Renton is on the southern end of Lake Washington, and with a population of over 100,000 people, it’s one of the largest cities in Washington state. Despite this, it’s not the most popular city near Seattle, so chances are you’ll be surprised by all of the fun things to do in Renton, Washington!
Spend time at numerous beach parks and sip incredible coffee. Watch the Seattle Seahawks train, and check out a memorial to one of the nation’s most iconic rockstars.
If you’re looking for a place with a good mix of lively activities and relaxed outings, Renton is well worth visiting.
15 Things to Do in Renton, Washington
Here are the 15 best things to do in Renton:
- Jimi Hendrix Memorial
- Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
- Boon Boona Coffee
- Virginia Mason Atheltic Center
- Liberty Park
- Sno-King Ice Arena
- Kennydale Beach Park
- Cedar River Trail
- 8 Bit Arcade
- Urban Sprouts
- Macadons
- The Landing
- Berliner Pub
- Big Island Poke
- Topgolf
Jimi Hendrix Memorial
Jimi Hendrix was one of the greatest musicians of the 60s. The Seattle-born icon and rockstar was an icon who made a huge impact on his contemporaries as well as present-day musicians. Fans can pay their respects at the Jimi Hendrix Memorial in Renton.
You’ll find it on the west side of the Greenwood Memorial Park and Funeral Home. The memorial manages to be both elaborate and peaceful – a fitting resting place for a rock star of Hendrix’s caliber. It’s open to anyone who wants to visit. Come to leave flowers, or sit and reflect for a while.
Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
Enjoy everything Lake Washington has to offer at the Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park. This large park on the southeast side of Lake Washington has something for everyone.
Take kids to the playground or take advantage of the pleasant swimming beach on a hot day. A walking trail will take you from the south to the north end of the park. The park has both a boat launch and a fishing pier. While visiting, keep your eyes peeled for turtles, beavers, ducks, and eagles. All of them are commonly spotted wildlife in the area.
If you get hungry while here, grab a bite to eat at Ivar’s Seafood Bar or Kidd Valley, two restaurants located right in the park.
Boon Boona Coffee
Need a great cup of coffee? Boon Boona Coffee is a local roaster, and it’s one of the absolute best in the Greater Seattle area.
All of its beans are sourced from African countries and roasted onsite. Stop by to grab a high-quality bag of light, medium, or dark roast single-origin beans. They’ll please even the most critical coffee enthusiasts.
You can also spend a leisurely morning or afternoon here. The coffee shop is bright and industrial, great for getting work done or chatting with friends. Boon Boona serves pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and a variety of other coffee drinks.
Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Diehard Seattle Seahawks fans should go to the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. This is the Seahawks training center, where you can watch the players practice in the off-season.
The training center is right on Lake Washington, so you’ll have pretty views of the water as you watch the athletic prowess of your favorite players. Make sure you bring little lawn chairs or blankets and plenty of water on your visit. You may even get the chance to snag some autographs. This is a great place to visit for both kids and adults.
Liberty Park
Liberty Park may only be 12 acres, but there is a lot to do in this beloved park. It’s Renton’s oldest park, located just across the river from downtown and along the Cedar River Trail.
The park contains the Renton Library, Renton Community Center, and the popular Henry Moses Aquatic Center. The latter has a lazy river, wading pool, splash pad, and swimming pool. Needless to say, it’s the perfect place to visit on hot summer days.
Use the picnic shelters for a shady space to hang out with friends. Or grab your skates or skateboard and bring them to the skatepark if you’re feeling more active. The Carco Theatre in the south end of the park is worth a visit too. The tiny theater puts on a variety of independent local shows that are well worth checking out.
Sno-King Ice Arena
Head to the Sno-King Ice Arena to perfect your moves on the ice. This indoor skating rink in the East Renton Highlands has both hockey and figure skating classes. The new-to-skating classes will make the most nervous beginners feel comfortable.
If you’re interested in a one-time visit, come to public skate with your family, friends, or date. Sno-King Ice Arena is open daily with a reasonable admission of $12 for those 6 and up, and $5 for anyone younger. This is the perfect place to go when you want to be active in the winter and don’t want to be stuck inside on drizzly days.
Kennydale Beach Park
Kennydale Beach Park is a great place to enjoy Lake Washington if you’re looking for a cozier spot. The tiny beach park is just north of Gene Coulon Park, tucked away in the residential Kennydale neighborhood.
You’ll find a distinctly local vibe at this beach park. There’s plenty of space to swim and a dock that’s popular for jumping and diving. Kennydale also has a play area for kids and is a stomping ground for curious ducks searching for scraps. Keep in mind that parking can be limited, especially on nicer days.
