Seattle is two cities in one. It’s a world-class metropolis set within wild, beautiful natural surroundings, offering the best of urban lifestyle while embracing the rugged outdoors. Many of Seattle’s top visitor attractions are within mere blocks of conference location, including the Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Symphony, ferries, world-class restaurants and a historic theatre district.
Pike Place Market – At the heart of Seattle’s Waterfront, Pike Place Market is one of the highlights of Seattle. This Emerald City attraction features fun shopping, dining, and entertainment – famous for its flying fish! Explore the aisles of fresh seafood, baked goods, cheeses, arts & crafts, and exotic flowers, or sit and enjoy live music at one of the areas great restaurants or bars. Pike Place’s 9-acre marketplace is the perfect place to spend the day!
Pioneer Square – Situated between downtown and the waterfront, Seattle’s oldest neighborhood offers vibrant shopping, dining, arts, entertainment, and nightlife. Visit landmarks such as Pioneer Park, Smith Tower, Occidental Park, and Grand Central Arcade or enjoy a peaceful and restorative moment at the Waterfall Garden.
Seattle Waterfront – Featuring many attractions, restaurants, shops, parks, piers, bike paths, boat tours, ferries, cruise ships, and the Victoria Clipper catamarans, the Seattle Waterfront is a major highlight of the Emerald City. Enjoy views across the Puget Sound from platforms and telescopes as you explore the wooden piers of Waterfront Park and discover marine life at the Seattle Aquarium.
Seattle Great Wheel – The 17-story-tall observation ferris wheel is the newest attraction to be added to Seattle’s waterfront. The tallest of its kind to operate year-round, the Great Wheel offers spectacular views across the Puget Sound and downtown area – rain or shine. Group rides as well as private VIP tickets are available for the 42 separate and enclosed gondolas.
Space Needle – Built in 1962, the Seattle Space Needle was once the tallest building in the West. As one of Seattle’s most iconic attractions, the Space Needle features the Revolving SkyCity Restaurant, SpaceBase – a retail store with gifts and jewelry – and banquet venues. Enjoy the view of the Emerald City or learn about history, science, math and geography, at the Sky School.
Chihuly Garden and Glass – Located just beneath the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass traces the art and career of world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. The centerpiece of Chihuly Garden and Glass is certainly the Glasshouse. A 40-foot tall, glass and steel structure covering 4,500 square feet of light-filled space containing an expansive 100-foot long sculpture in a color palette of reds, oranges, yellows and amber. Made of many individual elements, it is one of Chihuly’s largest suspended sculptures. The perception of the artwork varies greatly with natural light and as the day fades into night.
Seattle Center – As home of the Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Children’s Museum, Intiman Theater, Experience Music Project, Space Needle, Seattle Repertory Theater and the Pacific Science Center, Seattle Center is the cultural soul of the Emerald City. Site of the 1962 World's Fair, this 74-acre area is one of the most popular attractions in Seattle.
Nordstrom's Flagship Store – As the largest Nordstrom, downtown Seattle’s Flagship Store covers 383,000 square feet with upscale fashion designs. First founded in Seattle by John W. Nordstrom and Carl F. Wallin, the department store has been and continues to be a major attraction to the Emerald City’s visitors.