Magnolia is a large residential neighborhood northwest of downtown Seattle. While nearby all of the top attractions in the Seattle area, this neighborhood is quiet, calm, and ideal for families.

Magnolia is located on a peninsula, adjacent to the affluent neighborhood of Queen Anne and surrounded by water on the other three sides. With Puget Sound to the west, Elliot Bay to the south, and Salmon Bay to the north, Magnolia boasts great beaches and beautiful water views from nearly anywhere in town. This area is also home to another small neighborhood, Lawton Park, that blends into Magnolia.

Magnolia is a great location for a family-friendly getaway. With only 3 bridges to access Magnolia, it can require some patience to get in and out of the neighborhood and into the city center so it is a better spot for those that would rather spend much of their time on the peninsula, rather than other parts of Seattle.

History of Magnolia

Just as in other areas of Seattle, the first settlers arrived to the area in the 1850s. With the grand idea of a transcontinental railroad, immigrants and settlers flocked to the area with the hope of jobs. Decades later, the railroad was finally built, establishing this area as the primary trade route with Asia.

In the late 1800s, Fort Lawton was built, a military base that has since closed and been revamped as Discovery Park. The presence of the military base and the shipping route led to Magnolia’s growth and wealth but kept the town small and prevented the population of permanent residents from growing too much.

Things to Do in Magnolia

While there are some great things to do in Magnolia, the real appeal to this neighborhood is a restful vacation, away from the typical hustle and bustle of city limits. You won’t find wild nightlife here but instead, you’ll get easy access to nature and a cute downtown that’s welcoming to guests.

Here are our favorite things to do in Magnolia and in nearby areas:

• The Magnolia Village: This is Magnolia’s quaint downtown. Here is where you’ll find a majority of the neighborhood’s shops, restaurants, and cafes, all within walking distance from one another.
• Discovery Park: This is Seattle’s largest park and takes over 25% of Magnolia. This coastal area is well preserved and has great trials throughout it to take in the views. Here, you can enjoy some exercise or simply relax by the sea.
• Magnolia Viewpoint: For some of the best views in the city of Mount Rainier across Puget Sound, you won’t want to miss out on checking out this viewpoint.
• Palisade: This restaurant is at Elliot Bay Marina. Here, you’ll enjoy delicious food with views to match.
• Uptown Espresso: Seattle is synonymous with great coffee, and nowhere in Magnolia is that quite as apparent as Uptown Espresso.
• Downtown Seattle: Magnolia is about 5 miles from Downtown Seattle, giving you easy access to all of Seattle’s hotspots like Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, the Seattle Art Museum, and the Seattle Center.
• Lake Washington: Although surrounded by the coast in Magnolia, head over to Lake Washington and stroll through the The Washington Park Arboretum for unique plants that you’ve likely not seen elsewhere.
• Visit Nearby Neighborhoods: Other great nearby neighborhoods to check out while in Seattle are Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Ballard, Fremont, Lake Union, Phinney Ridge, Wallingford, and Belltown.

Our Seattle Vacation Homes

By booking a short-term house rental directly for your next vacation, you’re not only saving on third party fees from Airbnb or Vrbo, but you’re getting the personal touch of dealing with the property managers directly.

We’re able to help you with all of your Magnolia vacation needs and can point you in the right direction for anything from nearby grocery stores to fun, unique things to do in the area, based on your interests. From the moment you check-in, you can rest assured you’re in good hands while in Seattle.

All of our rental home properties come equipped with free wifi, fresh linens, and a washer/dryer. Some properties have window air conditioning units and/or gas fireplaces.

Get ready for your most relaxing vacation to Seattle yet by staying in Magnolia.