As one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in Seattle, South Lake Union is a hot spot for entrepreneurs, tech workers, and those seeking a lively urban lifestyle. Here you’ll find plenty of dining, nightlife, and shopping options on top of the already impressive views of Lake Union.
Plus, there are plenty of things to do right in the neighborhood. Start your day with a state-of-the-art library or coffee shop before exploring more than 100 acres of parks and trails. End your day with drinks at one of the many restaurants along the riverfront.
And if you’re a lover of history, why not stop by the Museum of History and Industry while you’re in South Lake Union? Whether you’re looking for culture or entertainment, this area has it all!
Read on to discover our list of the best attractions and most fun things to do in South Lake Union, Washington
The 99 Most Popular Things To Do In South Lake Union, Washington
99. Fireboat Duwamish
5.0 (3 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Naval Reserve Armory 860 Terry Ave N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 999 5107
Web Address: http://fireboatduwamish.com/
98. Historic Ships Wharf
4.8 (4 reviews)
Credit: Joe Mabel, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Seattle WA
Web Address: https://cwb.org/festival/historic-ships-wharf
97. Woodinville Wine Country
4.7 (19 reviews)
Credit: Woodinville Wine Country, Google Maps
Location: 13590 NE Village Square Dr Suite 1030 Woodinville WA
Tel: 425 287 3298
Web Address: https://woodinvillewinecountry.com/
96. Gearhouse
5.0 (36 reviews)
Credit: Gearhouse, Google Maps
Location: 434 Yale Ave N Suite B Seattle WA
Tel: 206 395 8790
Web Address: http://joingearhouse.com/
95. Green Lake
4.8 (38 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
94. Blake Island
4.7 (42 reviews)
93. Mercer Slough Nature Park
4.6 (57 reviews)
Location: 2101 118th Ave SE Bellevue WA
Tel: 425 452 2565
Web Address: https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/parks/parks-and-trails/parks/mercer-slough-nature-park
92. Washington Trails Association
4.6 (79 reviews)
Credit: Alex Vinogradov, Google Maps
Location: 705 2nd Ave #300 Seattle WA
Tel: 206 625 1367
Web Address: http://wta.org/
91. Lake Sammamish
4.7 (113 reviews)
90. Elliott Bay
4.7 (115 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
89. Lake Union
4.8 (145 reviews)
Credit: Dicklyon, License, Wikimedia commons
88. JM Cellars
4.7 (149 reviews)
Credit: JM Cellars, Google Maps
Location: 14404 137th Pl NE Woodinville WA
Tel: 425 485 6508
Web Address: http://jmcellars.com/
87. Novelty Hill-Januik Winery
4.4 (181 reviews)
Credit: Novelty Hill-Januik Winery, Google Maps
Location: 14710 Redmond Woodinville Road NE Woodinville WA
Tel: 425 481 5502
Web Address: http://noveltyhilljanuik.com/
86. Columbia Winery
4.5 (279 reviews)
Credit: Columbia Winery, Google Maps
Location: 14030 NE 145th Street Woodinville WA
Tel: 425 482 7490
Web Address: http://columbiawinery.com/
85. Cascade Playground
4.2 (280 reviews)
Credit: Cascade Playground, Google Maps
Location: 333 Pontius Ave N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/cascade-playground
84. Henry Art Gallery
4.3 (296 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 15th Ave NE & University of Washington NE 41st Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 543 2280
Web Address: http://henryart.org/
83. Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
4.8 (368 reviews)
Credit: Michael Xu, Google Maps
Location: 4195 Eagle Harbor Dr NE Bainbridge Island WA
Tel: 206 855 9038
Web Address: http://bijac.org/index.php
82. Northwest African American Museum
4.6 (428 reviews)
Credit: Sydny Nilson, Google Maps
Location: 2300 S Massachusetts Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 518 6000
Web Address: http://naamnw.org/
81. PACCAR and Boeing IMAX Theaters at Pacific Science Center
4.6 (433 reviews)
Credit: PACCAR and Boeing IMAX Theaters at Pacific Science Center, Google Maps
