Lake Union
Lake Union
4.5
About
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.
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Neighbourhood: Lake Union
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4.5
349 reviews
Excellent
187
Very good
133
Average
28
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Luv2TravelFarNWide
Atenas, Costa Rica1,385 contributions
Aug 2021
The southern end of Lake Union has a cafe, the Center for Wooden Boats, a learn-to-sail school, and some interesting "antique" boats (including a Fire boat). Lots of yachts, and numerous float planes. Fun to watch the planes come and go.
Light rail stop right at the edge of the Lake park. Lovely place to chill.
Light rail stop right at the edge of the Lake park. Lovely place to chill.
Written 26 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoeieWitte
Madeira, OH864 contributions
June 2022 • Couples
This large lake is easily accessible, the southern section in particular.
Several marinas have no access.
Go swim, sail, paddle, boat or even a water plane flight.
There are a few restaurants along his lake, some with lake view.
Combine a visit with museums at the southern tip.
Several marinas have no access.
Go swim, sail, paddle, boat or even a water plane flight.
There are a few restaurants along his lake, some with lake view.
Combine a visit with museums at the southern tip.
Written 27 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Russ Lacuata
Long Beach, CA9,706 contributions
May 2019 • Family
The lake is in the middle of downtown Seattle. Lake Union is filled with many ways to enjoy Seattle’s unique maritime culture from kayaking or just hanging out.
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
misopiso88
Seattle, WA24,967 contributions
Aug 2020
There are only a few "hot tub boats" in the world and most of them are here on Lake Union! You can rent one and go on the lake boating and hot tubbing....it is an experience you will never forget! We did it with friends and had a second boat so that we could take a break and get out of the hot tub.
Lake Union has amazing views of the city, awesome restaurants you can access from a boat or a car and lost of houseboats to look at. And it is connected to Lake Washington so you can spend the whole day exploring. A MUST DO!
Lake Union has amazing views of the city, awesome restaurants you can access from a boat or a car and lost of houseboats to look at. And it is connected to Lake Washington so you can spend the whole day exploring. A MUST DO!
Written 11 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nowpacking
Dallas, TX3,856 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
Rode the Seattle Streetcar down to Lake Union from downtown - enjoyed an hour tour on Lake Union on a smaller boat, the Fremont Avenue which docks right by the Armory (they sail on Fri, Sat & Sun). We circled the lake and saw the houseboats up close including the famous "Sleepless" one, Gasworks Park, and great views of the city. About half the price of the big boats.
Written 20 May 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet W
Seattle, WA42 contributions
Sept 2015 • Friends
It was a beautiful day, so we walked from the Eastlake area all around the lake - took about 3 hours. The beginning was a little industrial, but then the path is mostly very pretty, with lots of lake and marina views. When we got to Fremont we opted to take the stairs down off the bridge to walk on the Burke-Gilman trail for a while - also a nice route. We ended at a fabulous sandwich place in eastlake called Mammoth.
Written 5 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teresa Moby
Vienna, VA362 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
Take the Sunday cruise, nice way to see the lake union. Runs every hour but there will be a line so try to get there a bit early to be sure you'll get on the time you want. I believe you can also paid ahead of time but we didn't get the time to do that ahead. Scenery is gorgeous and lots of activities go on in this lake, you won't get bored. The floating homes are my favorite!
Written 4 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathleen E
Bellevue, WA186 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
This is a great hike loop trail around Lake Union, it is only 6 miles long. It was a great urban walk that let you get a glimpse of the beauty and diversity of the lake, the businesses, and homes. There are some great local restaurant in the different neighborhoods. It is amazing how many small parks you can enjoy, relax, and just watch the boats, float plans, and people go by. Our visit was on a Thursday morning and afternoon, which was not to busy, however on the weekend it may get crowded
Written 7 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JSR_Adventures
Fairhope, AL979 contributions
Aug 2014 • Business
I spent 5 days in a hotel along Lake Union and I enjoyed the vibe of the lake and the surrounding park. Lots of friendly people walking, jogging, biking or skating around. I enjoyed a nice stogie while people watching. The area is a bit far from the touristy areas, which made it nice for me.
Written 26 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
twotrvlers
Oregon17 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
My husband and I stayed at the Marriott Courtyard at the south end of Lake Union and could not have asked for a more perfect location for our long weekend! It was great to balance to hectic/crowded city feeling of Seattle with the more relaxing Lake Union area including park/sail boats/float planes and more.
There was lots to do just in the area of the park including a double feature movie in the park Saturday night, free sails on old wooden vessels through the Center for Wooden Boats on Sunday, float planes (a MUST), a little cafe at the museum (very tasty chicken salad) and historic wooden boats (several) that you can tour for free. One night we walked up to Whole Foods and cobbled together a picnic, then came back to the park, sat on a bench and watched all the goings-on on the lake - a wonderful end to a day. So much more relaxing than a city center location!
There was lots to do just in the area of the park including a double feature movie in the park Saturday night, free sails on old wooden vessels through the Center for Wooden Boats on Sunday, float planes (a MUST), a little cafe at the museum (very tasty chicken salad) and historic wooden boats (several) that you can tour for free. One night we walked up to Whole Foods and cobbled together a picnic, then came back to the park, sat on a bench and watched all the goings-on on the lake - a wonderful end to a day. So much more relaxing than a city center location!
Written 2 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wrenflys27
Seattle, Washington
Hi. I have a friend coming in from out of town and would like to take her to see the houseboats on Lake Union. Could some one tell me where I should park and how long a walk we should plan for. I always get the layout of Seattle confused. Is it near Gaslight Park or is it near the Wooden Boat Center? Thank you. wren
Written 16 May 2018
There are houseboats along different parts of Lake Union. So you could park near Gaslight Park and be near some as well as the Wooden Boat Center. If you park in the East Lake neighborhood their are house boats as well. (This might be a short walk)
Written 16 May 2018
Hello, my husband and I will be in the area for the 4th. Is there a preference for fireworks locations and things to do? South Lake Union Park or Gas Works?
Written 22 June 2015
We watched them over the Lake from our balcony at our hotel.
Written 20 July 2017
I want the best tour of houseboats and floating houses on Lake Union, not just a brief pass by. I see in the reviews smaller boats are recommended, but what firms do you recommend?
Written 14 March 2015
I really don't know, but I would recommend a small boat as the lake isn't really anything to see. You may want to check photos of the area (lake union) out, online before taking the time and paying $ for a tour, if one is available. I was on Lake Union for probably 30 minutes and really it wasn't anything out of the ordinary, unless you haven't seen a lake before...Best just to look up photos of it online before planning to go and then decide. I would NOT recommend the Ducks tour at all, it shows you around, but it is quite a rough, uncomfortable and ear deafening tour. For kids at best.
Written 14 March 2015
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