Mercer Island was named for the Mercer family and was first occupied between 1870 and 1880. The famous “floating bridge” connects the island located in Lake Washington with Seattle. What was once a community of summer homes for Seattle residents, Mercer Island grew markedly when the bridge replaced the Lake Washington Ferry. Now, Mercer Island real estate is characterized by luxury homes with the seclusion of island living, but with immediate access to both Seattle and the Eastside. Mercer Island offers some of the best waterfront homes that are on the market today. Mercer Island’s school district is the best in Washington State, and the island benefits from a comprehensive commercial district. Mercer Island has also become a popular site to watch the Blue Angel flight display during the annual Seattle festival: Seafair. Ample recreational offerings include 300 acres of parklands and open space. The quiet, wooded neighborhoods often boast views of Seattle, Bellevue, Mount Rainier, and both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountains. If you are looking for a waterfront home for sale or condo for sale, Mercer Island might be your ideal destination.