24 Hours In Kirkland

Kirkland is filled with promise! Situated less than 20 miles east of Seattle on the shores of Lake Washington, our stunning waterfront city is the perfect locale for a quick, weekend getaway. Known for its quaint, yet modern charm, Kirkland has achieved a clever balance of historic reverence and innovation, while embracing newness, careful growth and environmental sustainability. Arrive on a Saturday and fill your twenty-four hours with an irresistible blend of shopping, art, fine dining, nightlife and outdoor adventure to truly get a sense of all that Kirkland has to offer! 

Stay in downtown Kirkland

For a walkable adventure that allows you to embrace Kirkland’s lush, waterfront beauty, inspiring selection of public art and unique ambiance, grab a room at the Heathman Hotel, tucked right in the heart of Kirkland’s thriving downtown core. Other options abound, including the luxurious Woodmark Hotel at Carillon point – less than two miles from downtown – or you can discard the traditional altogether and go with a more autonomous setting, by booking a sleek, waterfront condo featured on Vrbo or Airbnb. Once your lodgings are secured, get ready for the best in boutique shopping, fine dining and live music. Work up an appetite exploring Park Lane or our gorgeous waterfront public spaces, and make sure you time your dinner around one of our stunning sunsets on the shores of Marina Park. 

Experience fine dining – Kirkland style

Kirkland is known for its tantalizing selection of extraordinary eateries, each with distinct and gourmet offerings that help establish our city as a flavor-filled oasis for adventurous foodies. From the Heathman’s own Hearth Restaurant to Park Lane’s delightful smorgasbord of selections including fine Italian dining at Ristorante Paradiso or savory southwestern delicacies at Cactus, there is truly something that everyone will enjoy. A brief walk from downtown will allow you to experience waterfront dining at Anthony’s Homeport, or you can stay low key and grab freshly prepared wood-fired pizza from Kirkland Urban’s Tutta Bella, located in the QFC flagship store.   

Catch a live show!

Kirkland residents and guests enjoy a lively and energetic nightlife with an alluring selection of venues that provide a variety of experiences! Friday and Saturday nights are hopping in downtown Kirkland, a flourishing, walkable region filled with a diverse range of atmospheres – from low key and romantic, to spunky, loud and adventurous. And all of that action is just a wink away from our scenic waterfront! Centrally located in downtown you'll find the Kirkland Performance Center (KPC), a classic venue offering 394 comfy seats all boasting incredible views of the stage. Whether live jazz, rock 'n' roll or a fun theater production, KPC is always a great place to catch a show. If you're more edgy, the Wilde Rover Irish Pub and Restaurant is an easy stroll from the Heathman Hotel or one of our gourmet eateries on Park Lane, often showcasing fun, local bands including Herding Cats, The Hipsters and 1980s tribute band, Time Machine Radio. Or grab an Uber and head a couple miles east to the Lime, a sports bar that features a great stage, roomy dance floor and plenty of live music on the weekends!

Juanita Bay Wildlife Tour (Self-Guided)

It’s the hobby you didn’t know you were missing

You never know what you'll see while wandering through historic Juanita Bay Park! Stealthy deer, industrious beavers, crafty muskrats and a multitude of waterfowl call this lush park their home... Or at least a nice spot for an evening stroll. The birding at Juanita Bay is beyond spectacular! You'll find red-winged blackbirds, diving eagles, busy woodpeckers, owls and various waterfowl. In 2021 the park became famous as a mysterious Mandarin duck took up residence, drawing photographers from all over the state who arrived in droves to capture this magnificent creature with their lenses. Situated less than three miles from downtown, Juanita Bay is a local treasure, filling explorers with serenity and wonder at the extensive and diverse population of wildlife that live there.  

Juanita Bay Park is located at: 2201 Market Street in Kirkland