1 of 3
Claudia Cooper
Escape to the Emerald City - Seattle, WA
2 of 3
Tom Ringold
Escape to the Emerald City - Seattle, WA
Big city sights and attractions await in Seattle.
3 of 3
Escape to the Emerald City - Seattle, WA
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will be making its only West Coast stopover at Bell Harbor Marina in April 2018.
By Kati Davich
Larger, cosmopolitan centres are always exciting to visit by water. While it’s hard to substitute the lure of the stunning greenery, waterfront cities have an allure for many boaters as the landscape transforms from the peaceful sound of nature to bright lights, dazzling attractions and a myriad of activities. Change of scenery is a good thing, and exploring new destinations is all part of the boating lifestyle. In the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is one of the larger centres that’s accessible by boat and is a great destination, whether it’s a quick stop after cruising Puget Sound or a prime destination for a weekend or longer.
The history of Seattle is an interesting one and all of the details – from the Duwamish Tribe settlement to the staging ground for gold miners heading to the Alaska – can be rediscovered at Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour, Trail to Treasure, the Smith Tower observatory, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. Visitors can also retrace Seattle’s past at the Last Resort Fire Department to see restored fire trucks, as well as the Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum to learn about law-enforcement events dating back to the 1880s. Adjacent to Pioneer Square is Seattle’s Chinatown-International District that’s home of the Wing Luke Museum, featuring art and history of the Asian Pacific American community.
Today, however, Seattle is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. It’s known for its thriving maritime and technology industries, as well as being home of the leading Internet retailer Amazon, and the birth place of mega-coffee giant, Starbucks. With its population of 660,000-plus residents – with a continued growth forecasted in the coming decades – Seattle can offer something for the whole family with new attractions, shopping, and restaurants to enjoy during every visit.
Discover Seattle
Located between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, Seattle and Bell Harbor Marina – the only recreational marina in the city’s downtown district – is a great place to take a break from the helm. The marina is located at Pier 66 on the central waterfront and offers space for 70 boats, ranging from nine to 45 meters (30 to 150 feet). Transient moorage is available all-year and reservations are recommended (bookings can be made up to two years in advance). Yacht clubs and groups are welcome.
From Bell Harbor, it’s a short stroll to all of the big-city sights such as The Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the Seattle Great Wheel, the 175-foot Ferris wheel at Pier 57. There are also numerous restaurants, retail shops, and if time is not of the essence, grab some tickets for professional sports event, the theatre, a concert, or stroll through any one of the art and science museums.
A popular annual event among boaters is the Seattle Boat Show, held from January 26 to February 3, 2018, at CenturyLink Field, South Lake Union and Bell Harbor Marina. Known to be the largest show of its kind on the West Coast, event has more than 1,000 recreational watercraft – from paddleboards and kayaks to runabouts and super yachts – on display, along with countless of vendors, showcasing marine equipment and gear. Boaters can also visit the popular Boats Afloat Show on Lake Union, held annually in September.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will be making its only West Coast stopover at Bell Harbor Marina in April 2018. While no moorage is available at the marina during the event, the 70-foot ocean racing vessels will be on display to the public in the marina and public speaking engagements will take place throughout Seattle.
Another highlight of Seattle is the neighborhood of Ballard, just nine kilometres (five miles) north of downtown. A popular, chic area for locals and visitors alike, Ballard encompasses unique shops, boutiques, breweries, and restaurants. With all of this action, it just might be the highlight of every trip. While here, don’t miss visiting the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (known locally as the Ballard Locks), which connects the saltwater of the Puget Sound to the fresh water of the Ship Canal, as well as the seven acres of botanical gardens.
Mooring in Ballard, Seattle
Cruising to this area of Seattle allows access to Shilshole Bay Marina, located in Puget Sound just outside the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks entrance to the Ship Canal. This is the city’s largest marina with more than 1,400 slips and monthly and guest moorages are available. In addition to a fuel dock, marine supplies, and restaurants, Shilshole Bay Marina offers yacht brokerages, a boatyard with engine repair, plus sailing charters and lessons. More convenience for boaters is provided by free bike rentals and shuttle van to visit nearby downtown Ballard. Yacht clubs and groups welcome.
Shilshole Bay Marina also hosts special events throughout the year. Earth Day at Shilshole on April 21, which will include fun, informative environmental programming for boaters; Shilshole Boatfest on June 9, featuring boat rides and information on how to get into boating as well as food trucks and a beer garden; and Movies at the Marina, that entails two outdoor movie nights for visitors and the community over the summer. Transient moorage is available for these events, though reservations are recommended.
- Bell Harbor Marina -VHF Channel 66A, phone 206-787-3952, email bhm@portseattle.org – www.PortSeattle.org
- Shilshole Bay Marina - VHF Channel 17, phone 206-787-3006, email sbm@portseattle.org – www.PortSeattle.org
For more information on visiting Seattle go to VisitSeattle.org.