Are you looking for something fun to do on a summer Sunday in Seattle? We have the perfect suggestion for you — hop aboard the Seattle ice cream cruise on Lake Union!
The Seattle ice cream cruise, which is operated by the Seattle Ferry Service, happens every Sunday from May 3 through September 27. The cruise launches from Dock 9 at Fisherman’s Terminal with regular sailings at 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm. In peak times, they add sailings at 1pm and 5:00pm. Upper deck tickets are $24 for ages 13 and over and $19 for kids 0-12, while lower deck tickets are $20 and $16, respectively.
The Seattle ice cream cruise ticket price does NOT include ice cream. That means you have to pay extra for treats on board (if you want them). We had ice cream sandwiches on our cruise, but the captain was really pushing their “famous” chocolate root beer floats. I guess we’ll have to try those next time.
The 45-minute Seattle ice cream cruise is a fun, fully narrated tour of the Ship Canal and Lake Union. Among other sights, you will see where William Boeing built his first airplane, Dale Chihuly‘s Lake Union studio, Gas Works Park, and many of the houseboats on Lake Union, including the houseboat from Sleepless in Seattle.
INSIDER TIP: Since the ferry travels around Lake Union in a counter-clockwise direction, you’ll want to sit on right (starboard) side of the boat for the best views. The only time you’ll want to be on the left side is when you make the short trek down the Montlake Cut (Ivar’s Salmon House and Dale Chihuly’s studio are on the left).
Like I mentioned, the cruise is narrated (with some funky music mixed in). The captain does a great job of keeping the tour humorous (often yelling “We have ice cream!” at passing boats), but they’re also very informative. There’s so much history on Lake Union that Tove and I didn’t know about (and we’ve lived in this area for much of our lives). It was really fun to get an even better understanding of our area.
If you can’t make the Seattle ice cream cruise on Sunday, the Seattle Ferry Service also offers charter services for weddings, special events, and more.
I’m a firm believer that there’s nothing better than being on the water. Add ice cream, sights, and history to the mix, and you have a winning recipe for an awesome Sunday. We recommend the Seattle ice cream cruise to tourists and locals alike. It’s a fun adventure that will send you on your way quickly so you can run along to the next fun thing in Seattle.
Have you ever been on the Seattle ice cream cruise? What did you think of the tour? We would love to hear from you! Please leave your comments below or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. Don’t forget to also check out Seattle Bloggers for more fun things to do and see around the Puget Sound!
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