Fun Places to Visit near the University of Washington Campus

Nestled along the shores of Lake Washington, the University of Washington has a gorgeous campus that includes all of the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Students walk to class every day along the lush greenery, shining blue waters, and under the watchful eye of nearby Mount Rainier. 

In addition to the scenery, the University of Washington has a ton of exciting things due to its proximity to Seattle. The Emerald City is just a stone’s throw away from the university campus, making life at UW always fun and exciting. Whether you just want to hang out with other UW students or head into the city for a night on the town, there are plenty of fun places to visit near UW.

Apart from its academic excellence, UW is a university campus located in a vibrant and exciting city, with plenty of things to see and do. If you're a student at UW or visiting the University of Washington district or campus, there are fun places to visit near the University of Washington campus are numerous fun places to visit nearby. In this blog, we'll explore some of the top fun places to visit near the University of Washington campus.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

305 Harrison Street Seattle, WA 98109

Get inspired for class and check out the wondrous beauty of glass at Chihuly Garden and Glass, located in Seattle. This beautiful exhibition features the work of artist Dale Chihuly which explores all that glass can do. Chihuly pushes the boundaries of glass, and you’ll be in awe of the sizes, shapes, and colors that such a fragile material can become. 

Space Needle

400 Broad Street Seattle, WA 98109

Although this iconic structure is hard to miss no matter where you live near the UW campus, many residents have never actually taken the official tour. Feel free to wear your tourist hat and take the official Space Needle tour. There are two new levels of glass to experience at the top, including the world’s only revolving glass floor. 

You can take all the photos you want of the area from the top and may even spot your own place! 

Drumheller Fountain

Want to stay on campus and take in the beauty of Mt. Rainier? Head to the Drumheller Fountain, a showstopping fountain named in 1961. The fountain, also known as Frosh Pond, includes a large outer ring of water with a large spot in the middle. 

Follow along the avenue to the Southeast, and you’ll see Mount Rainier in the distance. Although the mountain is about 60 miles away, it creates a unique and beautiful backdrop to the already gorgeous UW campus. The view is incredible and one of the highlights of the whole university campus.

Pike Place Market

1531 Western Avenue Seattle, WA 98101

Another Seattle icon that is super fun to visit is Pike Place Market, known for its flying fishmongers and local fares. Pike Place Market was founded in 1907 and is one of the oldest public markets still in existence today. 

You’ll find a wide variety of stalls that include the freshest catch from nearby Puget Sound, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables from local farms. You’ll know you are in the right place when you find the famous “Public Market Center” sign! From that point, explore over 9 acres of historic shops that make up the entirety of Pike Place Market. 

UW Waterfront

Did you know that the university has waterfront access from campus for canoes and kayaks? The unique location of the University of Washington allows students and the public to enjoy Lake Washington by getting in the water. 

You can rent a canoe or kayak from the UW Waterfront and explore the nearby canals, waterways, and shorelines of the lake. It is best to check out the lake during the warmer months, primarily May through August. However, the UW Waterfront is still open for rentals on select days in September and October as well.

UW Medicinal Herb Garden

Want to learn more about plants and their natural attributes? The UW Medicinal Herb Garden is a great place to wander while you sip your favorite cup of coffee. Located between the Botany Greenhouse and Benson Hall, the UW Medicinal Herb Garden has hundreds of plants that bloom in various seasons. 

Harvesting the plants is strictly prohibited, but you can enjoy the plants and learn more about them by reading the placards near each variety. 

Madison Park Beach

1900 43rd Avenue East Seattle, WA 98112

While Seattle is a far cry from the pristine beaches of sunny Southern California, there are beaches to check out despite the colder temperatures. Madison Park Beach is just across the bridge campus and is worth checking out. 

While you won’t find a bunch of sandy beach space, there is a nice swimming hole and diving boards, as well as plenty of green grass to lay out on. Madison Park Beach is always brimming with activity and is a great place to people-watch as well. 

