Courtney L.
Yelp
** Spring Flashback **
The Locks are a true spectacle of engineering that allow boats to move between the saltwater of Puget Sound and the freshwater of Salmon Bay. I found it fascinating how the water levels between the two bodies vary throughout the day depending on the tide. That's where the Locks come in handy! Each time a boat or ship needs to cross from the Puget Sound to Salmon Bay or vice versa, the Locks equalize the water levels so that the vessels can pass through with ease. During my visit, I spotted several family recreational boats going by and even an Alaskan fishing ship. Once you hear the ringing alarm, watch over the gates to see the Locks in action!
Other than this being the main attraction, there's also a botanical garden, salmon run (with underground viewing area) and the potential to see some seals basking in the sun. Unfortunately, it seems that we didn't choose the best time of year to visit since there was not much blooming in the garden, no salmon at the salmon run and no seals. (Quick tip that the salmon migrate between the months of June - September) Nevertheless, I still had a great time exploring and enjoying the Seattle sun. For history buffs or those who would like to learn more about the Locks, enter the Visitor Center to browse the exhibits and artifacts on display. They even offer free guided tours! Just check their website for the schedule.
There are a couple options for parking. If you arrive early enough or get lucky during the day, there's a relatively small lot of free parking on the south side near Commodore Park. We arrived around 10:00AM and snagged one of the last three spots. From there, it's a bit of a walk along the waterway to the Locks, but it's easy on a nice day and will save you a few bucks. Otherwise, there is metered parking on the north side near the Carl S. English Garden. This is apparently the busiest locking system in the nation, so it's worth seeing what it's all about!