About Swansons Nursery
Swansons has been a Seattle gardening landmark since 1924, and its grounds on 15th Avenue NW in north Seattle make a relaxed stop even if you are not planning a project. It is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and its website keeps a garden blog and a calendar of what is happening through the year.
The on-site Swansons Café serves breakfast and lunch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., which makes it an easy morning coffee or midday meal while you walk the grounds. Inside, the Home Decor & Gifts shop carries home goods and gifts, and gift cards are sold for anyone who would rather choose for themselves.
Fall is a good time to come. Celebrate Fall at Swansons fills the place with pumpkins and autumn décor, the café makes its own pumpkin spice latte, and staff build scarecrows for an employee contest that runs from early October to the start of November. In November and December, professional Santa photos are offered by appointment, so families can book a time instead of waiting in line.
Dogs are welcome to come along on a short leash and stay at your side, but only service animals are allowed in the café's ordering and indoor seating areas, following county health rules.
Woodinville Lavender, a lavender farm and garden in Woodinville wine country used mainly for weddings and private events, is about 35 minutes northeast.
What to do
- Have breakfast or lunch at Swansons Café, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Browse home décor and gifts in the gift shop
- See the pumpkins and fall displays and try the house pumpkin spice latte in October
- See the staff scarecrow contest, early October to November 1
- Book Santa photos by appointment in November and December
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open daily year-round; fall displays and scarecrow contest in October; Santa photos November–December
- Hours
- Posted on their website in 2026: daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; café breakfast and lunch 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Good to know
- Dogs
- Leashed (short leash; not in café ordering or indoor seating areas)
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Tips for your visit
- Santa photo sessions are by appointment only, so book ahead for November and December
- The café stops serving at 4 p.m., two hours before closing
- Keep dogs on a short leash and out of the café's indoor areas
Pair it with a lavender farm
Woodinville Lavender · about 35 minutes away
Woodinville Lavender is about 35 minutes northeast and mainly hosts events, so check its site before you go.
Getting there
Questions
Is there a café at Swansons?
Yes. Swansons Café serves breakfast and lunch from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Can I bring my dog to Swansons?
Yes, on a short leash at your side, but not into the café ordering or indoor seating areas.
Does Swansons do Santa photos?
Yes, in November and December, by appointment only.
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
