WEATHER
Ah, liquid sunshine.  Seattle and the Pacific Northwest is famous for its rain, even though other cities such as Miami,
Houston or St. Louis have greater annual precipitation totals: 58.53, 47.84 and 38.75 respectively. Averaging about 37.07 inches per annum, Seattle's rainfall is not that great.  Overcast, gray days typify the climate.

                                                               Precipitation Normals for 1971 - 2000 (in inches)

Seattle/Tacoma
   J       F         M         A          M          J          J          A          S          O          N         D        Annual

5.13   4.18     3.75     2.59      1.77     1.49     0.79     1.02      1.63      3.19     5.90      5.62      37.07

Source:  Statistical Abstract of the U.S., 2008

PACKING
What should I bring?

• Comfortable and casual are the norm for dress in Seattle. Bring something dressier if you plan to catch a show or spend your evenings in posh restaurants or clubs.

• Layers of clothing are best, since the weather can change drastically anytime of year. Even in summer, you will appreciate having packed a jacket to protect you from the Puget Sound breezes or rains.

• Comfortable walking shoes are a must if you plan on sightseeing.

• Above all, do not forget to bring your camera, film and blank tapes for capturing Seattle's scenery.

• Bring an umbrella for just in case.

WIRELESS INTERNET

Look for the Seattle free WiFI hotspot signs. In addition to this free city wifi,
the Seattle Public Library provides wireless in the downtown library and many branches.
For other hotspots around the city, check out Guide to Seattle's Free Wireless Coffee Shops.

SLA is sponsoring wireless connectivity throughout the Convention Center for attendees.   Lounges are located on the Skybridge near section D of the INFO-EXPO Hall and in the South Lobby Atrium.

HOTEL PROXIMITY TO THE SEATTLE CONVENTION CENTER. 
Map of convention area with hotels.

Seattle's Convention and Visitors Bureau hotel map guide

• Crowne Plaza Hotel* located on 1113 6th Avenue is 5 1/2  blocks walking. Maps and directions

• Fairmont Olympic Hotel*:  411 University Street approximately 5 1/2 blocks walking.  Maps and directions

• Grand Hyatt*:  721 Pine Street  is four blocks walking.  Maps and directions to the conference

• Hilton Seattle*: 1301 6th Avenue, just three blocks walking.  Maps and directions to the conference
  

• Mayflower Park Hotel* 405 Olive Way- seven blocks walking. See maps and directions

• Paramount Hotel *724 Pine Street, just four blocks on foot.  See maps and directions

• Pike Street/ Summerfield Suites * 1011 Pike Street, two blocks away walking.  See maps and directions

• Red Lion Hotel*  1415 5th Avenue approximately just 3 1/2 blocks walking.  Maps and directions are available

• Renaissance Seattle* Hotel 515 Madison Street is eight blocks walking.  Refer to maps and directions

• Roosevelt Hotel* 1531 7th Avenue, only 2 1/2 blocks to walk. Refer to maps and directions

• Sheraton Seattle Hotel* 1400 6th Avenue, a 2 1/2 block walk to the Convention Center.  See maps and directions
  
  

GETTING AROUND
In the city tips

Walk!  Seattle Walking Map

Q - "Is there an easy way to remember the east-west street names in downtown Seattle?"

A - By the way, yes there is!!! JCMSUP, a mnemonic many Seattleites learned in grade school- Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest. This represents all downtown Seattle east-west streets between Yesler Way and Olive Way/Stewart Street Jefferson, James, Cherry, Columbia, Marion, Madison, Spring, Seneca, University, Union, Pike and Pine.

Ride Free Area:  Riding Metro Transit is free between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily in Downtown Seattle.  The Ride Free Area (RFA) extends from the north at Battery St. to S. Jackson St. on the south, and east at 6th Avenue to the waterfront on the west. Metro routes 116, 118 and 119 are not included in the Ride Free area.  The bus tunnel is one of the quickest ways to travel the north-south corridor downtown.  If you want to get between the convention center and Pioneer Square or the International District, check out the Seattle Transit Tunnel station information.  After 7 p.m. you'll need to use surface transporation options.  

The Downtown Seattle Map shows the boundaries of the Ride Free Area.

