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All 399 Seattle Attractions »

Lake Union

North of downtown, south of Fremont, Seattle, WA
Ranked #57 of 210 attractions in Seattle
4.0 of 5 stars 25 Reviews
Type: Bodies of Water
Activities: Kayaking
Owner description: This large, recreational lake is great for renting an electric boat, kayaking and admiring the Seattle skyline. The new South Lake Union Park is open...... more » Owner description: This large, recreational lake is great for renting an electric boat, kayaking and admiring the Seattle skyline. The new South Lake Union Park is open and easily accessible from downtown by Streetcar. « less
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25 reviews from our community

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Date Rating
CAPE CORAL, FL
Top Contributor
70 reviews 70 reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 May 2012 NEW

It is great to go to the lake and see the beautiful view. Amazing how many boats and sail boats are out on the water. It is absolutely beautiful. It is FREE and a great way to save money and pack a picnic lunch for the entire family. You could just sit there for hours and hours and watch the... More

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See 14 more reviews by TRAVELDEB_10 for Seattle
Bainbridge Island, Washington
Top Contributor
111 reviews 111 reviews
Reviews in 27 cities Reviews in 27 cities
51 helpful votes 51 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2012

Lake Union has some absolutely spectacular views, with downtown being just south, Seattle Center to the west and mountain views in pretty much every direction (if/when the sun it out). However, it is restricted speed boating (no wake), so not really a sport lake like Lake Washington. But the slow speed means that doing things like kayaking and paddleboating are... More

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See 29 more reviews by Jonvilliers for Seattle
Clinton, Washington
Top Contributor
119 reviews 119 reviews
Reviews in 38 cities Reviews in 38 cities
33 helpful votes 33 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 May 2012

We like Lake Union for the boating. A favorite activity involves going to Northwest Outdoor Center to rent a double kayak and spend an hour paddling around the lake. Otherwise we like to dine at McCormick & Schmick's for a view of the boating. Their early bird specials are worth getting there at 5:00 to enjoy. And the fish is... More

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See 27 more reviews by culturevulture94 for Seattle
Melbourne, Australia
Top Contributor
65 reviews 65 reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
63 helpful votes 63 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 April 2012

The morning was sunny so I decided to embark at lunchtime on a 10K run around Lake Union. What I realised is get out fast while the sun is shining. The clouds rolled over at lunchtime but I managed to get through without rain. The run is well signposted - with clear Blue sinage for the Cheshiahud Loop, taking you... More

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See 5 more reviews by Moment-of-truth for Seattle
Seattle
Top Contributor
60 reviews 60 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
35 helpful votes 35 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 March 2012

Both seaplanes and NOAA are about all the working ships left on the lake, the view from the lake of downtown is amazing! Rent a kayak at Agua Verde and see it from water level, or take a Dick tour, but get down onto the water somehow. This is a wonderful way to see the city's hills and waterways. More

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See 24 more reviews by MONichols for Seattle
Seattle
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 March 2012

Best way to visit Lake Union is on a Duck Boat. You'll get to see where "Sleepless in Seattle was filmed too. More

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See 16 more reviews by SeattleSleepy for Seattle
Seattle, Washington, United States
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 March 2012

Simply driving around it doesn't offer you some of the greatest views of the Seattle skyline, so find a boat, any boat, and bring your camera. I also wouldn't suggest swimming in it, unless you like toe fungus and duck poo. More

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See 17 more reviews by FleischmanX4 for Seattle
Seattle, Washington, United States
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 March 2012

Not that many cities have a lake this large adjacent to the main urban core. It's got plenty of restaurants on or around the water front, a path that runs all the way around the lake, and lots of house boats and sea planes that give you a sense that you might actually be living on the water, even though... More

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See 18 more reviews by Kathleen C for Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 February 2012

I recently visited Union Lake for the first time to take some photographs. Although it was a cold and windy day, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I only left when it became to dark to photograph with my telephoto lens. I looked at the old historic boats. I visited the The Center for Wooden Boats with many fascinating wooden... More

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See 5 more reviews by Wordsmith2012 for Seattle
Bellevue, Washington
Top Contributor
124 reviews 124 reviews
Reviews in 50 cities Reviews in 50 cities
100 helpful votes 100 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 February 2012

The best time to be on Lake Union is for the 4th of July when they have the fireworks over Gas Works Park. Any time is a good time to go out on the lake. Great views of SEA skyline and Space Needle! More

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See 22 more reviews by seahawksteve for Seattle

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