mrbill

NE 45th starts at Interstate 5 and runs a couple of miles past the UW campus over to University Village. To the west (N 45th) lies the Wallingford area, a nice residential area with cool shopping. The most interesting features of NE 45th are it's intersection with University Way ("The Ave") where there is always something going on, especially early evening, and the entrance to the UW campus. NE 45th forms the northern border of the campus and at the entrance you'll find the Burke Museum of Natural History, a fine place to spend an hour or two. 45th also is the southern boundary of Greek Row if you're into girl or guy watching ( a stroll across campus is actually better for that, plus being much more scenic). At the east end of 45th is University Village, great shopping and some fine places to eat. It's a rather steep downhill trek from campus which means a steep uphill trek back so you might consider the car for this portion of your 45th Street adventure.

One of Seattle's better kept secrets I think although most have heard of GasworksPark. Northlake Way offers some beautiful views of downtown Seattle and of the activity on Lake Washington so it's a good pplace to bring the camera. You can bicyle also (on the Burke Gillman Trail) using Northlake as your jump off pont. Kids (of most all ages) love Gasworks Park. Things to climb on, grassy areas, and good kite flying. Stop in at Ivar's for lunch. Ask for an outdoor table if the weather is nice. Northlake is kind of a nondescript street that nevertheless has much going for it.

Ravenna Blvd runs from Green Lake eat to the University Village shopping mall. I borders a couple of parks (Cowen and Ravenna) and if you're walking or jogging you can loop back through the parks. You'll pass through the northern border of UW's Greek Row and you can branch off on University Way where the students hang out or on 17th NW through Greek Row to the UW campus. At the University Village end there's plenty of shopping and good eating. Also plenty of places to eat on University Avenue or in the Green :Lake neighborhood. Traffic is not too heavy and a nice place for a Sunday strool.

Greenwood Ave N between N105th and N 145th is lined with apartment houses, most of them built within the past 10 years. Go a couple of blocks to the east or west and you are in neighborhoods with single family dwellings. Shopping is close by, there's a branch Seattle library on 125th and bus service is excellent. While not much to look at (looks like any other street) this is a nice place to live.

W. Highland Drive run E-W along the southern. slope of Queen Anne Hill. It is a quiet residential street with light traffic. Within walking distance to Seattle Center if you don't mind a steep climb on your return. Stunning views of the city, including the Space Needle, particularly at night. Kerry Park is a well known and pleasant little spot and nearby streets make for a pleasant walk.

NW Richmond Beach Road cuts through a nice residential area featuring both single family residences and many newer apartment buildings. At 20th Ave NW you can go a few blocks south to Richmond Beach Park, one of the nicer saltwater parks in the greater Seattle area. The surrounding area is a great place for family living with nearby shopping and good public transportation. There are medical services in the area and a major hospitlal just minutes away. Also great views of Puget Sound and the Olympic mountains.

Driving on Aurora Avenue on a rainy Seattle day during rush hour is no picnic. Also not a good place to walk at night in some sections.There are nice neighborhoods nearby but not real close to the street itself. Aurora Avenue features plenty of shopping and a few nice restaurants including the rather exclusive Canlis, just south of the George Washington Memorial Bridge (natives call it the Aurora Bridge). The really sweet spot is the area where Aurora skirts Green Lake and cuts through the Woodland Park Zoo where you should spend some time.

Most of the homes in this area rate from the 1950's and 60's but have been well maintained. Also many have a view of Puget Sound which varies from OK to stunning. Friendly neighbors and there are a number of social events scheduled thoughout the year. Adjoins Shoreline Community College and you can walk to the beach if you can find who has the key to the gate at the south end of the community (or if there is a hole in the gate).

There are planty of places to park, I'd recommend at the north entrance. You can take a loop going down one of the paths by Arboretum Drive E and coming back along Azalia Way. This is a "must" visit, often an annual one, for Seattle residents in the spring when the rhododendrons and azalias are in full bloom. Great place to take an our-of-town guest.

