Overview
North Seattle is roughly the area between 85th Street and the border with Shoreline at 145th Street. It also includes a few neighborhoods south of 85th Street facing Lake Washington.
North Seattle is a loosely-defined area. People often use the label to include everything north of the Ship Canal that bisects the city (including Ballard, Fremont and the University District). This article uses the other common definition, which is everything north of 85th Street, the northern city limit until 1954. This later annexation is evident today by the area's distinctly suburban character.
3 sights · 4 things to do · 14 places to eat · 7 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about North
Carkeek Park
The century-old trees and surprisingly steep terrain surrounding a small valley give the impression that you're far from the city. Excellent for a walk in the woods. Walkable beach below the train tracks.
Warren G. Magnuson Park
Seattle's second-largest park, formerly the Sand Point Naval Air Station. The wide-open spaces of the park support numerous athletic fields and picnic spots, with windsurfing and a boat launch along the Lake Washington s…
Maple Leaf Park
This area used to be a reservoir. It is now drained, replaced by a wide open green area locals used for playing, but the water tower is still standing. As it is the highest spot in North Seattle, you can catch a wonderfu…
Jackson Park Golf Course
A decent 18-hole championship and a 9-hole executive golf course plus a driving range.
Underwater Sports
You can buy diving gear here but the unique thing about this place is that they offer open water scuba diving certification classes, as well as more basic swimming classes. Lessons conducted at their indoor pool and then…
Granite Curling Club
An excellent facility dedicated to curling, the loud ice sport with stones and brooms. They host regular open houses to teach people how to play.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 37°F. Wettest: Nov and Jan. (climate data from nearby Seattle)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BFI King County International Airport - Boeing Field, Seattle — 13 mi away. Directions
- PAE Seattle Paine Field International Airport, Everett — 13 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 18 mi away (major hub). Directions
From Interstate 5, you can get off at Lake City Way NE, N 85th Street, N Northgate Way and NE 125th Street.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $85–$85 a night (typical $105), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$130, mid-range ~$180, comfortable ~$250.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Maple Leaf Park, Lake City Summer Festival and Parade
- Lunch Santorini Pizza & Pasta
- Afternoon Jackson Park Golf Course, Warren G. Magnuson Park
- Dinner Fiddler's Inn
- Evening Cafe Javasti
Day 2
- Morning Carkeek Park, Underwater Sports
- Lunch Burgermaster
- Afternoon Granite Curling Club
- Dinner Family Donut
- Evening The Rickshaw
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Restaurants are scattered throughout the whole area, with larger clusters around Lake City, Greenwood, Wedgwood and along Aurora Ave N. Hole-in-the-wall teriyaki and neighborhood Thai places can be found at most major intersections.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The neighborhoods in North Seattle include, from west to east:
- Crown Hill, just north of Ballard|Ballard
- Broadview, a residential neighborhood north of Carkeek Park
- Greenwood, at Greenwood Ave and 85th St
- Bitter Lake, just west of Aurora Ave
- Licton Springs, along Aurora Ave north of Green Lake
- Haller Lake, a residential neighborhood between Aurora Ave and I-5
- Maple Leaf, along 5th Ave NE near 90th St
- Northgate, at Northgate Way and I-5. It was the site of one of the first shopping malls in the US, ajd is still a major retail and transit hub.
- Pinehurst
- Victory Heights
- Lake City, along Lake City Way, host of some creepy dive bars, thrift/pawn stores, and used car dealerships, as well as new urban development.
- Wedgwood
Get in
By car
From Interstate 5, you can get off at Lake City Way NE, N 85th Street, N Northgate Way and NE 125th Street.
Aurora Ave N (State Route 99) passes through North Seattle. This is usually the fastest way from most parts west of I-5.
Other major north-south arterials are 15th Ave NW and Greenwood Ave N from Ballard, and 15th Ave NE and 25th Ave NE from University District.
By public transit
Northgate Station is the local transit hub.
Link light rail, operated by Sound Transit, stops here. Adult fares are a flat $3.00, regardless of distance; children 18 and under ride for free. A train runs every 8-15 minutes from 5:00 to midnight. All trains come from Lynnwood City Center to the north via Mountlake Terrace and Shoreline, and from University of Washington, Capitol Hill and Downtown to the south after splitting at International District/Chinatown:
- The 1 Line from Downtown Federal Way to the south, via Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Tukwila and South Seattle.
- The 2 Line from Downtown Redmond to the east, via Bellevue and Mercer Island.
Useful King County Metro bus routes from Northgate Station:
- 40 to Downtown through Crown Hill, Ballard, Fremont
- 61 connects NW 85th St & 1st Ave NW in Greenwood to Lake City Way NE & NE 135th in Lake City. Route 61 will serve the stops Route 20 served between Lake City and Wallingford Ave N & N 85th St, then continue west on N 85th St towards Greenwood.
