Seattle

Seattle skyline

Seattle is modern, geeky, diverse, surprising, and fun. It is a center of technology, aerospace, commerce, customer service, coffee, and gaming! Sitting on the west coast within sight of the mountains, at the corner of the country and only a ferry ride from Canada, Seattle is an outward-focused community that tolerates everyone’s difference because everyone here is a little different.
Seattle on Wikipedia

Getting to Seattle

By Air • By Car • By Train • By Bus • By Boat

By Air

Seattle Tacoma International Airport is the primary commercial airport serving the Seattle metropolitan area. Daily direct flights from destinations all over the world are available. Service from all major US carriers is available along with many international airlines.

Seattle Paine Field International Airport is another airport serving the northern part of the Seattle metropolitan area about 25 miles/40km north of Seattle. Paine Field is the hub for Kenmore Air and is serviced primarily by Alaska Airlines with 18 flights daily to 9 destinations.

By Car

The hotel is located on International Avenue, aka Highway 99, a short distance away from I-5. Discounted parking is available for $14 per day onsite for convention attendees; pay in the lobby at the parking machines. Ample accessible parking is available as well as oversize parking space in the back lot. No valet service is available.

By Train

Seattle has train service with the major station being King Street Railroad Station. It is served by Amtrak’s Cascades, Coast Starlight and Empire Builder lines as well as Sounder Commuter trains run by Sound Transit. 25 daily trains depart this station.

By Bus

Greyhound Bus services Seattle with a major travel hub. Greyhound buses service Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at the Arrivals Drive, outside Main Terminal near Door 2, at the south end of the Baggage Claim level.

Getting Around Seattle

There are three things you need to know about how to get where you’re going in Seattle. (Or maybe four.)

LINK Light Rail

The easiest way to get to Seattle from the airport area is via the LINK light rail. This goes north across the city near the coast. The station is across from the airport (at the parking lot of the Hilton), about 0.7 miles from the DoubleTree (14 minute walk, or a cheap Uber ride). There are four downtown stops from International District up to Westlake. The train runs every ten minutes. The fare is $3.

Sound Transit Buses

Sound Transit runs buses throughout the Seattle metropolitan area. Fares vary by distance, typically a few dollars, and can be paid by cash, credit or debit card, or with an ORCA transit card available at many transit stops. Some buses run on underground routes, avoiding city traffic.

Seattle Monorail

The Seattle Monorail was a highlight of the 1962 World’s Fair and it still carries people across the city every day. There are only three stops, but it’s a fast way to get across the city between Seattle Center and Westlake Center; it also gives a great view of the Seattle skyline. The fare is $3.50 and can be paid with cash, credit, debit, or ORCA card.

A final note

Ride shares like Uber and Lyft work in Seattle as they do in many other cities. Taxis are also an option. One can of course drive around Seattle; traffic is not quite as bad as some large cities, but parking is more expensive than most places.

Restaurants We Like

  • 13 Coins
    18000 International Blvd. (0.4 mi.)   206-243-9500  https://www.13coins.com/
    24 hours! $$. Casual dining. Diverse menu, mostly American and Italian. Many locals like this place. Service varies.
  • Denny’s
    18623 Pacific Hwy S. (0.2 mi.)   206-248-1558  https://www.dennys.com/
    24 hours. $. Free wifi. All-day breakfast, burgers, and the usual.
  • (the other) Denny’s
    17206 Pacific Hwy S. (1.0 mi.)   206-277-7106
    24 hours. $. Free wifi. All-day breakfast, burgers, and the usual.
  • Jack In The Box
    2840 South 188th St. (0.2 mi.)   206-244-6293  https://www.jackinthebox.com/
    24 hours. $. Burgers, chicken, breakfast, fast food.
  • L&L Hawaiian Barbecue
    18613 International Blvd. (0.3 mi.)   206-432-9646  https://www.hawaiianbarbecue.com/
    10:30 AM to 9 PM. $$. Interesting Hawaiian food, many choices.
  • Mango Thai Cuisine and Bar
    18613 International Blvd. (0.3 mi.)   206-243-1888  https://www.mangoseattle.com/
    Closes 9 PM, closed Sunday. $$. Good Thai dishes.
  • Masae’s Teriyaki
    19021 International Blvd. 0.3 mi.)   206-241-6231
    Open to 9 PM Friday, 8 PM Saturday, close Sunday. $+. Informal, Japanese teriyaki and traditional sides. Good Value.
  • rbg Bar and Grill
    18118 International Blvd. (at the Radisson)   206-244-6666
    6 AM to 9 PM (busy after 5 PM). $$+. Seafood and Pacific Northwest dishes.
  • Seaports Restaurant & Lounge
    18740 International Blvd. (in the DoubleTree hotel)   206-246-8600
    11 AM to midnight. Less busy 5 PM to 8 PM. $$. Casual American hotel food.
  • Sharp’s Roaster & Ale House
    18427 International Blvd. (0.4 mi.)   206-241-5744  https://www.sharpsroasthouse.com/
    Open until midnight. $$. Great rotisserie chicken and ribs, and yummy sides.
  • Subway
    18613 International Blvd. (0.3 mi.)   206-436- 8570  https://www.subway.com/
    Open to 1:30 AM. ., Sandwiches and salads.
  • Taco Bell
    18812 International Blvd. (0.2 mi.)   206-243-8171, https://www.tacobell.com
    7 AM to 3 AM. $. Tacos, burritos, nachos, etc.