Visit an Urban Oasis
just North of Downtown Seattle.
At the edge of downtown Seattle’s thriving South Lake Union district is an urban oasis: Lake Union Park. With acres of open space and access to the lake’s shoreline, the Park invites residents and visitors to take a break from city life. The Park offers a multitude of opportunities for recreation and to learn about Seattle’s rich maritime heritage.
Stroll through the waterfront Park or visit one of its museums or ships. See water, geese, rent a boat, and visit historic ships. Take a moment to relax and reflect at a special urban oasis.
What’s at Lake Union Park?
You can take a tour or cruise on one of the historic vessels. Rent a rowboat. Visit the exhibits in the museums. There are many hands-on opportunities for families and kids. These organizations shown below offer a wide range of exhibits and programs at Lake Union Park to fit every interest and experience level. Visit us and discover more.
MOHAI
The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) is the largest private heritage organization in Washington State. MOHAI is dedicated to enriching lives by preserving, sharing and teaching the diverse history of Seattle, the Puget Sound region and the nation. MOHAI opened its doors in February 1952, evolving from the Seattle Historical Society, formed in 1911. MOHAI also hosts the artifacts and archives of the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society.
The Center for Wooden Boats
The Center for Wooden Boats is a hands-on maritime museum. Its purpose is to preserve our rich, vital and varied small craft heritage by preserving both the artifacts and the time-tested maritime skills. The Center offers hands-on classes and boat rentals. Our aim is to provide an educational adventure, through participation, in our small craft heritage.
The Historic Ships Wharf
The Steamship Virginia V
The Steamer Virginia V is one of the last of the Northwest’s “Mosquito Fleet” of steamers that served the communities on Puget Sound in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She is still operational with her original steam engine.
The mission of The Steamer Virginia V Foundation is to promote the Puget Sound's maritime heritage through the restoration, preservation, operation, and interpretation of the National Historic Landmark vessel S.S. Virginia V.
NW Seaport’s Tugboat “Arthur Foss”
Northwest Seaport (founded 1964) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime heritage of Puget Sound and the Northwest coast and to the development of maritime-based educational programs and opportunities for the broad community. The Seaport’s floating fleet at Lake Union Park includes the tugboat Arthur Foss. The Arthur Foss was built in 1889 as the Wallowa to tow sailing ships across the Columbia Bar to Astoria and Portland, Oregon, it also towed ships and barges to Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush and came to Puget Sound as a logging tugboat. As a Foss Launch & Tug Company tugboat, Arthur Foss gained distinction as the star of the 1933 MGM blockbuster hit, “Tugboat Annie.”
NW Seaport’s Lightship No. 83 “Swiftsure”
Also a National Historic Landmark, the Light Vessel Number 83 (LV-83) Swiftsure is a lightship and museum ship owned by Northwest Seaport in Seattle, Washington. LV-83 has been undergoing major restoration since 2008.
Fireboat “Duwamish”
The fireboat Duwamish was the world’s most powerful fireboat from 1909 to 2003 pumping 22,800 gallons per minute. The Seattle Fireboat MV Duwamish is a National Historic Landmark and a City of Seattle Landmark. The Seattle Fireboat MV Duwamish team is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of this historic vessel as well as teaching the rich history of Seattle's waterfront and the importance of fireboats. The MV Duwamish is moored at the Historic Ships Wharf at Lake Union Park.
NW Seaport’s “Tordenskjold”
Northwest Seaport’s “new” boat is a halibut schooner built in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood in 1911. It fished the North Pacific and Bering Sea for halibut, black cod, tuna, king crab, shrimp, and even sharks, finishing up a 100 year career in 2012. The boat was then retired and donated to Northwest Seaport in February 2017. Tordenskjold is still fully operational and serves as both an education platform and Northwest Seaport's floating ambassador.
“Lotus”
The Lotus is a 1909 Edwardian Cruising Houseboat. She is owned and operated by The M/V Lotus Foundation - a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Our Mission is to restore and preserve the 1909 Motor Vessel Lotus and to provide a gathering place where Pacific Northwest Maritime History comes alive, our adventures are celebrated and the traditions and wisdom of traveling, living and playing on the water is experienced and passed along to future generations.
Model Boat Pond
Lake Union Park’s Model Boat Pond is a great place to visit. Often visitors can watch model sailing yachts of all types cruising across the pond. Bring the kids.
Kayak Float
The Kayak Float is another feature of Lake Union Park. You can paddle your kayak to the Park and get out and stretch your legs in the Park. The shade on the float is provided by a sculpture showing the unique bottom design of a 1930’s Norm Blanchard Junior Knockabout sailboat. Visit The Center for Wooden Boats nearby to see several Blanchard Junior Knockabouts in the Center’s rental livery.
Footbridge
The Lake Union Park Footbridge crosses the southeast corner lagoon of Lake Union and joins the Park itself to the Westlake Avenue beach and to the future home of the Native American Canoe Center. Often on sunny days the lagoon features many sorts of wildlife including turtles sunning themselves on a rock or a piling.
Upcoming events:
Lake Union Park is often the venue for outdoor festivals and events. Check the event sponsor’s web site for the current status.
2023 Lake Union Park Events:
Steamship Saturdays, Tugboat Story Time, Duck Dodge Happy Hour, Tea on the Lotus, Model Sailboats on the Pond, and Toy Boat Building are all traditional in-person gathering events on the Lake Union Park waterfront . Look for updates on this site and updates on the sponsor sites for the latest information.
Answers to Common Questions Asked by Park Visitors:
Where are the restrooms?
Public restrooms & drinking water are available during operating hours at the MOHAI Cafe, near the big clock on the NW corner of MOHAI.
Is there an ATM?
The closest ATM is at Art Marble 21, across the footbridge on Westlake Avenue.
Is there a playground?
A children's play structure can be found just east of the park, on the east side of Daniel's Broiler.
How to Get Here
There are many ways to get to Lake Union Park. Parking is somewhat limited (there is one pay lot on the south end of the Park just off Valley Street and there is additional parking across the Footbridge in the Westlake Avenue area. There is a streetcar from downtown, there are interesting walking tours, you can paddle via kayak and moor at the kayak float. There are lots of bike racks around the Park. There is often free day-moorage on the West Bulkhead near the Footbridge for recreational boats. And it’s even possible to get to Lake Union Park via seaplane. Check out the walking tours or the Streetcar links below:
Seattle Streetcar: select Seattle Streetcar.
Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop: select Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop.
Market-to-MOHAI Walking History Corridor: select Market-to-MOHAI.
Lake Union Park’s History
Read more about Lake Union Park’s fascinating history here.
Lake Union Park Working Group
The content of this web site is coordinated by the Lake Union Park Working Group. The Working Group is comprised of representatives of on-site organizations along with the organizers of major events held at Lake Union Park. The Working Group meets monthly to coordinate and enhance the Lake Union Park experience for visitors. Lake Union Park is a public park in the City of Seattle Parks and Recreation system. If you have input for the Working Group, please select the button “Email the Lake Union Park Working Group”. Enjoy your visit. Come back often.
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