Guide to the Emerald City
 It's easy to see why Seattle is called the Emerald City. It's truly a gem, a green seaside metropolis whose spirit and aspirations are as high as the mountains around it.
Seattle is the commercial, cultural and advanced technology hub of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, and a major port city for trans-Pacific and European trade. Surrounded by mountains and water, the greater Seattle area features picture perfect views and abundant recreational activities year round.
It should be perfect fall weather in late October, with an average temperature of 60 degrees. The evenings may drop into the 40's, so make sure to have a jacket handy. It's no accident that Seattle is known for its espresso.
Downtown Seattle was designed to be compact and convenient, and the 24th Annual NAHC meeting is in the heart of it all! The 2005 Annual Meeting will be held at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center and is within walking distance of many shops, restaurants and attractions in downtown Seattle. However, if you're not up for a stroll, you may want to explore the area by car, boat, or tour bus.
From Sea-Tac Airport to Downtown Seattle
Sea-Tac Airport is 13 miles (21km) south of the city via I-5. It serves the major Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area, and is one of the nation's busiest airports, and a gateway to Alaska and the Far East. Because Seattle does not have a subway or light rail system, the only transportation options for getting to and from the airport are rental cars, taxis, shuttles and cars.
Driving: There are two main exits from the airport: From the loading/unloading area, take the first exit if you're staying near the airport. Take the second exit (Wash. 518) if you're headed to downtown Seattle. Driving east on Wash. 518 will connect you to I-5, where you'll then follow the signs for Seattle. Generally, allow 30 minutes for the drive between the airport and downtown - 45 minutes to an hour during rush hour.
During rush hour, it's sometimes quicker to take Wash. 518 west to Wash. 509 north to Wash. 99 to Wash. 519 (which becomes the Alaskan Way Viaduct along the Seattle waterfront).
Like in any major city, traffic in downtown Seatte can be challenging at times. Generally speaking, streets run north and south and avenues run east and west. There are miles of one-way streets and the location of the city on several hills forces changes in the standard grid pattern.
If you plan on driving a good deal, you may want to get a GPS system with your rental car.
Taxis: A taxi ride to the airport from downtown Seattle can run from $30 to $35. Yellow Cab/Graytop Cab (206-622-6500) is authorized to pick up passengers from the airport. Shuttles: Gray Line transportation company provides airport service from several downtown Seattle hotels for $8.50 one way, or $14 round trip, call (206) 626-6088. Shuttle Express (425) 981-7000 offers shared-ride service to and from the airport. Typical fares from downtown range from $21 to $29. Call (425) 981-7000.
Buses and Other Transportation Options
 Metro Transit buses blanket the metropolitan area, with most buses running through downtown on 4th Ave. or in the Bus Tunnel, which has five downtown entrances. In the immediate downtown area, all bus rides are free from 6am to 7pm in the area between 6th Ave and the Waterfront, and between Jackson St. in Pioneer Square and Battery St.
Monorail: Built for the 1962 World's Fair, the Seattle Monorail connects Westlake Park (near the Convention center) to the Space Needle and the Seattle Center. Perfect for a day of shopping, the monorail has frequent stops down 5th Avenue.
Trolley: Another great mode of transportation is the Seattle Trolley that runs from most of the main tourist places downtown. Stops indicated by bright yellow sandwich boards include the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Waterfront, Pioneer Square, the International District, Safeco Field, and the Seattle Art Museum. The trolley runs every 30 minutes. Passes are $17 for adults and $9 for children (cash only) and are good for two consecutive days. The trolley is available from May to October every day during the hours of 9am to 6pm.
The Ferry System: For trips outside the city limits, the Washington State Ferry system is a wonderfully scenic way to get around. The views of the city are top notch and making a tour on a sunny fall day is definitely a good option. Ferries leave from the piers along the Alaskan Way waterfront.
Helpful Hints about Finding Your Way Around Downtown Seattle
Odd-numbered addresses are on the west side of avenues, and on the south side of streets. The directional designations such as "NW" or "S" will give you a general idea of where a particular address is relative to the central downtown area. For example, "NW" streets or avenues would typically be found in the Ballard, Crown Hill, or Blue Ridge neighborhoods. No directional designations are used downtown, or in the neighborhoods in the center of the city.
Remember that when locals are speaking of streets, the directional is commonly stated first. Thus, it is safe to assume that "NW 67th" refers to Northwest 67th Street, not avenue. Conversely, if someone says a destination is on "33rd E," the reference is to 33rd Avenue East. There's also a mnemonic device used locally for remembering the sequence of downtown streets. Beginning with Jefferson Street and working north, there are two streets for the first letter of each of the following words: "Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest" (i.e., Jefferson and James, Columbia and Cherry, Marion and Madison, Spring and Seneca, University and Union, Pike and Pine).
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