About the City
 Seattle is anything but ordinary. It's a place where bike messengers share elevators with world-renowned researchers. Where fishermen have lunch alongside top surgeons. It's a city where the extraordinary is commonplace and commonplace is anything but. And if you look closely, you might just discover that in Seattle there are amazing things happening all around you.
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Weather
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Seattle has a milder climate than many other parts of the world, with less extreme variations in temperature. Temperatures in the summer usually hover around a pleasant 75, and tends to be more dry than humid.
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History
Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located in the U.S. state of Washington between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, about 96 miles (155 km) south of the United States–Canadian border in King County, of which it is the county seat.
Seattle was first settled November 14, 1851, by Arthur A. Denny and his crew, which would subsequently become known as the Denny party. Its first name was New York, then Duwamps, then finally it was renamed Seattle after Chief Noah Sealth who was chief of the two tribes living in the area ("Seattle" is an anglicized rendition of his last name). As of 2006, the city had an estimated population of 582,454 and an estimated metropolitan area population of approximately 3.3 million. Seattle is the hub for the Greater Puget Sound region. Its official nickname is the Emerald City, the result of a contest by a civic-minded association in the early 1980s to designate a pleasant nickname for the city; the name alludes to the lush evergreen trees in the surrounding area. It is also referred to informally as the Gateway to Alaska, Queen City, and Jet City, due to the local influence of Boeing. Seattle residents are known as Seattleites.
Seattle is often regarded as the birthplace of grunge music, and has a reputation for heavy coffee consumption; coffee companies founded in Seattle include Starbucks, Seattle's Best Coffee, and Tully's. There are also many successful independent artisanal espresso roasters and cafes. Seattle was the site of the 1999 meeting of the World Trade Organization, and the attendant demonstrations by anti-globalization activists. Researchers at Central Connecticut State University ranked Seattle the most literate city in America in 2005. Moreover, a United States Census Bureau survey showed that Seattle has the highest percentage of college graduates of any major U.S. city. Based on per capita income, Seattle ranks 36th of 522 studied areas in the state of Washington.
Saving the Past for the Future
Seattle's commitment to historic preservation began with citizen efforts in the 1960s to block the demolition of several beloved buildings and proposed "Urban Renewal" plans that would have destroyed most of downtown's Pioneer Square and Pike Place Market. In 1970, the Seattle City Council secured Pioneer Square's survival with the City's first historic preservation district, and voters approved an initiative for the Pike Place Market historic district two years later. In 1973, the Seattle City Council adopted a Landmarks Preservation Ordinance to safeguard properties of historic and architectural significance around the city -- and more than 230 structures and sites have now been designated ranging from the Ward House, the city’s oldest standing residence, to the futuristic Space Needle.
7 Historic Districts
Since 1970, Seattle has established seven historic districts:
Within these districts, the appearance and historical integrity of structures and public spaces are regulated by a citizens board and/or the Landmarks Preservation Board in accordance with processes and criteria established by City ordinance.
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Transportation
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AIRPORT
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Seattle- Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac)
Many Seattle visitors arrive by plane at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac). The municipal corporation that runs SeaTac Airport is called The Port of Seattle. There are many shuttle buses that can take you to Seattle and elsewhere in the region, or you can rent a car, grab a taxi or limo, or take public transportation.
The drive to downtown Seattle from SeaTac Airport will take 20-30 minutes -- depending on the traffic. A trip to downtown Seattle from the airport on public transportation takes 30-40 minutes.
If you are driving yourself, from the airport to downtown Seattle, start going towards the AIRPORT EXIT on NORTH EXIT WAY, take the WA-518 EAST ramp, merge on WA-518 EAST, take the I-5 NORTH EXIT, merge on I-5 NORTH and head north for 10 miles. You will see the Seattle skyline approaching as you near downtown.
