Unifying Seattle’s various bodies of water, freshwater Lake Union was carved by glacial erosion 12,000 years ago. Native American Duwamish tribes once subsisted on its then-isolated shores, but 21st-century Lake Union is backed by densely packed urban neighborhoods and is linked to both Lake Washington and Puget Sound by the Lake Washington Ship Canal (built as part of a huge engineering project in the 1910s).

Not surprisingly, the lake is a nexus for water-sports enthusiasts – you’ll regularly see kayakers, rowers and sailboats negotiating its calm-ish teal waters. It also acts as a runway for seaplanes.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Museum of History & Industry

0.04 MILES

Almost everything you need to know about erstwhile Seattle is crammed into the refurbished Museum of History & Industry, the centerpiece of Lake Union…

2. Center for Wooden Boats

0.08 MILES

Honoring Seattle's historical, aquatic and Native American antecedents, this one-of-a-kind museum and enthusiasts' center features vintage and replica…

3. Lake Union Park

0.08 MILES

Opened in 2010, this welcome green patch occupies ex-navy land on the southern tip of Lake Union and has a wading pond (with model sailboats you can use),…

4. Bhy Kracke Park

0.55 MILES

It would be easy to miss this tiny park, built into a slice of hill surrounded by quiet residential blocks, but it's worth seeking out for its views of…

6. Denny Park

0.65 MILES

Seattle’s oldest park was originally designated a cemetery – but that status ended up being rather temporary, and the land was rededicated as parkland…

7. Museum of Pop Culture

0.69 MILES

The Museum of Pop Culture (formerly EMP, the "Experience Music Project") is an inspired marriage between super-modern architecture and legendary rock-and…

8. Seattle Center

0.77 MILES

The remnants of the futuristic 1962 World's Fair hosted by Seattle and subtitled Century 21 Exposition are still visible over 50 years later at the…