Find Hotels Near Gas Works Park Seattle

Gas Works Park in Seattle is one of the most iconic locations in the city. Nestled on Lake Union's north shore, the park overlooks downtown Seattle and the dramatic skyline of downtown Bellevue to the east. The 19.1 acre park is a unique blend of nature, history and industry.

The centerpiece of Gas Works Park is an old gasification plant that was first built in 1906 by the Seattle Gas Light Company. Over time, it grew to become the largest plant of its kind in the United States and supplied natural gas for lighting and heat to Seattle residents for over 70 years. After it closed in 1956, Seattleite Phil Nitschke purchased it from Pacific Northwest Natural Gas Company, who saved it from demolition, and donated it to the City of Seattle as a public park.

Today, visitors can explore this historic site with rusting steel towers connected by pipes, tanks and valves left behind from when this area was a bustling industrial plant. There are also two hills overlooking Lake Union which provide panoramic views of downtown Seattle and distant mountains. Or visitors can explore pathways crisscrossing through native wildflower meadows or take a stroll along grassy knolls shaded by trees.

On any given day during summer months you’ll find families picnicking on blankets while children play on spinners, swings and slides at Kite Hill Playground or sail their homemade boats off shore using currents created by water that is pumped into Lake Union from Salmon Bay below Ballard Locks. On special occasions like New Year's Eve fireworks displays have been known to be launched here as well as windsurfers taking advantage of stiff breezes coming off Lake Washington across Portage Bay.

Gas Works Park also boasts several pavilions where events are held throughout the year such as art installations, concerts and open-air markets featuring local arts & crafts vendors or organically grown produce picked fresh from nearby farms east of Seattle’s city limits. Each season offers something new at Gas Works Park for locals or tourists alike; whether you want to wander around historic ruins or relax by picturesque vistas there’s plenty to do here all year round!