Just south of Green Lake, and nestled between the University District and Fremont, is the charming neighborhood of Wallingford.  Here you’ll find a lively commercial district and fantastic views of Seattle’s city skyline.

Along 45^th Street you can visit bookstores, pubs, ethnic restaurants, and a movie theater.  Wallingford Center, a 90-year-old brick elementary school has been restored and turned into a retail center filled with eclectic shops.

You can stroll down tree-lined streets, past impeccably landscaped gardens and admire the elegant homes and adorable 1920’s bungalows.   The neighborhood slopes gently down to the shores of Lake Union where Gas Works Park juts out, like a dangling emerald pendant.

Gas Works Park was originally a processing plant that turned coal and oil into gas, but now it represents urban reclamation at its finest. The park designers retained some of the original towers and pipes and painted them bright colors. They dotted the park with picnic tables where people can watch the pleasure boats float by, the seaplanes land on Lake Union or simply enjoy the city skyline. They created a large grassy hill that has become a popular site for flying colorful kites across the open space.  In the summer, people sit on this hill to enjoy the spectacular Fourth of July fireworks display, watch an outdoor theater performance or listen to a concert.

The very popular Burke-Gilman Trail begins west of Gas Works.  Bikers, joggers and roller-bladers enjoy traveling along this scenic paved trail that skirts Lake Washington.

Wallingford blends its own upscale charm, with the youthful exuberance of the University District and the iconoclastic, free spirit of Fremont to form a unique community.  It’s no wonder so many people want to live there.