Symposium

Known as the “Emerald City”, Seattle boasts year-round lush greenery, both in the city and surrounding areas, further echoing Washington State’s moniker as the Evergreen State. Ideally located in the Pacific Northwest corner of the U.S. continent and on the Puget Sound, this vibrant city offers something for everyone. For the nature lover, the panoramic views include the Puget Sounds’ tranquil water views, lush evergreen forests, and the majestic snowcapped Olympic mountains, all beckoning you to enjoy these exciting activities with a quick daytrip outside of the city. Hop on the day ferry to Bainbridge Island explore the quaint local villages; take the car ferry or a seaplane to Victoria B.C. (passport required) to savor high tea at the world-famous Empress Hotel; experience a whale watching excursion through the San Juan Islands; visit Woodinville, home to several of Washington State’s wineries; or plan a hiking excursion in the majestic Olympic National Park. Alternatively, Seattle offers a wide range of activities to experience including a thriving waterfront scene; its energetic arts culture; world-class dining; entertainment; iconic landmarks and attractions; and ample water sports. Sports fans will have a difficult time choosing between Seattle’s bounty of home teams, including the Mariners baseball team, the Sounders soccer team, and the Storm WNBA team, all just a short cab ride away.

As the 2024 Symposium host hotel, the Westin Seattle is conveniently located with easy access to the world-famous Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the waterfront, the monorail, world-class dining, the flagship Nordstrom’s department store, shopping, and more. Another reason to visit Seattle? It’s a great jumping off point for pre/post Symposium travel. Consider tacking on an Alaskan cruise, visiting the key Canadian cities of Vancouver, Banff, or Victoria B.C.; or winding your way through Washington State’s famed Columbia Valley wine region. Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to experience these unique Northwestern sites.

And as an added bonus, Seattle’s weather is typically dreamy during August, offering sun filled days tempered with low humidity and generally cool temperatures. The Pacific Northwest’s August average temperatures range from 78° (high) and 65° (low). For more information on Seattle visit https://visitseattle.org/.

AIR TRANSPORTATION:  Travel to Seattle is easy. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) offers many nonstop flights from several major cities and is serviced by most major airlines.  Be sure to consider Alaskan Airlines as well. The airport is also located just 14 miles from downtown Seattle.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION: Upon arrival at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, ground transportation options to the Westin include taxi/Uber/Lyft (approx. $60 one-way), rental car or Tram. Parking options include the Westin’s valet parking ($60/day) or self-parking ($50/day) and a public parking garage located across the street from the Westin with a connecting sky bridge.

• Rental Cars & Parking: Rental cars are available at the Seattle Tacoma Airport, as well as downtown rental car locations.
• Taxi, Uber and Lyft:  Taxi/Uber/Lyft are all readily available at the Seattle Tacoma Airport and the Westin. At SEA, follow signs for designated pick-up locations with your preferred vendor.
• Do I need a car in Seattle? With so many Seattle attractions centered conveniently near the Westin, a rental car is not necessary, unless you are planning day trips outside of the city. Ubers, Lyfts and taxis are easily available and a great option to explore a Seattle neighborhood outside of the downtown area.

Optional Tours: Optional tours are being promoted to help you fully experience Seattle and this lovely Pacific Northwest area. The tours are offered via independent tour operators. Optional tours are not official Symposium events. Contact the tour operators directly for registration and payment. Please refer to the tour operators’ policy regarding cancellation. For more information on Seattle visit https://visitseattle.org/ Also, the Westin Seattle Concierge Ted Milanio is very knowledgeable, stands ready to assist, and can be reached at [email protected] or call the Westin Seattle at 206-728-1000 and request the concierge.

Key Attractions, Museums & Activities:

75th Annual Seafair Weekend: Seafair Weekend is Seattle’s premier boating event, air show and festival. This unofficial Puget Sound holiday event will be held August 2, 3 and 4 and will feature live music, food and beverage options and includes multiple days of hydroplane races on Lake Washington and an airshow featuring the Blue Angels and other squadrons. https://www.seafair.org/sfw

Pike Place Market: As the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the country, visiting Pike Place Market is a must to experience the market’s visual splendor; variety of farm-fresh produce; abundance of flowers; variety of shops, restaurants and bars; the fly-fish performances; and people watching. We recommend two ways to experience the Market as noted below.

