Renton

Welcome to Renton

Renton is a vibrant city located in King County, Washington, serving as an inner-ring suburb of Seattle. Positioned 11 miles (18 km) southeast of downtown Seattle, Renton is nestled along the southeast shore of Lake Washington, where the Cedar River flows into the lake. It stands as the sixth-largest city in the greater Seattle area and the eighth-largest in Washington state.

Renton has a rich history, beginning as an important salmon fishing area for Native Americans. The first European settlers arrived in the 1860s, and the city’s early economy was driven by coal mining, clay production, and timber export. Today, Renton is renowned as the final assembly point for Boeing's 737 commercial airplanes. The city is also home to a growing number of major companies in manufacturing, technology, and healthcare, including Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Paccar, Kaiser Permanente, IKEA, Providence Health & Services, UW Medicine, and Wizards of the Coast.

With its convenient location, excellent dining, and shopping options, Renton maintains a welcoming, small-town feel while offering easy access to everything you need.

Top Attractions to Visit in Renton

Renton History Museum
- Housed in a historic Art Deco firehouse from 1942, the Renton History Museum offers an engaging look at the city’s past. The museum features a vast collection of photographs, artifacts, and archives, including coal mining equipment, firefighting tools, and local memorabilia. Exhibits and activities make learning about Renton’s rich history an exciting experience for all ages.
Renton Civic Theatre
- Established in 1987 and located in a former 1920s movie theater, Renton Civic Theatre is a professional performing arts venue that hosts a diverse array of plays and performances. It has been a key cultural hub in the Greater Puget Sound region for more than two decades, offering top-notch theater in an intimate setting.
Renton Carco Theatre
- Carco Theatre is a 300-seat venue in Cedar River Park that serves as a stage for independent films, children’s events, and multicultural performances. As a non-profit organization, the theatre supports low-income and underfunded groups by providing a platform for creative expression and community education.
IKEA Performing Arts Center
- Located on the Renton High School campus and opened in 2003, the IKEA Performing Arts Center hosts a variety of performances, including those by the Rainier Symphony, Renton City Concert Band, and Evergreen City Ballet. With modern amenities like a wrap-around lobby, spacious dressing rooms, and a 35-foot fly zone, this facility is a key cultural asset in Renton and is available for event rentals year-round.
Waterway Cruises on Lake Washington
- Experience the beauty of Washington’s lakes and Puget Sound aboard a luxurious dining and entertainment yacht. Waterways Cruises offers a variety of themed cruises, including romantic sunset voyages, family-friendly adventures, and wine or beer tasting tours. Whether it’s morning, afternoon, or evening, these cruises provide stunning views of mountains and city skylines, creating unforgettable memories on the water.