Welcome to Mercer Island
Prestigious island city connected to Seattle by bridge
Mercer Island is a city and island located in the southern part of Lake Washington, between Seattle and Bellevue. The island’s northern tip is traced by I-90, with bridges connecting Mercer Island to its neighboring cities. The eastern Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge connecting Mercer Island to Seattle is the second longest floating bridge in the world. Mercer Island boasts outstanding public and private schools plus a vibrant Town Center downtown area. There are also many opportunities for outdoor recreation with 50 miles of hiking trails, three public beaches, and more than 475 acres of beautiful parks and greenspace.
Mercer Island features many gorgeous homes in a wide variety of styles. The island is home to numerous distinctive neighborhoods, ranging from historically established communities to newer master-planned developments.
What to Love
- Gorgeous homes in eclectic styles
- Town Center shopping and dining
- I-90 bridge to Seattle
- Expansive parks
People & Lifestyle
Mercer Island is an affluent city that ranks highly on lists of the highest income communities in Washington State. Prominent residents have included Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and CEOs and chairmen from companies such as Boeing, Ford, and the Seattle Mariners. Mercer Island attracts these elite residents with stunning parks, exceptional amenities, and spectacular luxury homes.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Mercer Island’s Town Center is packed with unique restaurants and retailers. The Roanoke Inn is Mercer Island’s oldest business, having been in continuous operation since 1914. This island landmark is a lively gathering place with a jukebox and darts, and the menu pairs classic American cooking with a variety of beers, wines, and cocktails. The Islander serves North West cuisine prepared with fresh local ingredients in a laid-back setting with lots of big-screen TVs showing Seattle’s sports teams in action. Homegrown also sources ingredients from local farms for its tasty sandwiches, salads, and soups. There’s delicious pizza with artisanal toppings at Mioposto and Pagliacci Pizza, sushi rolls and Japanese dishes at Yuzen and Sushi Joa, and flavorful Thai fare at Anise Thai Cuisine.
Town Center retailers include the family-run Island Books. A Mercer Island favorite since 1973, this delightful bookstore regularly hosts in-store events. Other independent retailers include the global antique treasure trove Clarke & Clarke Art + Artifacts, upscale kitchen and home goods store Terra Bella, and the stylish womenswear boutique Hip Zephyr. Metropolitan Market is Mercer Island’s go-to for organic, natural produce and other high-quality groceries. On Sundays during the summer, you can also pick up fresh produce and other foodstuffs at the Mercer Island Farmers Market.
Things to Do
Mercer Island provides lots of parks and outdoor recreation areas. The 77-acre Luther Burbank Park has three-quarters of a mile of Lake Washington shoreline with a swimming beach, fishing pier, and boat dock. Other amenities include an off-leash dog area, a large children’s playground with swings and a zipline, an amphitheater, and three tennis courts.
The 113-acre inland natural area of Pioneer Park features 6.6 miles of hiking and equestrian trails winding through lush deciduous and conifer forest and steeply sloped ravines. Above I-90 at the northern end of Mercer Island, 90-acre Aubrey Davis Park offers spectacular views across the water to Seattle. Aubrey Davis Park is popularly known as the Lid, as it was built on top of the interstate. The park’s amenities and attractions include the Greta Hackett Outdoor Sculpture Gallery, two playgrounds, two softball fields, tennis and basketball courts, and a boat launch. Aubrey Davis Park is part of the Mountains to Sound Greenway, which encompasses a bike path running parallel to I-90 across the bridges to Seattle in the west and Bellevue in the east. At the southern end of Mercer Island, Clarke Beach is a picturesque grassy park with a swimming beach used each New Year’s Day for the annual Polar Bear Swim.
Schools
Mercer Island is served by the Mercer Island School District.
- Lakeridge Elementary School, Public, K-5.
- Islander Middle School, Public, 6-8.
- Mercer Island High School, Public, 9-12.
- French American School of Puget Sound, Private, PK-8.
- Northwest Yeshiva High School, Private, Jewish, 9-12.