Mercer Island

Mercer Island is a city in King County, Washington, consisting entirely of an island in Lake Washington. Once known as "East Seattle", it has become one of the region's most upscale residential communities. == Get in == === By car === Interstate 90 (I-90) is the only access to Mercer Island. Bridges connect with Seattle to the west, and Bellevue and the rest of the Eastside to the east. Exits 7A (77th Ave SE) and 7B (Island Crest Way) from eastbound lanes. Exit 7 (Island Crest Way) from westbound lanes. === By public transit === 1 Mercer Island Station, 2510 77th Ave SE (along I-90, at 80th Ave SE). The transit hub of Mercer Island, with a light rail stop, bus station and a Park and Ride at N Mercer Way. (updated Apr 2026) Link light rail - The 2 Line runs from Downtown Redmond to the east via Bellevue, and from Lynnwood City Center to the northwest via Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline and Seattle. Adult fares are a flat $3.00, regardless of distance; children 18 and under ride for free. A train runs every 8-15 minutes from 5:00 to midnight. Sound Transit, toll-free: +1-888-889-6368. Runs express and intercity public transit routes across the Seattle area, including Sounder trains, Link light rail and express buses (routes 510-596). Serves King County (e.g. Bellevue, Federal Way, Kent, Renton, Seattle), Snohomish County (e.g. Everett, Lynnwood), and Pierce County (e.g. Puyallup, Tacoma). (updated Jun 2023) The following routes stop into Mercer Island P&R on their way between Seattle and the eastside: 550 Downtown Seattle - Bellevue 554 Downtown Seattle - 142nd Pl SE & I-90 Ramp Stop - Issaquah King County Metro, ☏ +1 206-553-3000. Runs bus, streetcar and monorail routes within King County. Serves Auburn, Bellevue, Bothell, Burien, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kent, Kirkland, Mercer Island, North Bend, Redmond, Renton, SeaTac, Seattle, Shoreline, Tukwila, Vashon Island, White Center, and Woodinville. $3 for 2 hours ($1 seniors 65+, Free youth 0-18). (updated Sep 2025) DART 204 serves as a local shuttle between the Mercer Island P&R (north) and Mercer Island Village Shopping Center (south). DART 630 connects downtown Seattle and First Hill to Mercer Island Village Shopping Center via Mercer Island P&R during weekday afternoons and to Seattle during the weekday mornings. Check schedules. == Get around == I-90, Mercer Island Park and Ride, and most businesses are at the north end of the island. There are two major roads to the south end of the island: Island Crest Way, which passes through the center of the Island. The scenic Mercer Way, which is divided into West Mercer Way, East Mercer Way and North Mercer Way. This route goes along the edges of the island and has many curves. === By public transit === There are three bus routes to the south end of the Island, near the Mercer Village Shopping Center. King County Metro DART 204, ☏ +1 206-553-3000. DART 204 is the only Metro bus route within Mercer Island linking Mercer Island P&R in the north to Mercer Village Shopping Center in the south via 77th Ave SE, SE 40th, 86th Ave SE and Island Crest Way. (updated Jun 2023) == See == Great views can be seen from the small parks which dot the island. These include Groveland Park, Clarke Beach Park, and the westernmost edge of Lid Park, which sits on top of I-90. == Do == 1 Aubrey Davis Park (Lid Park), 2030 72nd Ave SE (on top of I-90). (updated Jun 2020) 2 Luther Burbank Park, 2040 84th Ave SE. The most notable park on the north part of the island, offering views of Bellevue and Medina. Has public docks. (updated Jun 2020) 3 Pioneer Park, Island Crest Way & 68th St (in the middle of the island). A nature preserve serving as a nexus for the many miles of trails on the island. There are horse stables just south of Pioneer Park if you are in the mood for horse riding lessons. (updated Feb 2025) == Buy == 1 Mercer Village Shopping Center, 8415 SE 68th St (at the south end of the island). Has a grocery store, several coffee shops, a drug store and other shops that mostly cater to residents. (updated Feb 2025) == Eat == Pom Proem Thai (78th Ave). Anise Thai (On Mercer Way). Yuzen (Middle of the island). Japanese. == Drink == == Sleep == Mercer Island has no hotels or motels. If you need one, your best bet is to hop on I-90 to either Seattle or Bellevue, as both cities have multiple, varied options for overnight stays. == Go next == Bellevue Seattle