Lumen Field

800 Occidental Avenue South Seattle, Wa 98134

Cheer on the Seattle Seahawks or Seattle Sounders at iconic Lumen Field. This outdoor stadium is home to these two inspiring professional teams and houses concerts and other events year-round. 

Being inside this stadium is an experience by itself in that the unique architecture and design create a very loud experience. The decibel level can get quite high at Lumen Field, so bring your ear protection if you think you’ll need it!

Seattle Roastery

1124 Pike Street Seattle, WA 98101

We can’t talk about anything in Seattle and not mention the coffee, right? Starbucks started in the Emerald City, making it the mecca for anyone who loves that hot bean juice. Seattle is home to some of the best coffee in the world. 

You can book a tour at the Seattle Roastery to learn more about how the infamous coffee is sourced and has changed over the years. Any coffee lover would love to visit this fun place near the UW campus!

Underground Seattle Donut Tour

What goes better with donuts than coffee? For the ultimate fun for your taste buds, check out the Underground Seattle Donut Tour, which features four unique donut shops in town. You’ll get to learn all about the donut culture scene (yes, it is a thing), plus the history of each shop. 

Many of the shops offer unique flavor combinations and options that you may not have ever picked out before. The Underground Seattle Donut Tour is a fun activity to check out to find your own favorite donut flavor and shop.

Museum of Pop Culture

325 5th Avenue North Seattle, WA 98105

Are you interested in all things pop culture? The Museum of Pop Culture also referred to as MoPOP, is a must-see stop for any Seattle University student. You’ll find an extensive collection of all things that have made a difference in the pop culture world, including guitars, science fiction, and a heavy dose of grunge and hip-hop love. 

The museum features plenty of other programs on top of the exhibits, making it a place to visit again and again. Admission includes access to 12 exhibitions, making it worth the effort to head on over on the next rainy day.

Gas Works Park

Gas Works Park is an expansive 19.1-acre public park situated close to the University of Washington campus in Seattle, providing stunning views of Lake Union and downtown Seattle from its 191 acres of space. Constructed on what used to be a gasification plant site, parts of its machinery and infrastructure can still be seen throughout Gas Works Park.

Gas Works Park is an idyllic outdoor venue perfect for picnics, kite flying and other recreational activities. Additionally, it is an excellent vantage point from which to watch seaplanes take off and land on Lake Superior. Throughout summer days there is also an assortment of concerts, outdoor movies and kite festivals held here at this park.

Henry art gallery

Henry Art Gallery at the University of Washington Campus. Established in 1927, it has an expansive collection of modern and contemporary art and is recognized as the oldest public art museum in Washington State. Renowned for thought-provoking exhibitions that push traditional artistic forms further, the Henry Art Gallery stands as an institution.

The Henry Art Gallery provides visitors with a host of public programs, from artist talks and lectures to workshops. Visitors can explore its permanent collection or one of many temporary exhibits that rotate throughout the year - perfect for art enthusiasts looking for cutting-edge contemporary works! The Henry Art Gallery should not be missed!

Golden gardens park

Golden Gardens Park in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood offers a breathtaking beachfront park, just a short distance from the University of Washington campus and offers views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains and its skyline. Covering an 87-acre space this picturesque beachfront park has something special to offer visitors from the stunning shoreline park to beautiful oceanfront spaces offering panoramic ocean vistas to Seattle skylines views - no need for further travels!

Golden Gardens Park provides visitors with many activities, from picnicking and sunbathing to sunbathing and swimming. There's also a boat launch, fishing pier, hiking trails, concerts and beach volleyball tournaments throughout the summer months!

Golden Gardens Park's beach is one of the main draws, boasting sandy shorelines and shallow waters that are ideal for wading and swimming. Visitors can watch the sunset over the water as they admire nature around them.

Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture

Located on the University of Washington campus, the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture is one of the oldest and most significant natural history museums in the Pacific Northwest. Boasting an expansive collection of fossils, rocks and minerals, plants, animals and cultural objects.

The Burke Museum provides exhibits and programs suitable for visitors of all ages, such as hands-on activities, guided tours and lectures. One of its most beloved features is its T. rex skull exhibit; it's one of the largest complete skulls ever discovered in the Pacific Northwest region.

Seattle Japanese Garden

This gorgeous and relaxing garden can be found just minutes from the University of Washington campus in the Madison Park neighborhood of Seattle, just 3.5 acres covering the area with traditional Japanese elements such as koi ponds, waterfalls and stone lanterns.

The Garden is a beloved spot for nature enthusiasts and provides a peaceful respite from city life. Visitors can take part in guided tours, tea ceremonies and cultural events throughout the year.

Fremont Troll

The Fremont Troll is a distinctive public sculpture located in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood, not too far from the University of Washington campus. This whimsical artwork depicts a giant troll lurking underneath Aurora Bridge with a Volkswagen Beetle in its hand - perfect for taking selfies!

The Fremont Troll has become an iconic landmark of the Fremont neighborhood and draws visitors from far and wide, drawing them in for photos with its iconic figure while discovering nearby galleries, shops, and restaurants. Visitors can take pictures with its sculpture or explore nearby contemporary art galleries, shops and restaurants that make Fremont an exciting neighborhood destination.

Woodland Park Zoo

Woodland Park Zoo, one of the premier zoos in Seattle's Phinney Ridge neighborhood and only minutes away from the University of Washington campus, boasts over 1000 animals from around the globe; including elephants, giraffes, tigers and gorillas. Covering an expansive 92 acres and covering more than 90 species such as elephants giraffes tigers and gorillas!

The zoo provides exhibits and programs suitable for visitors of all ages, such as animal encounters, tours behind-the-scenes and educational programs. It also hosts various events throughout the year - ZooTunes concerts, Brew at the Zoo beer festivals and holiday light displays.

Lake Washington

Lake Washington is an expansive freshwater lake located near the University of Washington campus and covering over 22 square miles. This expansive body of water offers many recreational activities, such as boating, fishing, swimming and kayaking.

Washington Park Arboretum, located just south of the University of Washington campus, is one of Lake Washington's premier destinations. Covering 230 acres with various gardens, trails and natural areas - as well as educational programs - visitors can take guided tours, attend educational programs or simply explore its vast collection of plants and trees.

Seattle Center

Seattle Center, located just north of downtown Seattle and near the University of Washington campus, offers cultural and entertainment attractions like its signature Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture and Pacific Science Center. Covering an area of 74 acres, Seattle Center also houses the Washington Aquarium as part of a unique experience for its guests.

Seattle Center offers visitors an abundance of activities to experience, from live performances and art exhibits to educational programs and stunning city views from its Space Needle observation deck. Meanwhile, its Museum of Pop Culture houses exhibits on music, film, and popular culture.

University Village

University Village is a popular shopping and dining destination located just a few miles east of the University of Washington campus. The outdoor mall features a variety of upscale stores, including Apple, Crate & Barrel, and Pottery Barn, as well as a range of restaurants and cafes.

Visitors to University Village can browse the shops, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the outdoor ambiance of the mall. The mall also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including live music performances, food festivals, and holiday celebrations.

Young professionals flock to this area because of the access to nature. There are so many green spaces, trails, hikes, and parks to choose from to keep you busy for months, maybe even years! The natural beauty of the UW campus, paired with the location on the water and the city skyline, is something that is truly unique. 

Get out and explore around your UW Off-Campus Housing to find all of the natural beauty and wonder that the Seattle area has to offer. Head to the beach, go out on the water or check out one of the many museums and iconic landmarks of the city. No matter the weather, there is always something fun to do near UW at any time of the year.