Lake Union Tours
21 Reviews

Just north of downtown Seattle, the glacially carved freshwater Lake Union is ringed with houseboats—including the one made famous by the movie Sleepless in Seattle—and home to numerous recreational opportunities. The lake is a true urban gem, contributing to Seattle’s high standard of living.
The Basics
Visitors can experience Lake Union in several ways. For those who want to be in the water, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing are popular activities. The Northwest Outdoor Center and the Agua Verde Paddle Club rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, while the Center for Wooden Boats hosts free Sunday public sailing tours and rents canoes.
If you’d rather stay dry, the lake’s shores offer many scenic parks to explore, such as Fairview Park, South Lake Union Park, North Passage Point Park, Gas Works Park, and Terry Pettus Park. The Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), on the lake’s southern end, is another draw, with a permanent collection of over 100,000 objects including Seattle artifacts, local inventions, maritime pieces, local artwork, and historical textiles. The museum also has rotating exhibits, historical workshops and lectures, and public tours.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Activities on and around Lake Union are great for families and active travelers.
- The weather can change rapidly in Seattle, so bring warm and waterproof layers.
- You’ll experience lots of sun exposure on clear days, so wear sunscreen.
How to Get There
Lake Union is roughly north of downtown and south of the Fremont and Wallingford neighborhoods. It’s accessible by public transit from several areas around Seattle. The South Lake Union line of the Seattle Streetcar and buses 40 and 62 service the neighborhood.
When to Get There
Lake Union is busiest on sunny summer weekend afternoons, and warm days are the best ones to visit. You can avoid crowds by visiting during the week, before 5pm.
Lake Union Restaurants
Several restaurants nearby offer views of Lake Union. Try fish-and-chips with a pint of beer on the waterfront patio of The 100 Pound Clam. Sister restaurant White Swan Public House has excellent Northwest fare. Across the lake, boats can tie up to Westward, where oysters, Mediterranean fare, and cocktails are the draw.
Address: 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
12 Tours and Activities to Experience Lake Union
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Premier 3-Hour Seattle City Tour
Seattle is famous for its bustling waterfront, numerous green spaces, and historic neighborhoods. Ideal for first-time visitors, this sightseeing tour provides an overview of top attractions such as Pioneer Square, the Space Needle, and Pike Place market. Sit back and relax while your guide provides historical and cultural background for each destination, and enjoy stops to walk and take photos.
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From
$79.00
From
$79.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

20-Minute Greater Seattle Scenic Airplane Tour
Explore the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, plus the city of Seattle and Puget Sound, on an exhilarating seaplane adventure in the Pacific Northwest. This narrated, small-group, hybrid air-water Seattle seaplane tour includes stunning bird’s-eye views of the Emerald City’s skyline, featuring the iconic Space Needle, the Seattle Great Wheel Ferris wheel and much more. Also, see Lake Washington, the University of Washington, plus the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges along with majestic Mt. Rainier, the highest peak in the range.
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From
$101.53
From
$101.53

Seattle's Favorite Sightseeing and Cocktail Cruise
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Seattle from the water on this comfortable, 2-hour, cocktail cruise along Lake Union. Watch seaplane arrivals and departures and see landmark Seattle locations like the iconic Space Needle, Seattle Great Wheel, the Fremont Bridge, Gas Works Park, the University of Washington and much more — plus a plethora of floating homes, including the one from the popular movie ‘Sleepless in Seattle.’ Choose from a morning, midday, afternoon or evening cruise. The first round of drinks is included.
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From
$89.00
From
$89.00

Seattle Highlights Sightseeing Tour
Check out Seattle’s latest attractions and hip culture on this 1.5-hour, guided sightseeing tour around the city. Drive by must-see sites like popular Pike Place Market, historic Pioneer Square and the iconic Space Needle. See Kurt Cobain’s former home as well as a certain floating house from the movie 'Sleepless in Seattle.' With lively narration and some of Seattle’s best music playing, this is sure to be a tour that is both educational and entertaining. Transportation by minibus. Hotel pickup is included for customers staying at downtown Seattle hotels, South Lake Union area hotels, or university area hotels.
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From
$42.00
From
$42.00

