SeatacSeatac Connection
Things to do in Seattle

Gas Works Park

A grassy park on the north shore of Lake Union, built around the towers of an old gas plant, with a kite hill, a sundial and a wide view across the water to downtown.

Get a ride therePlan a Seattle trip with itTours nearby

The useful answer

Should this fit your day?

Best for
Photographers, picnickers, kite fliers and anyone who wants a free, open view of the skyline.
Time to protect
Forty-five minutes to an hour covers Kite Hill, the towers and the shoreline. Stay longer with a picnic or a walk to Fremont.
Cruise-day fit
Gas Works is on the north side of Lake Union, a short ride from either cruise terminal but not a walk with bags. It's an easy stop the evening before or the afternoon after a sailing.
From the terminals
Pier 66 and Pier 91 are both a few miles away by road: from Pier 66 north past Lake Union, from Pier 91 east along the ship canal.
Before a flight
There's no light rail stop nearby, and SEA is a long drive south. It's free and quick, so it can work on a flight day if you leave a big buffer for traffic.

Pair it with Fremont

Gas Works is at the east end of a short stretch of waterfront that runs into Fremont.

  1. Along the Burke-Gilman Trail

    Walk west along the water toward the Fremont Bridge, the Troll and Fremont's public art.

  2. Up Kite Hill

    Climb the mound for the view down the lake to downtown before you go.

  3. Across the lake

    MOHAI and the Lake Union seaplane terminal are on the south shore, a short ride around the lake.

Read the Fremont guide →

What to know before you go

  1. 01

    It's a city park on the north shore of Lake Union. The Seattle Gas Light Company opened its plant here in 1906 and shut it down in 1956, when natural gas arrived. The park opened in 1975.

  2. 02

    Landscape architect Richard Haag's plan kept the plant instead of clearing it. Its six old gas generator towers still stand, and the park is a Seattle landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.

  3. 03

    Kite Hill, the big grassy mound, is the place for kites and the view of the city across the lake. Look for Sundial, a 1978 artwork by Chuck Greening and Kim Lazare.

  4. 04

    The play barn, with its repainted pumps, compressors and pipes, was the plant's pump house, and the picnic shelter was its boiler house. Both date from around 1910.

  5. 05

    Stay out of the lake here: its sediment holds hazardous substances, so swimming, wading, fishing and launching boats aren't allowed.

  6. 06

    The Burke-Gilman Trail runs past the parking lot, so it's easy to walk or bike in along the water.

Check the Seattle Parks page for closures and park notices before you go.

Tours and activities

Tours that visit Gas Works Park

Entry itself is free. These well-reviewed tours include it, 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.

Free to visit, with tours nearby

There's no ticket for Gas Works Park: just go. If you'd like a guide, a harbor cruise or another stop the same day, start here.

  • Tours and activities

    Seattle tours and tickets

    Guided tours, attraction tickets and day trips around Seattle, including options near Gas Works Park.

    See tours and tickets

Opens a booking partner in a new tab; Seatac Connection may earn a commission. For current notices, see the Seattle Parks Gas Works Park page.

Get a ride there

Drop-off: Gas Works Park, 2101 N Northlake Way

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: Gas Works Park 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 and Pier 91 are both a few miles away by road: from Pier 66 north past Lake Union, from Pier 91 east along the ship canal.

    From Pier 66From Pier 91

  2. Step 2

    Visit Gas Works Park

    Forty-five minutes to an hour covers Kite Hill, the towers and the shoreline. Stay longer with a picnic or a walk to Fremont.

    Tours nearby

  3. Step 3

    Ride on to Seatac Airport

    There's no light rail stop nearby, and SEA is a long drive south. It's free and quick, so it can work on a flight day if you leave a big buffer for traffic.

    Gas Works Park 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 Gas Works Park 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.

Next stop nearby