Dock walking recommendation in Seattle

[Animal]

This midwesterner is gonna be in Seattle Monday evening and thought I'd solicit some recommendations on a good marina to do some dock walking - want to see some of these trawlers in their natural northwestern habitat.

 

[sunchaser]

Lake Union South end and Elliot Bay. You'll need to get gate access for some of the Lake Union spots and all of Elliot Bay.

 

[THD]

There is a fair part of S Lake Union, around Daniel's Broiler restaurant, that you can walk. Both Elliott Bay and Shilshole Bay are gated except for the fuel docks, you can walk those. There are also some docks around the west side of Lake Union you can walk.

 

[Animal]

Thanks for the suggestions! I figured most would be locked, but I thought it might be worth a shot to take a stroll amongst some trawlers while I'm in town for work.

 

[dhmeissner]

Stop in at the Center for Wooden Boats at south Lake Union. You can rent a boat and cruise the lake.

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[Codger2]

Stop in at the Center for Wooden Boats at south Lake Union. You can rent a boat and cruise the lake.

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(I've done it.)

 

[Sailor of Fortune]

I have not done it but will if I ever get to the left coast.

 

[Phil Fill]

If you want to get up close to larger commercial trawlers and some pleasure try the Fishermen Terminal on the ship canal, just west of the Ballard Bridge. From south end of Lake Union to the Fremont, west side, is a nice walk but most of the marinas are gated/locked.

 

[Gnorts]

Visit the Ballard Locks! During the summer, there's always activity there. You'll see trawlers - and everything else! It's especially entertaining on weekends, and around Seafair and the hydro races on Lake Washington. Plus, the locks have beautiful gardens, a fish ladder, etc. They are one of Seatle's most popular tourist attractions. We were through the locks recently, around the Fourth. I've been transiting the locks for 30 years - always an adventure.

Phil's suggestion re Fishermen's Terminal is a good one - no gates on the piers there. Good places for lunch and dinner right there too - Chinook's is a great seafood restaurant, and the Longliner Tavern is a fave hangout for the fishermen who're still around.

 

[Codger2]

Visit the Ballard Locks! During the summer, there's always activity there. You'll see trawlers - and everything else! .

I try and visit the locks at Ballard every time I'm in Seattle. (At least twice a year.) Very entertaining and instructive. I could spend the whole day just watching the newbies lock through. It's a riot!

 

[Ron T]

There are also two places to rent a Kayak and do every nook and granny. Get in close to house boat area. You may not go home.