LIFESTYLE
WHERE I TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS IN KIRKLAND, WA: A LOCAL'S ONE-DAY ITINERARY
WHERE SHOULD YOU TAKE OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS IN KIRKLAND?
When friends and family visit, I plan a walkable day around downtown Kirkland and the Lake Washington waterfront. Start with coffee at Zoka and a stroll downtown. Play pickleball at Peter Kirk Park, then have lunch and the chocolate peanut butter cake at DERU Market. Toast with champagne at Pop Culture, then walk Lake Washington Boulevard south to Carillon Point for dinner at Como. The whole day follows the waterfront.
I've lived in Kirkland for more than 15 years, and this is the day I keep coming back to when people visit. It shows guests why so many people who come for a weekend end up wanting to live here.
MORNING: COFFEE AT ZOKA AND A DOWNTOWN STROLL
Start at Zoka Coffee on Central Way, a few blocks from the lake. Take your coffee for a walk through downtown and Moss Bay: the public art, the boutiques along Park Lane, and the marina views at the foot of Central Way.
Tip: downtown is compact, so park once and walk the rest of the morning.
LATE MORNING: PICKLEBALL AT PETER KIRK PARK
Kirkland's newest downtown amenity is the set of six pickleball courts at Peter Kirk Park, which opened in July 2026 where the tennis courts used to be. Play is drop-in only, from 8 a.m. to dusk: three courts are open play and three are timed. Bring paddles and a ball, and it's an easy way to get guests moving before lunch.
LUNCH: DERU MARKET, AND GET THE CAKE
DERU Market on 9th Avenue is a neighborhood favorite for farm-to-table food: wood-fired pizza, salads, and sandwiches. Whatever you order, don't leave without the chocolate peanut butter cake. It's life-changing.
AFTERNOON: CHAMPAGNE AT POP CULTURE
Walk down to Lakeshore Plaza for a glass at Pop Culture Champagne Bar, steps from the water. It specializes in Champagne and sparkling wine, with about a dozen by the glass and flights if your guests want to compare.
GOLDEN HOUR: WALK LAKE WASHINGTON BOULEVARD TO CARILLON POINT
From downtown, walk south along Lake Washington Boulevard toward Houghton and Carillon Point, roughly 2 miles along the water. You get open lake views, little waterfront parks to stop at, and some of Kirkland's most beautiful homes. On a clear day the Seattle skyline is right across the water. Not up for the full walk? Stroll part of it, then drive or grab a ride the rest of the way. For more green space, see my guide to the best parks in Kirkland.
DINNER: COMO AT CARILLON POINT
End the night at Como, Italian in Carillon Point with gorgeous views. I love to split some dishes, such as a pizza and the pappardelle ragu. It's a relaxed but polished way to end the day right on the water.
IF THE WEATHER DOESN'T COOPERATE
Keep the coffee, DERU, Pop Culture, and Como, and swap the boulevard walk and pickleball for browsing the downtown shops and galleries.
FAQ
What is there to do in Kirkland with visitors?
Walk the downtown waterfront, stroll Lake Washington Boulevard, play pickleball at Peter Kirk Park, and plan meals around local favorites like DERU Market, Pop Culture Champagne Bar, and Como at Carillon Point.
Is downtown Kirkland walkable?
Yes. Zoka, Peter Kirk Park, DERU Market, and Pop Culture are all within a short walk of each other and the marina. Carillon Point, home to Como, is about 2 miles south along the lake.
When are the Peter Kirk Park pickleball courts open?
The courts are drop-in only and open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Check the City of Kirkland page for current rules.
Is Kirkland a good place to live?
Many of the things guests love on a visit, like the walkable waterfront, the parks, and the restaurants, are the same reasons people move here. See the neighborhood guides below.
THINKING ABOUT LIVING HERE?
Guests who fall for Kirkland often ask what it's like to live here. If that's you, I'd love to show you around. Reach out anytime.