Welcome to Seattle!

Some hotels have their own shuttle service available to pick up guests
at the airport. If your hotel doesn't have a shuttle, we recommend that you
take the Downtown Shuttle.

After you have picked up your luggage at baggage claim, head to Door 00
(those are zeroes). Shuttles are available every half-hour. The cost for
a one-way trip is $ 10.25 and the cost for a round-trip is $ 17.00.

Numbered avenues run north-south. First Avenue is closest to the water.
Streets run east-west and come in pairs. Walking south, use this mnemonic
to remember the pairs: People Usually See Me Crossing Jefferson. The pairs
of streets are Pike & Pine, Union & University, Spring & Seneca, Madison &
Marion, Columbia & Cherry, James & Jefferson.

Riding the bus (Metro Transit) is fairly easy in Seattle. Downtown is a
ride free area between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., so if you are shopping in the
retail core or at the Pike Place Market and want to pop down to Pioneer
Square, you can take a bus. The drivers are generally helpful.

The guide to downtown bus service includes the section Just Want to Zip
Around Downtown? that includes the north-south streets (running
parallel to the water) and bus numbers.

If you want to to get to the University District, to visit the University
of Washington Libraries or Law Library, or the University Bookstore, take
any bus number 71, 72, or 73 (northbound).

Peak hour fare (M-F, 6-9 a.m. & 3-6 p.m.) is $1.50 each way. Off-peak is
$1.25. When riding outbound from downtown, you pay when you get off.
Inbound, you pay when you get on. If you need to change buses (or are
returning in under an hour), ask the driver for a transfer.

The main retail core is a few blocks north of hotel. Nordstrom (5th &
Pine) and Macy's (3rd & Pine) are the two department stores. Pacific Place
(6th and Pine) has a Barnes & Noble, Eddie Bauer, Chico's, and J. Jill.
Westlake Center (between 4th & 5th on Pine) has a Talbot's, April Cornell,
and a large food court. Coldwater Creek is across Pine from Westlake.

Pioneer Square is the home of Elliot Bay Book Company but also Magic
Mouse Toys, Laguna (vintage pottery), the Clog Factory. Good places to eat
include the Grand Central Baking Company and the Elliot Bay Cafe (in the
basement of the bookstore).

Pike Place Market is full of small shops, produce and flower stalls, and
places to eat. Check out Golden Age Collectibles (comic books & pop
culture), Sur La Table (kitchenware), and Delaurenti Specialty Food &
Wine. Quilters should not miss Undercover Quilts (quilts for sale and
fabric, supplies, and patterns).

International District shopping starts with Uwajimaya Village , 600 5th
Avenue South. Large Asian grocery, gifts, and food court.

Seattle is fairly vegetarian/vegan friendly. We are the home of Field Roast
after all!

Good place to start is VegSeattle.com The website lists vegan, vegetarian,
and veg-friendly restaurants. Another helpful resource is Happy Cow's
Vegetarian Guide.

Seattle has two lovely vegetarian restaurants, but neither of them are
downtown. The closest is Cafe Flora, a 10-minute cab ride
(or you can take the number 11 bus to Madison Park). Cafe Flora creates
lovely and tasty dishes, with many vegan choices. It's a treat.

Carmelita, is in a North End neighborhood, about a 20-minute drive
from downtown.

Downtown, you'll find:

Cyber-Dogs, is a "frisky International Gourmet Vegetarian/Vegan
Internet cafe and community." It's a tiny, quirky place tucked one block
east (up hill) from the Convention Center main entrance on Pike street.
Service can be slow, but where else can you find veggie hot dogs with
unusual toppings? My favorite is the California ("Bacon," Avocado,
Cheese, Veggies & Salsa) and my husband's is the Laika (Eggplant
& Zucchini paste).

For vegetarian friendly fast-food, Taco del Mar and World Wrapps are
good choices:

Taco del Mar - vegan and vegetarian burritos
823 3rd Ave (3rd & Marion)
107 2st Ave S in Pioneer Square

World Wrapps - vegan and vegetarian wraps and bowls
6th & Union (in Two Union Square)
4th & Pine (in Westlake Center)
5th & Columba (in the Bank of America Tower)

Pan-asian restaurants are also good choices for vegetarians and Seattle
has plenty, including: Dragonfish, Bambuza, Wild Ginger.

• Visit the great exhibits at the Seattle Asian Art Museum.
• Go to Pike's Place Market and watch the fish throwing,
  have a sip of coffee at the very first Starbucks shop,
  and have a very nice meal at the various restaurants
  around the area.
• Ride the Ducks.
• Visit the Fremont Troll.
• Do some shopping at Nordstrom's and Archie McPhee's.
• Take a nice leisurely walk along the waterfront.
• Visit the Burke Museum and the Henry Art Gallery at
  the University of Washington
• Go see the Bob Dylan exhibit at the Experience Music Project (EMP)
  as well as the Jimi Hendrix exhibit and the Guitar Gallery.
• Take the Seattle Underground Tour.
• Go to the top of the Space Needle.
• So you can feel well rested for the reception and tour of the
  Seattle Public Library on Sunday evening.

For most of the calendar year, you can always expect rain in Washington
State. Since rain is part of the culture, most native Washingtonians don't
bother with umbrellas. People using umbrellas are either tourists or new to
the state. Most Washingtonians wear hats, caps, or hooded shirts to protect
themselves from the wet precipitation. Be sure to leave your slick heeled
dress shoes and super high heels at home. Also, remember that downtown
Seattle is quite hilly, so you may want to consider comfortable shoes.

The weather can change several times during the day that is why layering
is a very important aspect of dressing in the Pacific Northwest. Be sure
to wear something warm underneath your shirt or blouse and wear a
comfortable jacket over your shirt.

A couple of items you should bring.
What not to bring...umbrellas.
Layering...a good idea!
Coffee, layering, and rain...a great combination!