Awesome free attractions, we keep coming here every couple of months! by Alexander G. at InsiderPages
Thursday, November 10, 2005
This place is unbelievable. The locks themselves are fun to watch. It's basically water gates that regulate the difference of water level in Lake Union (higher) and Pudget Sound (lower). The ships come in from one of the sides, then they are locked up in a pool-like structure, the water level is lowered or raised to match the level of the other (exit) gate, the exit gate is open, and the ship continues on its way. They do it for both smaller boats and bigger ships. (They have two different sizes of locks). This is very fun to watch!
Besides that, they have a botanical garden with trees from all over the world. You can get a self-guided tour brochure from the Visitor Center so that you know that trees/plants you are looking at.
They also have plenty of wild life around. We've seen a number of great blue hurons, some harbor searls, a bunch of salmon (jumping out of the water!), some other birds (don't know all of them). As far as salmon goes - they have a salmon ladder for them to pass through the gates, and big windows in the ladder so that you can watch them when they run (mostly late August - early September).
Parking can be problematic, but it is still free on Sundays. There is also a pay parking lot besides metered parking.
We've been there three times already, and keep coming back to see it again.
PROS: Locks, salmon ladder, wild life, botanical gardens
CONS: Parking can be problematic