Up North: Meridian and Tangletown
North of North 50th Street, the area sometimes gets folded into Green Lake or called Tangletown or Meridian. Locals treat it as the northern part of Wallingford, and it holds some of the neighborhood's best community spaces. If a map and a resident seem to disagree, now you know why.
A Streetcar Suburb With Deep Roots
Wallingford grew quickly in the early 20th century once the University of Washington opened to the east, and trolley tracks ran through it as early as 1907. The housing that followed still shapes the streets you stroll today. Look for rows of 1920s box houses and bungalows along tree-lined blocks.
The neighborhood takes its name from John Noble Wallingford Jr., a landowner and real estate speculator who once held most of this ground and land as far north as Green Lake. In December 2022, part of the neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Wallingford, Meridian Streetcar Historic District. Supporters wanted to protect its architecture, while critics saw the listing as a way to limit new density.
Spot the Movie Locations
Film fans may recognize a few corners as they wander. Scenes from Say Anything..., Singles, 10 Things I Hate About You and Harry and the Hendersons were filmed here, among other titles. It is a fun excuse to explore the residential streets with a sharper eye.
Stroll North 45th Street
Wallingford's business district stretches along North 45th Street from Stone Way North to Sunnyside Avenue North. Browse small shops and restaurants, and you will also pass a few taverns and bars, banks and pharmacies along the way. Many people consider the corner of 45th and Wallingford Avenue North the heart of the neighborhood.
The Neon Sign and the Old Interlake School
On the north side of that key intersection, a grocery store glows under a big neon WALLINGFORD sign. Part of it was built from letters salvaged from the old FOOD GIANT sign that hung on the store before it. Grab a photo, since snapping one is something of a local ritual.
Across the street stands Wallingford Center, a 1904 elementary school once known as the Interlake School. Today it holds two floors of shopping and dining, with 24 studio apartments above. It shows nicely how the neighborhood reuses its old buildings rather than replacing them.
Burgers at the First Dick's Drive-In
The original Dick's Drive-In, founded in 1954, also sits on this strip. For many Seattle residents, a burger stop here belongs on any Wallingford outing. Check current hours before you go, since they can change.
Gas Works Park and the Lake Union Shore
The neighborhood's most famous spot is Gas Works Park on the north shore of Lake Union. The rusting towers of a 1906 coal gas plant still stand among wide lawns, a kite hill and a play barn. A playground arrived in 2018 through the 2009 parks levy, and the park borders the Burke-Gilman Trail.
To learn why the structures were saved, read our history of the Gas Works Park landmark. Bring a kite or a picnic blanket, and leave time to take in the views across the water.
Quieter Spots by the Water
Walk a short way east to the Sunnyside Ave N boat ramp, a small Seattle Parks and Recreation site on N Northlake Way. It sits near Gas Works Park, Waterway 19 and the Wallingford Steps, so it slips easily into a shoreline stroll.
Farther east, near the north end of the University Bridge, Peace Park is a small hillside space with a moving story. Volunteers led by Floyd Schmoe built it in memory of Hiroshima survivor Sadako Sasaki and her paper cranes. Make the detour for a reflective pause.
Keep in mind that the lakefront edge has long been more industrial and commercial than the rest of the neighborhood. Newer office buildings have spread here from Fremont, and Brooks Sports moved its headquarters to the southwest corner in 2014.
Climb the hill beside Meridian Playground to the Good Shepherd Center, once a Roman Catholic home for girls. Historic Seattle now runs it as a shared community space. Tenants include Meridian School, the Wallingford Community Senior Center and the Tilth Alliance, which keeps public gardens and holds plant sales on the grounds.
Inside, the Chapel performance space hosts the Wayward Music Series, a draw for fans of adventurous live music. The Wallingford Community Council also meets here on the first Wednesday of each month. Check with the organizers for current schedules.
Parks, Playfields and the Library
Families have plenty of room to roam. Wallingford Playfield borders Hamilton International Middle School and offers views plus a wading pool in the summer months, while Meridian Playground adds green space around the Good Shepherd Center.
Head north to Lower Woodland Park for athletic fields, a skate park and tennis courts. It also links toward Woodland Park Zoo and Green Lake, so you can easily stretch your day outdoors.
The Wallingford Branch Library
On North 45th Street, the Wallingford Branch of The Seattle Public Library shares its building with Solid Ground, which runs a food bank and family support services. Duck in for a quiet break between errands on the main street.
Living in Wallingford
The neighborhood is mostly residential, and its housing is more varied than the bungalows suggest. About 40 percent of homes are single-family houses, with apartments, condos and townhomes making up the rest. Renters slightly outnumber owners, and nearly half the buildings date from before 1939.
Lincoln High School, just south of 45th on Interlake Avenue North, reopened as a comprehensive high school in 2019 after a major renovation. A seasonal Wallingford Farmers Market also operates in the area. Check the market's official channels for its current days, location and season before you plan around it.
