Three Bridges In by Car
If you are driving, you will cross the rail yard on one of just three bridges. Take W. Emerson Street for the north end, W. Dravus Street for the middle, or W. Garfield Street, known as the Magnolia Bridge, for the south. Choose your bridge by where you plan to spend your time.
Keep in mind that you cannot drive across the Ballard Locks, and the Salmon Bay Bridge to Ballard carries only trains. A fourth crossing at W. Fort Street leads only to the W. Commodore Way industrial area, so traffic from there still loops back through Emerson.
Three Neighborhoods in One
The Seattle City Clerk's office splits Magnolia into three parts: Lawton Park across the northern half, Briarcliff in the southwestern quarter and Southeast Magnolia in the southeastern quarter. Learn these names and city park and library listings become much easier to follow.
Discovery Park and West Point
Spend a morning in Discovery Park, which fills a large share of the headland. At 534 acres it is the biggest park in Seattle, a mix of woods, open meadow, bluff and shoreline on land that once served as the U.S. Army's Fort Lawton.
Trails, Beaches and the Lighthouse
Follow about seven miles of trails as they wind through the park, opening onto views across Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains. Then head down to roughly two miles of beach that curve around West Point, the westernmost spot in Seattle.
Out at the point, the West Point Lighthouse still helps guide ships into Elliott Bay, just as it has since 1881, making it the oldest lighthouse in the area. West Point is also home to one of the city's sewage treatment plants and several archaeological sites, so expect a working shoreline alongside the scenery.
Traces of Fort Lawton
Look for pieces of the old fort inside the park, including officers' homes and other historic buildings. Many of those homes are now private residences, so enjoy them from the public paths. City records also list the Fort Lawton Chapel among the area's sites. Before you go, check our Discovery Park guide for trail and beach details.
Smaller Parks, Big Views
Discovery Park may steal the spotlight, but Magnolia is full of smaller green spaces too. City records list more than twenty parks, playgrounds and public sites across the headland, ranging from tiny triangles to a boat launch on 32nd Ave W.
Magnolia Park and a Name Mix-Up
Head to the south end for Magnolia Park, 12.1 acres along Magnolia Blvd W in Briarcliff. From here you can take in Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and the downtown skyline, spread a meal at the picnic area or cross the street to the tennis courts.
The neighborhood owes its name to a happy mistake. In 1856, Captain George Davidson of the U.S. Coast Survey reportedly spotted the abundant madrona trees on the bluff and took them for magnolias, and today local groups work to protect the madronas that remain. Find more in our Magnolia Park overview.
Commodore Park by the Locks
On the Magnolia side of the Ballard Locks, Commodore Park is known for its heron habitat and canal views near the Salmon Bay Bridge. Pair it with a visit to the locks themselves, and see our Commodore Park page for more on what you can spot there.
Parks for a Slower Afternoon
Lawton Park, at 4005 27th Ave W, sits a short walk from Magnolia Manor Park, with its dog park and community garden. In Southeast Magnolia, Ella Bailey Park is at 2601 W Smith St near Magnolia School. These spots suit families and dog owners more than sightseers, and our Lawton Park listing points to nearby options.
The Magnolia Branch Library
Stop by the Magnolia Branch of The Seattle Public Library, at 2801 34th Ave W in Briarcliff, even if you are not checking out books. According to HistoryLink, it opened its doors on July 1, 1964, and the city named it an official landmark in 2003.
Architects Paul Hayden Kirk and Richard Haag designed the building, earning top design honors from the American Library Association. Take a seat inside at the solid walnut tables and chairs, custom made by George Nakashima.
Art runs through the visit as well. In the children's area, find the statue Girl Holding Doves by Ebba Rapp McLauchlan, and outside, look for Activity of Thought, a bronze abstract wall piece Glenn Alps created specifically for the building. Our Magnolia Library landmark page covers the designation and nearby sites, and the library's official site lists current hours.
The Village and the Saturday Market
Wander the Village, as locals simply call Magnolia's commercial center, for specialty shops, professional services and restaurants. Along W. McGraw Street, watch for the magnolia trees planted as a nod to the neighborhood's name, even if that original sighting got the species wrong.
In season, the Magnolia Farmers Market sets up on Saturdays at 33rd Ave W and W McGraw St, running from 10 am to 2 pm according to city listings. Seasons and hours can shift from year to year, so confirm on our Magnolia Farmers Market page or the market's official channels before you go.
