Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
A museum chronicling the history of racing in the Pacific Northwest.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
46 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
10
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Renee
Dunlap, IL1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Family
We LOVED this museum!! We were visiting from IL and stopped by for visit. So glad we did!! We had all ages from kids to seniors in our party and we all had fun! Very knowledgeable and kind staff that was happy to give us a tour and answer questions. Highly recommend visiting!!
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
last901
Sammamish, WA120 contributions
Mar 2011
I can never seem to get enough of this place. I grew up in Seattle when Unlimited Hydroplane Racing was the major league attraction every August. Thunderboats they called them, 30-foot long 180 MPH aircraft-engine powered craft, skimming on top and, often, out of the water. The rivalry between Detroit and Seattle for possession of the famed Gold Cup was greater than anything between Boston and New York in Baseball.
If you're a devotee of this high-speed sport, allow at least half-a-day to go through this place to see some legendary race boats from 1918 and into the modern era. the displays, artififacts, and films alone will take fascinate you. Great gift shop too. Very modest admission fee and minutes from Sea-Tac airport if you have a long layover between flights.
Be sure to visit the restoration shop. The friendly docent staff will give you a free tour.
If you're a devotee of this high-speed sport, allow at least half-a-day to go through this place to see some legendary race boats from 1918 and into the modern era. the displays, artififacts, and films alone will take fascinate you. Great gift shop too. Very modest admission fee and minutes from Sea-Tac airport if you have a long layover between flights.
Be sure to visit the restoration shop. The friendly docent staff will give you a free tour.
Written 25 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat-and-Sally
Las Vegas, NV81 contributions
When in the Seattle area, anyone who has knowledge, interest, or interest in Unlimited Hydroplanes, should have the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum high on their list of things to see. Recently, while on a nostalgia trip of sorts to the Bellevue/Seattle area (having grown up there in the 1950-60's) I decided to go visit this great museum. Some of my favorite memories are of the beginnings and growth of hydroplane racing in Seattle, and seeing all the older hydros fully restored to their original glory was a sight to behold. Stan Sayres, who also happened to be our next door neighbor, went back to Detroit, and captured the "Gold Cup" and brought it back to Seattle....and the rest is history. Slo-Mo-Shun IV & Slo-Mo-Shun V were his creations, and the two boats were much loved by all in Seattle. Unlimited hydroplane racing has a long and glorius history in Seattle, and is still enjoyed by all generations.
The staff at the museum are very helpful, courteous and possess a great knowledge of the boats, and their histories. It it obvious that theirs is a labor of love. So, do yourself a favor, and visit the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum....you will not regret it !
The staff at the museum are very helpful, courteous and possess a great knowledge of the boats, and their histories. It it obvious that theirs is a labor of love. So, do yourself a favor, and visit the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum....you will not regret it !
Written 10 October 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason Hennig
Renton, WA417 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This place is tucked in an industrial district, and is way off the beaten path. Despite that, it's an absolute must-see if you like hydroplanes, are curious about hydroplanes, or heard about hydroplanes once. They have a great and friendly staff, a genuinely mind-boggling number of artifacts that you can put your hands on, and some truly remarkable restorations that I won't spoil.
Entrance fee of $10 might be a little bit much for a small museum for people on a budget, but I'd nevertheless recommend it; it's worth every penny.
Entrance fee of $10 might be a little bit much for a small museum for people on a budget, but I'd nevertheless recommend it; it's worth every penny.
Written 1 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
madNY
Kent, WA118 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
This is a very small tucked away museum that is worth a visit if you like hydroplanes or the history of them. They have too much stuff tucked into the place but they have so few visitors that an employee will often act as your guide and tell you all you want to know and then some. I've never been to a hydroplane race but did find it interesting but a bit esoteric.
Written 19 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimboCanucks
Langley City, Canada523 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
We stopped by not really having any prior knowledge of hydroplanes other than distant memories of watching races on tv back in the seventies. What a pleasure to not only see boats from the era but be able to touch and and get an understanding of the boats, the drivers and the history of an era being preserved for future generations. The guide was very helpfulk and infromative. Great to see the woodshop in action as well. Well worth a visit!
Written 10 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
richardhoa
Knoxville, TN67 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
If you've ever wondered about hydroplanes this is the place for you. Hidden away and small but mighty. Original but retired famous hydroplanes and raceboats, trophies, pictures, videos, etc. all donated and lovingly preserved. Come on, did you ever think you would see the Miss Budweiser in person??? Don't miss this place.
Written 5 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doug R
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada65 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
Was not sure what to expect, but my hopes were exceeded. Volunteers were very pleasant and welcoming. For a small operation, they have lots of interesting craft and if you're into fast boats it is well worth visiting someday. Not that far from SeaTac airport.
Written 1 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LibbySei
Kent, WA194 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
We have lived close to this museum for years, but never knew what a gem it was. We decided to check out the full museum one rainy day. The hydroplane Races are big here in the Pacific Northwest. The first weekend of August is Seafair, and the Hydro's on Lake Washington are the main attraction. This museum has displays from the earliest drivers suits, and helmets to the Hydro's the drove. This is a real gem!
Written 30 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JustaHoosier
Brownsburg, IN236 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
What a gem for any gearhead! These hydroplanes are amazing to see up close. The superb staff is highly engaging and informative. This museum's staff and dedicated volunteers are doing vital preservation and restoration work on these amazing machines. Visitors will learn so much about hydroplane racing and its history! This museum needs and deserves your support!
Written 27 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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