Best Hotels Near Campus, Must-See Campus Spots, and Top Seattle Attractions To See In One Day
College visits are typically a fast and furious exploration of a place. If you are visiting a large city like Seattle, it can be even more of a challenge to figure out what to see in a short amount of time.
If you are visiting the University of Washington campus in Seattle, it’s a great time to also check out some of the incredible attractions this beautiful city has to offer.
Having researched all of this for my own daughter’s college tour of the University of Washington, I’m sharing everything that we learned before and during our simply awesome visit.
Find out the closest hotels, best places to eat, and what to see and do both on campus and around Seattle. Everything you need to know!
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Hotels Near University of Washington Seattle
These are the hotels closest to the University of Washington (UW) campus. They are less than a 10 minute walk to the campus, the eateries and shops on the popular “Ave”, and they are all close to the University District Station for Seattle’s public transport on the light rail.
You can’t go wrong with any of these hotels near UW.
- Staypineapple Waterton Hotel
- Staypineapple University Inn
- Graduate By Hilton Seattle
- Residence Inn By Marriott University District
Map Courtesy of Google Maps and annotated.
We have stayed at both the Pineapple hotels and really liked both. I might like the Waterton Hotel a smidge more for its cafe in the lobby, but just go with whichever hotel has the best price.
I like that both Pineapple hotels offer a free drink (beer, wine, sodas, water) from their cooler upon arrival and also offer refillable water bottles in your room. Rooms have a refrigerator as well. They also offer free use of their bikes if you’d rather two-wheel it than walk. (See more about that below).
The Graduate offers a rooftop bar with city views which sounds fun, but they do not offer a refrigerator in the rooms. Like the Pineapple hotels, they also offer free bike rentals.
The Residence Inn is more of a suite setup with a kitchenette which could be nice if staying a few days.
Note that all of these hotels charge for parking and may have additional “resort fees.”
Tip: Portage Bay Cafe on Roosevelt is a good neighborhood option for brunch.
Check out current prices of the hotels closest to University of Washington. Another good option, but further away from UW, would be to stay in the downtown area near the Westlake Station and take the light rail up to UW (just 3 stops). See hotels near the Westlake Station.
Do I Need A Car?
Traffic in Seattle is fairly insane and parking your car in Seattle is even more problematic. If you do have a car, I recommend parking it at the hotel and using the light rail system.
Taking the Light Rail From SeaTac to U-District
If you are flying to Seattle, you can take the light rail from SeaTac Airport to the UDistrict station and easily walk to the hotels above. Seattle’s light rail system is easy to navigate, and the SeaTac webpage has all the info you need including directions to the airport station, maps, and videos.
Note that the University of Washington has two stops on the line:
- UDistrict Station– close to the main part of campus and the hotels near campus
- University of Washington Station– closer to Husky Stadium and the medical center
It takes about 45 minutes on the light rail from SeaTac to the UDistrict station, which is the one you want for the hotels close to campus.
- Staypineapple Waterton Hotel
- Staypineapple University Inn
- Graduate By Hilton Seattle
- Residence Inn By Marriott University District
From the UDistrict Station, it is just 3 stops to the Westlake Station (less than a 15 minute ride) to visit Seattle’s popular tourist attractions like Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium. See the light rail station stops here.
Get An ORCA Card
You’ll need to get an ORCA card, available from kiosks at most stations, or you can order online ahead of your visit. Download the ORCA app to pre-load fare money, and use it to pay fares for all modes of public transportation in Seattle: the light rail, monorail, buses, water taxis, and ferries.
Tour The University of Washington Campus
What a beautiful campus! You’ll likely be taking a tour offered by UW, but if you just want to mosey around be sure to check out the following:
What To See On Campus
Take a walk from The Quad through Red Square to the Drumheller Fountain with views of Mount Ranier (on a clear day!). At Red Square, be sure to stop off at the beautiful Reading Room in the Suzallo Library.
The Quad
One of the most beautiful areas of campus and especially stunning in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom (a major tourist attraction by the way).
The Suzallo Library
An amazingly beautiful sample of Gothic architecture, and don’t miss the soaring ceiling and stained glass windows in the Reading Room. It is often compared to Hogwarts Great Hall from the Harry Potter series. It’s open to the public, so come on in but remember that students are hard at work here!
