnolia blossoms, are on display this time of year. Kiddos can navigate rocks, streams and serene ponds on the 20-acre property. Any of the gardens here provide you with a great photog opportunity, but the Waterfall At Mountainside and the Moon Bridge can also add a nice whimsical air to any Japanese garden-esque springtime shots. View the self-guided tour online to plan out your trip. And if you want to bring Fido along as a prop, dogs are welcome, provided they are on a leash and you clean-up after them. Bonus: It’s free admission to the public.

Insider tip: While bigger kids should be able to freely explore without much trouble, toddlers might need a little help making their way across the garden’s narrow paths and bridges.

9817 55th Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98118
206-725-5060
Online: kubotagarden.org

Volunteer Park

An almost 50-acre refuge in Capitol Hill, Volunteer Park was designed by the famous Olmstead Brothers in the early 1900s. The park houses the completely renovated Seattle Asian Art Museum that has and a climbable water tower with 365 degree views of the city. Snap up some cutesy kiddo photos throughout the park’s immaculate landscaping and then let the little ones explore the Block play sculpture and playground. Hello, Insta!

1247 15th Ave. E.
Seattle, WA 98102
206-684-4075
Online: seattle.gov

Bellevue Botanical Garden

This self-described "urban oasis" easily wears the mantle of "photo-worthy" for Eastside families, but it's definitely worth the drive for Seattle families too. Its 53-acres is divided into eleven smaller gardens, each with a distinct floral theme that makes finding the right spot for your family photo shoot (informal or otherwise) a breeze. Rhododendron Glen is blooming through summer, when the hydrangeas will make themselves known. And the Urban Meadow adds a little pollinator education to its gorgeous and colorful blooms with the Mason Bee exhibit (psst... get the details on how your family can rent mason bees to help pollinators do their job.). It's hard to go wrong at this expansive garden.

12001 Main St.
Bellevue, WA 98005
425-452-2750
Online: bellevuebotanical.org

Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden

This little-known garden just south of the city is a quiet spot to enjoy spring blooms and take sweet photos of your crew on a warm day. It's open daily from dawn to dusk, and families will find seven distinct garden landscapes on the 11-acre property. Look for draped vines, bodacious blooms and secret bridges as you make your way around the property. It's a great spot to stop and smell the flowers, learn about each garden's history and say cheese.

13735 24th Ave. S.
SeaTac, WA
206-391-4003
Online: highlinegarden.org

South Seattle College Arboretum & Seattle Chinese Garden

These gardens, nestled high atop a ridge in West Seattle, count as a two-fer in the land of garden photo-ops. Not only do fragrant, colorful blooms (and stunning views of the Seattle skyline and Elliott Bay) abound at the South Seattle College Arboretum, but you can find equally lovely flowers at the 5-acre Seattle Chinese Garden, located on the north end of the campus. The Arboretum is a “living laboratory” used by college students studying plant (and other) sciences. But it’s also a spot where kids can strike a pose worthy of framing. Parents can find more spots for a photo op at the Seattle Chinese Garden where traditional Chinese architecture blends seamlessly with the dynamic flora and fauna you can find here.

6000 16th Ave. S.W.
Seattle, WA 98106
Online: sites.southseattle.edu

Discovery Park

The largest city park in Seattle, Discovery Park sits in the Magnolia neighborhood on land previously occupied by Fort Lawton. Here, kids can experience woodland trails, open fields and a beach flanked by a lighthouse. If it’s a clear day, both the Olympics and Cascades can be seen from the beach. In addition to blooming plants and wildflowers, an assortment of birds, including mallards, grebes, and—if you’re especially lucky—bald eagles can be spotted in the spring. Between the beach, the mountains, the lighthouse and the flowers in bloom, we are pretty sure your inner Anne Geddes will show through, as Discovery Park has just about everything a spring photo shoot requires. Psst...during your visit be sure to check out the awesome playground. You know your kids will want to let loose after cheesing it up for the camera.

3801 Discovery Park Blvd.
Seattle, WA 98199
206-684-4075
Online: seattle.gov

Seward Park

Surrounded by Lake Washington on three sides, south Seattle’s Seward Park offers pristine views of Mount Rainier (a pic with your mini and the mountain? Yes, please!) and plenty of spots for picnics and portraits. A plethora of fresh flowering plants join conifers and ferns in making the park especially beautiful this time of year. Wanting to capture that wilderness vibe? Head on into the Magnificent Forest where the kids can explore Seattle’s biggest block of old-growth trees, with some dating back more than 250 years. Find an awesome Douglas Fir, plop your little explorer by it, and, bam!, you’ve got your PNW-vibing pic for grandparents in the books!

Good to know: If you’ve got a kiddo or two with grabby-hands syndrome, be sure to look out for signs warning about poison oak.

5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S.
Seattle, WA 98118
206-684-4396
Online: seattle.gov