Photo courtesy of the City of Seattle and Tim Rice Aerials
Visit Waterfront Park
Photo of the FREE Waterfront Shuttle by Jo Cosme
Free Waterfront Shuttle
The free downtown Waterfront Shuttle, offering free and accessible transportation for visitors to the downtown waterfront and Waterfront Park, is now running and will be operating through Labor Day weekend.
Supported by the Friends of Waterfront Park, Seattle Historic Waterfront Association, the Alliance for Pioneer Square and funded by King County, the Waterfront Shuttle will stop at key locations including the Seattle Center/Space Needle, Pier 69, Pier 56, Pioneer Square, and King Street Station in the International District.
For the full route map and other details, please visit the link below.
Photo by Tim Rice, courtesy of the City of Seattle
Photo courtesy of the City of Seattle
Public Transportation
Here are some of the ways you can take public transit to get to Waterfront Park. Click on the expandable menus below for accessibility information and other helpful links.
Note: There are no bus stops or train stations along Waterfront Park but these recommended routes will get you as close as possible. See the “Roll and Stroll” section below for more information about how to access the park from Downtown Seattle.
Travel Across the Puget Sound
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Visitors coming from Bainbridge Island or Bremerton can ride the ferry and disembark at Colman Dock.
Elevators are available.
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Visitors coming from West Seattle and Vashon Island can take a 15-minute Water Taxi ride and disembark at Pier 50, right next to Pioneer Square Habitat Beach and the Washington Street Boat Landing.
The Water Taxi’s docks, passenger waiting areas and boats are accessible for passengers with disabilities and/or mobility devices.
Travel by Bus and Train
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- 2 – Seneca St. to Madrona Park
- Disembark at 3rd Ave and Pike St. (Northbound)
- 10 – Capitol Hill to Downtown Seattle
- Disembark at Pike St. and 4th Ave (Eastbound)
- 49 – Capitol Hill to Chinatown-International District
- Disembark at Pine St. and 4th Ave (Westbound)
King County Metro busses are accessible for passengers with disabilities and/or mobility devices.
- 2 – Seneca St. to Madrona Park
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- E Line – Aurora Village Transit Station to Yesler Way
- Disembark at 3rd Ave and Pike St.
- 116-512-Link – Alderwood Mall to Downtown Seattle
- Alderwood Mall to Ash Way Park and Ride
- Ash Way Park and Ride to Northgate Light Rail Station
- Disembark at University St Station
King County Metro busses are accessible for passengers with disabilities and/or mobility devices. Elevators and escalators can be found at Link Light Rail Stations.
- E Line – Aurora Village Transit Station to Yesler Way
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- C Line – West Seattle to South Lake Union
- Disembark at 3rd Ave and Pike St (Northbound)
- 36 – Beacon Hill to Downtown Seattle
- Disembark at 3rd Ave and Pike St (Northbound)
- 620-594 – Olympia, Tacoma to Seattle
- Capitol Way at Legion Way to Lakewood Station Bay 5
- Lakewood Station Bay 3 to Downtown Seattle
- Disembark at 4th Ave and Seneca St.
- C Line – West Seattle to South Lake Union
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- 7 – Rainier Beach to Downtown Seattle
- Disembark at 3rd Ave and Pike St. (Northbound)
- 7 – Rainier Beach to Downtown Seattle
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- C Line – West Seattle to South Lake Union
- Disembark at 3rd Ave and Pike St (Northbound)
- 775-Water Taxi – Alki to Seattle
- Take the 775 to the Seacrest Marina
- Take the Water Taxi and disembark at Pier 50 (southbound)
- C Line – West Seattle to South Lake Union
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- King County Metro’s Access Transportation Program
- “For anyone whose disability prevents them from riding traditional buses and trains, Metro’s Access Transportation program operates a network of accessible vans. Access helps customers ride from their starting location to many local destinations within the King County Metro service area.”
- ORCA LIFT
- “Get the most out of transit with reduced fares and ORCA LIFT! This card offers a convenient, more affordable way to get around Puget Sound.”
- King County Metro’s Access Transportation Program
Roll and Stroll
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Travel along all 20-acres of Waterfront Park on foot or with your favorite set of wheels! New bike lanes and pedestrian pathways make getting around a whole lot better. Check out the rows below to find out about different ways to access the waterfront.
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- From Olympic Sculpture Park
- Head southwest on Broad St toward Elliott Ave
- Take a slight left onto Alaskan Way
- From Lenora Street Pedestrian Bridge
- Located on the corner of Elliott Way (Dzidzilalich) and Lenora St
- This pedestrian bridge is equipped with an elevator
- From Olympic Sculpture Park
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- From Pike Place Market
- Through the Market: follow signs for the Waterfront and take the different stairs down OR navigate to the Pike Place Market Parking Garage and take the elevator down to the Waterfront.
- Via the Union Street Pedestrian Bridge: Head south on Post Alley, past the Gum Wall, and turn right onto the Pedestrian Bridge. Elevator access is available.
- Coming soon: Overlook Walk
- From Harbor Steps (University Street)
- The Harbor Steps are easily accessible from the Benaroya Hall/University St. Light Rail station.
- Head west on University St, past the Seattle Art Museum
- Take the stairs down or the elevator down to Western Ave
- Continue westward and you will arrive at the waterfront.
- From Pike Place Market
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Thanks to their proximity to the waterfront, there are multiple ways to access the park from these entrance points.
- Marion Street Ferry Walkway/Colman Dock (on the waterfront; elevator available)
- Pier 50 (on the waterfront)
- Pioneer Square
- Stadium District
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Accessibility Information
Elevators can be found at the following locations:
- Lenora Street Pedestrian Bridge
- Pike Place Market Garage
- Union Street Pedestrian Bridge
- Harbor Steps
- Colman Dock
Drive
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- Take the Madison Street/Convention Place exit.
- Stay straight to go onto 7th Ave.
- Take the first left onto Madison Street.
- Turn right onto Alaskan Way.
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- Take exit 165A toward James Street.
- From right lane, merge onto 6th Avenue.
- Turn right on Columbia Street.
- Turn right on 1st Avenue.
- Turn left on Madison Street.
- Turn right onto Alaskan Way.
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FREE parking for you! Waterfront customers park for FREE for up to two hours in the Pike Place Market Garage — just ask participating businesses for a voucher.
Enter the Pike Place Market Garage in three locations:
- 1530 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA (temporarily closed for car access; open for pedestrian access) map
- 1531 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA map
- 1901 Western Avenue, Seattle, WA map
For details, click here.
Other options include:
- Republic Parking
- Hillclimb Garage: 1422 Alaskan Way
- Street parking
Visit downtownseattleparking.org for more information about parking in downtown Seattle.
New bike lanes are activating along Waterfront Park. Photo by Jason Merges.
