Travel Information

Traveling to Campus

For speakers whose travel is supported by the Simpson Center: Please refer to your invitation letter for information about how to make arrangements. We can either book your flight and reserve hotel accommodations or advise you on reimbursable options.

See the UW Campus Map.

Simpson Center Location and General Accessibility Information

The Simpson Center is located on the 2nd floor of the Communications Building (CMU). (Map location of CMU; additional information about the Simpson Center spaces). The Communications Building has an elevator that serves all floors. Accessible M and W bathrooms are located on the Ground and 2nd floors.  Disability parking is available next to the building in lot N22 - pay for a permit at a parking gatehouse. More information about parking.

More information about UW accessibility is available at the Disability Accessibility and Accommodations Website. Program and Events Manager Caitlin Palo is available to help connect faculty and guests to relevant accessibility support services.

General Travel Information

By Air: Sea-Tac International Airport serves Seattle and is about 30 minutes from campus by car (during heavy traffic, this may take up to an hour), and about 1 hour via Link light rail. 

By Link light rail: The UDistrict station, opening on October 2, 2021, is a short walk from the Graduate Hotel (2 minutes) and the Marriott Residence Inn (3 minutes). Both the U-District stop and the UW Station are a 15-minute walk from the Simpson Center. The light rail includes stops in Capitol Hill and Downtown - neighborhoods with many restaurants and entertainment venues.

By bus: More than 60 bus routes serve the University District, including many with stops right on campus.

Driving directions to the Central Plaza Garage gatehouse

From Interstate 5 (I-5), northbound or southbound

Note: Do not use the express lanes.

• Take exit 169 (NE 45th St) toward 45th St.
• Take a right turn from I-5 N or a left turn from I-5 S to travel east on NE 45th St. for about half a mile.
• Turn right on 15th Ave. NE and continue for several blocks to NE 41st St.
• Central Plaza Garage is on the left (east) side of 15th Ave NE.

From the east side of Lake Washington via SR 520 (toll bridge)

• Take SR 520 westbound toward Seattle.
• Take the Montlake Blvd. NE exit, then turn right (north) onto Montlake Blvd. to cross the Montlake Bridge.
• Just past the bridge, turn left on Pacific Ave., and continue west for several blocks. You will pass the UW Medical Center and Health Sciences complex on your left.
• Turn right onto 15th Ave. NE and continue north about three blocks to NE 41st St.
• Central Plaza Garage is on the right (east) side of 15th Ave NE.

Parking on campus

If you drive, we recommend getting to campus at least 30 minutes before your scheduled visit to allow time to park and find your way to your destination. When you arrive, visit the Central Plaza Garage gatehouse to purchase a permit. The Central Plaza Garage gatehouse can be found on 15th Ave NE at NE 41st Street (see map). The Simpson Center can reimburse guest speakers (non-UW) for parking costs. Please save your receipt and submit it for reimbursement at this link.

Alternatively, you may use the self-serve parking map to find parking and pay by phone.

Please note: Not all gatehouses are open at this time. The Central Plaza Garage gatehouse is open 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Where to Eat in the U-District

University District Quick Bites & Cafes on or near the “Ave”

The Simpson Center maintains a list of restaurant recommendations for dinners, but if you need a quick meal or coffee, try one of these options. List updated July 2021.

For coffee:

• Cafe Allegro, 4214 University Way NE (in the rear of the building, in an alley)
  Oldest espresso bar in Seattle, est. 1975. Howard Schultz modeled Starbucks on Allegro.
• Cafe Solstice,  4116 University Way NE
  Bright & busy with a  relaxed vibe; indoor & outdoor seating. Local roasted coffee, beer, wine, sandwiches & pastries.

For a quick breakfast

• Morsel, 5000 University Way NE 
  Housemade biscuits, served as breakfast sandwiches, with fixins or gravy.

For a sit-down brunch

• Portage Bay Café,  4130 Roosevelt Way NE
  Local, organic, ingredients. There will be a wait for brunch.

For beer, wine, or cocktails:

• Mountaineering Club, 4507 Brooklyn Avenue NE
  Upscale cocktail bar with a view of Seattle. Located on the top floor of the Graduate Hotel.

 For a quick bite to eat:

• U:Don, 4515 University Way NE
  Quick, excellent cafeteria-style Japanese noodle and tempura shop.
• Thai Tom, 4543 University Way NE
  Legendary Thai hole-in-the-wall. Cash only. Will have a wait.
• Taste of Xi'an, 4523 University Way NE
  Shaanxi-style hand-pulled noodles, clay pot boils, and snow ice.
• Chili’s South Indian, 4220 University Way NE
  Serviceable Southern Indian food. Good vegetarian options.
• MOD Pizza, 1414 NE 42nd St.
  Quick, serviceable flatbread pizza. Good vegetarian options.

Reimbursement

To request reimbursement, please submit receipts through one of the following forms:

• Reimbursement for UW Faculty, Staff, and Students
• Reimbursement for Visitors

Please contact scfiscal@uw.edu with any questions about eligible reimbursements and procedures.