A 70 Year Old Piece of Seattle's History

A 70 Year Old Piece of Seattle's History

Come visit the MV Sightseer at the Historic Ships Wharf at MOHAI for free walk-aboard tours! Tour Times: Select Wednesdays–Fridays, 1–3PM (subject to change) Hop aboard and enjoy an Unwind Happy Hour or Sip & Sunset Cruise on select Wednesday–Fridays! Built in California in 1960 and brought to Seattle in 1962, the Sightseer arrived just as the Space Needle was taking shape and the city was preparing to welcome the world to the Century 21 Exposition — Seattle’s iconic World’s Fair. She replaced the original Sightseer (sister ship to the Virginia V ) and quickly became the go-to vessel for daily Gray Line tours through the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks. Over the next four decades, the Sightseer carried more than half a million passengers from Puget Sound to Lake Union, helping introduce generations of visitors and locals to Seattle’s working waterfront, floating homes, and scenic waterways. Her journey didn’t stop there. In the 1990s and early 2000s, she served in multiple roles — as a beloved Locks Cruise vessel under Seattle Harbor Tours and Argosy Cruises, and as the original West Seattle Water Taxi in partnership with King County Metro. Later, she hosted Lake Washington Cruises from Kirkland before returning to the Seattle waterfront at Pier 55. In 2022, the Sightseer began a new chapter with Waterways Cruises. Carefully restored and updated, the vessel now offers casual cruises across Lake Union and Lake Washington — complete with panoramic views and locally inspired food and drinks. Today, guests can enjoy popular public cruises like the Unwind Happy Hour Cruise and Sip and Sunset Cruise, or reserve the Sightseer for intimate private charters, perfect for celebrations, team outings, or just a relaxing time on the water.