Houseboat Tour 2008 Gives a Peek at Floating Home Living
Have you ever wondered about what it’s like to live on a houseboat? In the movies (remember Sleepless in Seattle?), houseboats always look so spacious and inviting, but I know that space is at a premium and there must be lots to consider when choosing a floating home lifestyle.
A floating home is defined as a house on a raft that is semi-permanently moored to a dock, and is attached to city utilities. It is different from a live-aboard board in that it is subject to a variety of governmental regulations.
While there were once several thousand houseboats in Seattle, it has dwindled down to about 500, in large part due to those above mentioned regulations. These days you’ll find houseboats on Portage Bay and Lake Union.
If you’re curious about houseboats, take advantage of the Floating Homes on Tour and take a peek at the ultimate in waterfront living. The tour features a total of 12 floating homes, nine on the east side of Lake Union and three in Portage Bay. You’ll see a mix of quaint and charming along with spacious and modern, all designed to give you a look at the floating home community and lifestyle.
The tour is self-guided, meaning you’ll walk from dock to dock, stopping where and when you wish. Once you purchase your ticket you’ll receive a confirmation number, along with a brochure that includes photos, descriptions of the homes and a map.
Location: East Newton & Fairview Avenue East, directions provided from this spot.
Date & Time: Sunday, September 7th, 2008, noon – 5 pm. The tour goes on rain or shine.
Tickets: $25/person available online, or call 800-838-3006. Tickets include bus shuttle transportation to the homes.
Comfortable shoes are recommended, as there are stairs and the docks can also get slippery. No strollers or backpacks are allowed in the homes.
Photo credit: flickr
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Tags: architecture, houseboats, housing, Lake UnionRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Events, History & Information, People - Interesting Local People, Sound Like a Local - Local "speak", Tours - Guided or Self-Guided
Seattle1/5/09 10:53 PM PST°
3 opinions for Houseboat Tour 2008 Gives a Peek at Floating Home Living
Amy
Sep 7, 2008 at 11:32 pm
I took your advice and went on this tour. It was quite possibly the best way to spend a Sunny Sunday afternoon!
Mary Jo
Sep 8, 2008 at 6:53 pm
That’s so good to hear. The weather was beautiful, so it was a great day to be on the water.
Were you tempted about houseboat living?
Amy
Sep 8, 2008 at 7:01 pm
With the weather being so nice and sunny it would be impossible not to dream of the houseboat life. I really don’t think I’d ever leave the house though!
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