Red Square
Red Square is a large red brick-lined plaza where something seems to always be going on. You’ll find lots of students walking to and from class here as well as student activists promoting their causes, University clubs recruiting members, skateboarders, the occasional singers, and more.
Drumheller Fountain
Drumheller Fountain is surrounded by beautiful flower gardens and offers a perfectly framed view of Mt. Ranier in the distance on a clear day. Seattle’s weather isn’t the most accommodating, but we were one of the lucky ones to see it during our short stay!
Greek Row
A stroll through Greek Row provides a nice sampling of architectural styles. UW has both fraternity and sorority houses, and many are quite beautiful. Mostly built in the 1920’s and 1930’s, the architecture and history is quite interesting. The Phi Gamma Delta house near 45th and 17th is an excellent example of the architecture of this period.
See this article from the University of Washington Magazine on the history and architecture of Greek Row.
Residence Halls
You can walk by one of the dorm areas in North Campus to get a sense of student residence life- Spratlen Hall (formerly Madrona Hall) is a good example of student housing. See UW’s Guide To Student Resident Halls.
What To See Near The University Of Washington
All of these places are within walking distance of the University of Washington campus.
“The Ave“
This street, officially named University Way on maps and street signs, serves as the main commercial corridor nearest to campus. Commonly known as “The Ave”, you’ll find dozens of affordable eateries here and a nice sprinkle of thrift shops and stores.
The University Bookstore is also located on the Ave and is the place to go to find all the UW swag you need to bring home. It’s also a terrific bookstore and coffee shop. P.S. If your teen loves thrifting, there is one right next door.
If you are hungry, Thai Thom (note cash only!), Alladin Falafel Corner, and Don’t Yell At Me (known for their boba tea) are some legendary favorites on the Ave.
Portage Bay Waterfront Area
This lovely waterfront area near campus has two great places to eat: Agua Verde Cafe and St. Bread. It’s about a 15 minute walk from UW’s Quad. See Places to Eat below.
University Village
University Village, a large upscale shopping complex close to campus, has dozens of restaurants and nearly 100 shops. Anthropologie, Gap, Sephora, LuluLemon, Brandy Melville, Apple, and many more national brands and boutiques can be found here. If you are looking for fresh bagels and a yummy schmear, Hey Bagel is delicious!
Places To Eat Near The University of Washington
Agua Verde Cafe– I love this place and the fun vibe right on the water of Portage Bay and within walking distance of campus. Great tacos, local craft beers, and water views. You could make an afternoon of it and rent kayaks ($24/hr) there as well.
St. Bread– Located just down the street from Agua Verde, it’s a popular breakfast spot with a wide variety of pastries and a few breakfast sandwiches. Outdoor seating is nice in good weather. I recommend getting a sampling of their tasty pastries. P.S. The cardamon knot is a winner!
Alladin Falafel Corner– Located on the “Ave”, this is a fast and affordable option that tastes great. I would go back again for the chicken shawarma, and the Greek fries are apparently a late night staple for the college crowd. It’s a small place with a few tables if you want to eat there after ordering.
Thai Thom– Located on the “Ave”, I can’t get enough of their green curry. It’s a small place with just a handful of tables, so it’s a good option for takeout to the hotel. Note that it is cash only.
Portage Bay Cafe– Breakfast and lunch place close to Waterton Hotel and University Inn. A perfect place for brunch. If you want to take the light rail to Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, OddFellow’s Cafe is another great brunch option and conveniently located right next door to a fantastic (and huge) indie bookstore- Elliott Bay Book Company.
Costas On The Ave– They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner but are known for their all day breakfast menu as well as their all-day bottomless mimosas.
Toasted– Located near campus. Terrific bagel sandwiches and coffee shop. Nice place to dine in or grab and go. I loved the lox bagel and turmeric chai.
What To See In Seattle In One Day
If you are visiting the University of Washington, it’s a great opportunity to see some of the major tourist sites in Seattle. Here are a few ideas:
Explore Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is an iconic Seattle landmark and easily identified by the bright red “Public Market Center” sign and clock located at the corner of Pike Street and Pike Place.
If you have time to visit one place during your visit to UW, I would recommend going to Pike Place, especially if you are hungry!
