Have you ever been to the Seattle Boat Show? This year was my first time going and there are lots of days to choose from as it runs from January 30th-February 7th. Another thing I noticed that is unique to this festival is that it happens at two venues: indoors at Lumen Field Event Center and at Bell Harbor Marina on Seattle’s Waterfront. (There is a free shuttle that runs between both venues and you can get $5 parking at the Bell Street parking lot.)

Apparently the Seattle Boat Show is the biggest boat show on the west coast and the 3rd biggest boat show in North America. I’m not really a boat person so I’m checking it out more for the boat lifestyle but even for someone like me, there seems to be a lot to see at this show. You can buy single day general admission ($20)or a pass for all nine days of the show ($40) and kids 17 and under get in free. Make sure you read all the ticketing options because you may qualify for discounts.

One of the things I’m most curious about at the Seattle Boat Show?

There is a Sip and Sketch event happening on January 31st from 2-5 pm at North Hall Booth 176 with Arc boats. It sounds like for this day you can enjoy a glass of wine or beer with admission and Seattle artist Dozfy will create custom sketch keepsakes for guests to take home most likely while supplies/time lasts (I will try to find out more about this too).

There is also a Women’s Day at Seattle Boat show too where women get in free

On Monday February 2nd, women can attend the boat show Free on Monday February 2nd with a women’s day ticket.

There is also a two for one ticket offer on Tuesday February 3rd

You must buy your ticket through the link beforehand. You will not get two for one tickets at the door.

Are there things for kids at the Seattle Boat Show?

Kids 17 and under are free at the Seattle Boat Show. The Center for Wooden boats will have boat building stations for kids on Saturdays and Sunday. There will also be opportunities for kids 3-8 to get time on the water at the Aqua Paddlers pool. Parcs Canada has a booth at the Seattle Boat show and I saw kids at the booth when I walked by. I also noticed a lot of kids talking about boats with their parents, and I’ll be bringing one of my teens who washed boats as a job this summer so we can oooh and aah at the fancy boats together as well.

There is also Mister Softee ice cream at the Boat Show at the Lumen Field Location. I happen to adore the Mister Softee ice cream nachos at Mariners games. And at the boat show for $10 you can get ice cream in a souvenir toy boat (you can choose from vanilla, chocolate or swirl with sprinkles, caramel sauce and whip cream) and it is a fun treat.

If you go on a Friday you might want to choose to do the Boat Show after dark

On January 30 and February 6 you can buy a Boat Show after Dark ticket (it includes the regular hours too but it is $5 more than general admission) and I checked this out as media and it was really fun. This was the first time for this event and for Seattle Boat Show after dark they turn the lights in the Lumen Field Event Center off at 5pm so that it is only lit by the lights of the boats, and some twinkle lights and there are music/drink stations so it feels really festive.

At the Lumen Field location we had some tasty foods:

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese in the North Hall-N126 was at the boat show offering generous complimentary tastes of their new premium soup line when we went on Friday. They gave out cheese too and there was seating nearby so it made for a nice break.

Pie Bar had sweet and savory pies to purchase (we were full from eating ice cream) but I’ve been wanting to try these too. Ivar’s (in the same spot you go to get them for Seahawks games) and maybe Tutta Bella (we d also had food for purchase at the show.

There are also some “Boat Show University seminars that you have to pay extra for.

I’m not a boating person so I don’t know what they are all about, but they do look interesting and you can find the whole list of them when you scroll down to Baot Show University here. Each class comes with same day admission to the Seattle Boat Show too, so don’t buy both admission and a boat show university class.

Where to find parking and the free shuttle for the Seattle Boat Show?

The free shuttle departs from the North Parking Lot of Lumen Field and the Conference Center next to Bell Harbor Marina. If you are near these areas, look for white tents and signage to spot the shuttle. You can also find more about the shuttle and its departure and arrival times here.

You can get parking for the Seattle Boat Show at the Bell Street garage for $5 but it sounds like you will need to get a coupon from the Bell Harbor Box office to show when you leave to get the $5 parking deal so don’t forget to get the coupon. Parking at Lumen Field Event Center is $20.

Do you boat in Seattle? I still have to check out the Bell Harbor location and I’ll update this post after I visit to reflect anything I learn when I go.

Terumi

Terumi Pong is a Seattle-based family travel writer and mom of twin teenage boys.  She loves coffee and pastries, shopping local and looking for greener ways to live.  She is also known as Scout’s mom (Scout is a 5ish pound little black yorkie-poo)