Winter Water Adventures

Courtesy Hot Tub Boats

Experiencing Seattle from the water is an absolute must; thankfully, countless companies are primed to accommodate the nautical crowd all year long. Begin by brushing up on local maritime history at The Center for Wooden Boats (1010 Valley St), a hub for hands-on learning that hosts public sailing sessions and ship-building workshops. Also on Lake Union, rent kayaks and paddleboards at Northwest Outdoor Center (2100 Westlake Ave N); luxuriate in a unique way courtesy of Hot Tub Boats (2520 Westlake Ave N); or take the wheel as captain of a rental from The Electric Boat Company (2046 Westlake Ave N, Ste 102), whose boats can be fully enclosed and heated.

Throughout the year, Argosy Cruises (various locations) tours Seattle’s many waterways, exploring sights from Lake Washington to Puget Sound. This winter, climb aboard during the Christmas Ship™ Festival for a festive, twinkling, song-filled evening on the water that has been a Northwest tradition for more than 70 years. For exquisite self-guided sightseeing opportunities, head to a downtown Seattle pier and take a short, scenic ride to nearby islands like Bainbridge and Vashon on the Washington State Ferries.