The area around the University of Washington is appropriately called the University District. The University District is just three miles north of downtown Seattle on the east side of I-5.

Where is the “U” District?

The University District is found east of Interstate-5 Exit 169. The 6 blocks east of the freeway is the commercial area and the University of Washington is to the southeast. The map to the left shows the location of the University District in RED. Downtown Seattle is located just to the right of the “Elliot Bay” lettering.

The Neighbors

West of I-5 from the U district is the Wallingford neighborhood. East of the University District is the Laurelhurst neighborhood, the boundary is at 35^th Avenue NE. To the north of the University District is the Ravenna Neighborhood starting at NE 50^th Street. The south end of the District is the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

University of Washington

In the spotlight of this neighborhood is the 694-acre University of Washington Campus. The U.W. sits on the shores of Union and Portage Bays and is surrounded with spectacular views of the Olympic and Cascades Mountains. The oldest building on the campus is Denny Hall which the University relocated to in 1985 from downtown Seattle.

Shopping

There are two main shopping and commercial districts within the University District each with their own unique atmosphere.

The “Ave”

University Way Northeast, known as “The Ave” by locals, offers an array of international restaurants and cheap ethnic eats, college-chic shops and boutiques with a wide variety of merchandise from around the world, and entertainment opportunities galore. The major action along “The Ave” is between 42nd and 50th streets, however there are more businesses, shops and restaurants as University Way NE continues north to 58th Street and the entrance to Ravenna Park.

University Village

University Village is an upscale open-air shopping center with both name brand chain stores and local retailers. Some of the anchor stores include Eddie Bauer, Barnes and Noble, The Gap, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn, and Crate and Barrel. There is also a nice selection of restaurants and cafes in U-Village, many of them offering outdoor dining in nice weather. A children’s play area and two beautiful water fountains add to the park like atmosphere created here.

University Village
2623 NE University Village
Seattle, WA 98105

(206) 523-0622

Website: http://www.uvillage.com/

Events

Street Fair

The University district is especially popular among youths and young adults during its annual Street Fair. The Street Fair is a free event with over 400 booths celebrating a variety of international arts, crafts, music, and food, and attracting more than 50,000 people. With two entertainment stages for musicians and performers, a children’s area and food from around the world, this is truly an event for the family to enjoy.

For more information visit the website: http://www.udistrictstreetfair.org/

Recommended Attractions

Museums

The Burke Museum,

University of Washington

NE 45th Street and 17th Avenue NE

Phone: 206-543-5590

www.washington.edu/burkemuseum/

Founded in 1885, the Burke Museum is Washington state's oldest museum. The Burke is the Pacific Northwest's museum for natural history and cultural heritage. This museum features changing exhibits on subjects ranging from current research and discoveries in natural history to the finest traditional and contemporary cultural arts.

Location:

The Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington

Fifth Avenue NE and NE 41st Street

Phone: 206-543-2280
www.henryart.org

MOHAI – Seattle's Museum of History and Industry
www.seattlehistory.org

Theater

Varsity Theatre

The Varsity Theatre features an eclectic mix of Hollywood favorites, independent films and foreign language cinema. It has been operating as a movie theatre since 1940, and in 1985 it expanded upward adding two screens, since there was no room to build outward.. These smaller auditoriums feature comfortable high-back seats with large wall-to-wall screens. The original downstairs auditorium hosts the Varsity Film calendar, whose programming changes quarterly.

Varsity Theatre

4329 University Way N.E.

Seattle, WA 98105

Phone: 206-632-3131

Visit their website.

The Grand Illusion Cinema
1403 N.E. 50th St.

Seattle, WA 98105

Phone: 206-523-3935

http://www.grandillusioncinema.org/

Neptune Theatre

Built in 1921, the Neptune Theatre is one of Seattle's last remaining single-screen theatres. The Neptune's nautical motif and movie-palace grandeur is evident in the concession stand created by a local boat builder, an aqua colored rug, faux stained-glass panels and Neptune god-heads inside the auditorium.

Neptune Theatre

303 N.E. 45th at Brooklyn Avenue

Seattle, WA 98105
Phone: (206) 781-5755

Website: Visit their web site.

The Seven Gables Theatre

911 N.E. 50th Street at Roosevelt

Seattle, WA 98105
Phone: (206) 781-5755

Visit their website.

Originally built in 1925 as a dance hall for the American Legion this cozy little building has shingled sides and a gabled roof. Today, it features a mix of independent films and foreign language cinema, with an occasional Hollywood favorite thrown in for good measure. Although it has a down-home appearance inside and out, the Seven Gables is equipped with modern theatre technology.

The Metro Theatre Cinemas

This was the first 10 screen theatre in Seattle, built in 1989. Serves espresso and pastries in the Cinebar upstairs, where you can also take a peek at the projection booth through a glass wall..
Location: 4500 9^th Ave. N.E.

Phone: 206-633-0055

Visit their website.

Ethnic Cultural Theatre Season

3940 Brooklyn Ave. NE

Box 355650
Seattle, WA 98105
Phone 206.543.7661

.http://depts.washington.edu/ecc

Meany Theatre

for the Performing Arts

UW Arts Ticket Office

4001 University Way NE

Seattle, WA 98105

Phone: 206-543-4880
www.meany.org/

Historic University Theater

Wing It Productions
www.wingitproductions.org/

Wing-It Productions is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization is dedicated to enlightening, educating and entertaining audiences of all ages by producing theatrical events, which explore theater by utilizing its improvisational roots

Giggles Comedy Club

5220 Roosevelt Way N.E.

Seattle Wash, 98105

Phone: 206-526-joke
www.gigglescomedyclub.com

Parks