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The Center for Wooden Boats

Waterway 4, South end of Lake Union, 1010 Valley Street, Seattle, WA 98109
206 382 2628
Website
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Ranked #43 of 189 attractions in Seattle
Type: Specialty Museums
Fee: No
Recommended length of visit: 1-2 hours
Traveler Description: The Center for Wooden Boats offers free public boat rides, in electric boats or sail boats, every Sunday afternoon at 2pm and at 3pm. They also have... more »
Useful Information: Wheelchair access
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40 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    20
    14
    5
    1
    0
Date Rating
Oakland, California
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 18, 2013 NEW

If you like messing around in boats, and like sail and row boats, especially wood ones with some historical significance, this place is great. You can rent rowboats and you can take a test to rent a sailboat. Or you can just look at all the boats and talk to the staff and the volunteers. The location on Lake Union... More

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See 2 more reviews by Followingsea for Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 22, 2013

This is on the South end of Lake Union. You can watch the Kenmore float planes come and go. They have a lot of classic wooden boats some are for rent. The lake is small and protected. It is a fun way to spend an afternoon rowing or sailing past all the house boats.

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See 15 more reviews by Fred Q for Seattle
MA
Top Contributor
52 reviews 52 reviews
9 attraction reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 9, 2013 via mobile

Free to walk around the docked boats and peek in the workshop. Small display gives a history of boating in the area. Friendly staff. Tons of activities if you have more time. They have classes and boatbuilding on site.

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See 6 more reviews by blondechickma for Seattle
Shelton, Washington
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed January 23, 2013

It was very quiet here, perhaps because it is winter. We may return when the weather is better. Compared to the Wooden Boat Center in Port Townsend, this facility is disappointing.

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 3 more reviews by Karen S for Seattle
Renton, Washington
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 3, 2013

I love all things nautical but going to the Wooden Boat Festival and getting to go on many, many boats to look around inside was great but seeing the Lady Washington was the best

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 2 more reviews by AleiaSears for Seattle
Everett, Washington
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 9, 2012

The Center has taken over the old Navy Reserve in fine form. The open house and special attractions brought in for the 4th of July weekend are always interesting. The opportunity to climb aboard many of the vessels and tour is especially enjoyed.

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Seattle, Washington
Top Contributor
217 reviews 217 reviews
71 attraction reviews
Reviews in 62 cities Reviews in 62 cities
79 helpful votes 79 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed November 12, 2012

I have been here several times, and sometimes there are a few things to see, but overall, it's a snoozer. There are some interesting old boats, and once in a while, they are open to the public. It could be a great venue, but they have a way to go, with the exception of the times they have a big... More

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See 64 more reviews by Susann206 for Seattle
London
Senior Contributor
46 reviews 46 reviews
33 attraction reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 4, 2012

I came across this by accident just wandering along the waterfront (the boatshow was also on further up the lakeside). It is a lovely piece of history of native wooden boat building and has a display of rare and wonderful boats

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See 13 more reviews by Mar60 for Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
20 attraction reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed October 31, 2012

With great views of Lake Union, and many different types and variety of boats to rent, learn about and just walk along and look at, Ctr for Wooden Boats is a place I like to walk along after having a nice lunch or a good coffee.

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See 6 more reviews by iheartannarbor for Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Senior Contributor
32 reviews 32 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 23, 2012

knowledgeable people, great appreciation for the art of boat building, serene location . . . . take out a boat and see the lake.

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See 29 more reviews by j. p for Seattle

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