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TRAIN/RAIL
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If you arrive by train there is one game in town - Amtrak. Amtrak provides service from all along the west coast. The Amtrak Cascades runs three trains a day between Seattle and Portland (two run between Seattle and Eugene, Oregon, via Portland). The trains stop at King Street Station, which is located just south of downtown, near Safeco Field, one of the two major stadiums in Seattle.
Sound Transit also operates a rail/bus system around the region, including a commuter train between Seattle and Tacoma. They also operate out of the King Street Station.
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BOAT/FERRY
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The Port of Seattle, which runs SeaTac Airport, also runs Seattle's ports, both for maritime trade and leisure activities. Celebrity Cruises and Norweigan Cruise Line dock at the Bell Street Pier Cruise Terminal at Pier 66, which is on the Elliott Bay waterfront at the northern end of downtown Seattle. Holland America Line and Princess Cruises dock at the Terminal 30 Cruise Terminal, at the sound end of Seattle's downtown waterfront. There are bus, taxi and shuttle connections at both piers to you get to your Seattle destination. From Pier 66, there is also a streetcar that runs along a mile stretch of the downtown waterfront.
All of downtown Seattle is easily accessible from the waterfront, a mile-and-a-half north/south stretch along the west side of the city, facing Elliott Bay, which is part of Puget Sound. A major feature of the waterfront area is the Alaska Way Viaduct/State Route 99, an elevated roadway you will need to cross under to get to the rest of downtown Seattle. Be prepared for hills and steps if you decide to walk up into the city.
Along the Seattle waterfront, there are several other docks where you can find water transportation for commuting and for fun. The Washington State Ferry runs several different ferries from the Colman Dock (Pier 52) and also from Pier 50 just to the south, on the waterfront, to destinations such as Bainbridge Island, Bremerton and Vashon Island, with more connections to other destinations all around Puget Sound. There are street connections to taxis and buses just outside the Colman Dock ferry terminal. The Washington State Ferries to Bainbridge Island and Bremerton take both auto and walk-on passengers, and the Vashon Island ferry is for walk-on passengers only.
Other ferry and boat services along the waterfront include the Elliott Bay Water Taxi, that runs between May and September each year from Seattle to West Seattle, Argosy Cruises, offering many different leisure cruises from Piers 55 and 56 on the waterfront, and the Victoria Clipper, with popular runs to the San Juan Islands and Victoria, B.C. from Pier 69 on the waterfront. There is also a walk-on passenger-only ferry service, Kitsap Ferry Company, traveling to Bremerton from Pier 56.
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BUS
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Cross-country buses are mainly provided by Greyhound Bus Line, which has a bus terminal at the northeast edge of the downtown Seattle core. Gray Line Tours is a major regional bus line that provides many leisure bus tours.
Metro Transit is the major local bus line in the Seattle area. Their buses and bus stops can be found all around downtown Seattle. All Metro bus travel within the downtown core is free of charge.
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CAR RENTAL
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If you're arriving in Seattle by plane, you may wish to pick up your rental car from one of the many car rental companies at the airport. Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Dollar, Hertz, National, and Thrifty all have locations in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Payless' pick-up counter is only a shuttle ride away.
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SEATTLE'S STREET SYSTEM
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The overall shape of the City of Seattle is like an hourglass, stretching from north to south. The city is flanked by the water bodies of Lake Washington to the east and Puget Sound to the west, and divided more or less at its center by the Lake Washington Ship Canal (which runs east-west). The topography is very hilly; the city is built on seven adjacent hills. As a result, while the city street system is generally laid out in a grid pattern, it is full of streets that wind and curve and run at arbitrary angles to one another.
Seattle streets that run north-south are labeled "Avenues", and east-west running streets are labeled "Streets". Most of the streets that tend to wind and curve, or run diagonally to the gridded streets, are labeled "Boulevard", "Road", "Place" and so on. The city also has a number of bridges, many of which cross the Lake Washington Ship Canal, joining the north and south sections of the city together.
