Thing to do
Kerry Park Viewpoint
A small park on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill, Kerry Park has one of the best-known views of Seattle, with the Space Needle, downtown…
Gas Works Park
On the north shore of Lake Union, Gas Works Park keeps the towers of an old coal gasification plant and has a kite-flying hill with views of downtown.
At a glance
- Type
- Park and historic industrial site
- Area
- Wallingford, Seattle, United States
- Official site
- seattle.gov
Good to know
- Free
- Kite Hill
- Play Barn
- Waterfront promenade
- Picnic sites
Why we recommend it
Gas Works Park sits on a promontory on the north shore of Lake Union, between the lake's northwest and northeast arms, and it is one of Seattle's most distinctive public spaces. From 1906 to 1956 the site was a coal gasification plant run by the Seattle Gas Light Company. The city bought the land in 1962, and the park opened in 1975 to a design by the landscape architect Richard Haag, who kept the rusting industrial structures rather than clearing them away. The project won an award from the American Society of Landscape Architects, and the park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013. It is the only surviving site of its kind in the United States.
The remnants of the old plant are the centrepiece, and they make a striking foreground for photographs of the downtown skyline across the water. The park's main features also include Kite Hill, an artificial mound officially known as the Great Mound, with a sundial at its top that uses your own body to cast the shadow. The Play Barn reuses part of the former exhauster-compressor building, and there is a waterfront promenade and picnic sites along the shore.
The park is free and covers about 19 acres. It is a popular place for picnics, kite flying and watching boats on Lake Union, and it is one of the two main venues for Seattle's Independence Day fireworks. On sunny weekends it gets busy, while weekday mornings are calmer. Bring a picnic and a jacket, as the hilltop can be windy, which is why kite flying works so well here.
Gas Works suits families, photographers and anyone who wants open space with a view. Children enjoy the Play Barn and the slopes of Kite Hill. Allow an hour or so for a walk and some photographs, or half a day for a picnic.
Fremont and Wallingford, both with cafés and restaurants, are close by, so it is easy to add lunch before or after. Buses run from downtown, or you can take a taxi or ride-share. The address is 2000 North Northlake Way. Sunset and the evening lights of downtown are a good time to visit, so plan your trip around them if you can.
Gas Works Park FAQs
Is Gas Works Park free?
Yes. It is a public park with no entry charge.
What was the site used for?
It was a coal gasification plant run by the Seattle Gas Light Company from 1906 to 1956.
When did the park open?
It opened in 1975, designed by landscape architect Richard Haag.
Why is the site historically important?
It is the only surviving site of its kind in the United States and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
What is on top of Kite Hill?
A sundial that uses your body as the pointer to cast the shadow.
Is it good for children?
Yes. The Play Barn and the slopes of Kite Hill are popular with families.
Are there fireworks here?
Yes. It hosts one of Seattle's two main Independence Day fireworks events.
How do you get there?
By bus from downtown, or by taxi or ride-share to 2000 North Northlake Way.