Washington's Best-Kept Secret Is A City Full Of Foodie Favorites And Outdoor Fun Near Seattle

If your ideal getaway involves following your appetite as much as your map, Kent, Washington, is an easy place to fall for. Described as "Washington's best-kept secret," this city of about 135,000 blends a diverse gastronomic scene with outdoor recreation. Nestled southeast of Seattle, one of the best coffee destinations in the U.S., Kent is easy to reach, either by car or by hopping a train. The city's centrally located Kent Station sits on the regional commuter-rail line and offers ample parking, bike racks, and seamless bus connections. It's an easy, stress-free way to arrive without battling traffic or hunting for downtown parking, especially if you're pairing your visit with time in Seattle or Tacoma.

Once you're in town, accommodations range from familiar hotel brands to comfortable stays close to Kent Station and major roadways. Many travelers use Kent as a basecamp for exploring the broader Puget Sound region. Staying overnight lets you dive deeper into the local food trails and restaurants, wander the lakes and parks, and enjoy the city's laid-back, neighborhood-driven charm.

Described by the city's website as a foodie destination, Kent allows visitors to explore its diverse culinary scene through the Kent Food Trails, six themed routes that weave through neighborhoods, cultures, and flavors. You might start with fragrant curries at Janoon Indian Restaurant, slide into sizzling Korean dishes at Iron Pot, and finish with hand-tossed pizzas at Paolo's Italian Restaurant or a classic American breakfast at Naya's Cafe. With each stop, the trails reflect the multiculturalism that has placed Kent among the most diverse cities in the nation.

That global spirit isn't confined to sit-down meals, either. Throughout the city, you'll find food trucks and unassuming mom-and-pop spots serving casual, local fare. These laid-back gems make it easy to build a spontaneous itinerary where you can pull over, order something new, and keep exploring. When you're ready to slow the pace, head to Kent Station, the city's lively open-air dining and shopping hub. Here, franchise restaurants and quick-serve counters offer everything from shareable small plates to comforting standbys. And for more global eats and craft beer, head to nearby Sammamish.

While Seattle offers the beachy shores of Lake Washington, Kent has nearly 30 miles of paved biking trails and easy access to waterways and open-air parks. This city is ideal for biking, walking, lakeside lounging, or a laid-back picnic by the water. One of the city's larger green spaces is Clark Lake Park, a forested, 150-acre preserve wrapped around an 8-acre lake. The loop around the water is an easy, scenic stroll, offering glimpses of resident birds, shaded boardwalks, and spots where you can pause to listen to the wind in the trees. Visitors often come to fish from the small dock, watch wildlife at the water's edge, or simply settle into the stillness — a refreshing contrast to the urban buzz just minutes away.

Kent also marries art, history, and nature in a unique way. The Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks, created in the early 1980s, remains one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. Part environmental design, part modernist sculpture, the site invites visitors to wander grassy berms and geometric terraces that shift with the light. It's more than a park; it's an outdoor gallery shaped by the land itself.