Thousands of people come to the UW’s Seattle campus to witness the iconic cherry trees in peak bloom. Plan your visit — and consider alternate modes of transportation. Campus visitors can expect significant traffic congestion, limited parking and street closures.
Take public transit
To avoid traffic and crowded parking, we recommend taking public transit to campus — we’re served by many bus routes and two Link light rail stations. The U District light rail station is the closest one to the cherry blossoms on the Quad; the University of Washington (Husky Stadium) station is also not far from the Quad.
Driving to visit the blossoms
Parking lots
Weekend
We recommend cherry blossom visitors park in the Central Plaza Garage on weekends.
Weekday
In addition to the lot listed above, the Padelford Garage, Lot E01 and Lot E18 are open on weekdays.
Hours and rates vary by location. The UW is a cashless campus. Payments can be made via the PayByPhone app or at pay stations that accept Visa and Mastercard.
Accessibility
The UW is committed to ensuring access and inclusion for all. There are two accessible entrances to the Quad, one at each end. Accessible parking is available in Lot N22, which is best reached via the East entrance to campus on Pend Oreille Road.
Street closures
Stevens Way NE between Memorial Way NE and Pend Oreille Road and Memorial Way NE south of Stevens Way NE will be closed to vehicle and transit traffic on March 22–24, March 29–March 31 and April 5–7.
Campus maps
This map highlights the best walking routes to the Quad from the recommended parking lots. Download the PDFs below for additional maps and driving directions to these parking lots. Translated maps are available in Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese.
Download translated parking maps
**The translated parking maps are in Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese
Accessibility
The UW is committed to ensuring access and inclusion for all. Our access guide is our information hub to help community members with disabilities navigate the campus. It highlights accessible parking areas, walking routes, building entrances and other resources.
There are two accessible entrances to the Quad, one to the southwest between Savery Hall and Gowen Hall and one to the northeast between Raitt Hall and Miller Hall. The southwest entrance is closest to Red Square. The northeast entrance is closest to accessible parking, Lot N22.On the weekends of March 22–24, March 29–March 31 and April 5–7, the best way to reach N22 is via the East entrance to campus on Pend Oreille Road.
To get to the Quad from Lot N22, take the pathway between the Communications Building and Clark Hall, then use the path between the Music Building and Miller Hall to enter the Quad.
A state-issued disability placard must be displayed when parking in Lot N22. Regular parking rates apply. See the Transportation Services website for more information on accessible parking at the UW.
Restrooms
Portable restrooms will be available near the Quad March 15 through April. Restrooms in campus buildings are open to visitors during normal business hours on weekdays but closed to visitors on weekends.