Seattle is known as the Emerald City, and it is truly a gem waiting to be explored while you and your family attend the 2006 NASFAA Conference from July 5 to 8. You'll be staying in one of the most visitor-friendly cities in the world, with something to do for everyone. Seattle is a compact and thriving metropolitan city surrounded by natural beauty that is unmatched in the USA. Read-on to begin making plans to maximize your time at this year's event!
If you love fireworks and are arriving on or before July 4th, there will be plenty for you to enjoy. Downtown Seattle typically hosts three fireworks displays that will be accessible from the NASFAA activity core: over Lake Union; along the Waterfront Piers; and at the Seattle Center/Space Needle. As the Conference dates near, you can check into specific times as well as other great local activities by visiting www.SeattleInsider.com.
If you are planning to spend extra time in Seattle but prefer a less hectic environment, the weekend after NASFAA could be the one for you. There may not be fireworks, but the top visitor destinations such as Pike's Market, Pioneer Square, Seattle Center, and the Stadium District are likely to have noticeably fewer holiday guests. This may also be the better weekend if you would like to plan a day trip by boat to Victoria or by car to Vancouver, British Columbia (don't forget your passports!).
Here are some additional considerations as you make your NASFAA 2006 Seattle plans.
1. Seattle Is Easy to Navigate: Downtown Seattle has very well defined boundaries. Puget Sound to the West, I-5 to the East, Seattle Center to the North, and Pioneer Square / Stadium District to the South. While many activities are within walking distance, a "Ride Free" public transportation zone through most of downtown can help you get to where to want to be fresh and ready to play. It also helps when returning with your payload. Taxis are also easy to find.
2. Great Destinations Close to the NASFAA Core: Pike's Public Market, home of the famous "flying fish" market, is within walking distance and the surrounding streets are relatively flat. The market is bursting at the seams with life and activity. Pioneer Square, the Seattle Art Museum, and the waterfront piers are also easily accessible. The Square offers a more mature shopping and dining experience, while the waterfront is the area's summer playground, featuring the aquarium, Omni-dome theatre, parasailing, and more.
Half-way between the market and Square on the waterfront is the Washington State Ferry Dock. There are few better ways to relax than a simple two-hour, round-trip ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. The reasonably priced ride provides fantastic views of Puget Sound, as well as panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains to the West and Seattle with a Cascade Mountains background to the East.
3. Fun for the Whole Family: No family trip to Seattle would be complete without a visit to the Seattle Center, which is accessed best via monorail departing from the top level of Westlake Center, 4 blocks from the NASFAA site. In addition to the Space Needle, the Center is home to a year-round carnival-style midway; several rides for the young (and young at heart); the Pacific Science Center; Key Arena; a huge indoor play park including video arcades; and lots of open space to stroll and enjoy.
Also at the Center is the Experience Music Project, an interactive museum and small concert venue housed in a very unique and artistically designed facility. EMP is a reflection of Seattle's vibrant music culture and history. Pioneer Square is the place to go for a night of live music of almost any variety. In combination they provide an excellent environment for understanding the development of a music landscape that has developed world famous rock artists ranging from Heart to Hendrix to Nirvana.
Sports fans can check out our new, world-class facilities by attending a game or taking a tour. Safeco Field is home to baseball's Mariners, while Quest Field is home to the 2005 NFC Champion Seahawks and 2005 A-League Soccer Champion Sounders.
4. The Great Outdoors at Your Doorstep: You don't have to be a mountain goat to enjoy nature in Seattle. The city is full of fun and unique parks, including the Chittenden Locks at Ballard that features a "salmon ladder," Discovery Park, and the Waterfront Trail. If there is a bit of mountain goat in you, there are a variety of skill-level hiking trails just 20 miles east of town along I-90 at Tiger Mountain. Driving less than 10 miles further east provides access to Snoqualmie Falls and more difficult hiking trails at Mt. Si or Twin Falls. You can also just stay in the car and take in a spectacular mountain scenery drive to the top of Snoqualmie Pass, less than one hour from downtown.
If you like volcanoes Seattle is the place to be! There are 2 within a day-trip of Seattle: Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier. While Mt. Rainier is more "pristine" as it waits for it's next eruption, the connection to nature's power while driving through the destruction zone surrounding St. Helens is incredible to feel.
5. Amazing Restaurants: Seattle's location and ethnic mix provides an eclectic variety of culinary styles and environments. Even the higher-end restaurants are accepting of a more casually dressed, outdoor-oriented clientele. The Pan-Pacific atmosphere and style brings out the best of whatever you order, including amazing steaks, seafood, fresh sushi, or locally crafted Thai and Vietnamese offerings.
Need More Information?
The Host Committee will be providing additional features about Seattle as we lead up to the Conference. Our Local Services team is busy preparing lots of information to help you once you arrive. Prior to that, feel free to visit www.seattleinsider.com to learn more about local activities, or to access tickets to local sports and entertainment events.
By Martin Daniels, Citibank the Student Loan Corporation
Member, NASFAA National Conference Host Committee
Posted March 22, 2006 on www.NASFAA.org, the Web Site of the
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
Copyright 2006. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited
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