The City of Seattle: An Arts and Entertainment Tour

Last Updated: October 27, 2006

Introduction

This urban cycling route takes you on a tour of some of Seattle's most noteworthy arts, entertainment, and relaxation venues: perhaps you'll find something you weren't aware of which then becomes a regular part of your life.

Several points bear mention before proceeding:

The Route

  1. Starting from downtown Seattle head south on 3rd Ave until you reach Yesler Way. Then, while walking south for a little over two blocks on 3rd Ave S, you'll find several noted modern art galleries including the Foster/White Gallery (on the left side of the street between S Washington St and S Main St). You can generally count on galleries being open 11am-5:30pm Tue-Sat, though they traditionally stay open later on the first Thursday of each month. Note the Bikestation location just ahead after S Main St: it's great for bike maps, simple bike repairs, or indoor bike parking.
  2. Return north via 3rd Ave again, noting that at Spring St you can turn one block to the right if you haven't yet had a chance to take a tour of Seattle's magnificent Central Library. Tours are typically held at noon Monday through Saturday (Sundays vary), though their web site will contain the exact schedule. The library itself is open until 8pm Mon-Thu and until 6pm Fri-Sun.
  3. Continue to the University District via Dexter Ave N and the Burke-Gilman Trail (in other words, turn right on Blanchard Street, left on 7th ave, right on Dexter Ave N, continue over the Fremont Bridge, turn right on N 34th St, and transition to the Burke-Gilman trail at the Stone Way N intersection).
  4. When the Burke-Gilman Trail intersects with Brooklyn Ave NE, turn left on it and proceed north.
  5. At NE 43rd St you can proceed one block to the right to University Way NE to visit the University Bookstore. They're open until 9pm Mon-Fri, 7pm Sat, and 5pm Sun.
  6. At NE 64th St turn left. You can stop at Whole Foods for some delicious take-out snack food: perhaps some brown rice spicy tuna rolls, or gourmet chocolate: they're open until 10pm seven days a week.
  7. Turn left on Roosevelt Way NE. At 63rd you'll find Zenith Supplies on your left (a good spot for massage supplies), at 62nd you'll find Definitive Audio (even if you don't buy anything it's worth dropping in to hear what the finest audio equipment commercially available actually sounds like), and at 50th you'll find the famed Scarecrow Video (DEFINITELY stop there...). Zenith is open until 6pm seven days a week, Definitive Audio is open until 7pm Mon-Fri / 6pm Sat / 5pm Sun, and Scarecrow Video is open until 11pm Sun-Thu and midnight Fri-Sat.
  8. Continue south on Roosevelt Way NE.
  9. Continue south over University Bridge via the bike lane of Eastlake Ave E.
  10. Turn right on Harrison St.
  11. Turn left on 9th Ave N. In a block and a half you'll find the Banya 5 spa on your right: stop in for a soak or sauna if you can. They're currently open until 11pm Tue-Sat, until 8pm Sun, and closed Monday.
  12. Continue another block and a half on 9th Ave N and bear right on Bell St.
  13. Turn left on 3rd Ave.
  14. Turn right on Union Street and continue to 1st Ave. Then look for a safe place to lock up your bike, and lock it up securely.
  15. If you like, stop by the Pike Brewing Co for a few microbrews before taking in the evening improv performance at the Unexpected Productions theatre (the line starts in the alley right behind the Pike Brewing Co, which you can reach by leaving via the Pike Brewing Co's downstairs back door - does it get any more convenient than that?). The most popular Unexpected Productions performances are still the 10:30pm Friday and Saturday evening Theatresports events.