Lake Washington is the second largest natural lake in Washington and borders the eastern side of Seattle. Situated between Seattle and Bellevue, Lake Washington has two influent streams – Sammamish River at its north end and the Cedar River at its south. From swimming, fishing to kayaking, Lake Washington is a popular attraction in Seattle for water sports activities. If this is your first visit to Seattle, you might want to embark on a Lake Washington cruise and enjoy outdoor activities.
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Beautiful Parks: Seward Park is located near Lake Washington and boasts about 300 acres of beautiful forest land, old growth forest, a 2.4 mile bike and walking path, a native plant garden and miles of hiking trails. Seward Park is a wonderful place to enjoy an afternoon lunch with your friends and family. There are several swimming spots within the park and a paved path designed for strollers, wheelchairs, bikes, etc. Stan S. Sayres Memorial Park is located a mile south of the Interstate 90 Bridge on Lake Washington. This park is famous for its stunning views with an amazing backdrop of Mount Rainier, Glacier Peak and Mount Baker. The Stan Memorial Park has many boat launch pads and you can enjoy canoing, kayaking and sailboating here. Warren G. Magnuson Park sits on a splendid mile-long stretch of Lake Washington's shoreline in northeast Seattle. You'll find more than four miles of walking trails, grassy fields, evergreen and deciduous trees, and some captivating public art installations. There is another day-use park along the freshwater shoreline on Lake Washington – Saint Edward State Park. This Park offers many outdoor play amenities. While here, you can take the opportunity to hike through a diverse century-old second-growth forest and explore its natural beauty and fascinating history. The Washington Park Arboretum is nestled into the shoreline of Lake Washington. It is home to over 40,000 trees from all around the world and offer opportunities to watch beavers and numerous bird species. Go the south end of the Lake to visit Gene Coulon Park, where you will find an interpretive botanical walk, water walk, fishing pier, picnic shelters, tennis courts and more.
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Adventurous Activities: Drink pitchers of Belgian ale and head to the Lake Washington Ship Canal for a unique experience. Here you can swing from a tree into the Lake and enjoy swinging in an altogether new way. The shoreline of Lake Washington features a perimeter path for bicycles and pedestrians. Walk along the waterfront and enjoy sweeping views of the lake. If your aim is to spend the day swimming and enjoying the panoramic views, then Madrona Park and Beach is the perfect place. It is located on the waterfront on Lake Washington which boasts a wooded hillside, a grassy beach and swimming area. An ideal place for playing volleyball or running is the Burke-Gilman Trail, located along the Lake Washington. Head to the Pritchard Island Beach on the western shore of Lake Washington for amazing and quiet swimming experience. Go to the Washington Park Arboretum if you want to spend some time paddling or canoing. If you enter the Washington Park Arboretum via the Montlake Cut, then you can explore the houseboats and marina of Portage Bay.
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UW Husky Football Stadium and Tailgating: UW Husky Football Stadium is home to the University of Washington Husky football team and has been recently renovated in 2013. Take a game-day cruise for a tailgate experience in Seattle style. If you are a football fan, then book a UW Husky cruise to sail your way to the stadium and party on board your own private yacht before and after your game day excursion.
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Lake Washington Dining Options: From hand-crafted cocktails, refreshing Seattle dishes, delectable wine, daily happy hours to weekend delicious breakfast, waterfront restaurants located near Lake Washington provides locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy the true taste of Northwestern cuisines. You will find many dining options here, from oversized sandwiches, Northwest seafood dishes to refreshing craft beers. Some of the best restaurants to give your taste buds a treat at include include Daniel's Broiler – Leschi, BeachHouse bar + grill, Ivar's Seafood Bar, Shawn’s Cafe & Bakery, Santorini Greek Grill, Bing’s, Raw Bar 89, and Casa Ricardos to name a few.
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Sailing and Yachting: You can experience a variety of views while enjoying your yachting adventure on Lake Washington. Surrounded by stately homes, exquisite waterfront properties, and private beach clubs, cruising Lake Washington offers enormous opportunities to get a taste of what Seattle's leisure life is. During your sailing adventure, learn the history of the Eastside and Seattle neighborhoods bordering Lake Washington. Pass under the new Evergreen Point Floating Bridge that connects Seattle to Bellevue. Embark on a journey to discover the most beautiful sights set against a beautiful backdrop of a golden sunset with a sunset yacht charter. Take your private charter to Mercer Island. It is known for spectacular views, amazing homes and magnificent natural beauty.
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Fishing: Open to fishing year-round, Lake Washington holds dozens of fish species such as Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and Black Crappie. You can also catch Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye salmon. Principal fishing ramps are at Kenmore, Magnuson Park, Gene Coulon Park, and Rainier Beach Park. Some of the popular piers are Kirkland, Marina Park and the Old Ship Museum Park. Whether you are a fishing enthusiast or want to take your family on a fishing excursion, Lake Washington is the perfect place in Seattle to start your adventure.
From picturesque houseboat districts to the Husky Stadium, Lake Washington is a treasure trove for visitors looking to spend some wonderful time in the Emerald City. Take time for some hiking, biking, fishing, or kayaking in Lake Washington when you visit the city of Seattle. At Pacific Northwest Yacht Charters, we provide private luxury yachts to charter and enjoy Seattle, Lake Washington, Lake Union, Ballard Locks, and Puget Sound in a way like no other. We also provide custom luxury event charters to host special events including wedding ceremonies, anniversaries, birthday parties, business events, company meetings and more. Contact us to find the right charter for your next vacation or special event in Seattle, and we'll recommend the best yacht for you.
