Bhy Kracke Park

Bhy Kracke Park is a small hillside park in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood, at 1215 5th Ave N. Its paths climb through sloping green space to a viewpoint over Lake Union and downtown, with the Space Needle and, on clear days, Mount Rainier in view. The quieter setting makes it a good stop for a picnic or a pause away from busier viewpoints. Families can use the playground at the bottom of the hill; benches and grassy areas provide places to sit along the way.

A hillside viewpoint in Queen Anne

Bhy Kracke Park sits in a residential part of Queen Anne. The park is compact, with sloping grass and narrow paths that connect different levels of the hillside. From the upper viewpoint, you can look across Lake Union toward downtown Seattle and the Space Needle. On clear days, Mount Rainier is visible too.

The park gives you a quieter alternative to the better-known Kerry Park viewpoint. Its neighborhood setting and paths make it a place to pause rather than a large park with a long list of facilities. Benches and grassy areas offer spots to sit, and the hillside gives families a few more private places to stop along the route.

Paths, playground and park history

The path between the lower playground and the upper viewpoint climbs a steep slope, so take your time on the ascent. The playground is at the bottom of the hill, while the upper levels have open grass and views. Blackberry bushes grow along the paths; bring a snack if you plan to wander, but avoid picking anything unless you know it is safe.

The park’s unusual name comes from Werner H. Kracke, who once lived on land that is now part of the park. He liked the phrase “By cracky!” and used “Bhy Kracke” as his nickname. The name carried over to the park.