For complete Metro bus transportation information throughout the city and King County, consult Metro Online

  Seattle has a new streetcar!  Check out the Seattle Streetcar: South Lake Union Line.  Although there is only the single line, it does take you from downtown (Westlake HUB/Pacific Place Station) to the South Lake Union area.  In addition to Lake Union Park, there are a variety of restaurants and marinas in the area.

  Use the King County Metro Trip Planner for information on public transit, which includes the Sound Transit's Regional Express bus routes, Sounder Commuter rail, Washington State ferries, and the Seattle Center Monorail.

  Take a ride on a Washington State Ferry - a quintessential Puget Sound experience.  The Bainbridge Island route is approximately 30 minutes each way.  Pretend you're one of the commuters.

  Use the only all hybrid fleet of environmentally friendly taxis in the Puget Sound area.  Green Cabs also offers express airport service.

  Maps and More Maps:

• notfortourists.com Seattle Maps
• Seattle Schmap
• Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau

Need help navigating Sea-Tac Airport?
There is plenty of assistance to help get you to your destination.

Sea-Tac airport is located about 14 miles south of the convention center (midway between the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, hence Sea-Tac.)  Automobile travel between Seattle and the airport will inevitably involve the Interstate (I-5), which can be slow during peak hours, so plan accordingly.  Google Maps estimates 22 to 30 minutes travel time, plus there'll be parking time.  TSA provides historical airport security wait time information for those leaving Seattle, but those are averages and your own wait times will vary; these times obviously do not include time spent in lines at ticket counters.  In short: allot a decent chunk of time when you leave!

• Airport maps are available online 

• Ground transportation is located on the third floor of the parking garage

• Volunteers are dressed in royal blue or red jackets with purple shirts. They are strategically placed throughout
  the terminal ready to answer your questions.

• Scheduled buses and van pick up and drop offs are at the south end of baggage claim level.   The Gray Line Downtown Airporter offers service to many downtown hotels from Sea-Tac Airport.  
• Public transportation is available to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.  Public transit bus routes serve the airport outside Door 6 on the lower level of Baggage Claim.  Plan your trip and learn more about taking the bus from the airport to the downtown conference area.
• Stita Taxi service is also available from the third floor of the Parking Garage.  Sample one way fares are provided

• Car rental agencies are onsite.  There nine companies and they are located on the first floor of the garage across from the Main Terminal.  Five offer drop off and pick-up at the airport.   Airport car rentals have courtesy van service to Sea-Tac
  

HOTEL ATMs (see under amenities)

• Crowne Plaza Hotel_  

• Fairmont Olympic Hotel  

• Grand Hyatt Seattle

• Hilton Seattle

• Renaissance Hotel

• Sheraton Seattle
  

ATMs in Convention Center:  2 U.S. Bank cash machines -  Level 1 at the base of the South Galleria escalators (next to the Massage Bar) & Level 4 across from the information desk (next to Tully's Coffee).

FULL SERVICE BANKING IN SEATTLE click here

DRUG STORES AND GROCERIES
Bartell Drugs has several branches downtown: 1628 5th Ave (5th Ave & Olive St), 910 4th Ave (4th Ave & Madison St), 1404 3rd Ave (3rd Ave & Union St)

Pike Place Market :  Fresh produce and so much more.

Whole Foods Market:  2210 Westlake Ave.  A short walk at a little under a mile away.  Also near the Seattle Streetcar.

Uwajimaya:  600 5th Ave S in the International District.  Accessible via any bus stopping in the Seattle Transit Tunnel.

FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN: SERVICES AVAILABLE
Crybaby Comforts: http://www.crybabycomforts.com  can supply you with baby equipment when you arrive in Seattle if you don't want to lug your own car seat or baby swing across the country! Services are available for all ages of children and they can deliver to the airport or hotel.

Travel BaBees, Inc: www.travelbabees.com is also a full service baby equipment rental and supply company. They rent a wide variety of popular name brand infant, toddler, and children's items such as cribs, strollers, car seats, high chairs, toys and more.

FAMOUS ICONS
Every city has its particular icons which make the city unique. These are places you will want to visit while
in Seattle.

• The Seattle Space Needle - originally built as a central structure for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.
• The Seattle Monorailruns from downtown (Westlake Mall, at 5th & Pine) to the Seattle Center, home of the Space Needle, the EMP, the Science Fiction Museum & Hall of Fame, and the Pacific Science Center.

