In Madison Park, stately vintage estates and charming tree-lined streets hearken to the city’s rich historical past yet live for today with vibrant shops and restaurants. Breathe in the fresh air and revel in the lush greenery that makes this elegant neighborhood feel like it’s a small town hidden away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Seattle—although the center of the city is really only a quick ride away.
Its proximity to everything Seattle has to offer—like one-of-a-kind museums, live music and theater, and other cultural institutions—is just one of many reasons that Madison Park is such a desirable community. It’s celebrated for perfectly toeing the line between suburban and urban, and those who love to explore nature have plenty of options here, too. The Washington Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are nearby, and plant-lovers can take a relaxing stroll through the Seattle Japanese Garden. Outdoorsy residents can also enjoy the splendor of Lake Washington on a sunny afternoon at Madison Park Beach.
After a day out at the beach or boating on Lake Washington’s waves, tie up at a guest dock for shorefront dining. For a more casual night out, residents can stop by the buzzed-about Independent Pizzeria, or satisfy their sweet tooth with a freshly made waffle cone at Scoop du Jour Ice Creamery. This walkable neighborhood has first-class restaurants, markets, boutiques, and a post office all within minutes each other, which means that despite its village feel, the everyday conveniences and little luxuries of a big city are never hard to find.
Madison Park used to be a popular getaway destination, a community where affluent Seattlites spent their summers in the early 1900s. The neighborhood has retained something of this vacationers’ vibe and still has some seasonal residents, but today is also a close-knit community. It’s the kind of place where neighbors say hello and everyone knows one another.
Many of the beautiful homes in this neighborhood have a classic feel, as most were built back in the 1920s and ’30s and have been lovingly maintained to keep at least some of the historic details intact. Even homeowners who choose to make major renovations to their properties, like expanding their home with an addition, often put more modern-looking construction in back, to keep these traditional homes’ original facades. This mix of old and new, the ability to welcome the modern while holding onto tradition, is a quality that is uniquely Madison Park, and something that still makes this community feel a world away from the rest of the city—Seattle may change, but Madison Park has stayed (almost) the same.