The Center for Wooden Boats is a hands-on maritime musuem on the southern shore of Seattle's Lake Union. Founded in 1976 by Dick Wagner, the musuem prides itself on allowing the general public to row and sail small, classic boats. CWB encourages visitors to touch, sit in and use its exhibits... many of which are over 80 years old.

Photographically the museum offers plenty of opportunities for still life photography of classic wooden boats sitting on the docks. Early morning provides the best light year round, however mid summer and late winter days still provide adequet light afternoon light. The best photography is offered during the museum's numerous events...

Year round the museum offers free public sails on the larger sailboats Sunday afternoons (usually between 1p and 3p). These sails offer a great opportunity for a free tour of Lake Union, and great pictures of the city's northern skyline, houseboats, the museum, and the sailboat under sail.

Throught the year, the museum hosts a series of sailboat races and regattas. Check the website to find the dates and times of upcoming events. It's often very easy to catch a ride on one of the compeiting boats, and if you can you'll be rewarded with excellent opportunities to photograph the race.

The weekend of the July 4th marks the musuem's Annual Wooden Boat Festival. This multi-day event brings hundreds of exhibiting boats, vendors and thousands of spectators together. Typical events include family boat building, sailboat race, a quick and darring boat construction and sail race, speakers, pond boat races, and local musicians. Photographically this event provides an excellent opportunity to capture a wide variety of nautical pictures. If you plan to attend, the best light and lowest crowds are in the late afternoon.

Website: www.cwb.org 

where is it? Address 1010 Valley Street, Seattle, WA 98109 View larger map... Get driving directions... Find a bus route...

how to get there? From I-5 Exit 167: Mercer Street At end of ramp turn RIGHT onto Fairview Turn LEFT at next light onto Valley Street Turn RIGHT into the parking lot in 50 yards Alternatively, turn RIGHT at the next road and park in the lot to the left The museum is on the waterfront on the east side of the large white building next to the 3 masted schooner.