Center for Wooden Boats

Honoring Seattle's historical, aquatic and Native American antecedents, this one-of-a-kind museum and enthusiasts' center features vintage and replica boats and offers sailing lessons, including an excellent beginner course that gives you eight to 12 lessons over a four-month period. Best of all, however, are its free Sunday public sailboat rides on Lake Union (first come, first served; sign-ups start 10am).

Seasoned sailors who are a little rusty can take a one-on-one lesson for around $50 per hour, and there are also classes on sail repair and boat building. You can rent kayaks, canoes, rowboats and sailboats (the latter requires a 30-minute boat-handling test).

The museum will open a new Education Center in Lake Union Park in 2017 to help further showcase Seattle's maritime heritage and provide more space for its boat restorers to work in.