Gardens in Seattle — the 18 best places to go into your own nature

A mystic vibe leads the way – why follow me through Seattle gardens?

I am a travel writer, nature photographer, queer naturalist, and mystic with a rich connection to Mother Earth.  I’ve invested a lifetime guiding myself and others through nature and developed simple ways to be more thoughtful about paying attention to gardens in Seattle and other places in the Pacific Northwest. I lead mystic walking experiences in groups and one-on-one through some of these gardens. If you’d like to know more about heightened adventures into deeper connections with Mother Earth, click the Mystic Nature Experience part of my website. 

When I visit gardens in Seattle, it is about how I feel welcomed by the land, so the vibe is essential. The curated list below provides 18 green spaces that I find particularly inviting. If you want to know some simple ways to be more thoughtful about finding your own nature in a Seattle garden, read my article, Autumn in Seattle, which includes my how-to guide with six dependable steps to elevating your experience in nature.

Washington Park Arboretum

I conduct my Mystic Nature Experiences in this large stretch of nature for good reason.  There are so many zones of Mother Earth’s goodness waiting to be discovered here.  See how many different varieties of azaleas, magnolias, and rhododendron you can spot, and open up to interesting species from Chile, China, and New Zealand in newly developed parts of the park.  I also love the Seattle Japanese Garden and a walkout to Foster Island.  

Although the paved loop trail is very convenient, I suggest a stroll on the pea gravel of Azalea Way before ducking into the canopy of trees in the central part of Seattle’s flagship garden.

Ballard Locks

This is a very popular tourist destination known for the fascinating up-close opportunity to experience an active waterway and witness nature in motion with the salmon fish ladder.  It is a favorite of mine for these reasons… but often overlooked is the wonderful Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Garden.  The simple loop is refreshing and charming, and I love to sit on one of the benches overlooking the waterway that connects the Salish Sea with Salmon Bay.  A fantastic way to quietly connect with nature.  

I have a wide variety of ways to enjoy the outdoors in Seattle, especially in summer. Use the link below to find all the details.

Kubota Garden in Seattle

I’m particularly inspired by Seattle gardens that were lovingly created by various families that later became loved parks.  This gem on the Southside of Seattle exudes the love of Fujitaro Kubota, who worked his land into a spectacular Japanese Garden beginning in 1927.  Today, the land is a smaller portion of his original plot, but still packs inspiring layers of maples, cedar, open lawn, and fabulous water features. 

Be sure to climb up the “mountain” to the top of the waterfall for a sweeping view of the whole grounds.  Then, hide under a cedar tree and take in a meditation.

Dunn Gardens in Seattle

This stunning stretch of land is sandwiched in a residential neighborhood on the north end of Seattle.  It was designed for the Dunn family by the Olmstead Brothers, a firm descended from Frederick Law Olmsted – regarded as the founder of American landscape architecture.  The firm designed Volunteer Park and Washington Park Arboretum (also mentioned above) but also a number of private residences, like the Dunn’s. 

Today this is the only such garden that is open to the public.  I love the layers of organic goodness that come together in a way that feels like an intimate family picnic meets faeries prancing through flowing flower beds.  This is the perfect place for standing meditation.

Kruckeberg Botanic Garden

This garden complex provides a great option to purchase unusual varieties of plants at the store on-premises to take home, but keep wandering down the shady bank.  I love the interesting varieties of Asian-themed plants and trees, and this four-acre space boasts a number of champion trees, which are the largest of their kind in the region. 

The beautiful sculpture, Wood Wave, by Bruce Johnson, is worth getting to know up close and personal – it’s created from a 1000-year-old redwood root system.

Use the link below to learn more about lesser-known botanical gardens in Seattle.

Heronswood Garden

This native-owned garden packs a lot of soul into a relatively small area.  Be sure to check out the innovative fern garden – where pioneer relics like an old piano, stove, and jalopy get swallowed up by nature as if to reiterate what is really in charge on Earth.  The formal garden on the opposite end of the space is probably the most impressive I’ve seen in the Pacific Northwest (outside of Buchart Gardens). 

This Kitsap Peninsula gem is an easy jaunt from the Kingston Ferry landing – making it an energizing stop on the way to Port Townsend or the Olympic Peninsula. Or, for a specifically curated itinerary to promote meditation in this often-overlooked region, including Bainbridge Island, click the link below.

Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden

What’s not to love about a place with over 700 rhododendron species native to four continents!  Of course, the spring season comes alive with a collage of colors, but the textures live on throughout the year. 

There is also a greenhouse that provides color and inspiration (and warmth in the off-season).  This is another place that offers a wonderful plant store, featuring unique varieties.  The entrance is shared with the Pacific Bonsai Museum, which I absolutely love, rain or shine.

Wright Park

This is Tacoma’s superior arboretum which includes the fascinating Seymour Conservatory.  The Victorian glass palace only reopened on May 14, 2022, after an extensive renovation.  Look for the fantastic new living wall of ferns, monstera, orchids, and more. 

The iconic building, originally from 1912, holds a commanding position among the vast arbor, mostly planted in the early 1900s.  There are several champion trees here too, rising up to the heavens.  I enjoy this Stadium District neighborhood in Tacoma — with some fun eateries and coffee shops nearby.  

Meerkerk Gardens

This botanical outpost on Whidbey Island is the legacy of Ann and Max Meerkerk and their dream to integrate rhododendron and companion plants into a peaceful woodland garden.  While the 10 acres of display gardens wow visitors — especially in the blooming season from March to June — the 40 acres of woodland trails provide outstanding options to find inner peace and quiet.  Be sure to stroll by the pond and spend time consciously slowing down.  This is a highlight among all the things to do on Whidbey Island.