Free Boat Rentals Draw Seattle Families to The Center for Wooden Boats

In Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood — where glassy tech campuses hum and screens dominate daily life — my 6-year-old daughter and I stepped into something refreshingly different: a hands-on experience on the water at The Center for Wooden Boats. The center is a portal to a slower, more tactile world where kids and grown-ups alike can touch, climb, paddle and discover, right in the city.

Step back in time

My daughter and I arrived by little pink bike and on foot to this delightfully analog experience. Starting at the museum building, we marveled at the boats hanging from the rafters at the entrance and peeked at the black-and-white photos. The Center for Wooden Boats expects young visitors, and the lobby features a large table with crayons and coloring pages. My daughter felt invited in and went right to work coloring. Kids are welcome to explore and learn throughout the museum, including during seasonal story times.

The Center for Wooden Boats is a history book, chronicling boating traditions and life on the lake, from Indigenous watercraft to the working vessels that once powered Seattle’s industries. Kids are often drawn to the stories behind the boats: Who built them? How were they used? What was life like on the water a hundred or more years ago?

Get out on the water

But of course, the highlight here is getting out on the water, where beautifully restored wooden boats are waiting for you to power them. The Livery, the center’s boathouse where you can rent any of the boats from its fleet, operates seasonally from mid-March through October.

You can head straight to the Livery to start the boating process — no need to check in at the museum. The rental boats range from sailboats to rowboats to paddleboards, each available for one-hour minimum rentals. While sailboat rentals require a sailing test, no experience is required for the other rentals. Membership at the center includes reduced rental rates, adding value for families.

Try a free rowboat

A huge highlight at the CWB is the Public Peapod Program. Two free peapod rowboats — named Maestro and Miss Marie — can be checked out for one hour on a first-come, first-served basis.

If the two free rowboats are being used when you arrive, you are welcome to wait for one to return. There is no waiting list for the boats. Of course, paid rental boats are always an option, too.

Getting into the peapod rowboat is made easy and safe for children, with a center volunteer steadying the boat and helping everyone enter. These boats fit up to four people. The volunteer also helps tie and untie ropes and makes sure the oars are ready to go.

Rowing is more suitable for teens and adults because of the weight of the boats. Kids can give it a try with the help of an adult, though it may be challenging for them to row. The condition of the lake also influences the difficulty level — especially if the waves are choppy — so watch the weather conditions like any sailor would.

More tips for parents

• Go over the paperwork. For anyone who rents one of the CWB boats (free or paid), there is a waiver to sign and a short checklist of items that the volunteer will go over.
• Pack the essentials. It’s always a good idea to bring sunscreen, pack a few snacks or even a picnic lunch, and wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting wet (Crocs are a good idea). Lifejackets are provided.
• Explore the lake. When you are out on the lake, you are free to roam, as long as you do not cross under any bridges.
• Know the rules. Swimming and fishing are not permitted from any of the boats. Dogs are allowed on all the boats.
• Time your visit right. If you are looking for the slowest times at the Livery (i.e., the best time for a free boat), try going when it first opens or around 3 p.m. The demand for boats is also weather-dependent, so sunnier and warmer days see a higher volume of boaters. The last boat leaves 90 minutes prior to closing.
• Pick the right boat. Rowing a heavy rowboat can be challenging for kids. If you know your kids will want to help power the boat, consider a paddleboat that they can pedal with their feet.
• Plan ahead for sailing. While boats are rented on a first-come, first-served basis, a one-time sailing evaluation must be scheduled in advance online if you want to rent a sailboat.

Let volunteers guide your experience

Volunteers make it happen. My daughter and I happily chatted with a volunteer at the Livery as he gave us a demonstration on how to use a planer to shave the wood in boatbuilding. In fact, volunteers keep the center going. One teenage volunteer told us that he loves boats and has been on the water since he was young — that’s why he’s here. (Maybe your kids will catch the same “bug” and find a place at The Center for Wooden Boats.)

One way to get a full experience is through the famous free monthly Public Sail, where families can sign up for a short sail on Lake Union to get a first taste of boating or try a new type of vessel. For those who prefer to stay closer to the dock, there are often opportunities to try out small rowboats, giving kids a chance to practice coordination and teamwork with an adult.

Make a day of it in South Lake Union

In addition to spending time on the water in one of the CWB’s vessels, Lake Union Park is an open space with water access for walking, biking, picnicking and enjoying being near the lake.

Places to eat

All of our exploring made us hungry! We walked through Lake Union Park and the sight of Buca di Beppo across Westlake Avenue was welcomed. This restaurant specializes in welcoming families with shared food plates, larger tables and friendly staff. We enjoyed plates of spaghetti to round out the day. If pizza is more your speed, A-Pizza Mart is next door and perfect to take back to the park.

Across the street on Terry Avenue, you’ll find 203°F Coffee, where you can get an old-world-style Italian coffee before adventuring out around South Lake Union. It’s yet another outpost of the slower, analog experience in the technology hub.

Or make a short drive or ride over to Seattle Center for the fantastic playground or the Armory’s many food options.

Ways to extend the adventure

The Museum of History and Industry neighbors the CWB and could make a full day of history and learning for those with lots of stamina.

You can also bike all the way around Lake Union using the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop. This roughly 6-mile urban trail is mostly flat, paved, and features dedicated trails and shared streets, particularly on the east side of Lake Union. The loop could be a fun addition to a summer outing for biking enthusiasts.

Lastly, Lake Union is also the spot where Kenmore Air touches down, so if you really want to get away from it all, try a seaplane ride. Or just watch them coming and going as they glide on the water.

No matter how you spend the rest of the day, The Center for Wooden Boats offers a reason to slow down, connect and experience history with your hands. For families seeking meaningful ways to spend time together and step away from the busyness of daily life or screens, it’s a simple outing that can leave a lasting impression. I can’t wait to go back!