Where to see the Blue Angels for free Seafair Weekend

Comments

1. Carole Cancler says

   August 2, 2019 at 4:31 PM

   We didn’t include Madison Park Beach on our list since it’s 4 miles north of the main action. However, MPB juts out a bit further into Lake Washington than beaches to the south, so it is likely you have a fairly good vantage point, especially if the day is cloud-free and the jets are flying high. If you go, let us know what you think–or keep it a secret for you and your friends. We won’t tell. 🙂

2. JWL says

   August 2, 2019 at 7:29 AM

   New flight path now appears to be directly over Capitol Hill. On Thursday, 1Aug, we had 26 jet passes over our house, rattling the windows, scaring the dog and terrifying our 9-month old granddaughter. The Blue Angels team consumes 7,200 gallons of jet fuel per hour. Given that we now have a climate emergency, caused by our burning of fossil fuels, we need new forms of entertainment that don’t spew massive amounts of toxic pollution into our atmosphere and that don’t terrify our infants.

3. Richard Grant says

   August 1, 2019 at 11:33 PM

   Remember how fast these planes fly and then imagine how much airspace they need to maneuver. I used to live on Camano island and the planes would finish some of their loops way up there. So any place close enough to have a view of lake Washington should be awesome. .

4. Linda says

   August 1, 2019 at 12:41 PM

   Can you see much from Madison Park Beach?

5. Carole Cancler says

   August 1, 2019 at 9:12 AM

   It is a good news, bad news situation. Trying to watch with moving traffic is not only dangerous, it is illegal (“distracted driving”) and you could be ticketed. Washington State Patrol expects to be out in full force to keep traffic moving. Check our list for other vantage points.

6. Dave says

   July 31, 2019 at 10:38 AM

   Sorry to see the bridge option go. The interruption to traffic is a valid and real concern, but watching from there was spectacular. Sad to see that option is no longer viable. Trying to watch with moving traffic would be dangerous and a major pain.

7. steven says

   August 4, 2018 at 10:23 AM

   I know really late hopefully somone else answred for you if wan tot walk onto i90 to watch(done it the past 15 years) try to be on mercer island about an hour before closure time to be sure make it also parking just have to find space on side streets near aburey davis park is where you access the bridge

8. hadez says

   August 3, 2018 at 8:04 PM

   The best view for the BA show is on the lake but if you don’t have access to a boat then walk out onto I-90 and enjoy the show!

9. Carole Cancler says

   August 6, 2017 at 4:19 PM

   Sort of. The Blue Angels fly in and out of Boeing Field, south of SODO, and they fly over and around Beacon Hill. So, you might see them from some vantage points in downtown Seattle. But what you see will depend on where you are, what direction you are looking, and how much sky you can see. If you find a good vantage point and want to share it with the rest of Seattle, be sure to post it here. Or, keep it a secret for you and your tribe. It’s up to you!

10. Carole Cancler says

    August 6, 2017 at 4:18 PM

    The suggestion about the VMAC didn’t come from us, it came from Meredith’s comment below, who said they went there and had a fabulous view…so either she had an “in”, or hung near, but not at the VMAC, or made the whole thing up. But we’ll take it off. Thanks for letting us know.

11. Mike says

    August 6, 2017 at 1:23 PM

    Get the Seahawks VMAC during camp off of there the training camp is CLOSED and we’re having to sure away people because you told them they could be here.

12. LG says

    August 6, 2017 at 8:47 AM

    Can you see them from downtown Seattle?

13. Carole Cancler says

    August 2, 2015 at 11:42 PM

    I’m curious if anyone can report back. I believe it is still free to go to MOF and stay outside and watch the Blue Angels for free. Yes, it would be sad indeed if there is now a charge. Let us know.