The market occupies several blocks and is filled with restaurants, food stalls, local artists, retail shops, beautiful fresh flower stalls, and a farmer’s market. Make sure to check out the lower level as well!
You can take the light rail from either the UDistrict Station or University of Washington Station to the Westlake Station downtown. From here it’s a short 5 minute walk to Pike Place.
Pike Place Shops
One of the most popular tourist stops at Pike Place is to witness the “fish throw” at Pike Place Fish Market. The practice of throwing fish is actually part of doing business here, not an act. And by the looks of it, flying fish draws a big crowd around here!
It’s fun to wander around the market, select a souvenir from one of the booths, and try some food from one of the many unique Pike Place eateries (see our recommendations below). It can be a busy place, so arrive before 10am if you want to avoid the height of the crowds. It isn’t fun to push through the throngs, especially with kids, so early is definitely better, especially in summer.
In addition to the booths on the main floor, these are some of the interesting shops we visited downstairs or nearby: Metsker Maps (On 1st Ave near the Pike Place Market), Miniature Car Dealer, House of Jade, Animal Gifts & Collectibles, and Old Seattle Paper Works.
The Gum Wall
If you want to see something really bizarre and slightly gross, check out the Gum Wall, an alley filled with chewed gum stuck to every surface imaginable.
If inside the market, look for a sign to the gum wall that takes you downstairs and leads you outside. Or, you can access it from a ramp to the left of the “Public Market Center” clock sign. At the bottom of the ramp, veer left into Post Alley. It is something!
Pike Place Eateries
Along with the famous “flying fish”, Pike Place Market has a number of food stands that are fun to try. It would be super fun to take a food tour of the market. Here are some standouts from our visit:
Peroshsky Peroshky- You just can’t go wrong with any of the turnovers at this Eastern European Bakery. The smoked salmon and apple cinnamon peroshskis are favorites. They are served warm, and I recommend ordering several to sample and share. There is no indoor seating, so order and take it with you to one of the tables outside.
Le Panier is next door if you are more in the mood for a French Bakery. Try the macarons. So good! Note that it has limited seating.
Tip: You can take your to-go food to the outdoor picnic tables located just outside of Le Panier and Peroshky’s, or cut through the covered open-air market and look for the outdoor tables with views of the water and Ferris wheel.
Totem Smokehouse– Bring home some gourmet smoked salmon to enjoy at home or as a gift to those you left behind!
On my next visit, I want to try the BBQ buns at Mee Sum Pastry and the gorgeous sandwiches at Michou Deli. Both get rave reviews.
Old Stove Brewing– Located on the waterfront near Pike Place, this is a huge place with indoor and outdoor seating. The food is really good as is their beer.
Tables with a view at Pike Place Market 
The salmon piroshsky 
Flowers at the Market Iconic Pike Place Market Sign
Go To The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP)
Three of Seattle’s major tourists attractions, Museum of Pop Art (MoPOP), the Space Needle, and Chilhuly Glass and Garden Museum, are located close by to each other, so you can visit one or possibly all in an afternoon after visiting Pike Place in the morning.
For us, the Space Needle seemed too expensive to experience a view, and the Chilhuly Glass Museum seemed too low key, so we tackled the Museum of Pop Art ($36.50) and had so much fun!
Note that you can get a discounted combo ticket ($69) for the Space Needle and Chilhuly Glass Museum or consider the Seattle C3 Pass ($102) to save money on tickets to all three.
At MoPOP, you can explore a variety of interesting movie and music star memorabilia as well as costumes. The sci-fi room and horror room are quite impressive as was the Jimi Hendrix Room.
In addition to the exhibits, the interactive Sound Lab was a blast and definitely a highlight. You can play guitar, bang on drums, produce a song, sing in vocal booths with microphones, and pretend to be the rock star that you know you are!
I would plan at least two hours here, and you can leave and return with your ticket same day. They also have a restaurant on site that looked pretty good.
To get to MoPOP and the Space Needle, take the monorail from Westlake Center (5th & Pine) to the Seattle Center. The monorail only goes between the two, so you don’t have to worry about which stop to get off. Exit and walk a short distance to MoPOP following the signs.
