Often the magic of writing happens simply behind a desk. Writing doesn’t just have to happen behind a desk though. Where you write can become an adventure in and of itself. Take a break from your desk. To find out places to write next, look to the list below of the best writing spots on campus.
University of Washington Bothell and Cascadia Library Reading Room
Photo credit: UW Bothell/Cascadia Campus Library Facebook page
This reading room is surrounded by gorgeous windows that have wonderful views including that of the wetland forest. It’s the perfect space to write if you’re looking to write somewhere quiet (located on the third floor of the library straight ahead of the lobby).
Library Spring Quarter Hours (April 1 – June 14, 2019)
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| M-Th | 8:00AM-10:00PM |
| F | 8:00AM-5:00PM |
| Sat | 9:00AM-5:00PM |
| Sun | 12:00PM-8:00PM |
Cram Nights: (open until midnight!)
| Sunday, June 9th | 12:00PM-12:00AM |
|---|---|
| Monday, June 10th | 8:00AM-12:00AM |
Spring-Summer Break 2019 (June 15 – June 23)
| M-F | 9:00AM-5:00PM |
|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday | CLOSED |
Open Learning Lab
Photo credit: UW Bothell
Grab a fantastic spot here at one of the desks by a window that outlooks to UW1, beautiful nature of the wetlands, and the promenade outside Discovery Hall (located in UW2).
Spring Quarter Hours
| M-Th | 6:30AM-12:00AM |
|---|---|
| F | 6:30AM-8:00PM |
| Sat | 8:00AM-8:00PM |
| Sun | 12:00PM-8:00PM |
Discovery Hall Study Spots
Photo credit: Hacker Architects
This is the perfect place your next Sci-Fi novel being that your surrounded by all things science in the University of Washington Bothell STEM building. For those who like being surrounded by modern and sleek architecture this is the perfect place for you to write (these spots are dispersed throughout the entire building). Coffee is close by at Common Grounds which resides in neighboring UW2 which is a plus.
Spring Quarter Hours
| M-Th | 6:30AM-12:00AM |
|---|---|
| F | 6:30AM-8:00PM |
| Sat | 8:00AM-8:00PM |
| Sun | 12:00PM-8:00PM |
Empty Discovery Hall Auditorium (Room 061)*
Photo credit: UW Bothell
This theatric writing space would be great to write your next play in (located on the ground floor of Discovery Hall).
Spring Quarter Hours
| M-Th | 6:30AM-12:00AM |
|---|---|
| F | 6:30AM-8:00PM |
| Sat | 8:00AM-8:00PM |
| Sun | 12:00PM-8:00PM |
*time varies depending on occupancy.
A Secluded Stairwell
Photo credit: Emily J. Oomen
You can find these hidden gem spots in most of the buildings (just walk all the way up the stairs, and eventually you will bump into these dead end spaces).
Spring Quarter Hours
Discovery Hall
| M-Th | 6:30AM-12:00AM |
|---|---|
| F | 6:30AM-8:00PM |
| Sat | 8:00AM-8:00PM |
| Sun | 12:00PM-8:00PM |
UW2
| M-Th | 6:30AM-12:00AM |
|---|---|
| F | 6:30AM-8:00PM |
| Sat | 8:00AM-8:00PM |
| Sun | 12:00PM-8:00PM |
UW1
| M-Th | 6:30AM-12:00AM |
|---|---|
| F | 6:30AM-8:00PM |
| Sat | 8:00AM-8:00PM |
| Sun | 12:00PM-8:00PM |
Cascadia CC1 and CC2
| M-Th | 6:30AM-12:00AM |
|---|---|
| F | 7:00AM-7:30PM |
| Sat | 8:30AM-5:00PM |
| Sun | CLOSED |
Cascadia CC3
| M-Th | 6:30AM-12:00AM |
|---|---|
| F | 7:00AM-7:30PM |
| Sat | 8:30AM-5:00PM |
| Sun | CLOSED |
Promenade Outside Discovery
Photo credit: Hacker Architects
On a sunny day this spot would be as wonderful as eating gelato in the Roman Forum (located in front of Discovery Hall).
| M-Sun | 12:00AM-11:59PM |
|---|
Empty Cascadia Studio Classrooms*
Photo credit: Emily J. Oomen
Lean into your artistic side by writing in one of these studio classrooms (located on the second floor of CC3).
