Accommodations #

On-campus accommodation #

You can book rooms in McCarty Hall at the University of Washington using this reservation link. The deadline to reserve a room is May 30, 2025 (or June 15, but with a $25 late fee), but we would appreciate you registering as soon as possible if you know you will use this option. McCarty Hall is a modern residence hall with single and double occupancy rooms, located on the north side of campus. The lodging unfortunately has non-flexible dates, with a check-in on June 22 and check-out on June 28, as well as a mandatory purchase of dining credits on UW campus. More information is available on the registration link above.

Nearby hotels #

There are a number of hotels in the immediate vicinity of campus, including:

• Graduate Seattle, a boutique hotel located on the north side of campus, with a lovely rooftop bar (The Mountaineers Club) and restaurant.
• College Inn, the last remaining building constructed for the 1909 Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition, with a cozy pub in the basement.
• Univeristy Inn, not to be confused with the College Inn, run by StayPineapple.
• Watertown Hotel, another StayPineapple hotel near campus.
• Residence Inn by Marriott

Transportation #

Seattle has one light rail line that provides convenient access to and from the airport (SEA), the University of Washington, and several points of interest in between.

There is also an extensive network of bus routes for navigating around the city.

Things to do in Seattle and the Surroundings #

Here are a few recommendations of things to do nearby:

• UW campus highlights, as well as some hidden gems
• A list of things to do near UW campus
• Seattle's official tourism website
• Other nearby places:
  • Gas Works Park – nifty decrepit gas works setup in a park on the water; a short walk from campus on the Burke-Gilman Trail
  • Ravenna Park - gorgeous forest-within-a-city, wonderful to walk around in and just a short walk north from campus
  • Volunteer Park – home to the Volunteer Park Conservatory and the Seattle Asian Art Museum
  • Fremont is a neighborhood to the west of the University, reachable by the 44 and 62 bus routes. There are many nice restaurants, bars, venues, and stores worth checking out!
  • Ballard is the historically Nordic region of Seattle, where one can find Fenno-Scandian (i.e. Finnish + Scandinavian) snacks, goods, and even the Nordic Museum
  • Capitol Hill is a historically queer neighborhood with bars (including one of the few remaining lesbian bars in the US, Wild Rose), shops, and local parks
• Some sights:
  • Frommers walking tour of Fremont
  • Pike Place Market (including the original Starbucks)
  • Seattle Center – home to the iconic Space Needle as well as the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), Chihuly Garden and Glass, Pacific Science Center
  • Washington Park Arboretum – The arboretum itself is free but the Seattle Japanese Garden at the south end of the arboretum has an entry fee ($6 for students with ID)
• There are three national parks within 2-3 hours of UW (along with many other nature opportunities even closer):
  • Mount Rainier National Park
  • North Cascades National Park
  • Olympic National Park
• The Trailhead Direct is a bus line from Seattle to several popular trailheads around 30-40 minutes east of the city (the "Issaquah Alps", Mount Si, Mt Tenerife).

Food #

Below are a few recommended restaurants, delineated by neighborhood and cuisine style:

Close to campus, quick, inexpensive #

• A list of food/drink available in the University District, the neighborhood just west of campus can be found here
• Thanh Vi
  • Address: 4226 University Way NE (12 min walk)
  • Entrees $10-15, Vietnamese (Pho and sandwiches)
  • Menu
• Chili’s South Indian
  • Address: 4130 Roosevelt Way NE (12 min walk)
  • Entrees $20, South Indian (dosa etc.)
  • Menu
• Mama's Viet Kitchen
  • 4213 University Way NE
  • Entrees $7-15, Vietnamese with full vegetarian menu
  • Menu
• Village Sushi
  • 5211 University Wy NE
  • Entrees $15-20, Japanese
  • Menu on Yelp
• Samurai noodle
  • 4138 University Way NE
  • Entrees $15-20, Ramen
  • Menu

Further afield, inexpensive to moderately priced #

• Julia’s
  • 4401 Wallingford Ave N (20 minutes by transit)
  • Entrees $15-$30, American traditional, breakfast for lunch
  • Menu
• Gorgeous George’s
  • 7719 Greenwood Ave N (35 min by transit)
  • Entrees $20-60, Mediterranean, Takeout only
  • Menu
• Jebena Cafe
  • 1510 NE 117th St (35 min by transit)
  • Entrees $15-$25, Ethiopian
  • Menu
• Veraci
  • 500 NW Market St (25 min by transit)
  • $6/slice; $11-$30/whole pizza
  • Menu
• Pudge Bros. Pizza
  • 269 NE 45th St (15-20 min by transit)
  • $15-$33, delivers whole pizzas
  • Menu
• Djan’s
  • 264 NE 45th St (10 min by transit)
  • Entrees $15-$20, Thai
  • Menu
• Gordito’s Healthy Mexican
  • 213 NE 85th St (25 min by transit)
  • Entrees $7-17, Mexican (Burritos)
  • Menu
• Taurus Ox
  • 903 19th Ave E (35 min by transit)
  • Entrees $15-18, Lao
  • Menu

Further afield, somewhat pricier (not necessarily "fancy" prices though) #

• Kabul
  • 2301 N 45th St (15 min by transit)
  • Afghan Cuisine
  • Menu
• Monsoon
  • 615 19th Ave E (25-30 min by transit)
  • Vietnamese
  • Menu
• La Carta de Oaxaca
  • 5431 Ballard Ave NW (30 min by transit)
  • Mexican (Oaxacan)
  • Menu
• Ivar’s Salmon House
  • 401 NE Northlake Way (20 min walk, 15 min by transit)
  • Seattle-style seafood
  • Menu
• Chutney’s
  • 1815 N 45th St (15-20 min by transit)
  • North Indian
  • Menu
• Kisaku
  • 2101 N 55th St #100 (25 min by transit)
  • Sushi
  • Menu
• Din Tai Fung
  • 2621 NE 46th St
  • Taiwanese (dumpling house)
  • Menu

Highlights of local food culture (expensive) #

• Pair
  • 5501 30th Ave N
  • Mexican small plates and wine
• Matt’s in the Market
  • 94 Pike St, Suite 32
  • New American cuisine
• Ray’s Boat House
  • 6049 Seaview Ave NW
  • Seattle-style seafood
• Salty’s
  • 1936 Harbor Ave SW
  • Seattle-style seafood
• The Harvest Vine
  • 2701 E Madison
  • Basque
• Nishino
  • 3130 E Madison
  • Sushi
• Cantinetta
  • 3650 Wallingford Ave
  • Italian
• Canlis
  • Lake Union
  • PNW fine dining
• Frank's Oyster House & Champagne Parlor
  • Local seafood
• Communion Seattle
  • 2350 E Union St, Seattle, WA 98122
  • Seattle soul food