You could make a case for the ferries, but I think Seattle is at its most beautiful from the surface of Lake Union, and there’s no better way to navigate Lake Union than from a kayak. In addition to the views, kayaking is super-easy, and it’s meditative as fuck. Just paddle out to the middle of the lake, take in the panorama from Gas Works Park to the Seattle skyline, and try to count all the construction cranes (I saw 14 the last time I went out). It’s a whole new way to love the city. (Northwest Outdoor Center, 2100 Westlake Ave N #1, nwoc.com, 10 am–6 pm, kayak rentals start at $14/hour)