4 Best Sights in South Lake Union, Seattle

Three giant glass spheres filled with indoor gardens anchor the Amazon campus in South Lake Union. Living walls, 40,000 plants, and a café are part of the lounge space at Amazon's headquarters. The public must admire from afar most of the time; however, on the first and third Saturday of each month, the spheres open to the public by reservation only. Book online up to 15 days ahead of your visit, and make sure to bring government ID (for all adults in the party) and no large bags.

Though it used be considered an off-the-beaten-path gem, the Center for Wooden Boats is now a major feature of Lake Union Park. The center gives free boat rides on the lake every Sunday; they sail on the hour from 1 to 3 pm, but the first-come, first-served slots tend to go fast, so you should queue up at the Center as soon as it opens. You may also rent a variety of small craft—pedal boats, canoes, rowboats, and small sailboats—to explore the lake on your own (lessons are available if you don't have much experience). Rates are $25–$50 per hour. Check out the events calendar for weekend workshops or to schedule one-on-one sailing lessons.

This 12-acre green space along Lake Union's southern shore includes a model boat pond, a boardwalk, a beach where you can launch small craft like kayaks and rowboats to paddle past the houseboats, a spray area for little kids, plus the Museum of History & Industry and the Center for Wooden Boats. Several historic ships sit in the dock, and cruise options also depart from the park. A 45-minute narrated Ice Cream Cruise on the Seattle mini ferry is a family favorite on Sundays year-round (on the hour from 11 to 5; $15), with additional Saturday sailings in summer.

Located in the Lake Union Park's converted Naval Reserve Building, the 20,000-square-foot MOHAI offers visitors an in-depth slice of regional history with a permanent collection featuring more than 100,000 objects ranging from vintage souvenirs to everyday household items. Permanent exhibitions include the Center for Innovation, which showcases Seattle's role as a place where invention and entrepreneurship flourish; the exhibit is supported by a $10 million gift from Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon (which has its corporate headquarters a few blocks away). Special temporary exhibitions examine everything from chocolate to stories of Jewish merchants in Washington State.