Cedar River Trail
The Cedar River Trail is a scenic, 17-mile trail that’s perfect for exercise or sightseeing. It follows the Cedar River, which flows into Lake Washington and will take you past some of Renton’s most popular spots.
The well-landscaped trail is dotted with trees and has plenty of benches and picnic tables where you can sit and admire the river. Bring kids to the playground at the Cedar River Trail Park, or head to the Cedar River Dog Park with energetic pups.
The trail meanders past the Renton Airport and Boeing facilities, the Renton Memorial Stadium. It goes through Liberty Park and leads to several other parks the further you go.
8 Bit Arcade Bar
A visit to 8 Bit Arcade Bar will transport you to an 80s-style arcade where you’ll play vintage games over beer, milkshakes, and pizza. The arcade is located in downtown Renton, and it’s a local favorite that’s popular with all ages. It’s family-friendly during the day and evening. After 9:30 pm, it becomes adults-only, making it good for a fun and casual date night.
They have classic, retro games like Pac-Man, Galaga, and pinball, along with newer choices like Minecraft and Luigi’s Mansion. While 8-Bit may not be the largest arcade, this nostalgic spot will easily keep you entertained for a few hours. Bring lots of quarters and get ready to set some records!
Urban Sprouts
If you’re a house plant enthusiast, pop over to Urban Sprouts in downtown Renton. This plant shop has all sorts of items to tempt you. Find basic, beginner-friendly plants, or rarer exotic varieties of all sizes and price points. In addition to plants, they have pots, grow lights, and other plant care essentials to help you keep your plants healthy.
One of the best things about this shop is that they offer houseplant diagnosis care. Bring in any plant you’re having trouble with and they’ll work with you to figure out how to solve the problems ailing your plant. Don’t miss out on the affordable classes at Urban Sprouts. These include flower arranging, terrarium building, aquarium workshops, and more.
Macadons
Macadons is a can’t-miss spot in Renton for anyone with a sweet tooth. You’ll have a hard time choosing what to get since the options are plentiful. Macadons serves delicious macarons and ice cream. If you can’t choose between one or the other, split the difference and get a macaron ice cream sandwich.
Flavors range from strawberry and coconut to lychee and Vietnamese coffee. But no matter what you get, you’ll be pleased with the quality. Can’t make up your mind? Go for one of their best deals. Get a mini macaron in every flavor for just $10.
The Landing
The Landing in Renton is the place to go shopping. At this large Renton shopping mall, you’ll find plenty of places to shop, dine, and play. The majority of the shops are recognizable chains, so you’ll know just what to expect from them. Get unique home goods from World Market, dumplings from Dough Zone, or enjoy a spa experience at Urban Float.
It’s easy to spend a few hours at this popular Renton spot. Once you’ve finished all the shopping your heart desires, head over to the movie theater to relax while watching a great new film.
Berliner Pub
One of the most popular restaurants in Renton is the Berliner Pub. This aptly named restaurant serves German food and beer in a fun, communal environment. Enjoy giant pretzels, sausages, wiener schnitzel, burgers, and a variety of delicious German beers. Choose a seat inside or relax in the beer garden.
The portion sizes are hearty, so you don’t need to worry about leaving hungry. If you’re looking for some entertainment come in the evenings for trivia or karaoke. Berliner Pub also has a generous daily happy hour from 3 pm to 6 pm. Make sure you stop in during this time if you want a great deal on beer and tasty snacks.
Big Island Poke
Big Island Poke is another one of Renton’s great restaurants. Get delicious and authentic Hawaiian poke at this gem. The restaurant’s owner was born in Hawaii and sought to bring the dish he grew up eating to the Seattle area. The results speak for themselves.
You’ll find a decent variety of options here, though I recommend the spicy ahi tuna or kimchi tako over your preferred base for a special treat. The prices are reasonable and the portions are generous. If you’re searching for a lunch that will make your tastebuds happy, Big Island Poke is the spot to go.
Topgolf
Bring friends with a bit of a competitive streak to Topgolf in Renton. This unique golf experience will be a guaranteed hit. At Topgolf, you’ll rent a driving range bay by the hour where you and your buddies can test your golfing skills and play a variety of mini-games. Best of all, since it’s all indoors, you don’t have to worry about the weather messing with your game.
Bay rental prices vary based on the time and day that you go. Make sure to peruse the massive food and drink menu to get some delicious snacks, beers, and cocktails that’ll keep you playing all night.
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There are some really great things to do in Renton, Washington, and these are some of the best of them. Don’t underestimate this city – chances are, you’ll have a great time at more than one of the spots on this list.