Location: 200 2nd Ave N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 443 2001
Web Address: https://pacificsciencecenter.org/imax
80. Seattle Asian Art Museum
4.6 (483 reviews)
Credit: Seattle Asian Art Museum, Google Maps
Location: 1400 E Prospect Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 654 3100
Web Address: http://seattleartmuseum.org/
79. Bainbridge Island Museum of Art
4.7 (502 reviews)
Credit: Katie Walters, Google Maps
Location: 550 Winslow Way E Bainbridge Island WA
Tel: 206 842 4451
Web Address: http://biartmuseum.org/
78. Bellevue Arts Museum
4.2 (504 reviews)
Credit: Bellevue Arts Museum, Google Maps
Location: 510 Bellevue Way NE Bellevue WA
Tel: 425 519 0770
Web Address: https://bellevuearts.org/
77. Cal Anderson Park Reflecting Pool
4.3 (517 reviews)
Credit: Mark Paradis, Google Maps
Location: 1635 11th Ave Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/cal-anderson-park
76. Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
4.7 (522 reviews)
Credit: Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, Google Maps
Location: 719 S King Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 623 5124
Web Address: http://wingluke.org/
75. Tillicum Village
4.5 (582 reviews)
Credit: Fred Pineau, Google Maps
Location: Blake Island Port Orchard WA
74. Statue of Lenin
4.2 (642 reviews)
Location: 3526 Fremont Pl N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 632 1500
Web Address: http://fremont.com/about/lenin/
73. West Point Lighthouse
4.6 (660 reviews)
Location: Seattle WA
Web Address: http://lighthousefriends.com/light.asp
72. Seward Park
4.7 (691 reviews)
Credit: Wikideas1, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 5900 Lake Washington Blvd S Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4396
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/seward-park
71. Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
4.5 (790 reviews)
Credit: Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Google Maps
Location: 4303 Memorial Way Northeast Seattle WA
Tel: 206 543 7907
Web Address: http://burkemuseum.org/
70. Dr. Jose Rizal Park
4.2 (942 reviews)
Location: 1007 12th Ave S Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/dr-jose-rizal-park
69. Seattle Pinball Museum
4.6 (950 reviews)
Credit: Seattle Pinball Museum, Google Maps
Location: 508 Maynard Ave S Seattle WA
Tel: 206 623 0759
Web Address: http://seattlepinballmuseum.com/
68. Volunteer Park Conservatory
4.8 (957 reviews)
Location: 1400 E Galer Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4743
Web Address: https://volunteerparkconservatory.org/
67. Waterfall Garden
4.6 (978 reviews)
Location: 219 2nd Ave S Seattle WA
Tel: 360 805 6700
66. Manchester State Park
4.6 (994 reviews)
Location: 7767 E Hilldale Road Port Orchard WA
Tel: 360 871 4065
Web Address: http://parks.state.wa.us/542/Manchester
65. Freeway Park
4.2 (1,024 reviews)
Credit: Ken Lund, License, Flickr
Location: 700 Seneca Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/freeway-park
64. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
4.6 (1,062 reviews)
Location: 319 2nd Ave S Seattle WA
Tel: 206 220 4240
Web Address: http://nps.gov/klse/index.htm
63. Seattle Public Library-Central Library
4.7 (1,142 reviews)
Credit: Sanborn Map Company, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1000 4th Ave Seattle WA
Tel: 206 386 4636
Web Address: https://spl.org/hours-and-locations/central-library
62. Seattle Children’s Museum
4.3 (1,157 reviews)
Credit: Jitendra Keswani, Google Maps
Location: 305 Harrison Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 441 1768
Web Address: http://seattlechildrensmuseum.org/
61. Alki Beach
4.7 (1,236 reviews)
60. Meydenbauer Bay Park
4.7 (1,304 reviews)
Location: 419 98th Ave NE Bellevue WA
Tel: 425 452 6914
Web Address: https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/parks/parks-and-trails/parks/meydenbauer-beach-park
59. Frye Art Museum
