The autumn season brings vibrant color to the flame ash street trees along the arterial 35th Avenue NE in the Wedgwood neighborhood of northeast Seattle.

A stroll to enjoy the colors of the season can be taken along with stops at local businesses and at outdoor seating.  The variety of resting places includes bus shelters, benches outside of businesses, and outdoor tables at local cafe and coffee shops.

The Morningside Market in Wedgwood, 9118 35th Ave NE, which opened in 1926, has a friendly bench.  Photo by Valarie.

At the north end of the Wedgwood neighborhood nearest to NE 95th Street, the Wedgwood Fire Station, Fiddlers Inn pub, and Morningside Market make an interesting walk to enjoy the trees while stopping for a rest at seating areas.

Like the Fiddlers Inn at 9219 35th Ave NE, many businesses which added outdoor shelters during the pandemic have enhanced the areas for permanent use. Photo by Valarie.

Harry Murfitt (1915-1997) was a longtime Wedgwood resident who invited friends and family to “come sit awhile” for fellowship at his favorite bench.   We remember his legacy in the neighborhood at the bench at 9125 35th Ave NE.

Harry Murfitt’s bench at 9125 35th Ave NE.  Photo by Valarie.

At the main business intersections of Wedgwood nearest to NE 85th Street there are cafes with outdoor seating and businesses with benches out front.  It’s a good place to sit and watch the world go by while enjoying the spectacular color of the flame ash trees which line 35th Ave NE.

Flame ash trees on 35th Ave NE nearest to NE 85th Street. Photo by Valarie.

Is it raining?  One of the best places to get out of the rain is at one of the new bus shelters installed along 35th Ave NE. The shelters have solar-powered lighting.

Bus shelter at Bank of America, 8405 35th Ave NE, in Wedgwood’s business district. Photo courtesy of JRV.

For many years there has been an oasis of nature at the corner of NE 82nd Street where the office and Nature Shop of Birds Connect Seattle (former Seattle Audubon Society) has stone benches for a quiet place of reflection.  That organization moved away in the year 2025, but a health services company bought the building and will preserve the natural plantings.

The former Nature Shop on 35th Ave NE, corner of NE 82nd Street.  Photo by Valarie.

Another quiet resting place in the neighborhood is the outdoor courtyard of Wedgwood Presbyterian Church at 8008 35th Ave NE.

The courtyard entry of Wedgwood Presbyterian Church provides a place to sit and watch the world go by. Photo by Valarie.

Many businesses and churches have benches out front.  Wedgwood Presbyterian Church has provided a bench at their bus stop on 35th Ave NE, and another bench on the NE 80th Street side of the building.

Bench on NE 80th Street at Wedgwood Presbyterian Church. Photo by Valarie.

The intersection of NE 75th Street is another lively business district in Wedgwood.  There is a cafe with outdoor seating, new benches and bus shelters.

A bus stop bench at NE 75th Street is also a place to enjoy fall foliage in Wedgwood. Photo courtesy of JRV.

The intersections of NE 70th and NE 68th Streets are busy with offices, cafes, churches, and apartment buildings.  Here is one of the new bus shelters with solar lights, in front of an apartment building (former Theodora Home).

Bus shelter at 6559 35th Ave NE, an apartment complex. Photo courtesy of JRV.

The Wedgwood/Bryant areas are fortunate to have an excellent public library, the Northeast Branch, at the corner of NE 68th Street.  Its outdoor plaza features benches.  An autumn stroll to enjoy fall foliage could end here, with time to read a good book.

Northeast Branch Library at 6801 35th Ave NE.  Photo by Valarie.