Welcome to the City of Friendship from The Westin Seattle

Located in Seattle's cultural core, The Westin Seattle is the AAA Four Diamond award-winning downtown hotel boasting 891 smoke-free rooms featuring panoramic views of the Puget Sound, Space Needle, Cascade Mountains, and Seattle's cityscape. Conveniently located in the bustling financial and shopping district, and walking distance from the Washington State Convention Center, historic Pike Place Market, and Qwest and Safeco fields, The Westin Seattle offers the perfect Northwest escape.


Seattle doesn't require a huge amount of pre-planning. Most of our 'can't miss' sights are clustered around downtown within easy walking distance of each other. City maps are available at The Westin Seattle Concierge desk. The Seattle Tour maps are free. To locate your direction and the lay of the land, point to the icon of the Space Needle at the Original Space Needle located north of downtown.



Our city is hilly - bring along your good walking shoes! Many Seattle streets are one-way, so leave the car in the garage. Walking and public transportation can take you almost everywhere. Upon arrival in your first few hours, you may want to walk the quarter mile to the waterfront and once there, you can take advantage of great dining at restaurants on Piers 54, 56 and 57, ride the Argosy Christmas boats that depart from Pier 55/56 or take a ride on charming horse carriages for a romantic view of the city.


Feeling adventurous? Take a walk south on Alaska Way to Pier 52 and ride the Bainbridge ferry as a pedestrian to Bainbridge Island for (35 minutes crossing, $6.90 per person roundtrip). On your way, soak in the stunning views of Seattle and Puget Sound. Once you arrive at Bainbridge Island, enjoy a lazy stroll through its waterfront, village of stores, wineries and cafes. Take a short hike to Mora Iced Creamery where ice creams and sorbet are made locally (139 Medrone Lane) and it's all non-fat. Relax on the ferry ride back to Seattle. Catch bus #16, 66 in front back to downtown. Unwind in The Westin Seattle lobby bar with 1/2 price appetizers and people watch.

Wake up early and walk four blocks to the 102-year old Pike Place Market where you will fall "Sleepless in Seattle" in love with the city. Stop at Le Panier bakery and grab a cup of Umbria Italian coffee before you visit the original Starbucks two doors over. The scene is fascinating any time of the day (market hours 10am - 6pm) but best in the morning when most locals and customers are getting their shopping done. We recommend that you try a walking breakfast option from fresh fruits to pastries and fresh seafood. Browse the literature at bookstores or treasure hunt in the market's many stores. Find Rachel the bronze pig and view the famous tossing of fish at Pike Place fish stand. Take the stairs down to the waterfront and visit the Seattle Aquarium at Pier 59 and stroll to Ivar's at Pier 54. Take the 90 minute Underground Tour then ride the bus tunnel to University Station. Exit and enjoy the cultural Seattle Art Museum.





Alternately, we would also recommend taking a morning three-hour, sixty mile city tour for a general overview of the Emerald City. You can choose from city tours or all day tours to Mount Rainier, wine country or a tour of the Boeing Everett Tour Center in Everett. Victoria B.C. or whale watching may be available.

Return to Pike Place - part market, part tourist attraction and part shopping mall. South is Pioneer Square with many art galleries, the Elliott Bay bookstore with 175,000 titles considered to be Seattle's best bookstore. At Westlake Center, you can take the 1-mile monorail ride to the Seattle center and celebrate the holiday season at Winterfest. Visit the 74-acre Seattle Center and the billionaire Paul Allen's ode to American music at Experience Music Project (EMP) designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry.




The holidays, rides and attractions are lots of fun, including the Children's Museum, the Pacific Science Center, and the International Fountain that spurts water in time with music. Ride bus #17 to the Hiram M. Locks where you can watch boats rise and fall as they move through Puget Sound and inland waterways. Visit Seattle's Pacific Rim Chinatown and the sprawling Uwajimaya Asian Village and store. Ride bus #35 to Woodlawn Park Zoo. Buses #26 and 28 will take you to Fremont which still has its hippy charm. Ride the water taxi to West Seattle (seasonal), Seattle's oldest neighborhood and best impression of California.







Walk the 1.5 mile beach and visit Seattle's own statue of liberty and the Alki lighthouse. Finish your day with a trip back downtown to Pacific Place mall - Seattle's most coveted address for shopping. Filled with options like Barney's New York, J. Crew, Williams-Sonoma and more, you may want to consider The Westin Seattle's Shopping Package with rates from $199 which includes a $100 Pacific Place Shopping Card each night of your stay. Check out http://www.westinseattle.com/holiday. Finish with dinner at Salty's Seafood Restaurant and toast to a great view of the city.