The founders and early leaders of Seattle, the Misters Denny, Maynard and Boren, didn't see eye to eye on how to lay out the street plats in the downtown area, and as a result, the streets along the edges of the central business district sometimes join up at odd angles as you head in or out of the downtown core. These discrepancies can be fun to discover when you are walking.
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Conference Hotel
WASHINGTON ATHLETIC CLUB
1325 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
206.622.7900 | wac.net
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HOTEL HISTORY
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The Washington Athletic Club, located at 6th Avenue and Union Street in the heart of downtown Seattle, opened its doors on December 16, 1930. Since then it's been a home away from home for Seattle's Who's Who in business, political and social circles.
Not long after the Club opened, it was threatened with closing its doors as the Great Depression hit the West Coast. Civic leaders and community members pulled together and kept the Club viable.
In the 1940s the WAC reciprocated the community support with a huge mobilization of members who worked on behalf of the World War II effort. By the time the war ended, WAC members had contributed nearly nine years of manhours in supporting the troops.
In the 1950s the WAC expanded its Clubhouse with a four-story addition. Less than 20 years later the Club expanded once again, adding another eight stories onto the 1955 addition.
Most recently the Club underwent an extensive remodel that added state-of-the art fitness facilities, a day spa and physical therapy services. The WAC's pool was also restored to its original 1930s splendor.
Over the years the WAC's membership role has been proud to list Olympic athletes, politicians and community leaders. Helene Madison was the WAC's first Olympic athlete, winning three gold medals in swimming in the 1932 games. Washington state Governor Albert Rosellini, newspaperman Royal Brougham, and founding member of SEAFAIR and Northwest Hospital Roscoe "Torchy" Torrance are but a few other notable members.
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WASHINGTON ATHLETIC CLUB SERVICES
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Spa at the WAC
Employees are delighted to serve you at the Spa at the WAC, where members come to rejuvenate physically, mentally and emotionally. We are committed to offering services that enhance the quality of your life. For your convenience, we are now open seven days a week. We also encourage you to surprise someone special with a Spa at the WAC Gift Card.
From premier services in medi-spa treatments to the ultimate in style and relaxation, the Spa at the WAC offers expert professional care with personalized attention. The warmth and professionalism of our staff enhances the quality of our treatments.
Should you have any questions about spa services or products, please call them directly at 206.464.3090
The Wellness Center at the WAC
The Wellness Center at the WAC promotes the simultaneous and efficient interaction of Mind, Body, & Spirit. Proprietary programs have been developed to meet specific needs of the Membership such as Why Weight?, Fit 4 Life, & nutritional counseling. Over 60 events & presentations are offered throughout the year to meet the diverse needs and interests of the Membership such as: The Six Second Stress-Off®, Power Sleep, and Living with Integrity.
The Center offers a myriad of integrative services such as Naturopathic Medicine, Physical Therapy, & Acupuncture, just to name a few. We offer convenience to the Members with all the insurance benefits they can get on the outside.
Barbershop
Mondays–Fridays: 8am – 5:30pm
Saturdays: 8am – noon
Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome
206.464.3090
The WAC Barbershop offers the best haircut in town. Executive specials for members include a quality haircut, scalp massage, shoe shine, hot-foam shave and manicure in the comfort and style of our traditional barbershop.
Troy's Specialty Shoe Shine
Mondays–Tuesdays: Closed
Wednesdays: 7:30am – 2pm
Thursdays–Fridays: 7:30am – 2pm
Saturdays–Sundays: Closed
We offer the best leather care in Seattle: shoes, bags, coats and more. Stop by the Barbershop and ask for a specific quote. Members can make appointments from other Club venues or simply book their time online.
Lobby Club Shop
Mondays–Saturdays: 7am – 9pm
Sundays: 10am – 6pm
206.622.7900, ext. 2112
At the Lobby Club Shop, members and guests can purchase quality gifts as well as emergency items for overnight stays at the Inn at the WAC. Athleticwear for all ages continues to be extremely popular, and the Club's selection of polo shirts, tees, hats, sweatshirts, jackets, fitness apparel and golf gear is second to none. Seasonal gifts, magazines, sundries, greeting cards, candy and much more make this a one-stop shopping experience.
