Kirkland: Waterfront Parks, Trails and Culture

Waterfront parks on Lake Washington, trails with specified lengths and cultural sites with histories of their own give a stay in Kirkland a range of focal points. If you’re looking for a hotel in Kirkland, these destinations can help you plan your trip around the activities that interest you.

Waterfront Parks and Nature

On Lake Washington, Marina Park and Juanita Beach Park showcase different aspects of the waterfront landscape. Marina Park is a prominent waterfront park with a boat launch, moorage facilities and a public restroom. At Juanita Beach Park, the shoreline stretches for 1,000 feet. There, a sandy beach and shallow swimming area are completely enclosed by a U-shaped pier.

Juanita Bay Park offers a different view of nature, with vistas of Forbes Creek Wetland, Juanita Beach and Juanita Bay. Its diverse flora and fauna, along with the waters surrounding the park that form a protected wildlife habitat, make this natural area a destination in its own right. Observe the posted restrictions.

Moorage is also relevant to your planning: Kirkland Marina Park Dock and 2nd Avenue South Dock offer a combined total of 82 uncovered moorage slips, available year-round. Check availability before you arrive.

Trails with Different Features

The Cross Kirkland Corridor Interim Trail is 10 feet wide, 5.75 miles long and covered with gravel. It runs from South Kirkland Park & Ride at the southern city boundary north through the Totem Lake Business District. This trail’s length, surface and two endpoints are all specified.

At 1.2 miles, the Lake View Walk is considerably shorter. The route passes waterfront parks between downtown Kirkland and Carillon Point. So, those looking to compare trails by length will find two options of different lengths here; the Lake View Walk is also described by its endpoints and its route past waterfront parks.

Other trails have their own features rather than a specified length: Watershed Park is a nature park with forests, walking trails and a viewpoint. Brookhaven Park has a gravel interpretive walking trail. The options range from a longer, precisely described corridor to trails whose character is shaped by parkland, a viewpoint or an interpretive trail.

Water Activities and Culture

At Juanita Beach Park, visitors can launch personal watercraft such as kayaks and paddleboards. Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are also among the recreational activities available along Kirkland’s waterfront; providers and conditions may vary. A beach area with a shallow swimming area and pier, and these water activities, offer different ways to enjoy your stay.

Numerous interpretive signs throughout Juanita Beach Park tell the story of the area’s history. Kirkland’s buildings also reflect different historical uses: Heritage Hall is a Greek Revival-style building that was built as a church in 1922 and converted into office space in 1968.

The Peter Kirk Building was built in 1891 and is the only surviving building directly associated with city founder Peter Kirk. The historic building houses the Kirkland Arts Center, which offers art classes and galleries. The site thus connects the building’s history with a contemporary cultural offering.

The Kirkland Performance Center hosts live music, theater, dance and comedy, and supports arts education and local artists. The theater has 394 seats and an intimate layout; even the seats farthest from the stage are 40 feet away and offer a good view. Since schedules vary, check the dates for your trip.

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