There are hundreds of reasons to love living and learning in Seattle! From mountains to lakes and the Puget Sound, coffee shops and concerts, sporting events and farmer's markets, Seattle is an eclectic city with something for everyone. What better place to live and learn?
Seattle University puts you in the center of one of the country's most dynamic cities, a city at the forefront of scientific, medical, and technological research and innovation. Seattle is also a hub of global and local philanthropy and social entrepreneurism. It's the city that brought you Bill Gates, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Pearl Jam, REI, and the Museum of Pop Culture. Seattle University brings you close to the local source of tomorrow's discoveries and solutions. Pike Place Market is the soul of the city. Equal parts farmers' market, seafood stall, public gathering place, and carnival, the market is a sensual and cultural experience that never fails to satisfy.
Despite our misty reputation, Seattle's annual rainfall is less than that of New York, Atlanta, or Boston. But bring along your umbrella anyway. The rain does have its bright side. It keeps temperatures mild, never too cold or too hot, and helps make the Puget Sound area a verdant landscape year-round. That's why we call Washington the “Evergreen State.” And when it rains in the city, it's probably snowing in the mountains, laying down good powder for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding, or just creating breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks.
Seattleites don't mind the weather. Events are rarely canceled because of rain. We just tuck umbrellas in our backpacks or flip up the hoods of our rain jackets. We even honor the rain by naming one of our music festivals “Bumbershoot,” a 19th-century American term for umbrella.
Visitors come from around the world to enjoy the region's outdoor adventures, many less than an hour away from the Seattle University campus. Kayak, bike, fish, climb, or just enjoy the view. On a hot day, take a swim in Lake Washington, 20 minutes downhill from campus.
When there’s fresh powder, you are 45 minutes from the slopes of the Cascade Mountains. Got more time? Climb Mount Rainier to the south or hike the Olympic Mountains to the west.
Seattle is a year-round center of outdoor adventures. Check out our Outdoor Adventure Recreation group to see what's coming up. In Seattle, you're never very far from water, and water means beaches. Explore the coastline, play a little volleyball, visit the Seattle Aquarium, or just wiggle your toes in the sand.
Seattle's music scene, which exploded in the early nineties with bands like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Pearl Jam, is now being lead by Modest Mouse, Band of Horses, Macklemore, Fleet Foxes and Death Cab for Cutie. Broadway Avenue, adjacent to campus, stays up late; or head down the hill to Belltown or Pioneer Square.
Seattleites take their professional sports seriously. Catch an afternoon Mariners game at Safeco Field. Or maybe the Storm in KeyArena or the Sounders or Seahawks in Century Link Field. Seattle is crazy for our it's Major League Soccer team; the Sounders draw the highest average attendance in the league. Just be sure to get back in time to cheer on the Redhawks.
Seattle's thriving arts community is anchored by the comprehensive collections of the Seattle Art Museum. On the first Thursday of every month, downtown galleries are free and stay open late and art fans stroll from show to show.
Entertainment is never more than a moment away. Catch world-class performances by the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Repertory Theater, or any of the dozens of theater, dance, and music venues in the city.
The Capitol Hill neighborhood adjacent to campus is home to a thriving fringe theater scene. In less than five minutes you can walk from campus to Balagan Theatre, Theater Schmeater, ReAct, and the Annex Theatre; maybe you'll even volunteer or audition!
Catch the Seattle International Film Festival, which brings more than 250 films from 50 countries to the city each spring and is the largest film festival in North America.
Seattle is the birthplace of modern coffee culture, from Starbucks to neighborhood hangouts like Caffe Vita or Bauhaus Coffee and Books. Each café has its own flavor: quiet and contemplative to loud and alternative. With more bookstores per capita, and coffee in or near each one, Seattle is a great place to while away an afternoon reading and people watching.
There are hundreds of reasons to love living and learning in Seattle! From mountains to lakes and the Puget Sound, coffee shops and concerts, sporting events and farmer's markets, Seattle is an eclectic city with something for everyone. What better place to live and learn?
Beyond Seattle U: Downtown
Beyond Seattle U: Capitol Hill
Beyond Seattle U: Parks and Outdoor Spaces