14. Daniel says

    August 2, 2015 at 11:45 AM

    On the website for the Museum of Flight’s “Jet Blast Bash” it says Museum admission is required. Is that the case to get to see the pre-flight show the Blue Angel’s put on? I am assuming it is just for the museum access but I would hate to go and find out otherwise. I remember watching the Blue Angels there years ago and there was no charge. It would be disappointing to go and have to pay full admission now. If anyone knows please let me know since I am about to head up there.

15. Carole Cancler says

    August 1, 2015 at 6:20 PM

    One of the most spectacular spots is from the I-90 bridge, accessible either from Mercer Island or the Mt. Baker neighborhood.

16. Laura says

    August 1, 2015 at 10:40 AM

    I live in Marysville and would like to make one of the shows, what is the best place to go for frre

17. Carole Cancler says

    July 31, 2015 at 12:11 AM

    I stand corrected! Thanks for the info, Meredith.

18. Meredith says

    July 30, 2015 at 5:14 PM

    We went to Seahawks training camp last year and the Blue Angels went right over the VMAC a few times. It was incredible!

19. Carole Cancler says

    July 30, 2015 at 2:21 PM

    I doubt you can see much of the show from that far south. Perhaps you can see some of the high-up maneuvers. But most of the action takes place over Lake Washington near I-90, which is at least 10 miles north of the Seahawks Training camp at the south end of Lake Washington.

20. Ashley says

    July 30, 2015 at 1:40 PM

    Do you know if you can see the Blue Angels from Seahawks Training camp?

21. Carole Cancler says

    July 30, 2014 at 5:37 PM

    Doug, thanks for letting us know. We took it off the list. (Slater Park, 2835 60TH AVE SE, Mercer Island)

22. Doug says

    July 30, 2014 at 4:15 PM

    The police took over Slater Park several years back, first to protect us citizens from being too close to the action, and then to use as a holding pen/processing center for boaters they suspect of doing bad things on the water. So while it used to be the best free spot on the shore, you cannot go use it anymore during SeaFair.

23. admin says

    August 5, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    There is no parking on Lake Washington Blvd. S. ever. There are lots along the beach here and there, but they will be full by 9 or 10 am. You should plan to head out no later than 10am to ensure you find a parking place and then get to a viewing spot. Parking is a challenge whichever spot you choose–this is a huge event with close to 300,000 people crowding into a residential neighborhood in a 2-mile stretch along Lake Washington. There is limited access, even without Seafair.

    If you want to go to Coleman park, which is next to Mt. Baker Beach, your best bet is to park ABOVE the lake and walk down the stairs to the beach. Park along S Dose Terrace or S Walker St (from 28th ave s to 34th ave s) and walk to the end of S Dose Terrace and take the stairs down to MBB. The neighborhood above the lake offers more parking than anywhere along the lake–which is limited to a few lots. Plus, there are long lines of cars on the few roads into the area, and many roads are blocked off by police. So the general rule if you are coming anywhere near the Seafair Hydro races is to park AWAY, and walk in.

    To go to the East Portal, see the info above for parks on Mercer Island where there is a fairly good chance at parking (i.e. more available than other places).

24. admin says

    August 5, 2012 at 8:19 AM

    To I-90 from the West, you walk on near Lake Washington Blvd. South and South Irving Street. So park in the Montlake neighborhood. It will be very congested and crowded, it’s not a very big neighborhood and there is limited parking any day. Good luck.
    To I-90 from the East, you park on Mercer Island. There are several parks mentioned in the post where you can park.

25. Ali says

    August 4, 2012 at 2:49 PM

    Hello, this is my first time going to Seafair. I want to go to the performance tomorrow (sunday), I’d like to take my parents visiting from Kansas.
    Could anyone tell me when is the best time and where is the best viewing spot, taking parking into consideration.
    Will there be any parking on Lake Washington Blvd if we want to go to East Portal Viewpoint or Coleman park?
    Or what do you guys suggest, we’re open to any view point as long as there will be parking.
    Thanks.

26. Lorena says

    August 4, 2012 at 1:44 PM

    Where would you park to see the show on I-90?

