Discover the Magic of Kenmore in Autumn

There’s something quietly magical about a fall day in the place you least expect it. For a quick getaway close to home, my friend and I headed to Kenmore, Washington. Situated on the northernmost part of Lake Washington near Seattle, Kenmore is an easy choice for those craving nature, human-powered activities, and relaxing by the lake.

On a crisp October day we headed to our base for the night: The Lodge at St. Edward Park, a beautifully restored landmark hotel that blends rich history with modern luxury. The historic brick seminary building, with endless windows catching shafts of sunlight, is perched among an urban forest of trees that have already begun the seasonal transition to crimson and gold, with leaves falling and creating the perfect atmosphere for a hike through the woods.

After building up an appetite on our walk, we headed into Kenmore in search of an afternoon snack. We found ourselves at Stoup Brewing which is a family friendly taproom and kitchen located right in the center of town. We opted for a flight of their craft beverages, including two fresh hop ales and a Sole Fresco which is a tasty effervescent limoncello spritz. Delish! The loaded nachos should be first on your list to order — a savory tomatillo & avocado crema drizzled over crisp corn chips and sprinkled with fresh serrano chiles. We happened to be at Stoup at just the right time to enjoy a special grilled oyster pop-up they had in collaboration with Olympic Oyster Company out of Liliwaup. The oysters were fresh and grilled to perfection on the patio where people were gathered to feast on the bounty of Hood Canal.

We had plans to meet a friend who lives nearby and headed over to Log Boom Pier for a walk and chance to watch for incoming boats and planes near the Kenmore Air Harbor — a renowned airline with deep roots in the Pacific Northwest for over 75 years. This pier is a great place to drop a fishing line or just walk out and sit on benches and catch up with a friend, or just ponder life while watching the water.

We were excited to try the special farm-to-kitchen experience we had heard was happening at Copperworks Distilling Co. Local restaurant, De La Soil, has been wowing locals with their food since 2018 at sold-out pop-up events. Chefs Cody & Andrea Westerfield are known for working side-by-side with artisans and craftspeople, creating delectable dishes sourced with local ingredients. Dedicated to wild foraging and the local farmland, they have curated an ever-changing menu that includes the best of each season. Their recent partnership with Copperworks Distilling has provided a perfect location for people to sip and savor all under one roof.

On our visit we went all in on the menu, ordering the parker house rolls, chargrilled pork collar, smash burger with onion ranch fries, wild onion doughnuts, BBQ fall squash and charred cabbage. This array of flavors was next level! The fall squash dish embodied the season — fresh local squash was the perfect combination of sweet and savory. The wild onion doughnuts were like soft hushpuppies, served with a gruyere fondue that was to die for. After enjoying so much delicious food in one sitting, we opted for the Copperhouse whiskey flight to round out an exceptional dinner experience. We lucked out with our timing and got to test our knowledge at the weekly trivia night at Copperworks and got to spend some time with master brewer & distiller Jason Parker who shared his knowledge on the Whiskey flight. The Kenmore Exclusive is only available at this location and rounds out the beautiful sampling of whiskey.

Our final-final nightcap found us at the Tonsorium Bar back at the Lodge at St. Edward Park where cozy booths and a quiet crowd enjoyed the soothing sounds of acoustic guitarist Andre Feriante. The Tonsorium Bar is tucked in the lower level of the Lodge where a hallway of history tells the story of the original building and its inhabitants and the bar has an exclusive, speak-easy vibe.

After a restful night at the Lodge, we enjoyed a light breakfast at Cedar+Elm (order the bacon — it is not too thick or thin, and just the right amount of crisp!) then decided to get on the water for a quick paddle from Log Boom Park. We rented kayaks from Captain Steve at Whats Sup Stand-Up Paddle & Surf Shop, who’s knowledge and expertise in getting us outfitted and on the water was welcome. Lake Washington was as smooth as glass, and our quiet cruise along the shoreline revealed a family of frolicking otters on the shore, along with many ducks. The fall season might be my favorite for paddling, the trees along the shore were bursting with color. The leaves were transitioning from green, to yellow and red, and the quiet stillness allowed for a truly peaceful experience. Log Boom Park is a convenient and beautiful spot to launch, and Captain Steve has everything from kayaks to SUPs and even hydrobikes.

Ready for a mid-morning coffee break we headed over to Diva Espresso before we needed to check out of the Lodge. Diva is a cozy spot serving hand-crafted espresso drinks made from custom locally roasted small-batch coffee along with pastries from Seattle’s beloved Macrina Bakery. Located inside the Hangar building in Kenmore, this casual community gathering place is right in the heart of town and has plenty of room for people to login to the WIFI and do a little work or enjoy the bistro tables outside on the large patio.

On our way back to the Lodge we saw a sign for Rhododendron Park, so we detoured to check it out. This lovely park is tucked among a lush thicket of rhododendrons and native trees and has a newly constructed boardwalk that accesses the Kenmore Public Boat House and a floating dock for hand-powered watercraft. A playground and huge open green space round out this little gem of a park.

I love finding unexpected places to explore and be surprised by. Kenmore is just this kind of place. In Kenmore, the pace does not rush you. The town and its surroundings invite you to wander, sip, taste, drift, and simply be present. A fall day here is a magical — full of light, leaves, and local love.