Gas Works Park: Beautiful Day & Night

Day or night, Gas Works Park is a great place to enjoy Seattle. Picturesque views of the city skyline and famous Space Needle abound, rolling grass hills give plenty of space for setting out a picnic, watching the sunset, the water planes landing and taking off, or sailboats floating by, and enjoying the city lights slowly lighting up the sky at night. Bring a tripod for great night photos, or a frisbee and kite for daytime fun. There is also an area with a picnic shelter, tables, and fire grills if you want to BBQ.

Gas Works is a 20 acre park set along a point on Lake Union. In 1906 the area was cleared to build a plant to manufacture gas from coal. In the 1950’s the plant went out of use, and in 1962 the site was acquired by the city to be make into a park. The remnants of the plant still exist and make for an added quirkiness to the already visually stimulating sight.

Events like the 4th of July Fireworks, or night spectacles like a lunar eclipse will find the park packed with people, fire dancers, and more. While the park does have a small parking lot, if you can get to Gas Works by walking or biking, it’s recommended—especially at times like this.

The Burke-Gilman Trail which runs for 18 miles along Lake Union and provides space for walkers, joggers and cyclers, run right by Gas Works. And if you’re lucky you might even catch some good old fashion sword fights.