Overlook Walk
4.9(198)google
HikingOutdoor
Overview
The Overlook Walk is a grand, newly constructed elevated pedestrian parkway that seamlessly bridges Pike Place Market with the expansive Seattle Waterfront. This architectural marvel features sweeping public plazas, landscaped native gardens, and dramatic tiered amphitheater seating that commands breathtaking panoramic views of Elliott Bay, the bustling shipping ports, and the Olympic Mountains.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration20-40 minutes
Best TimeWalking through during dusk (5 PM to 7 PM) in summer or autumn is highly recommended. This newly opened elevated park connects Pike Place Market seamlessly to the waterfront, providing sweeping sunset views of Puget Sound.
Getting ThereSeamlessly connecting two major landmarks. Walk to the western edge of Pike Place Market and follow the broad, landscaped pedestrian pathways down to transition smoothly and easily over the roadway to the Seattle Waterfront.
Travel Tips
- The modern park structure is built with wide, gradual barrier-free switchback ramps. It features integrated public wooden slides, making it extremely friendly for strollers and wheelchairs.
Photo Tips
Photo Spots
- This is a premium panoramic sunset viewing deck over Elliott Bay. Walk westward down the ramp from Pike Place Market 30 minutes before dusk to capture breathtaking marine sunset colors.
Gear
- This elevated park bridge is completely unsheltered. High winds and winter rain make it feel very cold; wear a hooded windproof and waterproof rain jacket for a comfortable walk.
Reviews
Positive
- A gorgeous newly constructed urban landmark park pathway that seamlessly bridges Pike Place Market to the waterfront below with dramatic ocean vistas.
- Completely free to the public, lined with beautiful Pacific Northwest native flora and featuring plenty of modern artistic terraced seating areas.
- The accessible ramp engineering is genius—gentle and wide—allowing heavy strollers and wheelchairs to glide down to the ocean effortlessly.
- This is a spectacular new vantage point for photographing the Great Wheel and Puget Sound sunsets; it is clean and highly secure with active patrols.
Heads up
- As a major booming tourist attraction, warm afternoons and weekends are chaotic with shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, making clean photos impossible.
- The entire pathway is fully exposed to the elements without any awnings or pavilions; heavy Seattle rain or summer glare ruins the walk instantly.
- There are no public restrooms or trash cans along the span; to find a toilet or toss a coffee cup, you must trek all the way back into Pike Place.
- The surrounding traffic is highly gridlocked, and multilingual wayfinding at transitions is sparse, causing tourists to easily get lost in the market maze.