- 67 to University District through the Maple Leaf and Roosevelt neighborhoods, along Roosevelt Ave NE (SB)/12th Ave NE (NB). Connects to ST 522 in Roosevelt Station at 12th Ave NE and NE 65th St
- 75 to University District through Lake City, Sand Point, goes by Children's Hospital, and University Village along NE 125th St & Sand Point Way NE.
- 303 Aurora Village to South Lake Union and First Hill in Seattle. (Weekday peak hours only)
- 322 Kenmore Park & Ride to Lake Union via Northgate
- 345 Aurora Village, Shoreline South/148th St Station, Haller Lake, Northwest Hospital, North Seattle College, Northgate
- 346 Travels mainly on Meridian Ave N between the Shoreline South Station (N 148th) and Aurora Village via N 200th from Meridian
- 348 Richmond Beach, Shoreline, North City, Ridgecrest, Jackson Park (15th Ave NE & NE 145th St);
For other areas in North Seattle (not serving Northgate Station) there are:
- RapidRide Line E, an express service between Downtown and Shoreline along Aurora Ave N
- 5 along Greenwood Ave N to Fremont and Downtown
- 26 from Wallingford and Fremont
- 73 from the University District;
- 372 from the University District to UW Bothell though Lake City, Forest Park and Kenmore.
- Sound Transit 522 runs from Roosevelt Station (12th Ave NE & NE 65th St) to Woodinville through Lake City, Kenmore, UW Bothell/Cascadia College and Bothell. The 522 bus does not serve the Northgate Station and it no longer goes into downtown Seattle.
Get around
By car
Like much of Seattle, going north-south is easy, going east-west is tricky. The east-west routes that are useful on both sides of I-5 are NE Northgate Way and NE 145th Street.
The Northeast and North road sectors are split by Interstate 5, while the Northwest and North road sectors are split by Greenwood Ave N.
Areas south of Northgate and near the rim of water bodies are hilly, so take some caution while driving, especially when it is raining.
By bicycle
The Burke-Gilman Trail runs along the Ship Canal, to the University of Washington, University Village, Magnuson Park, and then along the western rim of Lake Washington. Despite the hilly surroundings, the track is flat as it used to be a railway line.
The Interurban Trail is the former commuter rail line to Everett. It enters Seattle at 145th St along Linden Ave, one block west of Aurora Ave N, and continues as a separate trail until 109th St. From there, Fremont Ave N continues south as a signed bicycle route to the Fremont neighborhood.
See
See Maple Leaf Park
This area used to be a reservoir. It is now drained, replaced by a wide open green area locals used for playing, but the water tower is still standing. As it is the highest spot in North Seattle, you can catch a wonderful panorama of downtown Seattle, Mount Rainier, the Cascades, Lake Washington, and partially blocked Olympic Mountains.
See Warren G. Magnuson Park
Seattle's second-largest park, formerly the Sand Point Naval Air Station. The wide-open spaces of the park support numerous athletic fields and picnic spots, with windsurfing and a boat launch along the Lake Washington shoreline. The buildings remaining from its military days are home to many community organizations and special events.
Do
Events
Do Lake City Summer Festival and Parade
Lake City has a great street fair in late summer, complete with street vendors, food, music and a parade with local kids and performers on up to the SeaFair Pirates. It has a small-town feel while the streets are lined with all sorts of families and crazies from the neighborhood. Fun for all.
Buy
Northgate
This neighborhood is the longstanding retail core of North Seattle. The mall itself has given way to redevelopment, but there's still several blocks of housewares, apparel, and other retail along NE Northgate Way, between I-5 and Roosevelt Way NE.
Elsewhere
Other shopping options are primarily located around Lake City Way NE and NE 125th Street, and around Greenwood Ave and 85th St. Aurora Ave N serves most of the area's appliance and big-box stores.
Eat
Restaurants are scattered throughout the whole area, with larger clusters around Lake City, Greenwood, Wedgwood and along Aurora Ave N. Hole-in-the-wall teriyaki and neighborhood Thai places can be found at most major intersections.
Budget
Eat Burgermaster
Designed to be a drive-thru, but there's limited seating area inside. American style burgers & sandwiches that is not the fast food norm; it is a 60-year-old local family brand that has higher standards. Other items include milkshakes, fish & chips, salads, and snacks.
Eat Family Donut
Very good family-run doughnut shop with excellent donuts and coffee.
Eat Grateful Bread Bakery & Cafe
Grateful Bread is a bakery and cafe that offers handmade bread and pastries, as well as espresso and panini sandwiches. It is predominantly a family spot, especially during the period right before and after school. It is locally owned and has a very casual atmosphere.
Eat Jewel Box Cafe
A quaint and warm cafe under an apartment complex. Bubble tea, coffee and tea with special mixes, sandwiches, breakfast and its house special: crepes.
