Kirkland’s Lake Street Mall by Marina Park

Kirkland’s lakeside parks, like Marina Park near the downtown shops and restaurants, are something to brag about.  The downtown area is a great destination.  When you have a day, a half day, or even a couple free hours and need a bit of a break, this is a place you will be sure to relax and refresh.  Down by the water in Kirkland there is always something interesting to see, do, nibble, buy.  Whether you want pizza at Zeek‘s, cupcakes at Sweet Cakes Bakery, coffee at Kahili Coffee, world wraps, delicious fare at one of the many restaurants, like Hectors (average price $10, great weekend brunch)  or the Third Floor Fish Cafe (average price $40), to shop for a hat or shoes or flowers or art, you won’t do better than to spend a few hours here.  And the waterfront park is a wonderful place to stroll or sit with

friends and chat as you people watch, boat watch, and even do some bird watching as well!  Marina Park has a sandy beach, open air pavillion where there are concerts in summer, and magnificant views of Lake Washington and Seattle.  There’s a pay-per-use boat launch and a general air of festivity.  Nearby several well-known restaurants, a wine tasting and Martini bar, Wild Rover Pub, and galleries and boutiques assure the adult end of laid back entertainment.

Kirkland is a paradise for hikers, walkers, joggers and bikers, as the paths along the water provide breathtaking views.  You can hook up to the Burke Gillman Trail (an old railway converted to a biking path) which starts in Kenmore and goes along the water and all the way to Ballard.  Going the other direction, it’s extension is the Sammamish River Trail, which reaches all the way to Redmond, for a total distance of 20 miles.  (There is also talk of extending it to Issaquah.)   When I was here to meet a client last Monday the Seven Hills of Kirkland cycling event was going on, a four hour event for charity.  Since May 6 the Kirkland Wednesday Market started, being held from 2-7 every Wednesday in Marina Park.  May also saw the annual Kirkland Art Tour and several concerts and cruises.  June is offering a full calander of events, including the start of the Friday Night Market on May 29 which goes every week from 3-7 at Juanita Beach Park.  It’s another open air market featuring fresh produce and flowers, arts and crafts.  There is a Juanita Bay Wildlife Tour on June 7 and A Day on the Lake June 14, at Marina Park, and another great event planned at Bastyr University for June 6, their 11th Annual Herb and Food Fair.