4.6 (1,320 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 704 Terry Ave Seattle WA
Tel: 206 622 9250
Web Address: https://fryemuseum.org/
58. National Nordic Museum
4.6 (1,339 reviews)
Location: 2655 NW Market Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 789 5707
Web Address: http://nordicmuseum.org/
57. KidsQuest Children’s Museum
4.5 (1,346 reviews)
Credit: KidsQuest Children’s Museum, Google Maps
Location: 1116 108th Ave NE Bellevue WA
Tel: 425 637 8100
Web Address: https://kidsquestmuseum.org/
56. The Bloedel Reserve
4.8 (1,357 reviews)
Location: 7571 NE Dolphin Dr Bainbridge Island WA
Tel: 206 842 7631
Web Address: http://bloedelreserve.org/
55. Occidental Square
4.3 (1,467 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 117 S Washington Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/occidental-square
54. Myrtle Edwards Park
4.7 (1,553 reviews)
Location: 3130 Alaskan Way Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/myrtle-edwards-park
53. Living Computers: Museum + Labs
4.8 (1,617 reviews)
Credit: Living Computers: Museum + Labs, Google Maps
Location: 2245 1st Ave S Seattle WA
Tel: 206 342 2020
Web Address: http://livingcomputers.org/
52. Pier 66
4.5 (1,636 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2225 Alaskan Way Seattle WA
Tel: 206 787 3000
Web Address: https://portseattle.org/places/bell-street-cruise-terminal-pier-66
51. Bruce Lee and Brandon Lee Grave Sites
4.8 (1,665 reviews)
Credit: Mark Prusiecki, Google Maps
Location: 1554 15th Ave E Seattle WA
Tel: 206 322 1582
50. Luther Burbank Park
4.7 (1,854 reviews)
Credit: Chuho Chang, Google Maps
Location: 2040 84th Ave SE Mercer Island WA
Tel: 206 275 7609
Web Address: https://mercerisland.gov/parksrec/page/luther-burbank-park
49. Saint Edward State Park
4.7 (2,239 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 14445 Juanita Dr NE Kenmore WA
Tel: 425 823 2992
Web Address: http://parks.state.wa.us/577/Saint-Edward
48. Waterfront Park
4.5 (2,312 reviews)
Credit: Vladimir Menkov, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1401 Alaskan Way Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/waterfront-park
47. Smith Tower
4.6 (2,486 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 506 2nd Ave Seattle WA
Tel: 206 624 0414
Web Address: http://smithtower.com/
46. Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91
4.4 (2,509 reviews)
Credit: Joseph Piatt, Google Maps
Location: 2001 W Garfield Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 787 3000
Web Address: https://portseattle.org/places/smith-cove-cruise-terminal-pier-91
45. Sky View Observatory – Columbia Center
4.7 (2,688 reviews)
Location: 700 4th Ave Seattle WA
Tel: 206 386 5564
Web Address: http://skyviewobservatory.com/
44. Seattle Japanese Garden
4.6 (3,300 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4725
Web Address: https://seattlejapanesegarden.org/
43. Carkeek Park
4.7 (3,510 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 950 NW Carkeek Park Road Seattle WA
Tel: 206 386 4236
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/carkeek-park
42. Lincoln Park
4.8 (3,880 reviews)
Credit: Kira Picabo, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/lincoln-park
41. Kubota Garden
4.7 (3,993 reviews)
40. Warren G. Magnuson Park
4.7 (4,038 reviews)
Location: 7400 Sand Point Way NE Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/magnuson-park
39. Juanita Beach Park
4.6 (4,248 reviews)
Location: 9703 Juanita Dr NE Kirkland WA
Tel: 425 587 3300
Web Address: http://kirklandwa.gov/depart/parks/Parks_and_Open_Spaces/Online_Parks_Guide/Parks_Pop-up_Main/Parks_and_Community_Services__Juanita_Beach_Park.htm
38. Bellevue Botanical Garden
4.7 (4,306 reviews)
Location: 12001 Main Street Bellevue WA
Tel: 425 452 2750
Web Address: https://bellevuebotanical.org/
37. Volunteer Park
4.7 (4,367 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1247 15th Ave E Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/volunteer-park