• Savor Seattle Food Tours: Rated by USA Today’s 10 Best Food Tours in the U.S., Savor Seattle offers several “behind the scenes guided tours” of Pike Place Market, which includes tastings from several Market vendors, as well as historical highlights of the Market’s rich history and culture. For more information, visit https://www.savorseattletours.com/. Note: These popular tours fill up quickly.
• On Your Own: Visiting Pike Place Market “on your own” is easy. Located .3 miles from the Westin Seattle, you can walk to Market in ~10 minutes or take a quick cab ride. Optimal time to visit is early morning. https://www.pikeplacemarket.org/

Seattle Center Monorail: Ride the iconic Monorail to the famed Seattle Center. Located just steps from the Westin’s front door, the Monorail quickly whisks you to the Seattle Center where several of Seattle’s key attractions (noted below with *) are located. Monorail fares are $3pp each way and travel time is <5 minutes. https://www.seattlemonorail.com/

*Space Needle: As the focal point of the Seattle Center, the world-famous Space Needle was built as a cultural centerpiece for the 1962 “The Age of Space” World’s Fair. A quick elevator ride to the Space Needle’s observation tower offers unparalleled views of Seattle’s skyline, the Puget Sound and other surrounding bodies of water, and several mountain ranges. As one of the most photographed and recognized structures in the work, visiting the iconic Space Needle is a must. https://www.spaceneedle.com/

*Chihuly Garden & Glass: Washington State glassblower Dale Chihuly is world-renowned for elevating the development of glass as a fine art. His beautiful creative bodies of work are featured in over 200 museums and include numerous international series. https://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/

*MoPop: Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) is a tribute to contemporary popular culture. Originally named the Experience Music Project (EMP), the museum’s unique exhibits now include music, science fiction, horror cinema, video games, the art of fantasy, and costumes from screen and stage. Special exhibits feature Seattle musician Jimi Hendrix and the band Nirvana. https://www.mopop.org/

Seattle Aquarium Ocean Pavilion: Located on Seattle’s downtown waterfront, The Seattle Aquarium is the 9^th largest aquarium in the U.S., offering hands-on marine experiences to learn about the Puget Sound and the ocean. https://www.seattleaquarium.org/

Day Trips & Activities

Woodinville Wine Country: Located just 30 minutes from downtown Seattle, Woodinville boasts more “90+ rated vintages” than any wine region in the world. Featuring four winemaking districts, visitors can experience sip offerings from more than 100 different Washington State wineries. Be sure to visit the stately grounds of Washington State favorite Chateau St. Michelle. https://woodinvillewinecountry.com/

Bainbridge Island: Live like the locals by sailing across the Puget Sound to visit this charming island. Catch the ferry from the Seattle Ferry Terminal, located in downtown Seattle. During the 35-minute ferry ride, you’ll experience the Puget Sound, taking in views of Mount Rainier and the Seattle skyline. Upon arrival at Bainbridge, the island’s main street is a ~10-minute walk, where you can spend the afternoon visiting restaurants, galleries and boutiques. Plan your trip with the ferry sailing schedule.

Whale Watching: The Puget Sound is home to a variety of whales year-round, as well as Orcas traveling through the San Juan Islands during the summer months. Whale watching water excursions are your best bet for spotting these magnificent creatures. https://visitseattle.org/things-to-do/outdoors/seattle-whale-watching-101/

Hiking: Outdoor enthusiasts can choose a variety of hiking and outdoor experiences, including trails located in Seattle’s downtown parks or area mountain ranges. https://visitseattle.org/seattle-localist/play/scenic-hikes/

Argosy Cruises: With the Puget Sound calling, plan to spend some time on the water. Argosy Cruises offers a variety of narrated sightseeing cruises to enhance your Seattle water excursion while learning the unique history of the city and its neighborhoods. Be sure to check out the “Locks” cruise to take a one-way trip through the Ballard Locks. https://www.argosycruises.com/

Seattle Mariners MLB: Sports enthusiasts can cheer on Seattle’s hometown Mariners, scheduled for home play August 2-4 (vs. Phillies) and August 6-8 (vs. Tigers). Located in downtown Seattle, T-Mobile Park offers a state-of-the-art stadium with retractable roof, a wide variety of food options, and a bustling scene. https://www.mlb.com/mariners

Insider Tips:

Seattle City Pass: This pass offers discounts for several of Seattle’s key attractions, including the Space Needle. https://www.citypass.com/seattle

Destination Fee at Marriott: The Westin Seattle offers an optional destination fee for $25/day that includes a daily Uber credit, a daily Westin food and beverage credit and more. Guests have the opportunity to opt in upon check‑in.

Dining: One of the best foodie cities in America, the Seattle food scene offers a broad range of dining experiences, ranging from casual to James Beard award winning restaurants. https://visitseattle.org/food-drink/restaurants/

Food Tours: To experience a variety of guided food tours, visit https://visitseattle.org/food-drink/food-tours/