On the shore of Lake Washington, Kirkland has become one of Seattle’s fastest-growing suburbs. It has captivating waterfront views and picturesque parks, and despite its recent growth and increasing affluence, it has maintained a welcoming neighborly atmosphere. Take some time to get to know this quaint yet lively town to see if you’re ready to make Kirkland your home.
Your first stop in Kirkland will be a consultation with your realtor, Kathryn Lister, so that she can schedule a tour of Kirkland homes for sale, Bellevue condos for sale, and other Seattle area real estate. As a third-generation real estate broker from Seattle, Kathryn has a firm understanding of the market. She can also direct you to the most popular sights in the neighborhood to help you feel at home in Kirkland.
Walk across town
One of the best ways to experience Kirkland is by foot. You can begin your trek at the south end of town at Kirkland Urban, an 11-acre development and true urban destination designed with the vision of providing families and professionals one place where they can “work, eat, live, and shop.” The mixed-use complex includes extensive office space, elaborate apartments, restaurants, and a shopping mall.
Choosing from the wide selection of restaurants at Kirkland Urban depends on your mood and appetite. If you want a pick-me-up, stop at Kirkland Cafe Ladro for one of their specialty espressos and grab a sweet treat from their baked goods menu featuring lemon lavender bars, rum-soaked almond croissants, and spiced chocolate biscotti.
Besides cafes and restaurants, you will find The Ryan James Art Gallery, a contemporary fine art gallery featuring showings from renowned international artists. Another unique Kirkland Urban attraction is Restore Cryotherapy, an innovative hyper-wellness center that provides services to decrease inflammation, optimize sleep, and boost energy with services like cryotherapy, infrared sauna, and red-light therapy.
After exploring Kirkland Urban, you can continue walking north along the Cross Kirkland Corridor, a former rail line that begins in South Kirkland and leads up to Totem Lake Village. Like Kirkland, Urban, Totem Lake Village is another innovative lifestyle center combining luxury apartments, creative office space, a state-of-the-art theater, many restaurants, and boutique shopping.
Totem Lake Village shopping options include Lululemon for stylish active outfits and Nordstrom Rack, which has clothing and accessories for the whole family. After shopping, take the family to the Cinemark Theater for a movie and popcorn or try a novel experience at Sandbox VR, a futuristic virtual reality experience. Sandbox VR is the first globally successful virtual reality company that allows players a completely immersive experience and lets them interact with each other while wearing full-body motion capture devices. The kids will not want to pass this up.
After spending some time in these exclusive neighborhoods, you’ll understand why Kirkland has become a hot spot for affluent Seattle residents.
Outdoor activities
You can spend an entire day shopping, dining, and exploring everything Kirkland Urban and Totem Lake Village offer, but there are 25 miles of Lake Washington waterfront and five public beaches waiting for you to discover.
Waverly Beach Park is a hidden gem in the Market neighborhood of Kirkland. There is a playground for the kids, an enclosed swimming area, and a large, grassy area to lie down on a picnic blanket and have lunch.
Marina Park is in the heart of Kirkland and close to several shops and restaurants. There are concerts at the open-air pavilion during the summer and a spectacular view of Lake Washington all year.
Juanita Beach Park is another favorite Kirkland destination with 1000 feet of shoreline, volleyball and tennis courts, swimming areas, and playgrounds. Fridays from June to September, you can visit the Juanita Friday Market and shop for fresh local produce, fresh-cut flowers, baked goods, and more. There are also live bands performing on the Main Stage on the day.
If you’re interested in spending time out on the water, Woodmark Waterfront Adventures has you covered. Their rentals include everything from a boat for ten people to kayaks and wakeboards. Reserve early as their bookings are usually full by late morning.
Bird watching
Close to downtown Kirkland, you can glimpse some of the over 200 species of birds that live year-round in Juanita Bay Park or stop in for a temporary rest during the migration period. It’s the perfect place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Kirkland and enjoy the wildlife and surrounding habitat. Juanita Bay Park holds organized bird walks on the third Tuesday of every month from April to September.
Kirkland restaurants
Strolling through Kirkland’s lovely tree-lined streets, you’ll find an excellent selection of restaurants, from coffee shops to fine dining. Hearth Kirkland is a neighborhood favorite with a friendly atmosphere and a menu full of creative appetizers and handcrafted pizzas. You’ll find the local crowd gathering during the week for Happy Hour and families having brunch together on a lazy Sunday morning.
Volterra is another Kirkland favorite, owned by Chef Curtiss and his wife Michelle; the restaurant gets its name from the Tuscan hilltop town where the couple was married. This authentic Italian restaurant uses fresh ingredients from local farmers. Volterra has received several awards, including “Best Italian Restaurant” by Seattle Magazine and “Best Chef Inspired Restaurant” by Seattle Metropolitan Magazine. Rachel Ray featured Volterra on her show and named it one of her “favorite restaurants on the planet.
”Kirkland offers something for everyone, and it is no wonder it has grown in population and affluence. Once you decide to live in Seattle, Kathryn Lister will stand by to help you decide on which neighborhood is right for you and your family. You may buy a house in Bellevue or possibly find that you like the view from the other side of Lake Washington, and Laurel Hurst real estate would be a perfect choice. Whichever you choose, your dream home awaits with Kathryn Lister Realty.
