Eleven Reasons to Love South Lake Union
Regarded as a hub of innovation and forward-thinking, this Seattle neighborhood is home to several industry leaders including Facebook, Google, Fred Hutch, and perhaps most notably, Amazon, which has a collection of unique office buildings in the area. These businesses have contributed to the phenomenal growth of South Lake Union and helped transform it into one of the more desirable neighborhoods in Seattle.
Its prime waterfront location offers unbeatable views of Lake Union and Gasworks Park, which is just across the water to the north. Destinations like MOHAI and the Center for Wooden Boats, both located within Lake Union Park, attract visitors and locals alike for their museum attractions and the beautiful sunsets that you can watch from the neighboring docks. It’s this juxtaposition of SLU’s corporate and industrial architecture with the best of Seattle’s natural wonders that makes South Lake Union so special. And perhaps one of the coolest features of this area is its commitment to art—the same developers that helped build this neighborhood are passionate about creating and funding outdoor works of art that seamlessly blend with their surroundings to promote engagement and a thriving culture in the neighborhood. Discover more of our favorite things about South Lake Union below.
Mbar
Perched above South Lake Union, you’ll find Mbar, a rooftop bar in the heart of SLU located fourteen stories up. If you’re looking for idyllic views of Seattle’s treasured Lake Union, then you’ve come to the right place, as Mbar features 360-degree city and water vistas. Plus, the owners, Racha and Wassef Haroun, whom you might recognize as the owners of Seattle’s sister restaurant Mamnoon, blend Middle Eastern roots with Northwestern style to hit the perfect culinary notes.
The White Swan Public House
Set on the shores of Lake Union, this waterside restaurant features a beautifully large outdoor patio for those warm summer days, as well as cozy indoor seating for more intimate occasions. While they are known for their raw oysters, other local favorites include Poutine of the Sea, Fish & Chips, and Crab Hushpuppies. Fun fact – one of its sister restaurants is Matt’s in the Market, the beloved Pike Place eatery!
MOHAI (The Museum of History & Industry)
This iconic museum is situated near the water in Lake Union Park, which is better known as the MOHAI Park. The museum’s mission is to highlight Seattle and how this city transformed from an unexplored wilderness to the bustling, innovative center that we know and love today. There are mainstays like George Tsutakawa’s Seattle Sculptures that are always on display, as well as ever-changing collections, like the upcoming Water Wonders that will be viewable on September 18th.
The Center for Wooden Boats
Also located in Lake Union Park, the Center for Wooden Boats seeks to promote northwest maritime heritage through education, interpretation, and hands-on experience in building, maintaining, and using historic small craft. There are both events and exhibits to attend—some current exhibits include Neil Rabinowitz Photography, as well as “Still Afloat: Historic Small Craft of King County.” If you go, you’ll know you’re in the right place when you come across a few small wooden boats that are located just outside the center. After you’re done, be sure to take a walk through the park—it’s especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset.
REI’s Flagship Store
You might be surprised to learn that REI’s Flagship Store is located in South Lake Union, just off the I-5 freeway. If you’re looking for outdoor or athletic gear, this is your one-stop shop. What makes this location unique is its massive indoor climbing wall, more formally known as the Seattle Pinnacle Climbing Wall, which stands 65 feet tall and has been an iconic feature of the Seattle landscape since this REI opened its doors.
Lake Union
Though not technically exclusive to South Lake Union, there are several touring companies that depart from the docks of the Lake Union Park and allow people to experience the best of Lake Union by boat or by plane. If you’re looking to catch some beautiful views from the sky, opt to travel with Kenmore Air—these water planes take off directly from Lake Union and can either take you on a local scenic flight or transport you to some other destination. If you’d prefer to stay on the lake, there is The Electric Boat Company that offers multi-hour boat rentals, which are especially fun with large groups. In the winter, opt for a hot tub boat so you can stay warm despite the chilly temperatures.
Amazon Spheres
This architectural and environmental building is actually an Amazon workspace, though it looks more like a piece of art with its three igloo-inspired sections. On the inside, there is an abundance of greenery that give it a greenhouse feel—it’s so spectacular inside that they even offer tours for visitors or locals that don’t work at Amazon. Pro tip: If you go, stop by Willmott’s Ghost, a lovely and contemporary pizzeria, and Deep Dive, an underground cocktail lounge below the Spheres. Both are part of the Sea Creatures family of dining destinations, which is locally owned and operated by James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef, Renee Erickson.
Café Hagen
This contemporary Scandinavian-inspired café serves up delicious foods, Scandinavian-style coffee, and a selection of fine wine and beer, all in a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. Their Danish style brunch is popular—make sure to try the Weekday Breakfast Board, Seasonal Jam Waffle, and the Mokka, a deconstructed mocha flight that allows you to pour your own coffee!
Cornish College of the Arts
This college offering Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees is situated right in South Lake Union with several commanding buildings. Their mission is to provide aspiring artists with an educational program of the highest possible quality in an environment that nurtures creativity and intellectual curiosity, while preparing their students to contribute to society as artists, citizens, and innovators.
FareStart
A culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals, this service company’s mission is to provide opportunities to those in need in the community. They have a kitchen and dining room in the heart of SLU where they typically serve a fine dining experience; however, during COVID, they pivoted their business model so instead of serving patrons, they now give back to the community by delivering cooked meals to those most in need.
Vulcan Real Estate Public Artwalk
Paul Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft and Vulcan Real Estate, is one of the people that has transformed South Lake Union into the special haven that it is today. Considered a hub of innovation in Seattle, SLU is well-known for its industrial feel but thanks to Vulcan RE, it’s also filled with 23 unique works of outdoor art designed to have a connection to their individual locations. In fact, they dedicate half of one percent of their construction budget each year to artwork for the purpose of connecting the community and promoting engagement with public spaces. Partnered with SLU, they have designed a public art walk through the area to see the twenty-three works, three of which are listed below. To learn more about the art walk and the 23 unique pieces of community art, please visit their website.
Mirall, public artwork at Allen Institute | Named for the Catalan word for mirror, this stainless-steel sculpture is composed of two mirror-image figures with a hollow design that allows people to step inside the sculpture and peer out from within.
Three Women, public artwork at 2200 Westlake | Located outside the local Whole Foods, these three large sculptures depict a family scene with a girl, a young woman, and a mother with her baby.
Woodpile, public artwork at Amazon 5 | This sculpture, set at Amazon’s headquarters, is designed to integrate into the surrounding development and thus, many people miss its complex design. It’s composted of stainless-steel cylinders that resemble a perfectly arranged woodpile.