Enjoy a great view of downtown and the Olympic Mountains while also sitting on benches or making your way along the simple pathway. This park is lit and features trees and shrubs along with plant beds and small lawns.

This small waterfront park, located at 42nd Avenue Northeast, is near Surber Drive Northeast in Laurelhurst. While the dock is in need of some serious repair, it's a cool little gem of a spot for sunbathing or even getting in the water if you're up for it.

This place was used as a gravel pit and for material storage prior to being developed into a neighborhood park. Some of that gravel has become public art and gives this tiny park a unique look and feel.

Go to the end of 32nd Avenue West and you'll find a small waterfront beach that's a perfect jumping off point for a boat ride or just to sit and enjoy views of Downtown Seattle and Bainbridge Island.

Just off the Magnolia Bridge, this little pocket of park offers views of Smith Cove and the downtown skyline. As parks go, it’s relatively new—the city purchased the land from the Navy in 2003. It’s named for neighborhood activist Ursula Judkins, who died in 2000. (No relation to Judkins Park, which was named after 19th-century real estate mogul Norman B. Judkins.)

Bellevue Place is small grassy slope overlooking Lake Union across I-5. A short bike path runs through along bottom of the hill, connecting Melrose Ave E to a bridge over the highway to Eastlake Avenue. Great views here of downtown Seattle, Queen Anne Hill and the Olympic Mountains.

Hing Hay Park is, rightfully, a big crowd pleaser in the International District—especially with its recent renovations. But it’d be a shame to overlook Kobe Terrace in the process. Built into a hillside, the park has a community garden below and paths with Mount Rainier views winding up by the freeway above. The cherry trees and stone lantern adorning the park were a gift from Seattle sister city Kobe, Japan.

Andover Place is simply a narrow grassy slope between buildings, providing public access to the beach. Tree trunks washed up on the beach make excellent spots to sit and enjoy the view. It's a good spot to explore the beach, especially at low tide.

This little tucked-away park is right off California Avenue, just a couple of blocks from the Junction, but it can be easy to miss. You might’ve been there for a wedding, though, since the historic building on the property, an old substation, is often used as a venue. But the little park itself is an adorable little getaway with a patio, benches, and a grassy field. Perhaps bring a picnic from the West Seattle Farmers Market here on a nice day.

Not to be confused with Smith Cove Park, this new-ish waterfront park is next to the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock, reopened in 2015 after being closed for a while for Barton Pump Station upgrades. You can follow the top of the station down to the waterfront beach with salmon art leading the way. Be wary of the shore during low tide, as it can be a little dangerous—but there's lots of space to explore or just sit and watch the ferries.

Chinook Beach Park features a small beach area complete with driftwood and logs that have washed up along the shore. There is also a simple, long walking path along the beach, which offers spectacular views of Lake Washington and the Cascades beyond. A small concrete landing provides a good platform for a picnic or camera tripod, as well as an interpretive sign that gives some background information on the area.

A third of a mile south of the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock, look for a “shore view” sign and that's where you’ll find the public access spot. This secluded beach offers fantastic views of Vashon and Blake Islands. Bring a lunch and just hang out for a while, watching the ferries go by. Just don't go too far north, as it becomes private property quickly.