Seattle/North

North Seattle is a loosely-defined area, often including anything north of the Ship Canal that bisects the city. For the most part, this article covers only the area between 85th Street and the city limits at 145th Street. The neighborhoods to the south are collected in Ballard and the University District; to the north is the suburban city of Shoreline.

Understand
The neighborhoods in North Seattle include those just north of Ballard and west of I-5 (usually considered as "Northwest Seattle"): Crown Hill, Greenwood, Licton Springs, Broadview, Bitter Lake, North Park, and Haller Lake; those east of I-5 (and usually considered "North Seattle"): Lake City, Pinehurst, Victory Heights, Northgate, Maple Leaf, and Wedgwood.

Lake City's main drag, Lake City Way, while still the host of some creepy dive bars, thrift/pawn stores, and used car dealerships, is the focus of most urban development. New restaurants offering international cuisine are opening, and a 24-hour Starbucks is a sign that yuppie culture has arrived in Lake City.

By car
If you are going past the Lake Washington Ship Canal, you are on your way. From the south, most people enter the area from 15th Ave NW & Greenwood Ave N from Ballard, Aurora Ave N from Fremont, Interstate 5 from Downtown, 15th Ave NE & 25th Ave NE from University District. From Shoreline you can follow the same routes. From Interstate 5, you can get off at Lake City Way NE, N 85th Street, N Northgate Way and NE 125th Street.

By bus
The, immediately south/southeast of Northgate mall, is the hub for local service with the following:
 * Link Line 1 to Downtown Seattle via Roosevelt Station (12th Ave NE & NE 65th St); Huskies Stadium/UW Hospital and Capital Hill. Trains continue south from Downtown Seattle to South Seattle, Tukwila Station, Seattle Tacoma International Airport and its last stop at Angle Lake Station in SeaTac. Plans are underway to continue this line north to Lynnwood via Mountlake Terrace Station from Northgate. This replaces the #41 bus.
 * 20 to the University District through North Seattle College and Green Lake neighborhood west of the I-5 corridor. Going the other way it goes to NE 130th St & 35th Ave NE in Lake City. Connects to ST 522 at Lake City Way NE and NE 125th St or 130th St.
 * 40 to Downtown through Crown Hill, Ballard, Fremont
 * 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.
 * 320 Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Lake City, Northgate, South Lake Union
 * 347 Mountlake Terrace, Ballinger Terrace, Ridgecrest, Jackson Park (5th Ave NE & NE 145th St); North City, Northgate
 * 348 Richmond Beach, Shoreline, North City, Ridgecrest, Jackson Park (15th Ave NE & NE 145th St); Northgate

The following are operated by Community Transit and Sound Transit routes to Snohomish County. The 8xx buses no longer go into University of Washington:
 * 512 To Everett via Mountlake Terrace Station, Lynnwood P&R, Ash Way P&R, and South Everett during weekdays and weekends.
 * 513 Sound Transit route to Seamont Transit Center south of Everett via Mountlake Terrace Station, Lynnwood P&R and Eastmont P&R.
 * 810 McCollum Park P&R
 * 821 Marysville
 * 860 McCollum Park P&R
 * 871 Edmonds P&R
 * 880 Mukilteo (Ferry Terminal) via Swamp Creek P&R

Using King County Metro's trip planner in advance is recommended for travel within Seattle and King County and Community Transit's trip planner for travel in Snohomish County.

For other areas in North Seattle not serving Northgate Transit Center there are RapidRide Line E, an express service between Downtown and Shoreline that makes stops along Aurora Ave N, route 5 along Greenwood Ave N to Fremont and Downtown, route 26 from Wallingford and Fremont, route 73 from the University District; and route 372 from the University District to UW Bothell though Lake City, Forest Park and Kenmore. Sound Transit's route 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.

By car
Main routes running north and south are those that you use to get in, plus 5th Ave NE and Roosevelt Way NE. Main routes running east and west are NE Northgate Way and NE 45th Street, that lead towards Lake City Way NE and Sand Point Way NE respectively. 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 bus

 * The same bus routes you use to get in the area also traverses through important points on this neighborhood.
 * RapidRide Line E runs from downtown along Aurora Ave N to Aurora Village Transit Center (NE 200th Street)
 * Route 75 goes to University of Washington from Northgate Transit Center, via NE Northgate Way, Lake City Way NE, NE 125th Street, and Sand Point Way NE.
 * Route 345 & 346 goes to Shoreline (west of Interstate 5) from Northgate Transit Center, via Meridian Ave N. Routes 347 and 348 have the same route but splits after reaching NE 145th Street (city border line), in Seattle they pass through 5th Ave NE, NE Northgate Way, Roosevelt Way NE, Pinehurst Way NE, and 15th Ave NE.

On foot
The Burke-Gilman Trail runs from along the Lake Washington Ship Canal, the University of Washington, University Village, entrance to Magnuson Park, and then runs along the western rim of Lake Washington. Despite the hilly surroundings, the track itself is actually flat for its former use as a railway line, so walking here will not need a lot of effort, but just watch out for bicycles.

See




Buy
Most shopping options are located at or around NE Northgate Way until Roosevelt Way NE, or Lake City Way NE and NE 125th Street. Along Aurora Ave N, most retail options are appliance and bulk stores.



Eat
Restaurant choices are very scattered throughout the whole area. Teriyaki restaurants can be found easily albeit hole-in-the-wall.

Wedgwood is home to several neighborhood gems, including the landmark Wedgwood Broiler, the Wedgwood Ale House (locally owned, with great beer and delicious, made from scratch pub food), and the Fiddlers Inn (with a cabinlike ambiance, fantastic beer on tap, and an eclectic menu of food ranging from vegetarian burritos to some great pizza). Cafe Javasti offers gourmet coffee drinks, homemade baked goods, and crepes, and Cafe Van Gogh serves espresso drinks, wine and gelato.

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 &mdash; just ask around. In general, the farther north you get, the fewer options you have.

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
A few areas are not well-lit by street lights at night, so keep your belongings with you tightly. Avoid walking along Lake City Way NE and Aurora Ave N at night as robbery and muggings are not uncommon (albeit isolated) and both are generally sketchy areas.

Connect
All branches of the Seattle Public Library offer free wireless access. Use of public, internet-connected computers for up to an hour at a time is also free, though if you don't have a SPL library card, you must request a temporary login from the circulation desk.

Wi-fi is de rigueur in any self-respecting coffee shop.