Memorial Way is University of Washington campus. Park near the entrance and walk south to mid-campus. Best times to visit are in the summer (less crowded) or in April when the Japanese cherry trees are in full bloom in the "Quad". This is a sightseeing trip more than anything else and a very pleasant walk. If the skies are clear be prepared for a great views of Mt. Rainier as you approach "Red Square".

First Avenue used to be unsafe at night and for that matter in the daytime too. Thatr was years ago and 1st Avenue has undergone a transformation. At the north end the famous Pike Place Public Market remains unchanged but the neighborhood has become more upscale. At the south end you'll find Pioneer Square and old Seattle. A few blocks south are QWest and Safeco fields (Seahawks and Mariners). There's plenty of public parking though a bit expensive.

Lake Washington Boulevard as the name implies, run along the west shore of Lake Washington. Begin just south of the University of Washington and drive through the Washington Arboretum. You'll want to get out an walk around when the rhododendrons are in bloom. Continue south through charming neighborhoods and along the lake itself. Best avoided during Seafair (August) when the hydros are running unless you like driving in crowds.

Westlake Avenue N runs along the west shore of Lake Union. There are a dozen or so fine dining locations along a two-mile stretch (Franco's Hidden Harbor is a favorite). With a good window seat you can catch the action on Lake Union where you'll see anything from kayaks to Coast Guard cutters and even an occasional seaplane.

The Burke Gilman Trail runs from just west of the University of Washington Campus to the northern tip of Lake Washington. It's paved bike path all the way and for the most part free of traffic (there are a few places you have to cross a trafficed street). You'll skirt Gas Works park and Lake Union, pass by the University campue and eventually find yourself along the shoreline of Lake Washington. This is a very popular bike trail with miuch to offer every mile along the way.

Seaview Avenue runs along Elliot Bay in the Ballard Neighborhood. At the south end you'll find Ray's Boathouse, a Seattle institution and great restaurant. Mid-point takes you to the marina, plenty of parking and you can take a nice long walk with the sea breeze in your face. At the north end is Golden Gardens Park, a favorite picnicing spot.

Roosevelt Way NE has two faces, a shopping area from NE 45th Street to about NE 75th and a residential street north of that. The commercial part of Roosevelt Way had been in a slow decliine for a number of years but now features some fine shops and several nice dining places. At 64th you an take a side trip through Ravenna Park and continue east to the University district or west to Green Lake.

The street is for traffic only but the adjacent walking and jogging path around Green Lake is where the action is. People are friendly and walkers and roller blade fanatics coexist comfortably. Dogs are on leashes and at most any point along the 2 plus mile trip you can sit on a bench or lie on the lawn and people watch to your hearts content. THere is shopping and dining near the east side of the Lake. Parking is generally available but can be at a premium on a warm summer afternoon.

Fairview Avenue is mostly residential and is best known for it's thriving houseboad community. The southern end however features boating activity and some finer restaurants. It can be a long walk south to north but at any time you're only a couple of blocks away from good bus service. Activity on Lake Union is always fun to watch.

University way NE lies one block west of the University of Washington campus. The University Book Store in itself is worth the trip but there are plenty of interesting shops and good places to eat. The wierdos sometimes come out at night but it's basically a safe and friendly place. Definitely a good place for people watching and a walk across campus can make for a pleasant side trip.

Alaskan Way is Seattle's waterfront street. Once devoted to warehouses and ship terminals Alaskan Way now boasts the fine Seattle Aquarium, several fine restaurants, beautiful views of Elliot Bay and the Olympic Mountains (on nice days) and is a short walk (uphill) to the famed Pike Place Public Market or to Pioneer Square, and professional baseball and football a few blocks south. Stop in at Ivar's, a Seattle institution for lunch or at least a bowl of their famous clam chowder. Cruise ships and ships to Victoria, BC dock here as well.