36. Marymoor Park
4.7 (4,525 reviews)
Location: 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE Redmond WA
Tel: 206 477 7275
Web Address: https://kingcounty.gov/services/parks-recreation/parks/parks-and-natural-lands/popular-parks/marymoor.aspx
35. Argosy Cruises – Seattle Waterfront
4.6 (4,534 reviews)
Credit: Argosy Cruises – Seattle Waterfront, Google Maps
Location: 1101 Alaskan Way Pier 55 Suite 201 Seattle WA
Tel: 206 623 1445
Web Address: https://argosycruises.com/
34. International Fountain
4.6 (4,973 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 305 Harrison Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 7200
Web Address: https://seattlecenter.com/explore/attractions/international-fountain
33. Seattle Art Museum
4.6 (5,009 reviews)
Credit: Joe Mabel, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1300 1st Ave Seattle WA
Tel: 206 654 3100
Web Address: http://seattleartmuseum.org/
32. Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
4.6 (5,388 reviews)
Location: 1201 Lake Washington Blvd N Renton WA
Tel: 425 430 6700
Web Address: https://rentonwa.gov/city_hall/parks_and_recreation/parks_and_trails/find_a_park_or_trail/gene_coulon_memorial_beach_park
31. Pacific Science Center
4.6 (5,596 reviews)
Credit: Seattle Municipal Archives, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 200 2nd Ave N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 443 2001
Web Address: https://pacificsciencecenter.org/
30. Washington Park Arboretum
4.8 (6,497 reviews)
Location: 2300 Arboretum Dr E Seattle WA
Tel: 206 543 8800
Web Address: https://botanicgardens.uw.edu/washington-park-arboretum/
29. Bellevue Downtown Park
4.8 (6,707 reviews)
Credit: Akshay Axe, License, Flickr
Location: 10201 NE 4th Street Bellevue WA
Tel: 425 452 6914
Web Address: https://parks.bellevuewa.gov/parks-and-trails/parks/bellevue-downtown-park/
28. Discovery Park
4.8 (6,816 reviews)
Credit: Joe Mabel, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3801 Discovery Park Blvd Seattle WA
Tel: 206 386 4236
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/discovery-park
27. Golden Gardens Park
4.7 (7,388 reviews)
Credit: Crofutt, George, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 8498 Seaview Pl NW Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/golden-gardens-park
26. Alki Beach Park
4.7 (7,552 reviews)
Location: 2665 Alki Ave SW Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/alki-beach-park
25. Olympic Sculpture Park
4.5 (7,649 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2901 Western Ave Seattle WA
Tel: 206 654 3100
Web Address: http://seattleartmuseum.org/visit/olympic-sculpture-park
24. Green Lake Park
4.7 (8,213 reviews)
Credit: Seattle Municipal Archives, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 7201 East Green Lake Dr N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/green-lake-park
23. Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks
4.7 (8,242 reviews)
Credit: Unknown author provided, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 3015 NW 54th Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 780 2500
Web Address: https://ballardlocks.org/
22. Fremont Troll
4.5 (8,453 reviews)
Credit: Rebecca Sedillo, Google Maps
Location: N 36th Street Seattle WA
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/neighborhoods/programs-and-services/p-patch-community-gardening/p-patch-list/trolls-knoll
21. The Seattle Great Wheel
4.5 (8,684 reviews)
Credit: Anonymous, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1301 Alaskan Way Seattle WA
Tel: 206 623 8607
Web Address: http://seattlegreatwheel.com/
20. The Gum Wall
4.2 (9,316 reviews)
Credit: Larry Yeiser, License, Flickr
Location: 1428 Post Alley Seattle WA
Tel: 206 587 2414
Web Address: https://unexpectedproductions.org/gumwall/
19. Gas Works Park
4.7 (10,147 reviews)
Credit: Rick Gleason, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 2101 N Northlake Way Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/gas-works-park
