7 Best Places to Shop in University District, Seattle

Crossroads Trading Co. carries dependably cute and trendy used clothes, bags, and accessories. Their buyers screen each item, so you won't be stuck poring over a rack of stained T-shirts. It's all clean, bright, and fun.

Primarily a video game store, here you'll find a huge variety of new and used classics and rare games for all consoles, with a focus on imported and retro games going back to Atari times. They also carry toys and their own branded merchandise, which is pretty snazzy. They have locations on Capitol Hill and in the International District.

Nostalgia rules in this cavernous space filled with well-organized, good-quality (and sometimes pricey) vintage and new clothing. Fantasy outfits from decades past—complete with accessories—adorn the dressing rooms. It's a go-to spot for stylists and thrifters. Fun fact: this funky shop was one of the locations in Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop” video.

UW's bookstore sells the requisite textbooks in the basement, but that's just part of it's identity. Upstairs, the well-stocked general book department (run by Barnes & Noble) is the site of author events throughout the year, and there's every imaginable type of Huskies memorabilia, from sweatshirts to mouse pads to shot glasses.

One of the country's longest-running farmers' markets and Seattle's largest "farmers only" market (no crafts, imports, or flea-market finds) operates year-round on Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm in the heart of the U-District, rain or shine. With more than 50 Washington State farmers and producers participating, you'll find a great selection of produce, baked goods, preserves, flowers, cheese, soups, pies, wines, pasta, and handmade chocolates.

This upscale, open-air mall has "University" in its name because of its location, northeast of the UW campus, but you won't see a lot of students here. Clientele are mainly residents of the well-to-do surrounding neighborhoods, drawn by a long list of familiar chains (Williams-Sonoma, Banana Republic, L'Occitane, Sephora, Warby Parker, H&M, Madewell, Apple, Anthropologie, Kiehl's) mixed with some local favorites (including candy wonderland The Confectionery and artsy gift shop Fireworks). There are also good dining options, including the enormously popular international dumpling chain Din Tai Fung. Overall, it's a pleasant shopping experience, but a bit conventional by Seattle standards and a whole different world from the rest of the U-District.