Spring Quarter Hours
CC-203
| M/W | 6:00AM-1:15PM, 3:45PM-10:30PM |
|---|
| T/Th | 6:00AM-8AM, 10:30AM-10:30PM |
|---|---|
| F | 7:00AM-7:30PM |
| Sat | 8:30AM-5:00PM |
| Sun | CLOSED |
CC3-201
| M/W | 6AM-10:30AM, 1:00PM-1:30PM, 4PM-10:30PM |
|---|
| T/Th | 6:00AM-10:30PM |
|---|---|
| F | 7:00AM-7:30PM |
| Sat | 8:30AM-5:00PM |
| Sun | CLOSED |
*Time varies depending on occupancy.
Coffee shops
Food for Thought
Photo credit: UW Bothell
Come to the busiest coffee shop on campus for your words to become food for thought. Pick up the best coffee on campus here, a new pen from the University Bookstore next door, and get to writing (located in front of the Campus Library in the center of campus).
Spring Quarter Hours
| M-Th | 8:00AM-8:00PM |
|---|---|
| F | 8:00AM-5:00PM |
| Sat | CLOSED |
| Sun | CLOSED |
Stopwatch Espresso
Photo credit: Stopwatch Espresso Facebook page
Start your writing timer at Stopwatch Espresso. Be sure to take a look at the amazing artwork within this bustling espresso stand (located at the ground floor of CC1).
Spring Quarter Hours
| M-Th | 7:00AM-7:00PM |
|---|---|
| F | 7:00AM-2:00PM |
| Sat | CLOSED |
| Sun | CLOSED |
Common Grounds
photo credit: Nano Tellez
Channel your inner Common and write what you really think about the world at Common Grounds (located on the bottom floor of UW2).
Spring Quarter Hours
| M-Th | 7:00AM-7:00PM |
|---|---|
| F | 7:00AM-2:00PM |
| Sat | CLOSED |
| Sun | CLOSED |
The Den*
Photo credit: The Bothell Blog
Cozy to the supreme is what this coffee shop specializes in. There is a great atmosphere to write in where live music and open mics happen from time to time. There are also meeting rooms you could book if you’d like to write with an awesome chai latte, but need to write in a quietish space (located a ten minute walk from campus, and merely a few minutes by car or transit).
| M-Th | 6:00AM-8:00PM |
|---|---|
| F | 6:00AM-9:00PM |
| Sat | 7:00AM-9:00PM |
| Sun | 7:00AM-5:00PM |
*The Den is a ten minute walk from campus.
Writing Locations for Nature Lovers
Wetland Promenade
Photo credit: UW Bothell
Beautiful nature and quiet seclusion abounds at this location (located near the Activities and Recreation Center).
| M-Sun | 12:00AM-11:59PM |
|---|
The Ancestors
Photo credit: UW Bothell
Write in the middle of this sculpture and feel motivational spirit from your ancestors (located near the middle of campus in front of the West Campus trail and behind the Food Forest).
| M-Sun | 12:00AM-11:59PM |
|---|
Picnic Table among Trail along West Campus Trail
Photo credit: Emily J. Oomen
This is a wonderful picnic table to sit at and write down all your meditative thoughts among a plethora of trees (if you walk along the trail along West Campus eventually you will run into this table).
| M-Sun | 12:00AM-11:59AM |
|---|
Tree in the Forest within the West Campus Trail
Photo credit: UWB
Befriend a tree to become your writing tree (a bunch of wonderful trees to sit by are located in the forest near the West Campus trail).
| M-Sun | 12:00AM-11:59AM |
|---|
Rocks by the Forest near the Library
Photo credit: Emily J. Oomen
Embrace your inner billy goat and write the next Three Billy Goats Gruff on the rocks (these rocks are wedged in front of the West Campus trail and behind the Campus Library).
| M-Sun | 12:00AM-11:59AM |
|---|
The Garden by the Truly House
Photo credit: UWB Teaching and Learning Center
Water your garden of words while smelling the roses in the Truly House garden (if you walk all the way up the stairs leading to the upper levels of Discovery Hall then turn right you will run into this garden).
| M-Sun | 12:00AM-11:59AM |
|---|
Hopefully, you will have sometime before the quarter ends to get some writing done in one of these study spots that suits your interests. Comment with any other study spots you are aware of that weren’t included in this list. Write on!
Gif credit: gify.com