• Seattle is a city known for its relaxed attitudes, arts and culture as well as the Pike Place Market. With so much of the city surrounded by water, boat tours can offer visitors a different way to view the city and its beautiful skyline away from the typical group bus tours of the downtown area. The tours range from romantic evening dinner cruises to informative and family-friendly rides on World War II amphibious vehicles.
  
  

Argosy Cruises

• Argosy Cruises, a family-owned business since 1949, offers daily cruises that depart from downtown Seattle, Lake Union and Kirkland City Dock. Based at Pier 55, the guided cruises include: a one-hour trip around Seattle harbor and Elliott Bay, a three-hour cruise from Elliott Bay to Lake Union a two-hour excursion near well-known houseboats, Husky Stadium and luxury houses on Lake Washington. The lunch and dinner cruises around Elliott Bay are provided by the flagship of the fleet, the 180-foot Royal Argosy, which seats up to 600 passengers in four different dining rooms. Each tour includes a three-course meal on white-linen tables with marble tops under chandeliers. The Royal Argosy Band performs popular standards and special requests during most Dinner and Brunch Cruises. As of October 2010, the rates range from $39.95 for lunch to $79.95 for dinner (with dining-room service charges between $6.50 to $9.00 per person plus applicable taxes). Rates are higher on Friday and Saturday evenings and an additional $7.50 is charged for premium window seating. Child rates range from $22 to $30 plus tax. Argosy Cruises also offers and advance-booking discount of $15 to $25 per adult ticket for reserving any cruise at least one month in advance.
  
  

Seattle Ferry Service

• The Seattle Ferry Service, based at South Lake Union Park, offers Sunday cruises on the 50-foot Fremont Avenue ferryboat. Named as one of most affordable family outings by "Seattle" magazine, it provides 45-minute pet-friendly tours that depart hourly and includes views of Lake Union luxury houseboats, Gas Works Park and the city skyline. The tour includes a family-friendly narrative of old Seattle. Passengers can sit indoors or on the open-air upper deck (with blankets provided) and receive a variety of ice-cream selections, clam chowder, coffee and soft drinks. Reservations are not required and tickets are available on boarding by cash or check only. Private charters are also available for parties and business functions. As of October 2010, tickets prices are $11 for adults, $7 for children ages five through 13, and $2 for children under the age of two.
  
  

Ride the Ducks of Seattle

• The Ride the Ducks Tour provides family-friendly daily tours on a World War II amphibious vehicle that departs from two locations: the Seattle Center and the Westlake Center. Each 90-minute guided tour is piloted by a Coast-Guard-certified maritime captain who also doubles as an informative guide. The tour is approximately one hour on land and half-an-hour in the water and includes a historical narration of Seattle, background music and noisemakers for an additional fee. The land portion travels through downtown Seattle past the Space Needle, Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, Safeco Field, Qwest Field and the Fremont neighborhood and culminates with a splash into the waters of Lake Union. The water cruise includes views of the Seattle skyline and the luxury houseboats including the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat. As of October 2010, tours are offered daily from February through December and on weekends in January. Advance purchase is recommended, but walk-ups are welcome. Ticket prices are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 years of age of younger and are non-refundable,non-exchangeable and subject to sales tax.