Seattle Locks Cruise: Explore Lake Union & Downtown
4.8
202 Ratings
Seattle
Embark on a one-way Seattle Locks Cruise to explore Lake Union and downtown Seattle. See famous floating home communities, seaplanes, and historic neighborhoods while passing through the Ballard Locks. Enjoy stunning views of Seattle's skyline, the Olympic Mountains, and Mt Rainier.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Lake Union - Begin OR end (depending on your tour direction - check your ticket) your cruise on the bustling southern end of this lake in the heart of the city
- Lake Union Drydock Co - See large commercial fishing vessels hauled out of the water in drydocks at one of the oldest businesses on Lake Union
- Floating Homes Association - See several of Lake Union’s famous floating home communities, including the one featured in the classic movie “Sleepless in Seattle”
- Gas Works Park - Witness the decommissioned coal gasification plant that became one of Seattle’s favorite parks
- Fremont Bridge - Your vessel barely fits under the colorfully-decorated Fremont Bridge, one of the busiest drawbridges in the United States
- Ship Canal Trail - Cruise down the Lake Washington Ship Canal and peek at several of Seattle’s historic neighborhoods
- Fishermen’s Terminal - Marvel at commercial fishing vessels of all sizes and learn about Seattle’s fishing and maritime history
- Hiram M. Chittenden Locks - Experience your vessel being lowered an average of 20 ft (6m) from the freshwater level of Lake Union to the saltwater level of Puget Sound in this 100+ year old locking system
- Discovery Park - Learn the history of Seattle’s largest park and enjoy the photo opportunities of West Point Lighthouse on its beaches
- Puget Sound - Experience expansive views of this inland body of saltwater and its surrounding islands and mountain ranges. If you’re lucky, you may even glimpse some wildlife!
- Space Needle - Enjoy unobstructed views of the Space Needle and the Seattle skyline from the water
- Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront - End OR begin (depending on your tour direction - check your ticket) at Seattle’s central waterfront, a short walk from the Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Art Museum
What's Included
- Live commentary on board
- 2 hour narrated boat tour through the Ballard Locks
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks (available for purchase on board)
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase on board)
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Begin and conclude your nautical excursion at separate central points in Seattle, available are Pier 54 or AGC Marina on Lake Union. This popular local activity gives you the chance to discover both Lake Union and the heart of Seattle. Lake Union is famously known as the home of floating house societies featured in the popular film Sleepless in Seattle. You can watch seaplanes taking off and landing routinely, inspect commercial docks housing vessels from the successful TV series Deadliest Catch. Transit beneath the Fremont Bridge which is renowned as America’s most frequently opened drawbridge and journey by historic districts of Seattle. As you traverse from Lake Union’s freshwater to the saltwater of the Puget Sound via the Ballard Locks, these locks facilitate boats moving an average height of 20 feet between the lake and sea level. Once in Puget Sound, behold the sights: Seattle’s remarkable skyline, the impressive Olympic Mountains and Mt Rainier, and the large ferries transporting travelers within the city.
- TWO DEPARTURE OPTIONS - This is a one-way tour that starts & ends at two different central Seattle marinas. Choose to depart from Pier 54 on the waterfront or from AGC Marina on Lake Union. The departure location is noted in the subtitle of the tour. If unsure - please call Argosy Cruises
- Kids (3 and under) ride free but do require a boarding pass
- All vessels offer both indoor & outdoor seating
- All vessels have bathrooms
- Wheelchair accessible. PLEASE CALL in advance to secure crew/boarding support.
- Check-in 30 minutes prior to tour - Boarding starting 20 minutes prior to departure
- Gates close 5 minutes prior to tour departure time for boat preparation and safety checks
Location
Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront
Alaskan Way
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(202 Ratings)
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Jimmy_w
Mar 30, 2024
Great way to enjoy some unique features of Seattle - Great way to see some unique features of Seattle on a glorious spring day. Lake, loch, Puget Sound with the Seattle skyline as a backdrop! Informative commentary from the Argosy crew.
Review provided by Viator
Kristen_n
Mar 25, 2024
So much fun! - Loved it!! My only complaint is that it’s a one way tour, so you’ve got to figure out your own way back. It was an hour walk back.
Review provided by Viator
Patricia_n
Mar 25, 2024
Great trip - Beautiful time with a great tour guide. Small number of people on board. Enjoyed all of the information that was given.
Review provided by Viator
890kimi
Mar 20, 2024
Lovely views - Beautiful, varied views of the skyline, mountains, and some wildlife. Lots of neat floating homes and cute houseboats to see, too. The locks experience was fascinating. Argosy team members helped point the way to walk back to where we started. That could have been more clear, but I didn’t get lost. It took me about 45 minutes to walk back.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Glen_d
Mar 11, 2024
Great tour guide - Our tour guide was outstanding and went out of her way to provide us an informative and comfortable tour. She was parodied an all female crew that day
Review provided by Viator
Morgan_d
Feb 26, 2024
Great trip - even in the offseason. - Great sightseeing and an awesome tour guide. Highly recommend for anyone looking to see the city from the water.
Review provided by Viator
Farhad_r
Feb 13, 2024
Amazing views - The guide was very knowledgeable and didn’t hesitate to answer all questions.
The views were incredible.
Review provided by Viator
Jimpilot22
Jan 1, 2024
Take this tour! Well worth it. - We lucked out, as it was a sunny day in Seattle, for the tour. We are locals from the South Sound, so we already knew much of the Seattle history, but really enjoyed seeing all of the beautiful coastline and through the Ballard Locks. Also really liked watching the seaplanes land and depart on Lake Union!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gabriela_a
Dec 31, 2023
Fun on the water! - Great way to see the Sound, Locke system and Lake Union. Ryan was very knowledgeable about the history of the water ways and area. You can sit outside or inside.
Review provided by Viator
Brontebucket
Mar 4, 2024
A very enjoyable afternoon on the Ballard Locks Tour - Afternoon Ballards Lock boat tour - we set off in an organised bus from the pickup location to Lake Union but the bus got stuck in grid-locked traffic and so we were an hour late to the lake which was a pain (hence the 3 star rating and not higher).
Embarked on the boat at Lake Union for a lovely sail across the lake rubber necking the amazing houseboats, including the Sleepless in Seattle home.
The boat then made its way through the Ballard Locks from freshwater to the sea (along with the salmon!). Enjoyed hearing about the Norwegian history of Ballard. Good commentary about Fremont and other places we were passing waterside.
Then out onto Puget Sound to cruise back round to Pier 55. Passed the Seattle waterfront and a couple of sea lions hanging out on buoys.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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