Lake Union teems with activity from paddleboards to yachts and floatplanes. And small wonder, since this 580-acre aquatic playground unfurls views of the skyline, Space Needle, and the rusted, industrial splendor of Gas Works Park.
Get a feel for the area at Lake Union Park, an old navy base repurposed into a grassy, waterfront gathering space, right beside the city’s beloved Museum of History and Industry. The Historic Ships Wharf there shelters the 1921 Virginia V—a steamer that opens its decks for balls, excursions, and trivia nights—alongside two museum ships: the tugboat Arthur Foss and the floating lighthouse Swiftsure.
Plunge into adventure with a kayak or stand-up paddleboard rental from Moss Bay or the Northwest Outdoor Center, which also hosts summertime sunset paddles through the ship canal and Ballard locks. Or step up the speed (well, a little…) with The Electric Boat Company, where you can captain a 10-person vessel.