Ridin' the Rails
Ridin' the Rails
Take a tour along the Link Light Rail system through Seattle and beyond!
Downtown Seattle is known for three things: incredible seafood, a coffee shop on every corner, and lots and lots of traffic.
That’s why every local knows the best way to get where you’re going is via Sound Transit’s Link light rail. You can catch it at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) all the way to downtown Seattle, and it's a clean, safe, and inexpensive alternative to sitting in traffic. Along the way, you’ll discover the unique character of the region's neighborhoods, and the hidden gems near each station. Plus, you can feel good about reducing your carbon footprint by taking public transit!
Pro Tips to Ride Like a Local
Make Sure You know the Full Name of Your Stop – three of the stations have similar names and can be confused for one another if you’re not paying attention. University Street is located downtown, while the University of Washington is located north of the canal, and the U District is a bit further north than that.
Share Your Seat – Especially during busy commuter hours, it's important to make sure you're keeping the seats next to you clear for other riders to take a load off. Put any bags, luggage, or other items below your seat instead of on the seat next to you.
Buy Your Ticket or Tap Your Card – Day passes and one-way tickets are available from the kiosks located at each station. If you plan to stay for a few days, or are taking a lot of public transportation, getting an Orca card is a great way to keep things easy, and just requires you tap your card at one of the readers around the station.
Light Rail Stops & Things to Do
Angle Lake
Just a short walk away from the station platform, Angle Lake Park is the perfect place to picnic with the family. Need some picnic ideas? Grab Salvadorean pupusas (stuffed cornmeal cakes) from Las Palmas on your way to the park for a delicious treat that’s easy to eat as a picnic food.
SeaTac/Airport
Staying close to the airport and looking for a meal to remember? Reserve a table at Sharps’ Roasthouse, where you’ll indulge in slow-roasted prime rib, spit-roasted chicken, and St. Louis-style ribs, cold-smoked over Washington Applewood. It’s dinner and a show with their 25’ in-dining room smoke and grill station.
Tukwila/International Boulevard
Hop off here and take a short bus ride to visit Westfield Southcenter Mall, the largest shopping destination in the state with more than 200 retailers and restaurants, a movie theater, two bowling alleys, and Northwest favorite, Nordstrom.
Rainier Beach
Tranquility awaits at nearby Kubota Garden, 20 acres of rolling hills, waterfalls, and koi-filled ponds. This historic landmark dates to 1927, when master landscaper Fujitaro Kubota began merging Japanese garden concepts with native Northwest plants.
Othello
John C. Little, Sr. Park provides a wonderful green space to sit down with some of the neighborhood’s deliciously eclectic cuisine. From Tanzanian Pilau rice and Ethiopian sourdough flatbread to lime-marinated Khmer beef salad and shrimp shumai, a stop at Othello is an international dining delight.
Columbia City
Columbia City is full of arts and culture, from the Columbia City Gallery with rotating its art exhibitions, to film screenings at the Ark Lodge Cinemas, to the Royal Room where jazz, funk, and rock ‘n’ roll rule. And in between these cultural hotspots are tons of little shops and restaurants to explore and enjoy.
Mount Baker
Nothing’s more American than baseball and apple pie, and both can be found here. See where the historic Sick’s Baseball Stadium once stood (former home of the short-lived Seattle Pilots), then get yourself an apple pie from Baked from the Hart.
Beacon Hill
Jefferson Park isn’t just home to the scenic course where golf legend Fred Couples honed his game. It’s a 50-acre hotspot for skateboarders, cricket players, lawn bowlers, and frisbees enthusiasts - with a breathtaking view of downtown Seattle and a food forest to explore.
SODO
Check off another bucket list item and join the circus at Emerald City Trapeze Arts, which offers classes and weekend performances. And for the Starbucks fans out there, the SODO Reserve store is located on the first floor of Starbucks’ global headquarters, and is a beautiful space well worth the trip.
Stadium
Here for the Hawks or Mariners? Or to root against them? Get to the stadium early and quench your thirst on the outdoor patio of Hatback Bar & Grille. And after the game, head down the street to Showbox SoDo for downtown’s best live music acts.
International District/Chinatown
Uwajimaya is more than simply the largest Asian grocery store in the state. Aisles and aisles of exotic foods and gifts await, plus lessons on how to play the Japanese game of Go and on-site Szechuan cooking classes.
Pioneer Square
In the heart of old Seattle, you can wander through an eclectic collection of art galleries, revisit your childhood at Magic Mouse Toys, or even explore the early days of the city beneath the city with Bill Speidel’s Underground Tours or Beneath the Streets. Pro tip: you can save money on those tours with the Seattle Southside Savings Pass.
University Street
Two of Seattle’s most acclaimed cultural icons stand side-by-side just steps from the station: Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony, and the Seattle Art Museum, featuring rotating exhibits and a remarkable collection of Native American art.
Westlake
This is the center of the city, with the Nordstrom flagship store just steps to the east, the world-famous Pike Place Market and original Starbucks to the west, and the monorail taking you to the Space Needle and MoPop just three floors from the station platform.
Capitol Hill
One of the most eclectic spots in the city is at the seven-acre Cal Anderson Park adjacent to the Capitol Hill stop. Ultimate Frisbee, bicycle polo, and live music are among the diversions during the day. Staying after dark? The nightlife around Capitol Hill is unbeatable, with many bars and venues within walking distance of one another.
University of Washington
In town to watch some college football or visit the beautiful UW campus? This is your stop. But don’t miss the gorgeous views of Lake Washington and Mt. Rainier (on a clear day) from along the waterfront trails that wind through campus.
U District
Looking for a bit more entertainment near the University? This stop is right next to University Street, locally known as “The Ave”, which is the backbone of off-campus University of Washington life. You can also visit the fascinating Burke Museum of Natural History and its collection of more than 16 million artifacts, as well as the contemporary and performance art of the Henry Art Museum.
Roosevelt
This quiet neighborhood just north of the U District has an adorable retail center around the station, with coffee shops, cafes, and taverns all within easy walking distance of the station. It’s also right by Roosevelt High School, which local favorite Sir Mix-A-Lot attended.
Northgate
This is the end of the line…for now! Northgate Station is home to the Kraken Community Iceplex, which is where you can catch a Seattle Kraken practice during the season, or just go for public skate or to browse the Kraken Team Store. The shopping center is currently undergoing a facelift, but a few stores remain open during construction.
