Kirkland, WA

Travel Guide

Kirkland featuring street scenes
Marina Park which includes a park, a lake or waterhole and kayaking or canoeing
Marina Park showing boating, a marina and a lake or waterhole
Kirkland featuring a park and a lake or waterhole
Marina Park showing general coastal views and sailing
The lively culture of city life meets the quietness of lakeside parks in this scenic and green community.

Kirkland is a city that makes the most of its lakeside setting by offering several attractive harbors, parks and walking trails along the waterfront. Not only that, but you’ll find all the art, shopping and dining you’d expect from city life. Enjoy an array of outdoor attractions based around scenic Lake Washington.

A British entrepreneur named Peter Kirk founded the city in the 1880s. Kirk was hoping to capitalize on the national need for steel by building a factory, but a stock market crash thwarted his dreams. In the early 20th century, Kirkland became one of the primary boatbuilding and fixing towns in the northwest.

Spend your days here outdoors. Marina ParkOpens in a new window, a quayside lined with public art, picnic spots and biking routes, is one of the city’s lakefront highlights. Bring fishing rods for a day of angling out on the tranquil water.

Hop on a bike and ride the Lake Washington Loop or plummet down the slopes of Big Finn Hill Park. For something at a slower pace, join one of the walking routes that wind around the beaches and marinas.

Bring your binoculars to Juanita Bay Park. This network of wetlands near the city center brims with wildlife.

Experience the cultural side of Kirkland on one of its art walks, which take place on the second Friday of each month. Join locals touring the public art sculptures of Downtown Kirkland. Alternatively, head to one of the many galleries in the city. Try the Howard/Mandville Gallery, Parklane Gallery or the Kirkland Arts Center for a varied selection of national and local works.

Kirkland is located to the northeast of SeattleOpens in a new window, about 30 minutes away by car from both King County International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Visit in July and August for the hottest days and the lowest chance of rain.

One of the best ways to see Kirkland is by boat, so head out onto Lake Washington to drift along the city’s scenic coastline.

Where to stay in Kirkland

The future is NOW. You order online and they bring it to your table! Bring your phone there are no menues! High end food great service.

Bridle Trails

4.5/5(28 area reviews)

Adjacent to Bridle Trails State Park, this neighborhood boasts equestrian facilities like barns and pastures, perfect for horse enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Bridle Trails
Dinner!
#lifeatexpedia

Totem Lake

4/5(223 area reviews)

Surrounded by a 17.2-acre park, this Kirkland neighborhood features a two-acre lake and is adjacent to the Cross Kirkland Corridor linear park and trail, perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Totem Lake
 Autumn Colors

Inglewood-Finn Hill

If you're spending some time in Inglewood-Finn Hill, Juanita Beach Park and Saint Edward State Park are top sights worth seeing.

Inglewood-Finn Hill
Kirkland featuring a park and a lake or waterhole

Norkirk

While there might not be top attractions in Norkirk, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Kirkland Performance Center and Juanita Beach Park.

Norkirk
Marina Park showing boating and a marina

Moss Bay

5/5(50 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Moss Bay, Kirkland Performance Center and Lake Washington are top sights worth seeing.

Moss Bay
A 5.75-mile corridor through the heart of Kirkland and the first improved section of the Eastside Rail Corridor. #bikeexpedia

Central Houghton

While there might not be top attractions in Central Houghton, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Yarrow Bay Marina and Bridle Trails State Park.

Central Houghton
Motel 6 Kirkland, WA - North Kirkland
Motel 6 Kirkland, WA - North Kirkland
2 out of 5
12010 120th Place NE, Kirkland, WA
The price is NT$2,731 per night from Jul 28 to Jul 29
NT$2,731
NT$3,073 total
Jul 28 - Jul 29
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Kirkland. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,017 reviews)
"It’s great for what it is. The walls are paper thin and there’s no wifi. The staff were awesome though. Very kind and helpful and the property was well kept."

Reviewed on 2025/7/11

Motel 6 Kirkland, WA - North Kirkland
Executive Hotel Pacific
Executive Hotel Pacific
3 out of 5
400 Spring St, Seattle, WA
The price is NT$4,645 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
NT$4,645
NT$5,482 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Seattle. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
7.8/10 Good! (3,449 reviews)
"Easy to get around staff very helpful"

Reviewed on 2025/7/13

Executive Hotel Pacific
citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square
citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square
4 out of 5
60 Yesler Way, Seattle, WA
The price is NT$5,522 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
NT$5,522
NT$6,516 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Seattle. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a 24-hour front desk, and satellite TV channels. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (3,456 reviews)
"Great location! Very cool common areas. Rooms are small, but honestly perfect for 2 people. Loved everything about it other than the bed, which was hard as a rock. If you don't do well with an extra firm mattress, either bring a lot of ibuprofen or stay at a different hotel."

Reviewed on 2025/7/12

citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Lakeview Hotel
Lakeview Hotel
4.5 out of 5
10830 NE 68th St, Kirkland, WA
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Kirkland. Enjoy free WiFi, valet parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (158 reviews)
"I wouldn't call this a "boutique" hotel but it was fine. Tough to get in/out of parking garage because of busy street/traffic. Floor in my room was wonky and uneven/coming up but they put a rug over it to hide that? Overall clean and quiet until my upstairs neighbor came home at 2 AM. Also strange ..."

Reviewed on 2025/6/30

Lakeview Hotel
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
3 out of 5
1701 E Valley Rd, Renton, WA
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly aparthotel in Renton. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the convenient ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,296 reviews)
"Great extended stay to stay at. Staff was very helpful. Good continental breakfast each morning. Nice to get cookies each night."

Reviewed on 2025/7/11

Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Renton
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
3 out of 5
15805 SE 37th St, Bellevue, WA
Book a stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Bellevue. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
7.6/10 Good! (3,508 reviews)
"Great staff"

Reviewed on 2025/7/9

Larkspur Landing Extended Stay Suites Bellevue
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Kirkland

4.3
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
144
5 - Excellent 44%
4 - Good
140
4 - Good 43%
3 - Okay
37
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
3
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Everything is walking distance. Even the waterfront

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Beautiful community- if only the sun was out!

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Im more of country, quiet type of person. Kirkland was a little citish, busy for me. But had to go to a vet specialist that is in Kirkland.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler

Little bit hard to get to the area, major traffic, The area is old and too many people

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

I have enjoy the dining and shopping options.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

Small downtown but lake front. Good restaurants.

Cities near Kirkland