Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SIGHTS
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
UNIVERSITY
(
www.washington.edu
;
70)
Founded in 1861, Seattle's university is almost as old as the
city itself and is highly ranked worldwide (the prestigious
Times Higher Education
magazine listed it 24th in the world in 2013). The college was originally located in
downtown on a 10-acre site now occupied by the Fifth Avenue Theater (the university
still owns the land), but with both university and city outgrowing their initial confines,
a new site was sought in 1895.
The present-day 700-acre campus that sits at the edge of Lake Union about 3 miles
northeast of downtown is flecked with stately trees and beautiful architecture, and af-
fords wondrous views of Mt Rainier framed by fountains and foliage. Roughly 34,000
students and 13,000 staff enjoy the noble setting, making 'U Dub' easily the largest
university in the state. The core of the campus is Central Plaza, known as Red Sq be-
cause of its terracotta-brick base rather than its Marxist-Leninist inclinations. Close by
you can pick up information and a campus map at the
visitor center
(Odegaard Under-
graduate Library; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri)
.
The university is ideal for gentle strolls, people-watching, and exercise on the Burke-
Gilman Trail. The campus also hosts two decent museums, fine sports facilities, a theat-
er, a library, and a student-union building where leaflet-filled noticeboards advertize the
kinds of outré, spontaneous events that typically color student life.
HENRY ART GALLERY
MUSEUM
(
www.henryart.org
;
cnr 15th Ave NE & NE 41st St; adult/child $10/6, Thu free; 11am-4pm Wed,
Sat & Sun, to 8pm Thu & Fri; 70)
At the corner of NE 41st St and 15th Ave is a sophist-
icated space centered on a remarkable permanent exhibit by light-manipulating sculptor
James Turrell, featuring various temporary and touring collections. Expos here are
modern, provocative and occasionally head-scratching. Think of replayed black-and-
white home movies, twittering bird noises, and loose piles of bricks.