Guitar Sculpture at MoPOP 
MoPOP horror wing 
MoPOP Sound Lab 
MoPOP Sound Lab
Seattle Aquarium
If you have more time or enjoy aquariums, the Seattle Aquarium is located near Pike Place on the downtown waterfront. This could be a good place to visit for a couple of hours, especially if the weather is bad.
On a previous visit, we enjoyed seeing the octopus tank, the hands on tidal pools, and playful sea otters. If short on time though, I preferred the Museum of Pop Culture.
Sip A Beer At A Seattle Brewery
There is no shortage of craft breweries in Seattle if you enjoy a nice pint. We biked to these breweries from the UW campus on the Burke-Gilman Trail. More on that below!
GasWorks Brewery– An amazing outdoor patio on the water. It even has its own dock. Typical pub fare and tasty brews in a great atmosphere. Also has indoor seating. Located near GasWorks Park which has nice views of the Seattle skyline.
Fremont Brewing– Delicious beers and a large covered beer garden. A food truck is available Wed-Sundays, and you can order sandwiches from the bar. Also accessible from the Burke-Gilman Trail if you’re inclined to bike there. It’s a 5 min walk to the Fremont Troll Sculpture if you want to check that out while there.
Seattle Eater has a list of the top breweries in Seattle, and Fremont Brewing made the list.
Try The Local Seafood
You’ll find plenty of seafood restaurants in Seattle. We tried these two:
Ivar’s Salmon House- Established in 1938, Ivar’s is an institution in Seattle. Located on the waterfront, fresh seafood is served with excellent views of Puget Sound. The dining room is filled with Northwest native art and decor, but the atmosphere feels a bit stale despite the view.
The place does seem a bit frozen in time, but it’s still worth a visit for seafood with a view of the water. Plus, they have a kids menu. For grab and go, they also have a “to go” counter at the front of the building. Ivar’s is also walkable (takes about 15 minutes) from the University Inn near UW .
Ray’s Boathouse– Reservations may be needed if dining for dinner, but we had a fantastic lunch at their 2nd floor Ray’s Cafe. The Seafood Cioppino was amazing. It’s about a 30 minute drive from UW campus or downtown.
Bike The Burke-Gilman Trail
If it’s a sunny day in Seattle, and you’re not a stranger to a bicycle, exploring the city’s bike trails is a great way to spend an afternoon. The Burke-Gillman Trail, a rails to trails path, is conveniently located close to the UW campus.
It’s a nice paved trail running over 19 miles from Golden Gardens Park on its western end to Blyth Park on its eastern end.
With our free bike rentals from the University Inn, we biked the 7 mile section of the Burke-Gilman Trail from the University of Washington campus to Golden Garden Park for a total of about 15 miles.
The paved trail is a nice wide path, relatively flat, and convenient for a number of cool stops along the way. With a few very short excursions from the main trail, we were able to visit the following places:
- GasWorks Brewery– Nice patio on the water
- Gas Works Park– Excellent views of the sky line here and the remnants of the old gasification plant are surprisingly beautiful.
- Fremont Brewing– Lovely beer garden and fantastic IPAs
- Ballard Locks– Such an interesting (and free) place to visit. Highly recommend.
- Ray’s Boathouse– Excellent seafood with views.
- Golden Gardens Park– A beautiful public beach.
Bike Rentals
As mentioned above, several hotels in the UW area offer bikes for use, and we brought our bike helmets from home. You can also rent bikes from Recycled Cycles near UW campus.
Another option would be to use the e-bike sharing service, Lime, available from numerous spots throughout the city. You’ll need to get the Lime app and create an account to find and unlock the bikes for use.
Our bike from University Inn parked at Gas Works Park. Great views of the Seattle skyline.
Happy Trails!
I know you’ll have a fantastic visit to the University of Washington and hopefully be able to check out some of Seattle’s best attractions like Pike Place Market and MoPOP. I am looking forward to a return trip to try more of the eateries in Pike Place, and weather permitting, bike the other section of the Burke-Gilman Trail. Happy Trails!- Amy
Check out current prices of the hotels closest to University of Washington. Another good option, but further away from UW, would be to stay in the downtown area near the Westlake Station and take the light rail up to UW (just 3 stops). See hotels near the Westlake Station.
Also see our tips for a simply awesome day in North Cascades National Park– North Cascades National Park In One Day.
