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Things to do in Seattle

Arboretum and Japanese Garden

230 free acres of trees and trails near Lake Washington, with the ticketed Seattle Japanese Garden, a classic stroll garden open since 1960, inside.

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The useful answer

Should this fit your day?

Best for
Garden lovers, walkers and photographers, especially in spring, and anyone who wants a quiet hour in a Japanese garden.
Time to protect
Allow an hour for the Japanese Garden and another hour or two for Azalea Way and the trails.
Cruise-day fit
The Arboretum is on the east side of the city near Lake Washington, a ride of several miles from either cruise terminal, so make it the day before or after a sailing, without luggage. Pier 66 is the closer terminal by road.
From the terminals
Pier 66 downtown is the nearer terminal, a ride east over Capitol Hill. Pier 91 is farther, across the north side of the city.
Before a flight
From SEA, ride the 1 Line to University of Washington Station and walk about 1.2 miles in by the historic Wilcox Bridge, or take a bus or a ride. SR 520 construction can close nearby roads, so leave extra time on a flight day.

Two gardens, one visit

The Arboretum is big and free; the Japanese Garden is small, ticketed and seasonal.

  1. Visiting December to February?

    The Japanese Garden is closed for winter maintenance, but the free Arboretum grounds stay open.

  2. Get dropped at the right gate

    The Graham Visitors Center for Azalea Way and the trails; 1075 Lake Washington Boulevard East for the Japanese Garden.

  3. Book tea ahead

    Tea ceremony demonstrations, April to October, need a reservation.

Book a ride to the Arboretum →

What to know before you go

  1. 01

    The Arboretum's grounds are free and open to the public. UW Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle run it together, across 230 acres known for oaks, maples and camellias.

  2. 02

    Azalea Way is the classic walk: a level path of three-quarters of a mile through the middle of the park and a key part of the Olmsted Brothers' original design. The Seattle Garden Club planted thousands of azaleas here in 1939, and flowering cherries, dogwoods and magnolias line it too. Spring is its big season.

  3. 03

    The paved Arboretum Loop Trail, which opened in sections from 2017, joins Arboretum Drive to make a path of about two and a half miles through the park.

  4. 04

    Start at the Graham Visitors Center for maps, an information desk, restrooms and a gift shop run by volunteers.

  5. 05

    The Seattle Japanese Garden is a separate, ticketed garden inside the Arboretum, at 1075 Lake Washington Boulevard East. Buy tickets at the ticket booth. It's open from March through November and closed December through February for winter maintenance, and it's closed on Mondays.

  6. 06

    Designer Juki Iida planned the 3.5-acre garden, open since June 1960, as a stroll garden in the style of the late 1500s and early 1600s, with a winding path around a central pond. He hand-picked 580 granite rocks from Snoqualmie Pass.

  7. 07

    From April to October there are free guided tours of the Japanese Garden, and tea ceremony demonstrations in the Shoseian Tea House. They last about 40 minutes, need a reservation and are separate from garden admission. The garden is free on Free First Thursdays.

  8. 08

    Dogs aren't allowed in the Japanese Garden. Parking at the Visitors Center and the Japanese Garden is free but very limited.

The Japanese Garden's season, tours and tea ceremonies change, and SR 520 work can affect roads. Check the UW Botanic Gardens and Seattle Japanese Garden sites before you go.

Tours and activities

Tours and tickets for the Arboretum and the Japanese Garden

Well-reviewed tours and tickets, with current prices. Check a date to see open start times, then book with Viator.

Tours are sold and run through Viator; booking opens viator.com in a new tab, and Viator confirms the final price and time. Seatac may earn a commission.

Book tickets and tours

Pick a ticket time that leaves room for the ride back. Timed entry, guided tours and city passes all work; check the live price and times for your date.

  • Tours and activities

    Seattle tours and tickets

    Guided tours, attraction tickets and day trips around Seattle, including options near the Arboretum and the Japanese Garden.

    See tours and tickets

Opens a booking partner in a new tab; Seatac Connection may earn a commission. You can also buy direct on the UW Botanic Gardens Arboretum visit page.

Get a ride there

Drop-off: Washington Park Arboretum and the Seattle Japanese Garden, Graham Visitors Center

Starting from

Your fare is worked out for the exact trip on the next step, before you pay. Want the car to wait while you visit? Book by the hour.

Cruise day: the Arboretum and the Japanese Garden between the ship and your flight

Off the ship with a few hours before your flight? Book the ride from the pier and the ride on to the airport now, so each driver knows where you are going.

  1. Step 1

    Ride from the pier

    Pier 66 downtown is the nearer terminal, a ride east over Capitol Hill. Pier 91 is farther, across the north side of the city.

    From Pier 66From Pier 91

  2. Step 2

    Visit the Arboretum and the Japanese Garden

    Allow an hour for the Japanese Garden and another hour or two for Azalea Way and the trails.

    Tickets and tours

  3. Step 3

    Ride on to Seatac Airport

    From SEA, ride the 1 Line to University of Washington Station and walk about 1.2 miles in by the historic Wilcox Bridge, or take a bus or a ride. SR 520 construction can close nearby roads, so leave extra time on a flight day.

    Arboretum and Japanese Garden to the airport

Big bags

  • Pier 66: Same-day bag storage is available. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.
  • Pier 91: Same-day bag storage in the Crew Center, north of the Ground Transportation Center. Pick bags up by 3 pm to avoid a late fee.

Stored bags mean a stop back at the pier before the airport. To keep them with you instead, book a car by the hour and the driver waits with your luggage.

Planning the whole cruise trip? Keep the Arboretum and the Japanese Garden on it with the rides around it.

Plan the whole cruise trip

Not sure which pier? Find your ship and pier or compare Pier 66 and Pier 91.

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