Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood is one of the Emerald City’s most happening quarters. Straddling the southern shore of Lake Union, the neighborhood is also one of the most scenic parts of town. South Lake Union offers something for everyone, regardless of the weather, your food preferences, or your tastes in fashion. Here are a few South Lake Union activities residents like to partake in time after time.
Watch seaplanes take flight
Scenic seaplane tours are one of the most popular tourist attractions for visitors to South Lake Union. A favorite pastime for neighborhood residents is watching these vessels take off from Kenmore Air’s seaplane runway. The relatively new Lake Union Park affords great views. Try to secure a bench or prime patch of grass on a nice day, and be mesmerized by these floating aircraft. Lake Union Park also hosts public events ranging from yoga in the park to dragon boat paddling races to public sailing days.
Ride the South Lake Union streetcar
Connecting the happening South Lake Union neighborhood to Seattle’s bustling downtown, the South Lake Union Streetcar is convenient and functional. It’s also a novelty for those who don’t ride it often. Take the kids for a scenic ride the next time you want to travel from your South Lake Union apartments to Pioneer Square or another part of downtown Seattle.
Rent a kayak, paddleboard, or boat
There’s plenty of fun to be had on the shores of Lake Union. There’s also an argument to be made that you haven’t fully experienced the area until you’ve been out on the lake. Rent a kayak, paddleboard, or small electric boat when the weather’s nice for an authentically nautical Lake Union experience. You’ll get to admire the South Lake Union neighborhood from a completely different vantage point than you usually do every day.
Explore Seattle’s maritime history
Considering its location on the second largest estuary in the country, it should come as no surprise that Seattle is steeped in maritime history. South Lake Union has two institutions where you can explore this history. The Center for Wooden Boats hosts free exhibits showcasing the region’s maritime history, as well as classes, lectures, and workshops. The center even rents out rowboats, pedal boats, canoes, kayaks, and sailboats.
At the Museum of History and Industry, a permanent collection on Seattle’s maritime history offers a great primer who anyone interested. A series of pictures and facts details how the lake, and the neighborhoods around it, have evolved over the years. The Museum of History and Industry also features exhibits on innovation, northwest heritage, and flight. Housed in Lake Union Park, the museum is a 10-minute walk from the apartments at AMLI 535 and AMLI South Lake Union.
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst