LINK goes where? Your guide on what to do and where to go

Guide Map

Let this be your guide…

Stadium

Naturally one would think to take the Stadium Station to reach THE stadiums. Au Contraire mon frair – Stadium Station will get you closest to Safeco Field, but if you’re lookin for Qwest, your best bet was International District.

Stadiums aside, the best part about Stadium Station is Pyramid Brewery. Nothing like a fatty burger with a lovely Hefeweizen to really get your day going. It’s just across from Safeco, you can’t miss it.

Sodo

This was certainly a trip discovering what SODO has to offer. Unless you’re an employee for the School District or Starbucks, Sodo finds home to every type of fast food conceivable. If you’re looking for a greasy gut bomb, this is most certainly your stop.

Also to note, many furniture warehouses are throughout Sodo – so if you’re in the market to “window shop” (don’t even THINK about trying to get a sofa on the light rail) this would be another great option. AND last but not least (for the wine lushes), a wine outlet just across the street from the station also greets you upon debarking the train at Sodo.

Beacon Hill

The station itself is pretty cool (underground with nifty artwork), but it does trip me out that you can only access it by elevator (word on the street is the tunnel is too far down from street level to have had an escalator).

Above ground what first caught my eye was Red Apple Market. I’m sure many of you remember those from way back when and let me tell you, it’s not changed a bit. Also worthy of note on Beacon Hill are the sporadic Tienda’s and Authentic Mexican Restaurants. Again with the food around here…

Mount Baker

This station is mammoth, and one might wonder if it will ever reach its full potential?

The highlights of the Mt. Baker Station were the “Best Philly Cheesesteak” shop right outside the station, a Starbucks across the street, and more chain stores up and down Rainier Ave.

But wait, there's more!

Just down the street from Mt. Baker is the Pepsi/Oh Boy! Oberto FACTORY STORE. If you’re in the mood for some beef jerky this is the perfect place to stock up!

Columbia City

THIS was my absolute favorite station, and will be frequenting this more often. Just by walking three blocks east of the station brings you to “Restaurant Row,” a selection of fantastic off the map restaurants.

The lineup includes BBQ, Caribbean, Comfort Food, Italian, Pizza, and so much more. This cute little neighborhood has a delicious bakery for your pastry needs as well as a butcher shop if you’re feeling up to grilling out after your journey (though I wouldn’t recommend traveling around LINK with a flank steak in your pocket…)

Of all my favorites within Columbia City, I personally have always enjoyed the likes of Tutta Bella: home to the first, true, Neapolitan Pizza in Seattle. No matter what I have or how much I eat, I ALWAYS make it a point to enjoy their Nutella Mocha before I go.

Othello

Othello Station brought me to what felt like a world outside of Seattle. Home to rows of strip malls with restaurants and shops I can’t pronounce, Othello is a neat little neighborhood for your Vietnamese fix. Quan Ben Le caught my eye, as people were lined up outside the door to grab a bite. Had I not already been stuffed from my gut buster at Arby’s (read: Sodo Station) I would have given it a shot.

Also of note, the streets were lined with nail and tanning salons – so if you’re in the market for a mani/pedi, I’d stop by Othello.

Tukwila Int'l Blvd

Dubbed the “Taj Mahal of Tukwila” this station is quite elaborate given it’s location. Close to the airport (Link shuttles will whisk you away until the train actually reaches SeaTac) and chalk full of parking (the only station on the line with a parking lot), this station is currently the end of the line.

From here I was only able to spy a Bollywood Market, a McDonalds, a few gas stations, and Monte Carlo the club and restaurant claiming to be the biggest and best in all of the Northwest. Check out the website, I’ll let you be the judge…

Airport Station

Coming Soon…