Pre-Cruise Tour: Transportation & Seattle City Tour
Waiting to take off on a cruise? Get to know the beautiful city of Seattle on a small-group guided sightseeing tour around town. Hop in a mini-coach and enjoy a relaxing ride to the city’s most popular attractions, like the iconic Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and many more, including a great view of Mt. Rainier. Hotel pickup and port drop-off are included. Luggage will be safely stowed during the tour, and a timely return to the cruise port is guaranteed.
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From
$94.00
From
$94.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Boeing Factory Tour with Private Group Transport from Seattle
Take a trip to the Boeing Factory with your group of up to 7 people in your own private car with your very own expert guide. Your guide will give you interesting insight into the history of Boeing and Seattle on your trip to Everett where the factory is located. Once you arrive, learn how airplanes are built on a guided tour of the Boeing factory. Tour the massive Boeing assembly plant, the world’s largest building by volume, and see a variety of different planes in production. Explore the interactive exhibits and displays in the Aviation Center Gallery and visit the educational Future of Flight Aviation Center museum. Your guide will wait for you to complete your tour and provide you with personalized service back to Seattle.
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From
$682.06
per group
From
$682.06
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Seattle to Vancouver Seaplane Flight
Spend less time waiting in Sea-Tac’s busy departure halls, and avoid the long wait for your luggage on landing at YVR, with this convenient cross-border seaplane flight. Head directly to Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane Base, a little over a mile (1.8 kilometers) from the Seattle central business district. Avoid long lines for check-in and TSA, and get to Coal Harbor in downtown Vancouver in a little over an hour.
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From
$300.09
From
$300.09
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Seattle in One Day: Sightseeing Tour including Space Needle and Pike Place Market
See the best of Seattle on this sightseeing tour. Sit back and relax in a spacious coach as a knowledgeable guide presents Seattle’s neighborhoods and attractions. See the iconic Space Needle (admission included) with stellar views of the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, including majestic Mt Rainier. There’s Pike Place Market and the Elliott Bay waterfront, plus Pioneer Square. The list goes on. This tour includes convenient hotel pickup.
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From
$148.00
From
$148.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Private 3-Hour Seattle City Tour
Get to know the landscape of Seattle on a private sightseeing tour that provides an introduction to the city--great for the start of your stay. Traveling in a Suburban (avoid the bus tours), you'll pass by Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and other major attractions across seven neighborhoods. Along the way, stop for photo ops and learn about local history.
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From
$659.00
per group
From
$659.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

San Juan Islands Seaplane Flight & Hiking Adventure Tour from Seattle
On this full-day air and land adventure, soar over Seattle and Puget Sound in a private seaplane to the wild outer San Juan Islands. Your guide will lead you on a 1-1.5-hour excursion over forested trails, along wild beaches above rugged cliffs that ring the island.
During the hike, you’ll learn about the area's natural history and your guide will show you the best photo spots. As we go, we’ll keep an eye out for wildlife. We frequently spot bald eagles, harbor seals, sea lions, and harbor porpoises.
Enjoy a delicious picnic and drinks before flying back to Seattle for flyby of the waterfront and the Space Needle.
-Escape to wild outer San Juan Islands on a 1 hour 40 minutes round-trip seaplane flight.
-Land at a beach and explore the island on a guided naturalist hike.
-Indulge in a delicious chef-prepared picnic lunch amidst the island’s beauty.
-Fly by the Seattle waterfront, Lake Union, and the Space Needle.
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From
$2,439.00
per group
From
$2,439.00
per group

One Hour Sightseeing Cocktail Cruise!
Among the best things to do in Seattle, even on a rainy day! All boats can be enclosed to keep you dry and comfortable. Explore Seattle's waterways in luxury and style with Canderé Cruising's intimate experiences for up to six guests. Offering social and private cocktail cruises and sailing adventures from one hour to four hours long via motor or sailboat, Canderé Cruising will introduce you to Seattle in ways you didn't think possible. Get up close and personal with Seattle's floating home and houseboat community, beautiful classic cruisers, modern mega yachts, and breathe taking views of Mt. Rainier, and the Seattle Skyline!
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From
$220.20
per group
From
$220.20
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Private Seattle Lakefront Mansion Cruise
Revel in personalized attention and enjoy a flexible itinerary on this private Lake Union cruise. Sip a cocktail or soft drink while your guide points out the luxe waterfront mansions that line the shore. Other sights include the floating homes of all varieties, views of seaplanes taking off and landing, and an array of drawbridges, some almost 100 years old. This private tour can accommodate up to 6 passengers.
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From
$749.00
per group
From
$749.00
per group
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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