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Restaurants
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WASHINGTON ATHLETIC CLUB RESTAURANTS
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TORCHY'S (CHEF: CHARLES KASSELS)
Come to Torchy's for an upscale dining experience where Chef Will prepares fresh, seasonal cuisine. Our sommelier team has customized wine flights and wine pairings to complement your meal.
Mondays–Fridays: 7am – 10pm
Saturdays–Sundays: 7:30am – 10pm
206.464.4626
restspvsr@wac.net
HAGERTY'S
Hagerty's Sports Bar boasts a full bar and food-service lounge, featuring half-price Happy Hour from 3–6 pm every day. Complete with gaming tables, steel-tipped darts, two custom billiard tables and big-screen HD televisions, this is the best spot to watch the game. Enjoy a draft beer from our list of local Washington breweries or your favorite libation over lunch in a casual atmosphere. Hagerty's opens early for the East Coast NFL and NCAA football games, featuring DirecTV, NFL and NCAA college game-day packages.
Mondays–Saturdays: 11:30am – midnight
Sundays: 11:30am – 10pm
206.622.7900, ext 2241
8th FLOOR SPORTS CAFÉ
In addition to the tasty offerings below, we feature boxed lunches for a quick to-go meal, your next business meeting or an airplane ride.
Mondays–Fridays: 6:30am – 8pm
Saturdays: 8am – 6pm
Sundays: 8am – 6pm
206.622.7900, ext 2809
2006–07 WINEMAKER DINNERS SCHEDULE & FEATURES
6pm Reception with Wine & Hors d'oeuvres
Meet our special guest in an intimate social setting
7pm Dinner Service — 5 courses
Delectable pairings created by Executive Chef Will McNamara and Sommelier Doug Zellers
WAC Winemaker Dinner Reservations
Complimentary WAC Parking for this event
$100 per WAC Wine Club member, inclusive
$110 per WAC member, inclusive
$120 per non-member
Reservations: 206.464.3050 or catering@wac.net
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AREA RESTAURANTS
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94 Stewart
94 Stewart St. Seattle, WA 98101
94 Stewart is a Chef owned Northwest style bistro featuring world class cuisine based on fresh seafood, as well as locally grown meats and produce. Meals are complimented by an extensive wine selection, local microbrews and innovative cocktails. Plan a memorable meal at 94 Stewart. You will find our staff of friendly professionals to be very knowledgeable about our NW offerings, wines from around the globe, and Seattle's happenings. (Description provided by Opentable.com)
Andiamo Bellevue
938 110th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98004
Come experience the Eastside Premier Italian Restaurant. Andiamo features an exhibition kitchen, soft lighting and crisp linens in a cool hip contemporary setting. We are conveniently located in the heart of downtown Bellevue and offer complimentary onsite parking. (Description provided by Opentable.com)
Assaggio
2010 4th Ave., Seattle WA 98121
As warm, colorful and personal as any trattoria in Coppola's Godfather, Assaggio specializes in traditional Italian-American cooking. When you're at this Seattle restaurant, you're family. (Description provided by Opentable.com)
Bandoleone
703 N34th Street, Seattle, WA 98103
Bandoleone is a fine Latin cuisine restaurant located on the corner of Fremont & 34th in the Center of the Universe: Fremont! We offer dishes that echo the flavors of the island nations of the Caribbean with a good amount of Brazilian and African influence thrown in for fun: Cuba, Trinidad, Tobago, and so on. Join us for our 1st Wednesday wine tastings - Hablas Vino?, or for a sample of one of our select single batch rums and dessert, or for a slow, lingering Cubano-Spanish dinner on the patio come summer... (Description provided by Opentable.com)
Brasa
2107 3rd Ave. Seattle, WA 98121
