5 Timeless U-District Adventures
By: Ellen Frierson, Manager of Education Programs
Have you recently moved to Seattle’s University District? Have you lived there for a couple years already? For anyone looking to explore the “U-District,” the diverse and dynamic neighborhood located alongside the UW campus, check out the these must-see spots!
Students getting ready to kayak at the Waterfront Activities Center (WAC)!
Photo taken pre-2020 by FIUTS.
Conveniently located near the UW Light Rail Station, the UW’s Waterfront Activity Center is an easy place to go to rent a kayak, a canoe, or a rowboat and enjoy paddling around the beautiful Union Bay Natural Area. This location is great for birdwatching and for enjoying the sunshine of late summer and early fall! You must make a reservation in advance this season, and be sure to check out the guidelines for social distancing and other precautions on their website before you go.
Cost: $18 or $20 per boat (discounted for UW students with a Husky card)
Washington Park Arboretum is beautiful even on a cloudy autumn day.
Photo by Ellen Frierson.
2. Explore the Washington Park Arboretum
The Arboretum is an incredible place to explore close to campus. Take a long walk on the many well-maintained paths and trails, or take a leisurely bike ride on the Arboretum Loop Trail. It’s a unique way to see the wide variety of trees and plants that thrive in our region, at all times of the year. The website includes detailed maps of trails and seasonal tours.
Cost: Free
U-District Farmer’s Markets and Street Fairs are well loved among the student community!
Photo taken by FIUTS pre-2020.
3. Get some fresh produce at the U District Farmers Market on Saturdays
Open year-round from 9am-2pm every Saturday, this Farmer’s Market located on NE University Way (“the Ave”) between 50th and 52nd St NE. Pick up produce, flowers, baked goods, honey, and more from farms and orchards in our region. Farmers Markets are implementing health and safety guidelines to keep shoppers safe during COVID-19, and you can also select your items in advance online to pick up at the market.
Cost: Free entry; various prices for items sold
Many appetizing fruits and vegetables are grown in local P-Patch Community Gardens. But take note, while they may look yummy, they also belong to local community members!
Photo by Joe Mabel / CC BY-SA.
4. Visit the local P-Patch Community Gardens
Neighborhoods around Seattle have small community gardens called P-Patches, where neighbors can cultivate their own food and flowers in individual plots, grow fresh produce to donate to food banks, gather in shared spaces, and create beautiful patches of green space in urban areas that are open to the public. Located at 4009 8th Ave NE, the U District P-Patch, it’s a great place to stop by and see what’s growing.
Cost: Free
In autumn, fall leaves decorate the Burke Gilman Trail to create a truly stunning image.
Photo by Joe Mabel / CC BY-SA.
Stretching 18.8 miles from Bothell to Seattle’s Golden Gardens Park, the Burke Gilman Trail is a popular destination for walkers and cyclists. You can access this paved trail at many locations, including right by the UW campus. It’s a great option for commuting as well as just to take a long walk or ride to explore the city. The trail has a lot of bike and foot traffic and runs through areas with car traffic as well, so be aware of sharing the space with other walkers and cyclists, and exercise caution when crossing roads.