THINGS TO DO
September in the Northwest usually means blue skies and sunshine—although rain is, of course, always a possibility. You might want to plan to come a few days early or stay a few days after the conference to take advantage of the lovely sightseeing weather.
The Sound Transit light rail system offers a quick and hassle-free connection between Sea-Tac Airport and downtown Seattle, with a number of stops along the way that link to destinations of interest.
Near the Hotel
Just a short drive from the Marriott is Southcenter Mall, with its many shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Also nearby is the Museum of Flight with its flight simulators, retired aircraft, and historical exhibits.
For those seeking outdoor fun, Seahurst Park in nearby Burien offers beach access, wooded footpaths, and superb birdwatching.
In Seattle
Seattle offers a lot to see, including the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, the waterfront, the Seattle monorail, and more. The City of Seattle has some great tips on making the most of your visit.
Care to take in a ballgame? The Seattle Mariners are on the road during the conference itself, but they do have a game against the Oakland A’s on Sunday afternoon, September 9.
Staff Suggestions
St. Edward State Park: A jewel on the eastside of Lake Washington in Kenmore (just up from Kirkland), you can find hiking trails for all levels of ability, the biggest climbing structure I've ever seen, big flat playing fields for soccer or frisbee and more. It's a state park in Washington, so there may be a small fee for the day, depending on what our legislature has done *this* season.—Susan Mohn, Event Planner
Ballard Locks: I've loved going to the Ballard locks since I was a kid. It's really cool to see how those enormous locks work, and the fish ladder has viewing windows. During September, you should be able to see Chinook and Coho salmon returning to spawn. Plus, it's free! (Although you may have to pay for parking.)—Kathy Ice, Documenter
Pike Place Market: Pike Place Market is full of hidden gems, from the crumpet bakery to the wooden toy store to the best pipe-tobacconist in Seattle. It never stops revealing secrets, even if you live here and have wandered through it for years. Locals and tourists alike shop the upper tiers for fresh veggies and dirt-cheap bouquets of just-cut flowers. I particularly love Three Girls Bakery, Left Bank Books, and Maxmilien's french restaurant. Meanwhile the lower levels hold specialty shops like a stage-magic supply, spice merchants, baseball-card vendors, and stranger things. The nooks, crannies, and niches full of treasures can distract you for an afternoon, or many afternoons.—Owen Hermsen, Associate Director
Museum of Flight : The Museum of Flight is one of my favorite attractions in the Seattle area. I have adorable pictures of my then two-year old son touring a retired Air Force One jet. The collection includes planes from small (a little aerocar that was certified for use as a plane and an automobile) to impressive (a Lockheed M-21 Blackbird and one of the Concorde jets). They also have a lot of space artifacts including mock-ups of several space vehicles and the Space Shuttle trainer which may be on exhibit by the time the VISTA Expo rolls around. From flight simulators to movies to being able to sit in the cockpits of several of the planes on exhibit, there is a lot to do at the Museum of Flight!—Linda Yaw, Director of Operations
