Ella Bailey Park

Ella Bailey Park is the Seattle playground that adults talk about as much as kids — because the views from this Magnolia bluff are so good that they command attention from everyone, regardless of age.

The park sits on a high bluff in Southeast Magnolia with a 180-degree panorama: Puget Sound below, the Olympic Mountains across the water, the Seattle skyline to the right, and the constant movement of Washington State Ferries, container ships, and floatplanes on the water below. On clear days — and there are more of them in Magnolia than in central Seattle — the view is one of the best free panoramas in the city.

The playground equipment is well-maintained and appropriate for a wide age range. With 626 reviews averaging 4.8 stars, it earns its status as one of Seattle's most beloved neighborhood parks. The combination of good equipment, the view, and enough open lawn space for picnics and running creates a park that works as both a playground visit and a full family outing.

For families: set up a picnic blanket on the west-facing lawn, let the kids cycle between playground equipment and binoculars for ferry-spotting, and plan to stay longer than you intended. This is the kind of park where parents regularly delay the departure because nobody wants to leave.

Discovery Park is approximately 0.5 miles away — combining both parks makes a full Magnolia morning at zero cost. The Magnolia Village commercial district (W McGraw St) has a French bakery and local restaurants for a post-park lunch.