Seattle Locks Cruise with Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks and City Skyline Views
by Argosy Cruises
Choose from 4 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$126.56Overview
Seattle is known for its waterways and maritime activity, including the Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks, which connect Puget Sound with the Lake Washington Ship Canal. This two-hour boat cruise offers views of Seattle’s skyline and surrounding mountain ranges from Puget Sound's saltwater. The tour also passes through freshwater canals, providing close views of historic neighborhoods, commercial fishing boats, floating homes, and seaplanes. A live local guide provides narration throughout the cruise, sharing stories about Seattle’s history and current maritime activity. The cruise either starts or ends on Lake Union, a central urban lake popular for water sports and boating. Along the route, the vessel passes a shipyard servicing commercial fishing vessels, several floating home communities including the one featured in the film Sleepless in Seattle, and Gas Works Park, a former coal gasification plant now a city park. The boat goes under the Fremont Bridge, one of the busiest drawbridges in the U.S., and follows the Lake Washington Ship Canal alongside the Ship Canal Trail, which runs through historic neighborhoods and industrial areas. The cruise also goes past Fisherman’s Terminal, home to many commercial fishing vessels including those from the TV show Deadliest Catch. At the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, passengers witness the boat being lowered about 20 feet from freshwater to saltwater levels using the locks operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The tour continues past Discovery Park and West Point Lighthouse, providing views across Puget Sound and nearby mountain ranges. The Space Needle is also visible up close and in the distance along the Seattle waterfront, where the cruise either begins or concludes. The boat has both indoor and outdoor seating and restrooms are available onboard.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Lake Union
The cruise starts or ends at the southern end of Lake Union, a natural urban lake surrounded by city buildings and highways. This area is known for recreational activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, and boating.
Shipyard on Lake Union
The boat passes a long-standing shipyard that provides repairs and renovations for large commercial fishing vessels. This shipyard is one of the oldest businesses on Lake Union and serves as a dry-dock area for large boats.
Floating Home Communities
View a variety of floating homes and houseboats on Lake Union, including the famous one from the 1990s movie Sleepless in Seattle. These homes range from colorful and quirky to modern and luxurious.
Gas Works Park
The cruise passes Gas Works Park, a former coal gasification plant turned public park located between the Fremont and Wallingford neighborhoods. This park was also featured in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You.
Fremont Bridge
The boat goes under the Fremont Bridge, a colorful drawbridge that is among the busiest in the United States. The vessel fits closely beneath the bridge as it opens to allow passage.
Ship Canal Trail
The route follows the Lake Washington Ship Canal alongside the Ship Canal Trail, a 1.9-mile footpath that runs through Seattle’s historic neighborhoods and overlooks Ballard’s maritime industrial area. The trail follows an abandoned railroad line.
Fisherman’s Terminal
Passengers pass Fisherman’s Terminal, a commercial fishing hub operated by the Port of Seattle. This terminal houses many fishing vessels and has been featured on the TV show Deadliest Catch.
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
At the locks, the vessel is lowered an average of 20 ft (6 m) from the freshwater level of Lake Union to the saltwater of Puget Sound. This locking system is over 100 years old and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Discovery Park
The cruise passes Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest natural park covering about 560 acres. The route offers views of West Point Lighthouse and overlooks Puget Sound from the park’s beaches and trails.
Puget Sound Estuary Views
From the boat, passengers see wide views of the inland estuary between the Olympic Peninsula and Seattle. The estuary is approximately 95 miles long and includes views of mountain ranges such as the Olympics.
Space Needle
The cruise passes near the Space Needle, providing both close-up views and wider shots of this well-known landmark within the Seattle skyline.
Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront
The cruise begins or ends at Seattle’s central waterfront, a lively area with piers and landmarks including the Great Wheel and Overlook Park. The local guide shares stories about the waterfront’s past and present.
