A Little About Westlake

A small, narrow district named for its position on the shoreof Lake Union, the Westlake neighborhood of Seattle received national attention in the film "Sleepless in Seattle," in which Tom Hanks' character resides in a houseboat in the neighborhood. Floating homes actually line both east and west sides of Lake Union, and those looking to buy a home in the area will find the lake a popular resource for outdoor recreation in view of the Seattle skyline. During the summer seaplanes use the lake as a landing strip and runway throughout the day, while boaters pilot their personal crafts through the lake en route to Puget Sound. There's even a yearly festival hosted by the Center for Wooden Boats.

There are no schools located within Westlake, though the district is convenient to many schools in nearby neighborhoods. The area makes up for it with Gas Works Park, the largest park on Lake Union and used by just about everyone in the city, whether resident or visitor. In the summer concerts in the park are common and the park serves as the venue for the city's primary Fourth of July fireworks display. Dexter and Hayes is a great place to grab a beer or a bite, while Coqui Cabana Cafe provides a real taste of Lake Union culture to go with an ice cream or cup of coffee.