Hugging the south-east shore of Lake Washington, Renton is a sprawling city on the outskirts of Seattle. It was once an important salmon fishing area for Native American peoples before the arrival of European settlers in the 1860s. Coal mining and logging were among Renton’s earliest industries, with the city now known as an assembly point for Boeing 737s.
Things to do in Renton
On the banks of the Cedar River is Liberty Park, a popular recreational space with sporting facilities and a skate park. It’s located adjacent to Cedar River Park, which is home to the Carco Theatre, the Renton Community Center and the Henry Moses Aquatic Center. In addition to its swimming pools, this family-friendly complex boasts two waterslides, a lazy river and a children’s water playground.
North-east of Renton is Greenwood Memorial Park, a large cemetery famed for its memorial dedicated to Jimmy Hendrix. It wasn't erected until 25 years after the legendary guitarist’s death when his father was awarded the rights to his music. Surrounded by three pillars, the memorial features an etched portrait of Hendrix and artwork depicting his lyrics.
Renton makes an excellent base for visiting Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, which encompasses around 1,260 hectares of forested slopes. You can explore along its 60+ kilometres of hiking trails or take advantage of one of the equestrian routes that wind their way through the park. Waterfall chasers can admire the Coal Creek Falls before climbing the Whittaker Wilderness Peak Trail for sweeping views across the park.
Getting around Renton
Renton is around 30 minutes’ drive from Seattle and 15 minutes from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular buses connect to Renton and travel throughout the city, connecting most of its attractions.