We’ve all heard some version of the phrase, “It’s about the journey, not the destination.” I’ve found parenting to be most rewarding when in that mindset. Three-year-olds are masters at bringing enthusiasm to both, so I was looking for an activity to match that energy. Enter, light rail across the lake. The first and only of its kind, right here in our backyard.
Last month, the new Link light rail Crosslake Connection opened, connecting Sound Transit’s 1 and 2 lines and Seattle to the Eastside. As proud ORCA cardholders, we were inclined to explore both the journey across the lake and the new Eastside destinations now accessible to us without a car.
“Dad, I see the water!” (Image: Casey Funke / Seattle’s Child)
Light Rail Logistics
The 1 line runs between Federal Way and Lynnwood; the 2 line from Lynnwood to Downtown Redmond. If you are coming from the south, like we were, you can transfer from the 1 line to the 2 line at International District/Chinatown Station. From the north, you can either take the 2 line towards Downtown Redmond or the 1 line towards Federal Way. You must be on a 2-line train to cross the lake.
We rode to Mount Baker, got off, and walked about one mile to Judkins Park Station. (Image: Casey Funke / Seattle’s Child)
Setting Out
Our trip started at Othello Station. We rode to Mount Baker, got off, and walked about one mile to Judkins Park Station. The distance is doable, but the walk itself is unpleasant. The 7 bus easily connects the two stations, but in walking, we stumbled upon the Seattle PlayGarden, a clean and tidy park with basketball courts, playground equipment, gardens, a learning center, chickens, ducks, and bunnies, and a mission of providing children of all abilities a safe, accessible, and adventurous place to play.
The park was quiet on an overcast morning, and we were just getting our adventure legs under us, but we easily spent an hour exploring. For those traveling from the Eastside looking for interesting, kid-friendly spaces in Seattle, check out the PlayGarden.
The PlayGarden was an unexpected find on the walk to Judkins Park Station. (Image: Casey Funke / Seattle’s Child)
At Judkins Park, we boarded a 2-line train and were immediately whisked through a tunnel and onto a floating bridge, a new world of regional connectivity awaiting us. My son, binoculars in hand, sat on his knees and looked out the window. “Dad, I see the water.” The journey was going splendidly.
Things To Do on the 2-Line
We had identified some stops we wanted to make along the way. Under time limitations, we couldn’t get to them all, but we found some worthwhile destinations to complement our journey.
Mercer Island Station
- Luther Burbank Park is less than a mile away and has beach access, playgrounds, tennis courts, and an off-leash waterfront dog park.
- Mercer Island Farmers Market, open Sundays, May 31 to October 11, is less than a mile away
South Bellevue Station
- Mercer Slough Nature Park has walking trails through Lake Washington’s largest wetland, and a u-pick blueberry farm open in the summer.
Downtown Bellevue Station
- The KidsQuest Children’s Museum is walkable from the station. Entrance to the museum is $16.75 per person (kids under one are free). The museum had a diverse array of exhibits, from a paper airplane-making station to a water exhibit that kept my son entertained for a good 15 minutes. We challenged a friendly museum staffer to a game of Connect 4, and he gently helped my son learn the rules. A small crowd of kids gathered as I built a long domino train in the lobby and then set it off with perfection. We climbed a secret tree staircase into a canopy full of books and cozy reading nooks. Over the course of two hours, we barely scratched the surface.
KidsQuest Museum could have been an adventure in itself. (Image: Casey Funke / Seattle’s Child)
Spring District Station
- Bellevue Brewing Company is a short, easy walk from the train. The brewery has tv’s for games and a big outdoor area where kids can wander. Spring District Park adjoins the brewery and has urban swings, a large grassy field, and a play fountain.
(Image: Casey Funke / Seattle’s Child)
Marymoor Village Station
- Marymoor Park is vast. We got off the light rail and walked the path into the park. We didn’t get to any noteworthy spots on foot, but decided this would be a great stop to come back with bikes.
- And in fact we did, a following weekend. Marymoor provided a fun and safe space for my son to practice pedal biking. We took the Marymoor Connector Trail and looped around to meet some friends at Postdoc Brewing, which is within biking or walking distance from the station.
Back across the water, this time with bikes. (Image: Casey Funke / Seattle’s Child)
Downtown Redmond Station
- French fries had been requested and we were betting on downtown Redmond to come through. We found Tipsy Cow Burger Bar, which satisfied the request and had high-quality burgers and a tasty wedge salad. There were plenty of other food options nearby. For ice cream, both Salt and Straw and Molly Moons are within walking distance of the station. For more recommendations, check out Sound Transit’s Teen Guide to the 2 line.
A Good Day
After a late lunch, we hopped the 2 line back across the lake. We got off at Judkins Park, crossed the overpass to the west side of Rainier, and quickly caught the 7 bus home. That night, my son fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, exhausted from both journey and destinations. It had been a good day.
