University District

Understand

The area, originally a Duwamish settlement, started growing rapidly in the 1890s. The University of Washington relocated here from downtown (on University St) in 1895, then expanded into the fairgrounds left over from the 1909 Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition, a world's fair highlighting the development of the Pacific Northwest in the wake of the Alaska Gold Rush. Its blend of Gothic Revival and more modern architecture makes it one of the most beautiful university campuses in the country.

Today, there are over 50,000 students enrolled at UW, the largest university campus on the West Coast and a hub for the northwest's youth culture.

Get in

By car

From Interstate 5 (I-5) take NE 45th-50th Streets (Exit 169), NE Ravenna Blvd (Exit 170), or briefly head east on SR-520 to Montlake Blvd.

From WA Highway 520, take Montlake Blvd NE north. WA-520 crosses Lake Washington to connect I-5 in Seattle to Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond. The Evergreen Point Floating Bridge is tolled with rates that vary by the time of day. There are no toll booths. If the vehicle has a "Good to Go" sticker on the windshield, the toll is deducted from a prepaid account. Otherwise, transponders take a picture of the license plates, front and back, and mail the bill to the registered owner.

The Montlake Bridge connects 24th Ave NE from Capitol Hill and Central District to Montlake Blvd (WA Highway 513) and Pacific St, past UW Medical Center and Husky Stadium and along the east side of UW campus.

The Roosevelt Bridge connects Eastlake Ave from Eastlake and South Lake Union to Roosevelt Ave and 11th Ave.

Parking on the campus is very expensive, up to $15 per day, although it's free after noon on Saturdays and all day Sundays. The vast E-1 lot east of campus on Montlake Blvd is a relative bargain at $7, but without a university ID, you'll have to pay in all quarters! Street parking is more plentiful further away from the campus.

By public transit

Link light rail, operated by Sound Transit, has three stops in the U-District. It makes its way to Downtown in about ten minutes. From south to north:

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, Shoreline and Northgate, and from 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. It makes its way to the airport in about 45 minutes.
• The 2 Line from Downtown Redmond to the east, via Bellevue and Mercer Island.

King County Metro runs numerous bus routes to many outlying neighborhoods. The Light Rail stations above are also bus transfer hubs. Use routes 48 and 49 to Capitol Hill, 31/32 to Fremont, 44 to Ballard, 45 to Greenwood and Lake Union, 48 to the Central District, 67 to Northgate, 65 to Wedgewood, 372 to Lake City, and 75 to Sand Point. From University Ave routes 45, 71, 73, and 373 travel to the Link Station making connections easy. The campus has excellent and wide-ranging commuter bus services with Sound Transit (to eastside (542, 556) and Tacoma (586)); and King County Metro to the eastside suburbs & cities of Issaquah via Bellevue (271) and Kirkland (255).

By bicycle

The Burke-Gilman Trail runs along the north side of the Ship Canal, from Ballard and Fremont, through campus, University Village, and on to Magnuson Park, the western rim of Lake Washington and the Eastside. Despite the hilly surroundings, the track is flat as it used to be a railway line.

Stay safe

The U-District isn't an entirely safe place late at night. If you find yourself walking down the Ave (University Way) at late hours, there will typically be fewer people loitering on the east side of the street. The number of panhandlers and "Ave Rats", as the homeless teen population is referred to, increases as you travel northbound, particularly past NE 45th St. The University campus is considered pretty safe. Seattle is, however, a very tame city, and the Ave Rats tend to be harmless runaways more interested in spare change and each other than anything else. Indeed, the large student population of the neighborhood allows them to 'blend in' and escape in the neighborhood in a way they cannot anywhere else in the state: don't bother them and they won't bother you.

There have been increased incidents in the area east of "The Ave." between 45th and 65th where the student housing is. While walking late at night is still generally safe, it is better to walk in groups and to avoid poorly lit streets if possible.

If you are visibly female and have to walk at night, try avoiding "The Ave" from about 47th to 52nd because for some strange reason, women tend to be harassed more frequently on this stretch of "The Ave" than on other parts. It is recommended to head west and go down Brooklyn, but even as far as Roosevelt Way and then go back to "The Ave" if you can. If you are heading north, stay on the right side of Roosevelt: there is better lighting. The U District is still safer than most parts of the country at night, but precautions are always a good thing.