SR-520 Construction

For construction-related activity that may cause delays, please visit: SR-520 Construction.

ARBORETUM

Walk and Bike to the Arboretum

The walk from the ST Link Right Rail University of Washington Station is 1.2 miles. We recommend you access the Arboretum using the historic Wilcox Bridge over Lake Washington Boulevard E at the end of E Lynn Street because there are currently no crosswalks across the Boulevard at the E Foster Island Road intersection.

Arboretum Drive E, one of two main roads inside the Arboretum, is bike-friendly. Cyclists often use Lake Washington Boulevard, but be aware that traffic volume can be high and lanes are narrow. Seattle Bike Map.

You can reach Arboretum Drive E from the University District by crossing the Montlake Bridge and following signs for the Arboretum.

Bus to the Arboretum

Metro bus routes 980, 43 and 48 run near the Arboretum. Ask for the McGraw Street stop. If you are coming from Madison Street, you can take route 11, get off at Lake Washington Boulevard E, and walk north into the Arboretum. Several buses coming from the east side stop at the end of SR-520. Use Metro’s Trip Planner to get here.

Drive to the Arboretum

From downtown

Drive east on Madison Street, away from Puget Sound. Follow it through Capitol Hill and the Central District into Madison Valley. Turn left on Lake Washington Boulevard E. To reach the Graham Visitors Center, follow Lake Washington Boulevard E 1.1 miles through the Arboretum and take a right onto E Foster Island Road. After 0.2 miles, turn right onto Arboretum Drive E to reach the Graham Visitors Center.

From I-5

Take exit 168 for SR-520 East/Bellevue-Kirkland. Merge onto SR-520 and take the first exit, Montlake Boulevard. Continue straight through the signal onto E Lake Washington Boulevard. Continue 0.6 miles and turn left onto E Foster Island Road.  After 0.2 miles, turn right onto Arboretum Drive E to reach the Graham Visitors Center.

From SR-520 West

After crossing Lake Washington, take the Montlake Boulevard E exit and follow signs for 24th Avenue E. Turn left onto 24th Avenue E, cross SR-520 and then turn left at the first stop sign onto E Lake Washington Boulevard. Continue approximately 0.4 miles and take the next left onto E Foster Island Road. At 0l.2 miles, turn right onto Arboretum Drive East to reach the Graham Visitors Center.

Parking at the Arboretum

Very limited free parking is available for the public in several areas. Access lots at the Graham Visitors Center and the Japanese Garden.

Privates Buses and Motorcoaches visiting the Arboretum

• Private Tour Buses and Motor Coaches are not allowed in the Arboretum.  If you’d like to schedule a paid, private tour please contact tramtour@uw.edu
• For senior groups and those with mobility issues, we do allow mini-buses only to drive along Arboretum Drive with 7 days advance notice.
• Please contact tramtour@uw.edu to arrange your date and time if you have a mini-bus and would like to visit. (These are only allowed on Wednesday’s, April-October.  November-March we can open additional days).

CENTER FOR URBAN HORTICULTURE

Walk and bike to the Center

The walk from light rail UW station is 1.1 miles.

Cyclists are welcome on Wahkiakum Lane, the main path that runs through the Union Bay Natural Area. Please note that Wahkiakum Lane is a gravel trail best suited for mountain and touring bikes. This route connects to the University of Washington’s E-4 parking lot. You may reach the Burke-Gilman trail from the E-4 lot by following the pedestrian overpasses that cross Montlake Boulevard NE.

Cyclists may also travel along the Burke Gilman trail past University Village. Turn right at the road crossing at 30th Ave NE/Union Bay Place NE. Go right onto Union Bay Place NE and stay straight at the five-way intersection to continue on Mary Gates Memorial Drive NE. Continue to the bend in the road where Mary Gates Drive NE becomes N.E. 41st St. The center is on your right.

Seattle Bike Map.

 Bus to the Center

King County Metro bus route 78 stops right in front of the Center for Urban Horticulture on NE 41st Street. Metro bus routes 25, 65, and 75 stop at NE 45th Street and Mary Gates Memorial Drive NE. Route 67 stops at NE 45th and Montlake Boulevard NE. Not sure which one you need? Use Metro’s Trip Planner to get here.

Drive to the Center

From I-5

Take the NE 45th Street exit. Drive east on NE 45th Street for approximately one mile. You will pass the University of Washington and come down a viaduct. At the stoplight at the bottom of the viaduct, turn left to stay on NE 45th Street. At the next stoplight (5-way intersection), turn right onto Mary Gates Memorial Drive NE. Continue to the bend in the road where Mary Gates Drive NE becomes NE 41st Street. The center is on your right. NHS Hall and Isaacson Hall are in the first complex of buildings. Douglas Classroom is in the building connected to the greenhouses at the south end of the parking.

From SR-520

Take the Montlake Boulevard E exit and turn right at the light onto Montlake Boulevard E. Drive north on Montlake Boulevard NE. Stay to the right as you cross the bridge and pass Husky Stadium. The two right lanes will curve to the right and merge onto NE 45th Street. At the five-way intersection of NE 45th and Mary Gates Memorial Drive NE, turn right onto Mary Gates Memorial Drive NE. Continue to the bend in the road where Mary Gates Drive NE becomes N.E. 41st Street. The center is on your right. NHS Hall and Isaacson Hall are in the first complex of buildings. Douglas Classroom is in the building connected to the greenhouses at the south end of the parking.

Parking

Limited parking is available for the public in the lots off 41st Street. The lower lot is reserved for staff.