West Thomas Street End provides shoreline access in Seattle's Lower Queen Anne neighborhood near Myrtle Edwards Park, accessed via the Elliott Bay Trail or the pedestrian bridge from Uptown. Thomas Street was originally named by pioneer Thomas Mercer when he filed his plat map in 1882 for property north of present-day Seattle Center, with the street bearing his own first name among fifteen streets he established in the neighborhood's early grid including Warren, Mercer, Republican, Harrison, and John. Mercer came to Seattle in 1853 and homesteaded 160 acres in what became Lower Queen Anne, living at what is now Roy Street and Taylor Avenue North. Seattle designated this location as shoreline street end #112 W Thomas St in the Downtown section in 1996, preserving it among 149 street ends for public uses and enjoyment along the city's waterfronts.
The sandy beach lined with driftwood creates a waterfront environment for beachcombing, with visitors discovering smooth beach stones, colorful beach glass, shells, and weathered driftwood deposited by Elliott Bay tides. Views span across Elliott Bay to the Olympic Mountains forming a dramatic western horizon, Mount Rainier visible on clear days to the southeast, Bainbridge Island ferries crossing the sound, and cargo ships navigating shipping lanes toward the Port of Seattle. Kayakers and paddleboarders launch from nearby Myrtle Edwards Park's facilities for urban waterfront paddling experiences along Seattle's downtown shoreline with unique perspectives of the Space Needle, downtown skyline, and industrial waterfront. Wildlife watching includes harbor seals hunting near shore, great blue herons stalking shallows, cormorants diving for fish, bald eagles soaring overhead, and diverse seabirds utilizing Elliott Bay's marine ecosystem. The Elliott Bay Trail provides walking and cycling access along the waterfront, connecting the street end to broader recreational opportunities throughout the downtown shoreline corridor.
Seattle's downtown and Queen Anne dining offers diverse options near West Thomas Street End. Palisade features Pacific Northwest cuisine including Dungeness crab cakes and grilled salmon with Elliott Bay and Seattle skyline views. Elliott's on Pier 56 specializes in sustainably sourced Dungeness crab from local waters, wild Pacific salmon, and sustainably caught finfish. AQUA by El Gaucho serves fresh-caught fish and locally sourced pasta from a waterfront deck overlooking Elliott Bay. Westward creates sustainable seafood, Pacific Coast marine fare, and fresh local oysters with Lake Union views from outdoor fire pit and beachside seating. Canlis offers fine Pacific Northwest dining with seasonal menus, extensive wine selections, and views overlooking Lake Union.
