12 Incredible Destination Libraries Around Seattle and Beyond

Find it: 825 228th Ave. S.E., Sammamish

Bring your thermos of cocoa and settle into a comfy seat by the fireplace. You might feel like you are at a fancy lodge — one that happens to be stuffed with books.

The Sammamish Library, which opened in 2010, is modern, light and bright, with walls of windows and, yes, a glass-enclosed gas fireplace. It’s a happening place; Sammamish is the fourth-busiest library in the King County system. The children’s area is partially corralled by a row of bookcases, which is helpful if your children tend to be escape artists.

Assistant operations manager John Allman has worked throughout the King County Library System, but the Sammamish Library is at the top of his list. “I have to say, this is about as good as it gets,” he said.

Day trip: Pack your swim stuff. Next door to the library is a YMCA that boasts a family swimming pool with a two-story water slide, lazy river and a shallow wading area for tots. If the weather is nice, bring your scooters and balance bikes instead. The library sits on the edge of a 25-acre, two-level park called Sammamish Commons, featuring a skate park, playground, swings, sand pit and spray park.

Up next: Bellevue Library