Local Information

DigiPen Institute of Technology is located east of Seattle, Washington, at the intersection of the cities of Redmond and Bellevue. While our address is in Redmond, you will find yourself exploring other cities, towns, and regions beyond the city.

Redmond

Located on the Eastside (the suburban area east of Seattle across Lake Washington), Redmond is at the north end of Lake Sammamish. Many forms of entertainment are available in Redmond. Family entertainment includes movie theaters, electronic game centers, billiards, golf, and bowling. Redmond is known as the Bicycle Capital of the Northwest. Bicycle lanes are clearly marked along many of the streets and highways of the area. Parks include Marymoor Park, a 500-acre park featuring soccer fields, the state's only cycling velodrome, a climbing rock, an airstrip for model planes, tennis courts, a lakeside beach, an off-leash dog area, as well as numerous ball fields. In recent years, Marymoor Park has been a popular venue for musicians of both local and international fame. The trails of Marymoor Park tie into the Burke-Gilman Trail and others, giving an off-road avenue of travel for the bicyclist, hiker, or rollerblader.

Links for more information about Redmond:

• City of Redmond Website
• Library, Parks, & Recreation
• Marymoor Park
• Burke-Gilman Trail

Bellevue

Bellevue is located just south of both Redmond and Kirkland. It lies along the east side of Lake Washington. The city's resident population of 117,000 and daily workforce of about 121,000 make it Washington's fifth largest city. Bellevue is a prosperous, increasingly divers city that has evolved from a "bedroom community" into the economic and cultural hub of the Seattle-area's Eastside. The city has developed its downtown core into a major business and retail center while maintaining the safe, comfortable family neighborhoods for which it has long been popular.

Links for more information about Bellevue:

• City of Bellevue Website
• Bellevue Art Museum
• Bellevue Square Mall

Kirkland

Kirkland lies just to the west of Redmond, right on the east side of Lake Washington. There you can find spectacular views of the lake, downtown Seattle skyline, and the Olympic Mountains. Rental and housing costs in Kirkland are more expensive than Redmond or places further north, though you can find deals if you look at places away from the water. With many lakeside parks for playing Frisbee, volleyball, or just laying in the sun, Kirkland is a very popular place during the summer months. Downtown Kirkland is full of galleries and coffee shops, with waterfront dining at many of the restaurants.

Links for more information about Kirkland:

• City of Kirkland Website
• City Information
• Kirkland Chamber of Commerce
• Kirkland Performance Center

Seattle

Seattle cannot be summarized in a quick paragraph. This beautiful city in the Pacific Northwest has panoramic views of the Cascade Mountains and the Olympics, stunning water views of Puget Sound, remarkable and memorable restaurants and cafes, and endless lists of activities. Composed of numerous neighborhoods, each with their own flavor, Seattle offers years of exploration and experience.

Links for more information about Seattle:

• City of Seattle Website
• Seattle City Search
• Seattle Insider
• Best of the Northwest
• City Information
• Seattle Times
• Pacific Northwest Ballet
• Seattle Symphony
• Experience Music Project
• Science Fiction Museum
• Museum of Flight
• Seattle Art Museum
• Pike Place Market
• Seattle Aquarium
• Woodland Park Zoo
• Space Needle
• Northwest Outdoor Center
• Bumbershoot

The Great Outdoors & Other Attractions

Perhaps the best part of living in the Pacific Northwest is getting away from the urban centers. The beaches of the Pacific Coast are just a few hours away, making for the ideal weekend getaway. Backpacking, hiking, and mountain biking in Washington's numerous national and state parks are other favorite activities. During the winter months, a simple one to two-hour drive will place you on the slopes for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding. With a little more effort and time, one can be at world-class ski resorts like Whistler-Blackcomb in British Columbia, Canada.

Links to the Great Outdoors & Other Attractions:

• Crystal Mountain
• Whistler-Blackcomb
• Snoqualmie Pass
• Mt. Baker and Ski Area
• Mt. Rainier National Park
• Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
• Olympic National Park
• North Cascades National Park
• San Juan Islands
• Leavenworth
• Camlann Medieval Village