Eat Pho An
A medium restaurant for a big appetite. Where else would you find pho with oxtail? Humongous & soothing portion of pho, and other accompaniments such as spring roll, fried tofu or banh mi (Vietnamese sandwich).
Eat Taqueria de Pasadita
A food cart that though may not look so crowded (most people have it to-go), but lures regulars for their cheap yet succulent piece of taco and assorted Mexican street grubs. Even they offer traditional drinks such as champurado and horchata.
Mid-range
Eat Chaiyo Thai Cuisine
Thai dishes from all regions north to south. Try its spicy seafood fried rice and Pad See Ew. You can choose the level of spiciness for your dish.
Eat Enat
The area is home to an Ethiopian & Eritrean church and fellow restaurants. Order the injera or the combos which consists of vegetables and/or meat on top of a big piece of bread, very filling for not 1, but 2 people.
Eat Fiddler's Inn
A cabinlike ambiance, fantastic beer on tap, and an eclectic menu of food ranging from vegetarian burritos to some great pizza.
Eat Kona Kitchen
Hawaiian style diner. All day breakfast, Hawaiian lunch and dinner specials. Savour the mac & cheese, mochiko chicken, kalua pig, spam musubi, or for more meat, Da Kanak Attack (lunch only). Rice portion is small and comes in scoops.
Eat Saffron Grill
A fine establishment providing Indian and Mediterranean food. Same owners and same basic menu Taste of India in the U-District. Happy hour food and drink deals from 2PM to 7PM.
Eat Santorini Pizza & Pasta
Neighborhood Italian (with some Greek tones) restaurant known for good food and house wine. The cooks have a tendency to use ample amounts of cheese. Extremely large dessert portions, particularly the baklava.
Eat Wedgwood Broiler
The Wedgwood Broiler offers two distinct microcosms. The bar/lounge includes a healthy mix of patrons of varying ages and trivia nights while the main restaurant area is a considerably more grim affair with geriatric customers lurking in a gloomy, windowless room. Nevermind the aesthetics though. The food here is excellent, including a French dip with some of the best au jus ever created, and a chicken caesar salad with no shortage of chicken. Robust flavors and filling, heavy dishes mean that the non-active should steer clear!
Splurge
Eat Toyoda Sushi
Off-the-wall family-run restaurant specializing in fresh sushi & sashimi. Sit at the bar to see its making and if you aren't picky, ask for whatever they want to make & they will serve you. Specials are spicy tuna bowl and chef's choice. Free appetizer and miso soup.
Drink
True to Seattle form, Starbucks and drive thru coffee huts are everywhere. If you are looking for alcoholic refreshments, there are numerous neighborhood dive bars — just ask around. In general, the farther north you get, the fewer options you have.
Drink Boud's Pinehurst Pub
A dive bar with breakfast all day. Competitions every day such as Trivia Monday (except on football season), pool Tuesdays, beer pong Wednesdays. Daily drink specials. Happy hour 2-4PM & 9-11PM.
Drink Elliott Bay Brewing Company
Its name has spoken as a Seattle local brand. 100% organic barley as malt to brew a myriad of recipes. Drinks & gourmet snacks, none else. Monthly pairing specials also available.
Drink The Rickshaw
Best karaoke in town, and a mai tai that will lay you out. Happy hour is noon-6PM.
Drink Tim's Tavern on 105th
Full fledged bar. Open mic every Tuesday & Sunday. And jamming live music every day. Private patio, beer garden, free parking.
Drink Wedgwood Public House
Locally owned, with great beer and delicious, made from scratch pub food.
Coffee
Drink Cafe Javasti
Gourmet coffee drinks, homemade baked goods, and crepes.
Drink Van Gogh Coffeehouse
Espresso drinks, wine and gelato.
Sleep
Budget travelers can consider staying in North Seattle, as what can be found here is generally inexpensive. However, avoid Aurora Avenue's motels especially the off-brands that quote hourly rates. Staying at the slightly pricier national chain inns, while not fully keeping you away from the sketchy areas, are still safer and saner.
Stay safe
Aurora Ave N, especially between 85th St and 125th St, is something of a red-light district. Walking around in the evenings is looking for trouble. The surrounding residential areas become quiet and calm again a few blocks in either direction.
Lake City frequently cycles between up-and-coming gentrification and sketchiness. Avoid walking along Lake City Way NE at night as robbery and muggings are not uncommon (albeit isolated).
A few areas are not well-lit by street lights, and sidewalks are much less prevalent than in other parts of the city.
Nearby
Shoreline
City / town · 9 listings · 3 mi away
Mountlake Terrace
City / town · 8 listings · 5 mi away
Kirkland
City / town · 20 listings · 6 mi away
Bothell
City / town · 17 listings · 7 mi away
Edmonds
City / town · 26 listings · 7 mi away
Woodinville
City / town · 6 listings · 8 mi away
Lynnwood
City / town · 10 listings · 8 mi away
Bellevue
City / town · 62 listings · 9 mi away
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