SEATTLE AREA

University of Washington / University District

Located just three miles from downtown Seattle, the University District is one of Seattle's oldest communities, boasting tree-lined boulevards and turn-of-the-century mansions. Both exist side-by-side with high-tech development centers and the University of Washington. The District caters to the needs of more than 50,000 students and staff, in addition to a base population of 35,000.

Two unique commercial districts, "the Ave" and "the Village," provide visitors with continental shopping, dining and entertainment. The University District is full of fun and exciting things to do. While looking around the community, you will come across a variety of delicious restaurants and cafes serving affordable food from all around the world. Other then restaurants the U District is packed with great shopping, 15 movie screens, comedy clubs, shows, museums and much more! This community is one of the most unique and lively places to visit in Seattle.

Visit these websites for more information on the University District: www.gonorthwest.com/Washington/seattle/University/University.htm
www.washington.edu
www.udistrictchamber.org

Click this link for a printable campus map (pdf file).


Downtown Seattle

In the past few decades, Seattle has quietly grown from a far-flung port city not registering on too many radar screens, to being nationally recognized as one of the most livable cities in the US. Seattle's natural beauty inspires even the most committed couch potatoes. Despite a cosmopolitan outlook, Seattle remains unpretentious, and even low-key. Folks wear jeans to work, and prefer backpacks to briefcases.

Seattle is fluid, enigmatic and defined by water. To the west lies saltwater Puget Sound; to the east, freshwater Lake Washington; in the middle, Lake Union. Everywhere, the focus is water.

The downtown core is relatively compact making the city center extremely accessible on foot.

If you plan on visiting the downtown area, you’ll want to include a visit to Pike Place Market. The Market is a nine-acre National Historic District, and home to more than 100 farmers, 200 artists and craftspeople, 250 small businesses, 500 residents — and 50 street performers (who may perform anywhere there is a musical note painted on the sidewalk).

The best in urban recreation is at your toes and at your fingertips around Seattle--spectacularly scenic golf, kayaking and canoeing, fishing and clamming, hiking, urban parks. A short drive out of the city leads to skiing, snowboarding, river rafting, hiking and some of the most scenic parks around: Mt. Rainier National Park, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park and Rainforest, and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

For more information, visit these websites:
www.seeseattle.org
www.gonorthwest.com
www.udistrictchamber.org