Meeting point
IMPORTANT DEPARTURE NOTE There are two potential departure locations for the One-way Locks Cruise. - If your Locks Tour is titled: "One-Way Cruise from Lake Union / AGC Marina" Then that tour will depart from Argosy Cruises at AGC Marina on Lake Union
End point
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a one-way tour - If your Locks Tour departs from AGC Marina on Lake Union - Then it will end at Elliott Bay / Pier 54 on the waterfront
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Seattle Locks Cruise with Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks and City Skyline Views
by Argosy Cruises
Choose from 4 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$126.56Overview
Seattle is known for its waterways and maritime activity, including the Hiram M. Chittenden (Ballard) Locks, which connect Puget Sound with the Lake Washington Ship Canal. This two-hour boat cruise offers views of Seattle’s skyline and surrounding mountain ranges from Puget Sound's saltwater. The tour also passes through freshwater canals, providing close views of historic neighborhoods, commercial fishing boats, floating homes, and seaplanes. A live local guide provides narration throughout the cruise, sharing stories about Seattle’s history and current maritime activity. The cruise either starts or ends on Lake Union, a central urban lake popular for water sports and boating. Along the route, the vessel passes a shipyard servicing commercial fishing vessels, several floating home communities including the one featured in the film Sleepless in Seattle, and Gas Works Park, a former coal gasification plant now a city park. The boat goes under the Fremont Bridge, one of the busiest drawbridges in the U.S., and follows the Lake Washington Ship Canal alongside the Ship Canal Trail, which runs through historic neighborhoods and industrial areas. The cruise also goes past Fisherman’s Terminal, home to many commercial fishing vessels including those from the TV show Deadliest Catch. At the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, passengers witness the boat being lowered about 20 feet from freshwater to saltwater levels using the locks operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The tour continues past Discovery Park and West Point Lighthouse, providing views across Puget Sound and nearby mountain ranges. The Space Needle is also visible up close and in the distance along the Seattle waterfront, where the cruise either begins or concludes. The boat has both indoor and outdoor seating and restrooms are available onboard.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Lake Union
The cruise starts or ends at the southern end of Lake Union, a natural urban lake surrounded by city buildings and highways. This area is known for recreational activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, and boating.
Shipyard on Lake Union
The boat passes a long-standing shipyard that provides repairs and renovations for large commercial fishing vessels. This shipyard is one of the oldest businesses on Lake Union and serves as a dry-dock area for large boats.
Floating Home Communities
View a variety of floating homes and houseboats on Lake Union, including the famous one from the 1990s movie Sleepless in Seattle. These homes range from colorful and quirky to modern and luxurious.
Gas Works Park
The cruise passes Gas Works Park, a former coal gasification plant turned public park located between the Fremont and Wallingford neighborhoods. This park was also featured in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You.
Fremont Bridge
The boat goes under the Fremont Bridge, a colorful drawbridge that is among the busiest in the United States. The vessel fits closely beneath the bridge as it opens to allow passage.
Ship Canal Trail
The route follows the Lake Washington Ship Canal alongside the Ship Canal Trail, a 1.9-mile footpath that runs through Seattle’s historic neighborhoods and overlooks Ballard’s maritime industrial area. The trail follows an abandoned railroad line.
Fisherman’s Terminal
Passengers pass Fisherman’s Terminal, a commercial fishing hub operated by the Port of Seattle. This terminal houses many fishing vessels and has been featured on the TV show Deadliest Catch.
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
At the locks, the vessel is lowered an average of 20 ft (6 m) from the freshwater level of Lake Union to the saltwater of Puget Sound. This locking system is over 100 years old and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Discovery Park
The cruise passes Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest natural park covering about 560 acres. The route offers views of West Point Lighthouse and overlooks Puget Sound from the park’s beaches and trails.
Puget Sound Estuary Views
From the boat, passengers see wide views of the inland estuary between the Olympic Peninsula and Seattle. The estuary is approximately 95 miles long and includes views of mountain ranges such as the Olympics.
Space Needle
The cruise passes near the Space Needle, providing both close-up views and wider shots of this well-known landmark within the Seattle skyline.
Argosy Cruises - Seattle Waterfront
The cruise begins or ends at Seattle’s central waterfront, a lively area with piers and landmarks including the Great Wheel and Overlook Park. The local guide shares stories about the waterfront’s past and present.
Meeting point
IMPORTANT DEPARTURE NOTE There are two potential departure locations for the One-way Locks Cruise. - If your Locks Tour is titled: "One-Way Cruise from Lake Union / AGC Marina" Then that tour will depart from Argosy Cruises at AGC Marina on Lake Union
End point
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a one-way tour - If your Locks Tour departs from AGC Marina on Lake Union - Then it will end at Elliott Bay / Pier 54 on the waterfront
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.