Newcastle combines a distinctive mining history with a wide range of parks. Historical milestones, trails and parkland, as well as a recurring festival, offer different starting points for planning your trip. You can focus your stay more on the town’s development, time outdoors or a festival date.
Mining History and Baima House
In 1869, Newcastle developed from a small farming village into a bustling mining town. Coal mining continued until 1963; the mines produced more than 11 million tons of coal. These milestones link the town’s transformation into a mining community with the later end of coal mining. Another historical landmark is Baima House: it was built in the 1870s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Its construction followed shortly after the transformation of 1869 and well before the end of mining in 1963; its addition to the register came later. This helps place the town’s development in context alongside the history of a single house.
Parks and Trails in Newcastle
Newcastle has 164 hectares of parkland and 12 miles of major trails. Hazelwood Park has a wetland boardwalk, trails and a viewpoint. Lake Boren Park has restrooms, loop trails, playgrounds, shelters, sports fields, docks, a stage and a ball field. The parks have distinct features: Hazelwood focuses on its wetland boardwalk, trails and viewpoint; Lake Boren combines loop trails with recreational facilities and other amenities.
Newcastle’s parks are open to the public from 7:00 a.m. until dusk. Newcastle’s trails are also available from dusk until 7:00 a.m. Keep these two details separate: park opening hours and trail availability cover different periods. Since operating hours may change, check the current information before your visit.
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park lies on Newcastle’s eastern border. Its location helps you get your bearings in Newcastle.
Festival and Other Activities
Newcastle Days takes place every September at Lake Boren Park. The free festival offers activities, food, games and music; the date and program vary from year to year. If Newcastle Days is the reason for your trip, check the specific date and program before planning your trip around it.
The Rusty Putter is an 18-hole putting course. This makes it quite different from a festival, whose program varies each year.
When to Visit and Where to Stay
The festival is the seasonal point of reference when choosing when to travel: Newcastle Days takes place in September, and its date and program change. If you want to plan your visit around it, check the specific date; for park visits, take the applicable hours of use into account.
Discover more destinations: Auburn, Redmond, Seatac, Baring, Vashon Island, Burien, Shoreline, Bellevue.
For the broader travel overview: King.
