HistoryLink Tours

14500 Juanita Drive NE

The 51-acre Bastyr University campus is uniquely suited for the study of natural health sciences. Nestled among fields and woodlands on the northeast shore of Lake Washington, the 186,000-square-foot campus complex is located adjacent to St Edward State Park. Built in 1958 as a Catholic seminary, the facility has been used by Bastyr University since 1996.

Bastyr University Chapel is known for its exquisite acoustics, as well as rich European décor. Beginning in the mid-1990s, the chapel has been used for recording movie soundtracks starting with “Mr. Holland’s Opus” and “Die Hard with a Vengeance.” It is also a popular space to record soundtracks for video games and television shows.

Garden and Reflexology Path: The Bastyr Medicinal Herb Garden and the Sacred Seeds Ethnobotanical Trail are always open to the public for self-guided tours. One-hour tours led by knowledgeable guides are also available for groups, with a focus either on the campus, the medicinal herb garden, the Sacred Seeds Ethnobotanical Trail, or a combination. Please be aware that tours involve a significant amount of walking. Adjacent to the garden is the reflexology path. Based on wisdom from ancient Egypt, India and China, reflexology paths massage and stimulate acupressure points in the soles of the feet connected to various energy meridians of the body. The pressure of stones under bare feet combines with gravity to provide a therapeutic exercise that stimulates health. Bastyr’s 65-foot path features smooth native Northwest river rock artistically embedded in cement. A handrail provides stability and improves accessibility, particularly for older walkers.

Bastyr Dining Commons: The award-winning dining center, open to the public, offers an innovative and affordably priced menu and catering services.

Return to the park entrance and proceed left on Juanita Drive NE, back toward the city center. When you reach the intersection of Inglewood Road and NE 170th Street, turn right onto NE 170th. Rhododendron Park’s entrance is on the left about a block from the intersection.