Issaquah
Issaquah is a city in King County, bordered by the Sammamish Plateau to the north and the “Issaquah Alps” to the south. The town was initially developed to foster the mining industry that thrived in between these two nearby mountains. This city is a huge destination comprising fun parks, an iconic downtown area, an incredible Village theater, the Issaquah Hatchery that aided the revamp of the salmon run on the Issaquah Creek, the Cougar Mountain Zoo that nurtures endangered species, and much more.
Demographics:
Population
About 38,700 people as of 2020.
Walk-ability / Bike-ability
Walk Score of 31/100. Bike Score of 37/100 (according to Walkscore.com).
Home Ownership
59.9% homes are owner-occupied (according to Census data).
School District
Issaquah School District
Neighborhoods:
- Central Issaquah
- Issaquah Highlands
- Issaquah Valley
- Montreux
- Newport
- North Issaquah
- Olde Town
- Providence Point
- South Lake Sammamish
- Squak Mountain
- Sycamore
- Talus
Interesting Places To Visit:
Lake Sammamish State Park is a 531-acre, day-use park with 6,858 feet of waterfront on Lake Sammamish. You can have a good time birdwatching, including the great-blue-heron and the salmon-bearing brook, or observing different animals. The park has hiking trails spread through the rugged woodlands and wetlands and two lakefront beaches, making it an ideal place to escape the busy city lifestyle. Bring your kids along to play in their top-notch playground area as you relax and watch them play.
Tiger Mountain is perched in central Issaquah Alps which consists of six mountain peaks situated in between Cougar Mountain, Rattlesnake Ridge, Squak Mountain, and Mc Donald and Taylor Mountains. Visitors can easily access the trailhead, however, the most famous attraction for hikers is the mountain peak of West Tiger number 3, which can be accessed through a 6.2 miles steep round trip trail with a height change of 2,000 feet. This incredible hike provides visitors with beautiful views of Seattle.
Cougar Mountain Zoo is an 11-acre zoological park that borders the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. The zoo’s focus is on endangered species such as lemurs from Madagascar, Bengal tigers from India and birds endangered in various parts of the world. The zoo has 32 exhibits that present specific animal habitats, with tigers, lemurs, reindeer, wolves, cranes, macaws, wallabies, cougars and others. A glass-walled tunnel known as the “Tiger Tunnel” allows visitors to observe tigers in close proximity. The north side of the Cougar Mountain is a secluded area with a beautiful view of Lake Sammamish.
Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery (FISH) was established to restore the historic salmon runs that once existed in Issaquah Creek. The Issaquah hatchery is visited by thousands of people every year, who come to see these magnificent fish return from their grueling journey at sea, to fight against the current and spawn in Issaquah Creek. Visitors will be able to see an adult salmon reproducing in the creek, a hatchery having ponds in fall, and a fish ladder. You can also check out and see indigenous plant gardens and wetlands exhibitions.
The Issaquah Depot Museum is a former railway station built in 1889 as a passenger station for the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway and freight warehouse. The museum got revamped after many years, and the previous station was open to the general public as a museum. The Museum provides visitors with exhibits that showcase the industrial revolution, communication, travel and the early development of Issaquah. The Depot operates the Issaquah Valley Trolley, which runs from the Museum to Gilman Boulevard.