Brasa has been voted one of the best restaurants in Seattle. The menu features sun-drenched Seattle flavors and the restaurant has a beautiful dining room, popular bar and lounge. (Description provided by Opentable.com)
Cafe Campagne
1600 Post Alley Seattle, WA 98101
A Parisian cafe tucked beneath Campagne Restaurant on Post Alley, Cafe Campagne serves traditional French fare in a cozy, unpretentious setting. Open seven days a week with brunch on Saturday and Sundays until 4:00pm. A wine bar as well, the Cafe pours forty wines by the glass. Named by Zagat Survey Seattle's "Top French Bistro". (Description provided by Opentable.com)
Cafe Juanita
9702 NE 120th Place, Kirkland WA 98034
Cafe Juanita features Mediterranean dishes prepared with Northwest ingredients and an Italian flair complimented by an award-winning wine list. (Description provided by Opentable.com)
Cascadia Restaurant
2328 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
Forget about rules and trends, and come to Cascadia for fine dining focused on great food, smooth service, an award-winning wine list and tableside chats with Chef Kerry Sear. Step inside and Cascadia is at once intimate, grand and thoroughly central with 20-foot windows providing views of city, bay and mountains. On your left is the lounge: casual, upbeat, and thoroughly ruled by our completely addictive Miniburgers and Alpine Martinis. Straight ahead is the dining room where — dressed up for Caramelized Spice Rubbed Wild King Salmon or dressed down for Beef Tenderloin Simply Grilled — you can indulge in a seven-course tasting menu, a $25 three-course set menu or go á la carte. Whatever you decide, Chef Sear and staff will deliver a culinary adventure of simplicity with style and fresh ideas to familiar favorites. The result is an atmosphere of total comfort with food you'll want to share, yet keep for yourself. (Description provided by Opentable.com)
Chandler's Crabhouse
901 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109
Chez Shea
94 Pike St. Suite 34, Seattle, WA 98101
Coldwater Bar and Grill Downtown
1900 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101
Coldwater Bar and Grill is a contemporary seafood restaurant that caters to the savvy business traveler and local corporate clientele by featuring regional cuisine focused on the freshest local seafood served in a modern energetic atmosphere designed for all occasions. (Description provided by Opentable.com)
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Seattle Highlights
MISCELLANEOUS ATTRACTIONS
Space Needle (daylight admission)
Experience Music Project
Admission to Emerald Downs
Center for Wooden Boats
Six Flags Wild Waves & Enchanted Village
MUSEUMS
Science Fiction Museum
Museum of Flight
Tacoma Museum of Glass
Nordic Heritage Museum
Henry Art Gallery
Burke Museum
Museum of History and Industry
Wing Luke Museum
Seattle Metropolitan Police Museum
Hydroplane Museum
Washington State History Museum
Discovery Odyssey Maritime Museum
Museum of GlassChildren’s Museum Seattle
Bellevue Art Museum
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SEATTLE TOURS AND EXCURSIONS
Argosy Harbor Cruise
Argosy Lakes Cruise – Lake Union
Argosy Lakes Cruise - Kirkland
The Underground Tour
Safeco Field Tour (Home of the Seattle Mariners)
Qwest Stadium Tour (Home of the Seattle Seahawks)
Pioneer Square Historical Audio Tour
Blake Island Adventure Cruise
Seattle Walking Tour
GARDENS AND PARKS
Kubota Gardens
Volunteer Park Conservatory
Washington Park Arboretum
W.W. Seymour Botanical Gardens
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GOLF COURSES
- Jackson Park Golf Club
1000 N.E. 135th St., Seattle WA 98125
206.363.4747
This older Seattle municipal golf course first opened in 1930. Jackson Park claims to be the driest course in the city of Seattle. The course measures 6,186 yards from the tips, but tight, tree-lined fairways and doglegs make this urban layout tougher than its length might indicate. Green fees are in the $15-$30 range.
