Falling for Seattle: A Leaf-Peeper’s Guide to Captivating Fall Colors
by Natalie Compagno
Erico Marcelino via Unsplash
The best spots for families to find fall colors in Seattle are closer than you think
Can you feel the crisp, cool breeze coming in the air? Fall is right around the corner. And that means some of our favorite family activities are starting to up the family calendar: rooting for the Seahawks, sipping apple cider, visiting pumpkin patches, and making our way through corn mazes when we’re done. We’re also on the cusp of a foliage fireworks explosion in Seattle with reds, oranges, and golds that only come out for a few weeks each year. The fall foliage views are spectacular, and the family fun lasts all season long. The gorgeous fall colors in Seattle are not to be missed. Now’s the time to plan to see fall colors in Seattle with the kids and book a fall mini-session while you’re at it.
1. Kubota Garden
The hidden jewel of Rainier Beach, Kubota Garden, is the loveliest way for families in south Seattle to enjoy the fall colors. Japanese maples are the marquee star of this autumn show, and Kubota Garden has over 140 varieties. Kids will love the hidden waterfall and fish pond, and you’ll appreciate the easy (free) parking and relaxed vibe. Kubota Garden is free to all, from sunrise to sunset, every day of the year. Download the self-guided tour map to your phone before you go, or free-form explore when you get there.
The name says it all: it's the Arboretum! Of course, they would have some of the most spectacular fall colors in the heart of the city. Bring the bikes and a picnic lunch to cruise around the two-mile loop, or wander the trails and keep your eyes peeled for colorful trees in this 230-acre park and Seattle institution. Whether you spend 30 minutes or three hours, you can't go wrong at this urban oasis. Buy timed tickets to visit the Seattle Japanese Garden at the south end of the Arboretum ($4-$8/person; free, ages 5 & under). Well worth the effort, the Japanese Garden is smaller, more intimate, and even more colorful than the garden next door.
Bainbridge Island’s Bloedel Reserve turns into nature's kaleidoscope every autumn, with colors that shimmer and shift before your eyes. Your family can explore the collection of 12 gardens on 150 acres, amid such diverse environments such as their award-winning Japanese Garden and their lush, green moss garden. Fall is a magical time at the Reserve. Amaze your kids with a unique sensory, botanical experience. Inhale the fresh, sweet scent that drifts off the Katsura trees in the Japanese garden. The fragrance comes from the leaves themselves as they turn colors and float to the ground.
Green Lake is Seattle's beloved summer hang, but did you know that adjacent Woodland Park (of Zoo fame) continues on the east side of Aurora down to the south end of Green Lake? The best fall colors can be found here, near the many picnic areas and the large, wooded dog off-leash area.
Discovery Park is Seattle's most dramatic (and largest) park, with a lighthouse, 534 acres of hiking and biking, and epic views of Puget Sound. The trees don't disappoint either, with 11 miles of trails opening up countless opportunities for leaf gawking. Pack a picnic, toss the football or play Cornhole, and enjoy an autumn day to remember.
3801 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle Online:seattle.gov
Colman Pool is closed for the season but Lincoln Park still beckons, with 4.6 miles of walking paths and one mile of sea-walled rocky beaches. The fam will enjoy trees ablaze with orange, red and yellow leaves along the paths, contrasting with dark green kelp on the beach and the slate-gray waters of the Sound below. With five picnic shelters, two playgrounds and acres of play fields, this West Seattle gem is a popular spot for families and a fine place to spend an autumn afternoon.
8011 Fauntleroy Way S.W. Seattle Online:seattle.gov
7. Bellevue Botanical Garden
This delightful park, located smack dab in downtown Bellevue, offers 53 acres of cultivated gardens, meadows, wetlands and woodlands for visitors to explore. The 1/3-mile Lost Meadow loop trail offers picturesque fall colors. Be sure to stroll through the Dahlia Garden; flowers should be in full bloom through mid-November (or the first frost). The Botanical Gardens are free and open from dawn to dusk every day. Look out for the hidden door—it's sure to delight the Littles.
Less than 30 miles from Seattle, Mukilteo is a charming nautical village with tremendous views and fun things to do. And fall colors galore! The Japanese Gulch hike offers a multitude of trails that lead to hidden coves and sandy beaches. The area was used for defense during World War II. But instead of turning the lovely area into an industrial park, the community of Mukilteo created the Japanese Gulch Wildlife Habitat in 2014, purchasing the land and preserving it for public use. Bring your kites; the kids will love to fly them high above the beach while you wait to feed the fam at Ivar's or Diamond Knot.
Stop by this park for an exceptional vantage point to witness the captivating fall colors in Seattle, especially if you’re fond of scenic waterfront views. Nestled on the shores of Lake Washington, this stunning fall foliage viewing spot boasts a striking transformation as autumn unfolds. The red, orange and gold trees grace the park’s landscape and take on a magnificent golden hue near sunset, casting rippling reflections on the calm waters below. It’s a picturesque scene that captures the essence of fall colors in Seattle.
Take a fall foliage day trip to these nearby destinations
10. Leavenworth
The kiddos will love a good fall road trip and none is more magnificent than the road to Leavenworth. The scenic drive, via Highway #2 or Highway #97, is awash in fall foliage, with numerous colorful turnoffs. Book a night or two at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort, revel in the town's Bavarian Oktoberfest vibe, take hikes deep into the hills in search of "Larch Madness" and visit the local fruit stands, farmers markets, and farm parks for fall's fresh treats.
The Lower 48s second tallest mountain calls out to Seattle every day from its mystical perch on the southern horizon. If it’s been a while since your last trip to Mount Rainier, fall is a fantastic time to go, and not just because of the fall foliage. The crowds are less plentiful, and the mountain is beautifully exposed after the long summer runoff. Vine maple and high elevation huckleberry bushes begin to turn in late September, and the larch burns brightly yellow well into October. Just remember that some of the visitors centers close for the season or reduce hours starting in mid-September.