• The Original Starbucks opened its doors in downtown Seattle Pike Place Market, 1971.

• The Fremont Troll- see what lurks under the Fremont Bridge. Sculpted in 1990 by four local artists, the community celebrates Trollaween every October 31.  If you go visit the troll, don't miss the statue of Lenin four blocks west near the corner of 36th and Evanston!

• Bill Gates' House- take the Argosy Lake Washington cruise and see his palatial home near Medina. Argosy cruise tickets may be purchased at the Argosy Visitor Center on Pier 56. Consider the Seattle CityPass and see other attractions

• Experience Music Project - EMP,the rock 'n' roll museum, home to Jimi Hendrix memorabilia.   The building also houses the Science Fiction Museum & Hall of Fame.
  
  

SEATTLE RADIO STATIONS

• Hear free live streaming music from Seattle stations at your computer.
• Listing of Seattle FM radio stations.

WHERE TO SHOP
Located in the heart of downtown Seattle is Westlake Center has 80 shops and restaurants. Situated next door to the Center are Nordstrom's and Macy's, and a block further east is the Pacific Place Shopping Center.  Attached to the Westlake Center is the Monorail to quickly take you to the Seattle Center and Space Needle.

One of Seattle's icons is the Pike Place Market; the map enthusiast should not miss Metsker's Maps, located right adjacent to it.

NWSource has a Shopping section that includes sales & events and "Daily Finds."  Browse by neighborhood and/or category.

The Downtown Seattle Association maintains a list of shopping centers and shops in the downtown area, organized by neighborhood, including the Retail Core, the Waterfront, Belltown, Pioneer Square and Capitol Hill (among many others):  http://www.downtownseattle.com/content/visitors/Shopping.cfm

Use the "Search Our Seattle Database" function on Not For Tourists - Seattle to find shopping by neighborhood.  Change the Category to "Shopping" and choose a neighborhood or all neighborhoods.

Yelp Seattle includes reviews and users' "Fresh Lists" of favorites.

Seattle Citysearch also has a comprehensive shopping section.

Archie McPhee - Celebrating 25 Years!

REI - Seattle Flagship store.  Outdoor gear galore.  A destination in itself, with a climbing wall (pinnacle actually) and multiple gear testing stations.

For Bookstores, visit the Entertainment page. 

Stop by the Hospitality Booth!  Everyone has their own favs, stand-bys, and regular haunts.

CHURCHES
Search for a church by denomination, size, location, or specific ministry.

DOLLAR WISE DISCOUNTS

• Looking to save money? Consider ordering the 2008 Seattle Eastside Entertainment Book. Why pay full price for dining, shopping and attractions. Order your copy, half off for $12.50 click here or call toll free, 1-866-400-0974.
• A discount book is available from Seattle TourSaver: www.seattletoursaver.com  
  

WHERE TO MAIL PACKAGES

• Post Office 301 Union Street, Seattle - is just minutes away by car, from the Trade & Convention Center.
• FedEx Kinko's has a branch in the Convention Center.   Open continuously Monday 7:00am until Friday 9:00pm.  Saturday & Sunday 9:00am - 6:00pm.  Located on Level 1.  Telephone: (206) 467-1767
  E-mail: usa5161@fedexkinkos.com
• UPS Store 1700 7th Ave Suite 116 (7th Ave & Stewart St, facing Stewart)
• Mail Boxes Etc. 800 5th Ave Suite 101 (Bank of America 5th Avenue Plaza)
  
  

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS
Am I required to have a visa to enter the United States? click here

• Consulates in Seattle List of Consulates
• When to tip: Tipping is not compulsory, but, tipping is an important part of certain workers income. In hotels, tip bellhops $2.00 - $3.00 if you have many bags or $1.00 per bag. Valet parking attendants should be tipped $1.00 each time they get your vehicle. In restaurants, nightclubs, tip the service staff 15% to 20%. Bartenders should receive 10% to 15%.

• Emergencies: Call 911 to get an ambulance, report a fire, or call the police anywhere in the United States.
  911 is a toll-free call; coins are not required at public telephones.

• Toll free information to businesses and local residents anywhere in the United States: 1 (800) 373-3411 or key on your phone:  1 (800) free 411