Welcome to Kirkland
A gorgeous lakefront city in Washington State
Known for its waterfront views, art galleries, and upscale dining, the city of Kirkland offers residents abundant opportunities to get involved in the community and appreciate the gorgeous natural landscapes close by. Kirkland is home to about 92,000 residents and is located north of Bellevue along the shores of Lake Washington. From luxury shopping to incredible annual events that unite the whole community, Kirkland is a vibrant neighborhood bursting with culture, art, and fun.
What to Love
- The abundant beach parks throughout the neighborhood
- Summer concerts
- An energetic and tight-knit community
Local Lifestyle
The people of Kirkland are friendly and love to shop and go sightseeing downtown. Being a lakefront city, many people enjoy participating in watersports during the spring and summer months and exploring the Cross Kirkland Corridor — a 5.75-mile abandoned trail line turned hiking trail. If you’re outdoorsy and active, Kirkland’s got it all for you. If you prefer to spend your weekend's shopping downtown, indulging in gourmet restaurants, or attending the latest performance, you won’t be disappointed in Kirkland’s offerings. With something for all ages, Kirkland is the ultimate place to call home for all.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
Kirkland has quite a few amazing and high-end places to eat. One of these restaurants, in particular, is Cafe Juanita, an Italian restaurant that's popular among locals and tourists alike. This restaurant has an award-winning wine menu and hosts dinner services on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Whether you're an omnivore, pescatarian, vegetarian, or vegan, Cafe Juanita has a curated dining experience waiting for you.
For all your shopping needs, visit The Village at Totem Lake, an upscale shopping center featuring dozens of big-name shops, boutiques, and restaurants in one spot.
Things to Do
If you love the beach, Kirkland is the right place for you. There's an abundance of beach parks to visit in the city, with two of the best ones being Juanita Beach Park and Houghton Beach Park. Both parks are perfect for swimming and regularly host volleyball games right on the beach, but each park still has different activities for you and/or your family to enjoy.
For example, Juanita Park allows residents and tourists to go fishing, play tennis, and they even have a playground for kids, while Houghton Beach Park allows guests to go kayaking on Lake Washington. There's something for everyone to enjoy!
Two of the most notable events include Winterfest and weekly summer evening concerts held at Marina Park. Winterfest is a popular event that celebrates the holiday season with performances, activities, bonfires, shopping, seasonal surprises, and a tree-lighting ceremony, and even gives children the opportunity to meet with Santa. On the other hand, weekly summer evening concerts are held throughout the summer in Kirkland. These concerts run from July to the end of August.
Schools
Kirkland is located within the third-best school district in the state, Lake Washington School District. A few high-achieving schools include:
- Northstar Middle School
- Environmental and Adventure School
- Benjamin Franklin Elementary
- Lake Washington High School
