A playground that doesn’t skimp on thrills or risky play
From kelp-like wood poles to rope nets and wood bridges, I lost count of how many climbing structures there are on the playground. I couldn’t resist climbing up one of the jellyfish’s tentacles myself for a stellar view of the water. You can catch glimpses of the Great Wheel, Miners Landing and the Seattle Aquarium as you make your way up to the slide entrance, inside of the towering jellyfish.
Sliding down from the top is a thrill — but be prepared to pick up some speed as you near the opening of the tube slide. Luckily, it’s a soft landing onto the poured rubber surface.
While the stainless steel slide gets a little warm in the sun, it was chosen for its durability and placed strategically to offset the heat from direct sunlight. I visited on a sunny day, and while the slide was warm to the touch, it was nowhere near the blistering heat that radiated from the metal slides of my childhood.
Under one of the climbers, you’ll find an interconnected set of ropes and sling seats. Younger kids can get comfortable sitting on the lowest seats, while older kids will likely climb (and wobble) their way to the top. The rubber seats are thick and flexible, with rope connections that ensure if one seat moves, they all move. Adding to the marine theme, the seats look like a group of manta rays in motion.
Kids can further test their skills by climbing up wood posts nearby, scrambling over rubber bubbles and up the tentacles, or even balancing on springy crab-shaped boards.
On the other side of one of the climbing walls, rail bars extend back down to the ground. These might be one of my favorite — and most versatile — playground elements. The bars run parallel, one set straight and one curved. Kids can sit and slide down the bars, hang from them like sloths or even find creative ways to play in the shadows underneath on a sunny day (my daughter, for one, can never resist hopping over lines or making shadow puppets).
The open-ended design of the playground also facilitates collaborative play. From crossing interconnected ropes to clambering over wood panels and bridges, kids can invite each other in as they explore — all while parents watch comfortably from the sidelines.
And you don’t have to limit your playground visit to daylight hours, as the jellyfish and surrounding structures are lit at night. I can’t wait to go back in the evening to see the playground illuminated.
Inclusive play structures and elements for younger kids
While the jellyfish and other large climbing structures are designed with kids ages 5–12 in mind, there are a couple of play areas that are perfect for the 2–5 crowd. A smaller ADA-accessible structure has a flexible sling, balance beam, ropes and a stainless steel slide. (That slide is more my young daughter’s speed — and mine — as it’s a short ride without a ton of momentum.)
Nearby magnetic bead panels offer a sensory experience — kids can slide the wood beads along the smooth curved rail, observing how they move. While the kelp-like wood posts are placed throughout the playground, there is one section of them surrounding sturdy crab-shaped boards. Rather than wobbling on springs, these crabs stay put as you walk across. And shorter wood posts act as stepping stones for kids to boost themselves up — or for parents helping their kids across.
The junior play areas are also closer to the surrounding seating, making it easy for parents and caregivers to watch their youngest kids more closely (and jump in to offer a helping hand if needed).
Playground and waterfront safety
Constructing a playground with input from parents and caregivers comes with a major perk: The playground is designed with fantastic visibility and plenty of seating (and nearby restrooms). It’s easy to keep an eye on kids with the open, airy design of the playground, even if they’re climbing up the jellyfish tower (which is mostly enclosed for safety, but has wire panels and openings for visibility). Aluminum attachments make it more comfortable to lean against the pier fencing too, if you’d rather stand and watch the kids play.
The fencing surrounding the pier and playground includes wire panels that discourage climbing. There are narrow gaps between the panels, but not wide enough to climb under or through. You’ll see the same wiring on parts of the jellyfish to keep kids from climbing up its exterior. It’s not a straight path to climb on the interior, preventing kids from falling more than a foot or two between levels if they lose their footing.
Safety precautions extend beyond the playground, with a Seattle Center team that monitors the park all day, every day. The team is well versed in public safety and maintaining a welcoming public space.
Pier 58 and Seattle’s new Waterfront Park
While I would consider the playground to be the main attraction, the entire pier is designed with families in mind. The elevated lawn with artificial turf offers a green spot for families to enjoy year-round. Pack a picnic, put down a blanket, and sit on the top of the slope to view ferries and sailboats drifting across Elliott Bay, or face the city skyline for another iconic Seattle view. Lawn games will be added soon, which is good news for families who like their picnic with a side of friendly competition.
Next to the lawn is a shaded grove of elm trees with tables and chairs, where you can listen to the ambient noise of the Waterfront Fountain (which was part of the original pier!). Just resist the urge to climb or cool off in the fountain — it’s an art installation after all.
The central part of the pier is a flexible, open space with plenty more seating. You can expect to see festivals, activities and even Zumba classes here. Peek over one side of the pier to see an open water area that encourages marine life.
The pier is just part of the new Waterfront Park, a 20-acre park that stretches from Belltown to Pioneer Square.
Nearby things to do
Families are invited to stay all day at Pier 58, but no visit to the waterfront is complete without popping into the Seattle Aquarium. A short bridge connects the pier to the aquarium, making it easy to visit both and learn about marine life! Fun fact: Jellyfish (the very star of the show on the playground!) are actually just called jellies. As you walk across the pier, take note of the metal strips with numbers and sea creature names listed — those mark the depth of the water under the pier, along with the marine life you might expect to see.
On the other side of Pier 58, you’ll find the Great Wheel, with arcade games, restaurants and shops. But if you’re looking for even more opportunities to eat and shop, cross Overlook Walk (above the aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion) to Pike Place Market. Make a pit stop at the play area with hillside slides, and then spend the afternoon browsing the market offerings.
If you visit the waterfront during the summer, you can catch a ride on the free Waterfront Shuttle, which makes stops from the Space Needle to King Street Station.