18. The Museum of Flight
4.8 (12,083 reviews)
Credit: Seattle Municipal Archives, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 9404 E Marginal Way S Seattle WA
Tel: 206 764 5700
Web Address: http://museumofflight.org/
17. Kerry Park
4.8 (13,596 reviews)
Credit: vmax137, License, Flickr
Location: 211 W Highland Dr Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/kerry-park
16. Museum of Pop Culture
4.6 (14,380 reviews)
Credit: SounderBruce, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 325 5th Ave N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 770 2700
Web Address: https://mopop.org/
15. Lumen Field
4.6 (14,951 reviews)
Location: 800 Occidental Ave S Seattle WA
Tel: 206 381 7555
Web Address: http://lumenfield.com/
14. Seattle Aquarium
4.3 (16,168 reviews)
Location: 1483 Alaskan Way Pier 59 Seattle WA
Tel: 206 386 4300
Web Address: http://seattleaquarium.org/
13. Chihuly Garden and Glass
4.7 (16,665 reviews)
Location: 305 Harrison Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 753 4940
Web Address: http://chihulygardenandglass.com/
12. Woodland Park Zoo
4.6 (17,738 reviews)
Location: 5500 Phinney Ave N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 548 2500
Web Address: https://zoo.org/
11. Seattle Center
4.6 (37,162 reviews)
Credit: Joe Mabel, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 305 Harrison Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 7200
Web Address: https://seattlecenter.com/
10. Space Needle
4.6 (39,611 reviews)
Credit: trolvag, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 400 Broad Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 905 2100
Web Address: https://spaceneedle.com/
9. Pike Place Market
4.6 (58,257 reviews)
Credit: License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 85 Pike Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 682 7453
Web Address: http://pikeplacemarket.org/
Our Top picks
8. M-V Arthur Foss
5.0 (1 review)
Credit: Hermes van Amstel, Google Maps
Location: 860 Terry Ave N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 447 9800
Web Address: http://nwseaport.org/
7. Northwest Seaport
4.8 (11 reviews)
Credit: Joe Mabel, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 860 Terry Ave N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 447 9800
Web Address: http://nwseaport.org/
6. The Steamer Virginia V
4.8 (50 reviews)
Credit: Joe Mabel, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: Union Park Lake Seattle WA
Tel: 206 624 9119
Web Address: https://virginiav.org/
5. Seattle Seaplanes
4.8 (85 reviews)
Credit: Joe Mabel, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1325 Fairview Ave E Seattle WA
Tel: 206 329 9638
Web Address: http://seattleseaplanes.com/
4. The Center for Wooden Boats
4.7 (360 reviews)
Credit: Joe Mabel, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 1010 Valley Street Seattle WA
Tel: 206 382 2628
Web Address: http://cwb.org/
3. Denny Park
4.2 (1,465 reviews)
Credit: SounderBruce, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 100 Dexter Ave N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/denny-park
2. Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI)
4.6 (1,609 reviews)
Credit: Alexandra alethea, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 860 Terry Ave N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 324 1126
Web Address: https://mohai.org/
1. Lake Union Park
4.6 (4,129 reviews)
Credit: Liesl Matthies, License, Wikimedia commons
Location: 860 Terry Ave N Seattle WA
Tel: 206 684 4075
Web Address: http://seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/lake-union-park
Final Words:
Thank you for reading our list of the best things to do in South Lake Union, Washington! We hope it helped you plan the perfect itinerary for your next trip to this fantastic destination. Happy travels!
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