Ever land someplace new and have no idea how to get around?
Do you opt to Uber everywhere racking up surge fares, or dare to overpay for a rental car and insurance you hopefully never need?
We’ve all been there and quite literally paid the price.
Public transportation helps all walks of life, hence many travelers tend to avoid it altogether, not knowing who their seat-mate may be.
But if there’s one city that’s reported to be tackling the image of unsafe/unsightly commutes, it’s Seattle, which just last year put in a valiant effort to curb crime aboard its transit, according to the Seattle Times.
That’s why we’re excited to be the first major publication to reveal the city’s game-changing new train route, set to connect Seattle tourists outside the beautiful mountain-backed skyline with some of Washington’s most underrated escapes a stone’s throw away, but surprisingly complicated to reach.
Stop The Bus! Or Don’t Get On…
Another option in just about any city is hopping aboard the bus, usually the most budget-friendly option to get around, but also notoriously sketchy in many cases.
For tourists who have wanted to venture outside of Seattle to “hidden gems’ and newfound hotspots, they’ve had to suck up sitting next to, let’s just say, transients, or opt to pay potentially sky-high ride-share fares as mentioned previously.
And with news being reported Seattle has been spotted testing out Waymo’s, the question is it scarier to sit next to someone on a bus who may seem out of their mind in the backseat of a driverless car…
All told, that’s why Seattle’s newly launched Sound Transit Line 2, as of March 28th, is such a win for both locals and tourists.
No more questionable bus rides, no more crossing your fingers that ride-share surge pricing won’t kick in, and no more driving around an unfamiliar city hunting for parking only to pay for that too once you finally find it.
Where The Crosslake Lake Right Rail Now Takes You
Without the new launch of Line 2, travelers have been missing out on seamless access to some of Washington’s trendiest and best-kept-secret destinations.
As you might imagine, before this week’s ribbon-cutting, there was only Line 1 (who woulda thunk it?!).
Line 2 is a whole new ballgame when it comes to exploring the region.
Rather than traversing a straight line up and down the Puget Sound, Line 2 dares to venture east into ritzy islands and lesser-known cities — some of which our Travel Off Path team fell in love with.
Here is the full eastern-bound route we find most exciting:
- Judkins Park
- Mercer Island
- South Bellevue
- East Main
- Bellevue Downtown
- Wilburton
- Spring District
- BelRed
- Overlake Village
- Redmond Technology
- Marymoor Village
- Downtown Redmond
Highlighted in bold are the 3 destinations we believe are the most enticing to visit.
But before diving further, do know Line 2 also runs parallel to much of Line 1, covering the following stops in Seattle and neighboring Lynnwood:
- Lynnwood City Center
- Mountlake Terrace
- Shoreline North/185th
- Shoreline South/148th
- Northgate
- Roosevelt
- U District
- University of Washington
- Capitol Hill
- Westlake
- Symphony
- Pioneer Square
- Intl. District/Chinatown
3 Destinations Set To Soar With Tourism
Going outside of Seattle’s city limits, you’ll find a plethora of gems that will surely benefit from more tourism now that Line 2 is up and running.
Here are our expert picks for the top 3 must-visit spots on your next Seattle getaway:
- Mercer Island: Best for waterfront parks, trails, beach access, and a slower, more residential feel that makes it ideal for a peaceful reset, though expect a spike in prices as this urban island is bougee!
- Redmond: More than just Microsoft’s backyard, Redmond is an underrated mix of outdoorsy and small town charm with expansive parks and trails, craft breweries, community events, and a more relaxed vibe than Seattle
- Bellevue: Feels like Seattle’s sleeker, easygoing cousin — great for upscale shopping, standout dining, vibrant art, downtown parks, and quick access to both Lake Washington and various nature adventures
Rides Are Only $3
The West Coast is known for being expensive across the board, so it feels like a steal of a deal being able to hop aboard Line 2 for less than your sugary Starbucks concoction.
One-way rides for adults (aged 19 – 64) are $3, but you can also score a day pass for $6 and take unlimited rides during that same calendar day — not a 24-hour carryover.
The easiest way to pay is to obtain an ORCA Card, which sounds like a SeaWorld pass but is the system’s reloadable transit card.
Simply load up your balance and tap when boarding the train (or bus).
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