- Jefferson Park Golf Course
4101 S. Beacon Ave., Seattle WA 98108
206.762.4513
This is the oldest golf course in Seattle, just minutes from downtown Seattle. Designed by the legendary Scotsman Thomas Bendelow, this Seattle golf course features great views of downtown and Mt. Rainier. The fairways are narrow and compact, typical of the course's urban setting. Green fees are in the $20-$30 range.
- Trophy Lake Golf and Casting Club
3900 S.W. Lake Flora Rd., Port Orchard WA 98366
360.874.3777
If golf and fishing are hobbies of yours, this Seattle golf course is heaven on earth. Trophy Lake features a four-star John Fought links style course (7,216 yards) and outstanding fly fishing waters. That's right, Seattle visitors can golf and catch trout at the same place, at the same time. This facility is just 15 miles from Seattle, and Golf Digest ranks it in the nation's top 50 service-oriented public courses. Green fees are quite modest: $35-$75.
- Tyee Valley Golf Course
2401 S. 192nd St., Seattle WA 98188
206.878.3540
There's not much to this simple municipal track. It's a scant 5,926 yards, a great place to take a beginner or novice golfer. The course opened in 1968, and gets a fair amount of play. Green fees are less than $25.
- West Seattle Golf Course
4470 S.W. 35th Ave., Seattle WA 98126
206.935.5187
This Seattle municipal track is the best course of the few courses within Seattle's city limits. West Seattle is a three-star track that features great views of the city skyline and on a clear day, Mt. Rainier. This Seattle golf course is tough, with tight, sloping fairways -- accuracy off the tee is crucial at this Santa Barbara golf course. Green fees are in the $18-$25 range.
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HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS
Tillicum Indian Village
2992 SW Avalon Way, Seattle, WA 98126.
Phone: 206-933-8600; Toll-free: 1-800-426-1205
Since opening in 1962, Tillicum Village Northwest Coast Native American Cultural Center has provided millions of guests with wonderful memories of their visit to Seattle. Combining a cruise across Puget Sound with the Native dining experience of a Tillicum Village salmon bake with the forested hiking trails and beaches of Blake Island state Park makes for an exciting and memorable northwest adventure. The cruise excursions depart from Pier 55 on the central downtown Seattle waterfront.
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
The Lake Washington Ship Canal connects Lake Washington to the Puget Sound. The passage is made possible via the locks, built in 1911 and operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (PDA)
85 Pike Street, Room 500, Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-682-7453; Fax: 206-625-0646.
Situated just above the waterfront, the market is popular with natives tourists alike. It is a vital part of Seattle's economy, receiving more than nine million visits each year. It features about 600 businesses including farmers and merchants that offer fresh vegetables, seafood, food bars, cafes, restaurants, crafts, art work, and gifts from booths, stalls and shops, and the original Starbucks. The market was born in 1907, from citizen outrage at the high cost of produce, beginning with a handful of farmers with their wagons on Pike Place. It is the oldest continually operating farmers' market in the USA.
The Waterfront
A row of piers jutting out into Elliot Bay are the backbone for a mix of maritime industries, shops and restaurants. Ferries, freighters, tugs and even naval vessels go about their business, while the occasional seaplane or para-sailor flies above. Take in all this activity along the promenade linking the piers, or take a harbor tour, island cruise or fishing excursion. On land, are close by. The Waterfront Streetcar (using restored trams imported from Australia) trundles along the waterfront from Pier 70 past the well known Bell St. Pier, the Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Omnidome Theatre, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, and on to the Chinatown District.
Klondike Gold Rush NHP
This links to the National Park Service's page on the Visitor's centers in Seattle and Skagway describing the gold rush.
Pioneer Square
Saved from the wrecking ball by popular outcry, Seattle's oldest neighborhood is a 17-square-block National Historic District. Its charming, red-brick buildings have been revived and now hold a great arts, café, shopping and nightlife scene. Historical highlights are the Klondike Gold Rush Historical Park and the unique Underground Tour.
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Weather