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Lake Union Park: Seattle's Urban Waterfront Oasis

Discover Seattle's maritime heritage and natural beauty at Lake Union Park, an urban oasis with waterfront access and historical attractions.

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Lake Union Park, located on the southern end of Lake Union, is a 12-acre urban park offering a blend of green spaces, maritime history, and recreational activities. It's a place where visitors can connect with nature, explore Seattle's heritage, and enjoy stunning views of the city skyline and the lake.

A brief summary to Lake Union Park

  • Monday 4 am-11:30 pm
  • Tuesday 4 am-11:30 pm
  • Wednesday 4 am-11:30 pm
  • Thursday 4 am-11:30 pm
  • Friday 4 am-11:30 pm
  • Saturday 4 am-11:30 pm
  • Sunday 4 am-11:30 pm

Local tips

  • Visit MOHAI and the Center for Wooden Boats to learn about Seattle's history and maritime traditions [2, 3].
  • Enjoy a picnic on the lawn while watching seaplanes take off and land on Lake Union [8].
  • Rent a kayak or rowboat to explore Lake Union and see the houseboats and yachts [3, 8].
  • Check the park's event calendar for festivals, concerts, and other activities [3, 4, 15].
  • Take the South Lake Union Streetcar for a convenient and scenic ride to the park [8, 14, 22].
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From downtown Seattle, take the South Lake Union Streetcar to the Lake Union Park stop [8, 14, 22]. The ride takes approximately 13 minutes. A single ride costs $2.50 [8]. Alternatively, several bus routes serve the park, including routes 40, 62, and 70 [5, 12]. Check King County Metro for schedules and fares; a single adult fare is $2.75 [21].

  • Walking

    From the Seattle Center, walk east along Mercer Street [5]. Turn right onto Terry Avenue N. Continue for two blocks to reach Lake Union Park. The walk is approximately 0.6 miles and takes about 15 minutes.

  • Driving

    From I-5, take the Mercer Street exit and head west [6]. Turn right onto Fairview Avenue N, then turn right onto Valley Street. The park will be on your left. Limited paid parking is available in the AGC parking lot and other nearby lots [3, 8]. Rates range from $6 to $8 for 3 hours [17]. Street parking may also be available, but it can be difficult to find.

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Discover more about Lake Union Park

Lake Union Park is an urban oasis on the southern end of Lake Union, offering a unique blend of recreational activities and maritime history [3, 4]. This 12-acre park provides visitors with open green spaces and access to the lake's shoreline, inviting them to take a break from city life [3, 4, 16]. The park's design emphasizes access to both the water and greenery, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in nature [2]. You can experience Seattle's maritime heritage through the restored shoreline, boat launches, and various water sports [2]. The park is also home to the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) and the Center for Wooden Boats [2, 3]. Lake Union Park has a rich history. For generations, the area was a Duwamish village known as XaXu7cHoo, or "little lake" [6, 20]. In the 1860s, settlers like David Denny and Thomas Mercer arrived, envisioning the lake's potential [6, 20]. Mercer proposed the name Lake Union, hoping it would one day connect Lake Washington and Puget Sound [1]. His vision was realized in 1916 with the construction of the locks and ship canal [1]. The park officially opened on September 25, 2010, after years of planning and development [1, 6, 14]. Today, Lake Union Park is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike [8, 19]. Visitors can stroll along the waterfront, explore historic ships, rent a rowboat, or visit the museums [3, 4]. The park also hosts events throughout the year, including the Seafair 4th of July celebration [2, 4, 7, 10].

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