27. antoinette says

    August 4, 2012 at 12:00 PM

    We’ve set up our picnic area at The Lid on Mercer. It’s already busy and they have closed down this first parking lot. We got here at 9:30a. It’s an easy walk over to I-90.

28. admin says

    August 4, 2012 at 11:40 AM

    I drove up there this A.M. to verify. Mt. Baker Beach is NOT fenced in and is just north of the North Entrance to Seafair. The parking lot is behind police barricade–they may let you in if it’s not already full. It was about half full at 8:30am and very busy already.

    Your best bet for parking is more likely along S Dose Terrace or S Walker St (from 28th ave s to 34th ave s) and walk to the end of S Dose Terrace and take the stairs to MBB.

29. Jackie says

    August 4, 2012 at 12:41 AM

    My in laws are telling me that the Mt. Baker Beach is also closed for Seafair. And that you have to buy a ticket in order to go to that park. Can anyone confirm this? This was where I wanted to go with Mercer Island being my second choice. Thanks!

30. admin says

    August 7, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    Try the Park on the Lid on Mercer Island, there is ample parking in area A. Arrive probably no later than 12:30 or earlier if possible to give you plenty of time to park and walk the I-90 trail out onto the bridge.

    I haven’t personally tried this, so if anyone reading these comments can advise Cheryl further, that would be great. Cheryl if you try this, post back and let us know how it went!

31. admin says

    August 7, 2011 at 1:10 PM

    The parks listed on Mercer Island are your best bet. The parks in Bellevue and Kirkland are mostly north of I-90, while the air show takes places south of I-90.

32. Tonya says

    August 6, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    It would be nice to also get view spots from the east side of the lake. Thanks for your work!

33. Cheryl says

    August 6, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Hey, I’m on the eastside and would like to park on Mercer Island and then walk onto I90. Any suggestions on where to park on Mercer – and when I would need to be there?????

    Thanks!

34. admin says

    August 6, 2011 at 5:20 AM

    You probably cannot see the Blue Angels from Kirkland very well. Most of the action takes place south of I-90. Kirkland is well north of I-90; you could see the higher up maneuvers if the skies are clear but will miss a good part of the show.

    Between I-90 and Seward Park in Seattle and the west side of Mercer Island are the best vantage points–so the parks listed are in these areas.

35. Jennifer says

    August 6, 2011 at 12:35 AM

    Thank you. We had a great view of the Blue Angels today.

36. Sam moreno says

    August 5, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Can you see the blue angels from Kirkland?

37. admin says

    August 5, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    Thanks…we’ve updated the post to reflect the closure of Seward Park during Blue Angels performances.

38. B says

    August 5, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    Seward Park is closed while the Angels are in the air – they have police clear the park at 10am.

39. Anna says

    August 5, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    Looks like Seward Park will be closed during practices and performances!
    http://www.seattle.gov/Parks/environment/seward.htm

40. Mary T says

    August 5, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    FYI: Seward Park is actually closed during practices and performances, reopens at 2:30.

41. JF Parnell says

    August 5, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    The best place to watch is from the I-90 bridge. They close it to traffic and allow people to walk out on the bridge. Just park up on the hill on the west side and walk out onto the interstate and enjoy the show.

42. Rachelle says

    August 4, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Thank you so much! This has been so helpful.

43. Derek says

    August 8, 2010 at 2:03 PM

    i see you updated with the maps 🙂

    Thanks for the guide!

44. james says

    August 7, 2010 at 2:03 AM

    Thank you so much for the info and the great viewing places…appreciated ^o^

45. admin says

    August 4, 2010 at 1:58 PM

    Done!

    You can always search for any location by copying the address to Google Maps.

46. Shelley says

    August 4, 2010 at 11:33 AM

    A link to a map showing all the viewing points (parks,etc.) would have been very helpful. I live in the northend and I’m not familiar with those parks and beaches, especially parking. Thank you.