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What a little gem. I ran across this on my way to another attraction and was glad to be able to walk through and look at the boats.
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Date of experience: October 2019
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The Center for Wooden Boats sits at the head of Lake Union, in Lake Union Park, beneath the new tall buildings that characterize Seattle’s tech growth. The wooden piers and boathouses, the Alaskan kayak and totem pole stand in contrast to Google’s glass plate building. The museum is closed due to covid but boat rentals are operational. There is an efficient online booking system and a wide range of boats to hire for one or two hours, including sailboats (for which you need a certification), wooden two person and one person kayaks, and a peddle boat. You can even take one of the traditional row boats out for free! They explained that in ordinary times there are many aspects of the museum that are free of charge, so in these extraordinary times they offer the rowboats for free. It’s not always easy to find fun, budget activities in Seattle so this is a great offering and makes enjoying Lake Union and trying something new (but also very ancient and traditional) open to many more. I took the rowboat out and it is a little like learning to ride a bike, because working with two independent oars and steering is a challenge! Nevertheless staying close to shore afforded me views of the skyline, Canada geese, Kenmore air’s biplane taking off from the lake, and the collection of historical ships that sit beneath the Museum of History and Industry. I feel that this museum succeeds by being experiential. It is very understated to look at but once you get on deck and among the wooden boats you really appreciate them and get to see what it is all about. Good fun!…
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Date of experience: June 2020
1 Helpful vote
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Stood in an outdoor, new comer can fuse in ahead of you, line on a cold morning and there were only 20 seats. We weren't allowed in the museum where there would be warmer and the line was processed 2 persons at a time, taking very long to resister each transaction. I would NOT have tried so hard if we weren't told it would be a wonderful experience, and my husband wishing so much to ride. Very disappointed. I don't think the Center cares about us.…
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Date of experience: February 2020
2 Helpful votes
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We went with friends when they were having an exhibit about northwest boats. I had only been there in the summer before but this was a great sloppy weather alternative. I love the idea that the craft of boat building is still alive .
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Date of experience: February 2020
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Back_to_Sandringham wrote a review Feb 2020
Bristol, United Kingdom725 contributions210 helpful votes
This is a wonderfully quirky little museum, and although it helps to have an interest in wooden boats, you can’t help but fall in love with the infectious enthusiasm of the place. In one of the halls you can watch old wooden boats being lovingly restored, and new ones being built by high school students from mail-order kits. Wandering around the various piers, reading the plaques about the boats moored alongside, you get lost in imagination. The setting itself is beautiful, and from the end of the jetty you can watch the sea planes land and take off. This museum is ramshackle, wildly optimistic and entirely fantastic. The best $6 that you’ll spend in Seattle. …
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Date of experience: February 2020
2 Helpful votes
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