The Center for Wooden Boats551

This lovely, hidden spot in Lake Union Park - with a view of Gasworks Park across the lake - celebrates small craft heritage. Walk down the ramp onto the docks, and enter a world of wooden boats lovingly restored and displayed.

Volunteers of all ages can often be seen restoring boats in the workshops. Kids can climb into the rotating fleet of boats tied up at the docks, and learn about maritime arts such at knot-tying and boat restoration. This is a hands-on museum for all ages.

The CWB's boats are available for rental - no previous experience required. Fees for non-members range from $15 per hour for a rowboat, Monday through Friday, to $35 per hour for a large sloop, Monday through Friday. Fees are less for members, and increase on the weekends.

After school/volunteer programs: Kids can volunteer or intern on the docks and in the boatshop and earn credit toward boat rentals or community service hours.

Summer programs: The center offers group summer programs for youths, such as boatbuilding workshops or sailing programs. Summer programs are for children age nine through 16 and run half or whole days for a week.

Workshops: In addition to a wide range of sailing and boatbuilding workshops for adults, the center offers a Family Boatbuilding Workshop. Families work together to build a lightweight, seaworthy Union Bay Skiff.

Field Trips:Schools and camps can sign up for hands-on field trips that offer students the opportunity to go out on the water and to learn maritime history and skills.

Service learning, expedition, boatbuilding, and internships are also available.

Call for details on any of the listed programs.

Open hours at the center are: (May-Sep) Tue-Sun 10am-8pm; (Oct to Apr) Tue-Sun 10am-5pm.