Where to go this summer – Seattle spray park, beach or pool?

Hey mamas! If you’re anything like me, navigating the whirlwind of toddler tantrums and preschool pick-ups, you know how precious those sunny Seattle days can be. Last summer my son and I spent nearly every day at our local Seattle spray park, this summer I intend to be a little more adventurous but just as “poolside livin” as we were last year. Growing up in the ‘90s, I used to spend hours outside, making the most of every sunny afternoon—whether it was running through sprinklers or building sandcastles at the beach. Now, as a mom, I know how important it is to create those same magical moments for my own little one.

But let’s be real—planning outings with young kids can take a little extra prep! Finding that perfect spot that’s fun for them and manageable for us is key. It doesn’t have to be a Seattle Spray Park either! That’s why I’ve rounded up Seattle’s best water spots, designed with families in mind. Think easy-to-access playgrounds, calm waters, and all the practical details you need—like bathroom locations and parking tips—to make your day feel effortless. So, grab your sunscreen, pack those snacks, and let’s dive into some good old-fashioned fun in the sun!

Don’t forget to check out this juicy blog post: Cheap activities to do this summer…

Beaches:

• Madrona Park Beach
  • 📍 853 Lake Washington Blvd, Seattle, WA 98122
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Madrona Park
  • Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways, some beach access.
  • Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash.
  • Parking: Street parking.
• Madison Park Beach
  • 📍 1900 43rd Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Madison Park
  • Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk. Lifeguards during summer months.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways and some beach access.
  • Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash in park, not on swim beach.
  • Parking: Street parking.
• Lowman Beach Park
  • 📍 7017 Beach Dr SW, Seattle, WA 98136
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Lowman Beach Park
  • Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Some accessible pathways, beach access can be difficult.
  • Best Time to Visit: Low tide.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash.
  • Parking: Street parking.
• Discovery Park Beach (Fort Lawton Beach)
  • 📍 Fort Lawton Beach, 122.434422, Seattle, WA 98199
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Discovery Park
  • Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available at Discovery park.
  • Accessibility: Trails to beach are steep, not fully accessable.
  • Best Time to Visit: Low tide.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash.
  • Parking: Parking lots at Discovery Park, hike to beach.
• Juanita Beach Park
  • 📍 9703 NE Juanita Dr, Kirkland, WA 98034
  • Website: City of Kirkland – Juanita Beach Park
  • Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways, beach access.
  • Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash.
  • Parking: Parking lot available.

Seattle Spray Park Options

Visiting a Seattle Spray Park this summer offers families a fun, refreshing alternative to traditional pools. Spray parks are perfect for young children as they provide interactive water play without the depth or safety concerns of a regular pool. With no need for swimming lessons or constant supervision in deep water, parents can relax and enjoy the day while their little ones splash and play. Many Seattle Spray Parks are equipped with colorful fountains, misting zones, and water jets, offering endless entertainment for kids. Plus, these parks are typically free or low-cost, making them an affordable option for family fun. Whether you’re looking to cool off after a sunny day in Seattle or just want a place to let the kids run wild, a Seattle Spray Park offers an exciting, safe, and budget-friendly way to enjoy the summer!

• West Queen Anne Playfield
  • 📍 150 W Blaine St, Seattle, WA 98119
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – West Queen Anne Playfield
  • Hours: Spray park seasonal, typically 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily in summer. Park open dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways and spray park.
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash in park, not in spray park.
  • Parking: Street parking.
• Peppi’s Playground
  • 📍 3233 E Spruce St, Seattle, WA 98122
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Peppi’s Playground
  • Hours: Spray park seasonal, typically 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily in summer. Park open dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways and spray park.
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash in park, not in spray park.
  • Parking: Street parking.
• Jefferson Park
  • 📍 3801 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Jefferson Park
  • Hours: Spray park seasonal, typically 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily in summer. Park open dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways and spray park.
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash in park, not in spray park.
  • Parking: Street parking.
• Fritz Hedges Waterway Park
  • 📍 1117 NE Boat St, Seattle, WA 98105
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Fritz Hedges Waterway Park
  • Hours: Spray park seasonal, typically 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily in summer. Park open dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways and spray park.
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash in park, not in spray park.
  • Parking: Street parking.
• Maple Leaf Reservoir Park
  • 📍 1020 NE 82nd St, Seattle, WA 98115
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Maple Leaf Reservoir Park
  • Hours: Spray park seasonal, typically 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily in summer. Park open dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways and spray park.
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash in park, not in spray park.
  • Parking: Street parking.

Wading Pools:

• Judkins Park and Playfield
  • 📍 2150 S Norman St, Seattle, WA 98144
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Judkins Park
  • Hours: Wading pool seasonal. Park open dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways and wading pool.
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash in park, not in wading pool.
  • Parking: Street parking.
• East Queen Anne Playground & Wading Pool
  • 📍 1912 Warren Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – East Queen Anne Playground
  • Hours: Wading pool seasonal. Park open dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways and wading pool.
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash in park, not in wading pool.
  • Parking: Street parking.
• Jefferson Park
  • 📍 3801 Beacon Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Jefferson Park
  • Hours: Wading pool seasonal. Park open dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways and wading pool.
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash in park, not in wading pool.
  • Parking: Street parking.
• Ella Bailey Park
  • 📍 2601 W Smith St, Seattle, WA 98199
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Ella Bailey Park
  • Hours: Wading pool seasonal. Park open dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways and wading pool.
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash in park, not in wading pool.
  • Parking: Street parking.
• Green Lake Park
  • 📍 7201 East Green Lake Dr N, Seattle, WA 98115
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Green Lake Park
  • Hours: Wading pool seasonal. Park open dawn to dusk.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: Accessible pathways and wading pool.
  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning or late afternoon.
  • Dog-Friendly: Yes, on leash.
  • Parking: Multiple parking lots and street parking.

Swimming Pools:

• Medgar Evers Pool
  • 📍 500 23rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98122
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Medgar Evers Pool
  • Hours: Check website for hours as they vary.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible.
  • Best Time to Visit: Check schedule for family swim times.
  • Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed in the pool area.
  • Parking: Parking lot available.
• Queen Anne Pool
  • 📍 1920 1st Ave W, Seattle, WA 98119
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Queen Anne Pool
  • Hours: Check website for hours as they vary.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible.
  • Best Time to Visit: Check schedule for family swim times.
  • Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed in the pool area.
  • Parking: Parking lot available.
• Ballard Pool
  • 📍 1471 NW 67th St, Seattle, WA 98117
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Ballard Pool
  • Hours: Check website for hours as they vary.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible.
  • Best Time to Visit: Check schedule for family swim times.
  • Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed in the pool area.
  • Parking: Parking lot available.
• Rainier Beach Pool
  • 📍 8825 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Rainier Beach Pool
  • Hours: Check website for hours as they vary.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible.
  • Best Time to Visit: Check schedule for family swim times.
  • Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed in the pool area.
  • Parking: Parking lot available.
• Helene Madison Pool
  • 📍 13401 Meridian Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133
  • Website: Seattle Parks and Recreation – Helene Madison Pool
  • Hours: Check website for hours as they vary.
  • Bathrooms: Public restrooms available.
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible.
  • Best Time to Visit: Check schedule for family swim times.
  • Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed in the pool area.
  • Parking: Parking lot available.