Much to See in Seattle While at the NASFAA Conference

Seattle, NASFAA's Conference city for 2006, has very long days in July, with up to 16 hours of daylight. It does sometimes rain in the Seattle area, which means the foliage is lush and green and our gardens start blooming in February all the way into October. July is the best month with very little rain, low humidity, few bugs, and comfortable temperatures. It rarely is above 85 degrees or below 70 during the days. For general information on Seattle visit http://www.enjoyseattle.com/. We've listed information below about the city and a number of its more popular attractions.

• Getting Around: Seattle is a fairly compact city, with its share of traffic problems. Bottlenecks are inevitable with six drawbridges, two floating freeway bridges and three high over water bridges. Bus service is very good and convenient to downtown and points mentioned below. The Monorail currently is out of service because of a fire, but may be back in operation in 2006. A car is not needed for in-city sights, but you will need one for almost all out-of-town day trips.

• Washington Water: Seattle is a port city and a lake city, and water is everywhere (not just falling from the sky). We suggest getting out on the water in one form or another. Opportunities include not just taking a harbor tour, but also the tour from the downtown waterfront that takes you past Shilshole Marina and into the government locks. From there, you are about 20 feet higher and cruising the ship canal past the Alaska fishing fleet, under a couple of drawbridges, and past house boat communities, including the one from "Sleepless in Seattle", and into Lake Union, all the while taking in the spectacular views of the city and its neighborhoods. (There is even a giant troll hiding under the Fremont Bridge.)

• Seattle Waterfront: The waterfront on Elliott Bay is a great place to ride a trolley or eat some fish and chips. From here, you can catch a cruise to Tillicum Village on Blake Island and have a smoked salmon dinner just like the 17 world leaders did when they gathered for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The waterfront is also where you will find the Seattle Aquarium and the Omnidome Theater. Ferries also depart from the Seattle Waterfront carrying passengers and cars to Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Peninsula. You can even take a parasail ride!

• Kayaking: For the more adventurous, you can rent a kayak at the Northwest Outdoor Center or small sailboats on the west side of Lake Union and float around the lake yourself. For a little less urban setting, you can rent canoes at the Waterfront Activity Center by Husky Stadium on the University of Washington campus and canoe through the north end of the Arboretum. It is a great place to take a picnic lunch.

• Washington Parks: Kerry Park on the south slope of Queen Anne Hill offers a view of the city that many will recognize from a famous TV show on NBC. Other places with great views include Gas Works Park on north Lake Union, Golden Gardens Park on the Puget Sound in Ballard, Alki Beach in West Seattle, any ferry ride into the city, the Palisades Restaurant at Elliott Bay Marina at the foot of Magnolia Bluff, and Magnolia Boulevard on top of the Bluff itself.

• Washington Museums: Museums in Seattle, while not the Met or Louvre, offer a nice slice of various interests. The Seattle Art Museum is in downtown and has a strong collection and great feature exhibits. The Seattle Asian Art Museum is in Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill. The Museum of Flight is south of the city at Boeing Field and currently has the original Air Force One on display. The University of Washington has two fine galleries in the Henry Art Gallery, usually showing more contemporary pieces, and the Burke Museum, which features northwest native art. The Pacific Science Center is great for kids and now the Experience Music Project is open next door in the shadow of the Space Needle. It will likely be a must see for any musician or music lover.

• Shopping: Downtown Seattle offers fantastic shopping. Antiquing in the city is available downtown under the Viaduct, on First Ave. around the Pike Place Market, and in Pioneer Square.

• Pioneer Square: Red brick buildings give warmth and character to Pioneer Square, Seattle's oldest neighborhood. This was the home of the original "Skid Road," a term born when timber slid down Yesler Way to a steam-powered mill on the waterfront. Now, Pioneer Square is prime browsing territory, with stores offering everything from expensive antiques to handmade toys, but especially books. Pioneer Square is rich in history and lore, examined in spirited detail on the popular Underground Tour that visits the eerie sunken storefronts of what was ground-level Pioneer Square before the Great Fire of 1889.

• Chinatown: Near Pioneer Square is a large International District featuring wonderful restaurants and shops.

• Baseball: The Seattle Mariners' Safeco Field is one of the most beautiful baseball stadiums in the country. It offers sweeping views of the downtown Seattle skyline and breathtaking sunsets over Puget Sound combined with excellent views of game action. The Mariners will be playing at home before, during, and following the Conference.

• Zoo: Seattle has the Woodland Park Zoo and it is great. It has won numerous awards over the years for its exhibits, including the Tropical Rain Forest, Elephant Exhibit, Northern Plains Exhibit, and Nocturnal House.

• Gardens: The University of Washington Arboretum is our very own outdoor museum and the Japanese Gardens are (something has to be) magical.

• Coffee: Do not forget that Seattle also has a multitude of local coffee shops beyond Starbucks and Tulleys, plus a barista on most every block. Take the time to sit and relax every so often, be it at one of these coffee shops or back at the hotel.

• The Market: We saved the Pike Place Market for last, because it is the most popular and asked about location by guests. It is conveniently located downtown, and the average time spent at the market by our guests is about 2 to 3 hours. Many locals, especially the growing urban population, use the Market as their grocery store, florist, or specialty food store. The flowers are incredible and affordable and hotels have extra vases to use if you should purchase some. It is also a great place to buy fish to take back with you as it is packed to keep for 48 hours, or browse through the many shops and tables of local crafts.

Cruising to Alaska

By the NASFAA 2006 National Conference Host Committee

Posted March 30, 2006 on www.NASFAA.org, the Web Site of the
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
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