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Where to see the Blue Angels for free Seafair Weekend

POSTED BY
Carole Cancler

The Boeing Air Show during Seattle Seafair Weekend is a must see for all families and thrill seekers. For many across the Pacific Northwest, summer and Seafair reach their pinnacle as the pilots behind the yokes of the “Blue” Boeing F/A-18 Hornets make their thunderous and spectacular appearance over the skies of Seattle.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels amaze the Seafair audience with their knife-edge passes and dynamic maneuvers directly overhead boaters on Lake Washington. The F/A-18 can reach speeds just under Mach 2 (almost twice the speed of sound or about 1,400 MPH).

Blue Angels Seafair practice and show schedule*

*This is the schedule from 2017. The Seafair.com website is very poorly maintained this year–yeah Seafair.com, we’re talking to you. As of August 2, 2018 the Seafair.com Boeing Air Show website lists NO details about the Boeing Air Show schedule, or the Blue Angels performance times or practice schedules.  In any case, we’re including information from prior years.

  • (tentative) Thursday: 9:45 a.m. – noon and 1:15 – 2:30 p.m. (Practice)
  • (tentative) Friday:  1:15 – 2:30 p.m. (Practice)
  • (tentative) Saturday:  1:15 – 2:30 p.m. (Full show)
  • (tentative) Sunday:  1:15 – 2:30 p.m. (Full show)

Seafair I-90 closure information

Another reliable source for the schedule is the WSDOT Seafair page. These guys and gals at WSDOT are the ones who schedule the bridge closures required while the Blue Angels fly over Lake Washington. The Washington State Department of Transportation closes all lanes of Interstate 90 across Lake Washington several times to accommodate air show practices and performances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

  • The bridge highrises will still be accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. However, no one on foot or bike can travel beyond the highrises up to 30 minutes prior to posted closure times.
  • I-90 east of Mercer Island will NOT be closed during the performance, although drivers should note that heavy congestion during these closures often restricts access to the exits.

The WSDOT I-90 closure schedule is as follows:

  • Thursday, Aug. 2: 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1 to 2:45 p.m. (practice)
  • Friday, Aug. 3: 12:55 to 2:45 p.m. (Seafair Air Show)
  • Saturday, Aug. 4: 12:55 to 2:45 p.m. (Seafair Air Show)
  • Sunday, Aug. 5: 12:55 to 2:45 p.m. (Seafair Air Show)

Places to watch the Blue Angels for free

U.S. Navy Blue Angels on the runway at Seattle Museum of Flight By U.S. Navy photo by Mate 2nd Class Eli J. Medellin. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

U.S. Navy Blue Angels on the runway at Seattle Museum of Flight U.S. Navy photo by Mate 2nd Class Eli J. Medellin. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Note: In 2018, there is NO FREE FRIDAY admission to Seafair. But there are lots of other places to see the air show:

Museum of Flight (MOF) is the Blue Angels’ headquarters during the team’s Seafair performance, as well as the launch pad for Seafair’s Boeing Air Show featuring a multitude of aircraft. Outside the museum, it is free to see the Blue Angels’ thunderous takeoffs and of the nearby Boeing Field flights for other Seafair Airshow airplanes. Note: There is no parking at the museum that day, so before you go, check their website for alternatives (METRO Bus #124 or ride share are the general recommendations). Inside MOF, the museum celebrates Seafair and the Blue Angels’ with the “Jet Blast Bash” festival, filled with children activities, food, entertainment and more. Festival activities are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and included with admission to the Museum. Regular admission is $22; a variety of free and discount passes are available to AAA  members, Boeing employees, military/veterans, seniors, and youth. Children 4 and under are always free. Visit the MOF website for more information or to purchase tickets.

A lot of people walk out into I-90 while it is closed. Note that you cannot drive onto I-90 (see Seafair I-90 closure information above).

Parks along Lake Washington with good viewpoints, from north of the Seafair boundary at S Massachusetts St, or south of the Seafair entrance at 49th Ave S and Lk Wash Blvd S

Parks on Mercer Island with good viewpoints

Other free viewing points around Seattle:

Many people ask whether you can see the Blue Angels from downtown Seattle. The answer is, it depends. You need someplace high with a fairly wide view of the sky. Here are some general recommendations. We have not personally checked these, but the views from these public parks is stunning, without or without jets flying about. You might make a summer project out of it–where will we watch the Blue Angels–by visiting these locations earlier in the summer. Go during lunch, pack a picnic and bring a camera. You can also wait until Seafair weekend, and plan to visit a different spot each day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

  • Beacon Hill: Twelfth Avenue South Viewpoint, 2821 12th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
  • Beacon Hill: Jefferson Park, 3801 Beacon Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98108. Go to the north end by the skate park.
  • West Seattle: Hamilton Viewpoint Park, 1120 California Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116
  • West Seattle: Don Armeni Boat Ramp, 1222 Harbor Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116
  • West Seattle: Seacrest Park (aka Luna Park), 1660 Harbor Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98126
  • West Seattle: Belvedere Park (aka Admiral Viewpoint), 3600 SW Admiral Wy., Seattle, WA 98126
  • West Seattle: Jack Block Park, 2310 Harbor Ave SW, Terminal 5,  Seattle, WA 98127
  • West Seattle: Rotary Viewpoint, 4622 35th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98126
  • Capitol Hill: Volunteer Park water tower, 1247 15th Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98112 (view is obstructed by metal grate and trees, so not the best, and the rest of the park is relaxing and fun)
  • Capitol Hill: (Louisa) Boren Park, 1606 15th Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98112
  • First Hill: Yesler Community Center, 917 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122. The adjacent Yesler Terrace Park is still under construction. But the views south from the patio of the center are stunning.
  • Queen Anne Hill: Kerry Park (Franklin Place), 211 W Highland Dr., Seattle, WA 98119
  • Note: The Seahawks VMAC is NOT open as a viewing spot, though some report (falsely) that it is. If you go there, you will be turned away.

Paid viewpoints:

  • Downtown Seattle: Smith Tower Observatory, 506 Second Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98104. 35th floor, 360 degrees views. Tickets: $12 with valid Washington State ID, otherwise $19.
  • Downtown Seattle: Sky View Observatory, Columbia Center, 700 4th Ave, Floor 73, Seattle WA 98104. 902 feet, 360 degrees views. Tickets: $22.
  • Downtown Seattle: Space Needle Observation Deck, 400 Broad St, Seattle, WA 98109. 520 feet, 360 degrees views. Tickets: $29.

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Blue Angels performance over Lake Washington at 2008 Seafair Boeing Air Show photo by Carole Cancler

Blue Angels performance over Lake Washington at 2008 Seafair Boeing Air Show photo by Carole Cancler

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Filed Under: Summer: July-August

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Comments

  1. 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

  2. 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!

  3. 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!

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

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

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

  13. 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.

  16. 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.

  17. 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).

  18. 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.

  19. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. 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!

  24. 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!

  25. 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.

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

  27. 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!

  28. 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.

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

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

  35. 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.

  40. 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.

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