Seattle has long been a destination for music lovers, techies, foodies and outdoor enthusiasts. The city boasts nearly 150 miles of freshwater and 54 miles of saltwater coastlines; boasts a thriving arts and culture scene; cheers on its professional sports teams, from football to baseball to hockey and soccer; is home to a dozen Fortune 500 companies; and is filled with diverse neighborhoods so that everyone finds a place that feels like home. With all of this and more, there is indeed something for every meeting planner and attendee in the Emerald City.
Why Seattle
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A walkable city with neighborhood vibes.
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At the forefront of the green movement. Think forward-thinking efforts in recycling, composting, water and energy conservation, organic dining and eco-friendly transportation.
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Recognized as the #1 city for women entrepreneurs and received a 100% perfect score on Human Rights Watch’s Municipal Equality Index.
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More than 1,200 domestic and international flights arrive in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport daily.
What’s New in Seattle
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In 2023 the Seattle Convention Center unveiled Summit, a $2 billion addition and one of North America’s rare vertical convention centers.
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The Seattle Aquarium opened its new Ocean Pavilion, featuring tropical species from the Coral Triangle in the Indo-Pacific.
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Seattle is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
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The city’s light rail system is expanding into more neighborhoods and nearby destinations.
There are plenty of options when it comes to things to see and do in Seattle, as well as places to grab a bite to eat, or host a power lunch or dinner. Here are a few spots to pique your interest.
SEE
Overlook Walk
The recently completed Overlook Walk provides a terrific perspective of Seattle. The new elevated pedestrian park directly connects the iconic Pike Place Market with downtown neighborhoods, the Seattle Aquarium and Waterfront Park, boasting 360-degree views of downtown Seattle, Lumen Field, T-Mobile Park, Elliott Bay, the Olympic mountains and Mount Rainier.
Northwest Trolls
Six giant trolls popped up throughout the Pacific Northwest in 2023, adding a bit of whimsy to the landscape, in addition to carrying a message about environmental sustainability. Five of the trolls that comprise environmental artist Thomas Dambo’s “NWTrolls: Way of the Bird King” are in and around Seattle, the easiest of which to find being Bruun Idun in West Seattle and Frankie Feetsplinter in Ballard. Dambo’s 153 trolls – and counting – can be found across the U.S. and on five continents.
Frye Art Museum
Find inspiration at the Frye Art Museum, the city’s only free art museum that is dedicated to exhibiting art from the past and present created by local and global artists. The museum’s founding collection features more than 230 oil paintings celebrating late-nineteenth and early-twentieth-century European and American art. Contemporary artists are showcased in traveling exhibitions.
For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Seattle, a Hosts Global Member.
DO
The Seattle Aquarium
The Seattle Aquarium’s new Ocean Pavilion opened late-summer 2024, offering a peek into the undersea world of the Coral Triangle, a region in the Indo-Pacific that has been called “the Amazon of the ocean” due to its incredible biodiversity. Glimpse spotted eagle rays, leopard sharks, mangroves, a kelp forest and all the myriad sea life that live within. The aquarium is available for private events.
Picklewood
The pickleball players in your group will want to hit the courts at Picklewood, the new 25,000 square foot pickleball facility that is slated to open in 2025 at Urbanworks in SODO Seattle. Picklers will find 11 courts on which to play, seven inside and four outside. Pre- and post-match bites will be inspired by local restauranteur Ethan Stowell.
Space Needle
No visit to Seattle is complete without a stop at the iconic Space Needle. Soaring 605 feet into the sky, the Space Needle was built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the theme of which was “The Age of Space.” From the top, take in 360-degree indoor and outdoor views of downtown, Mount Rainier, Puget Sound, and the Cascades and Olympic mountain ranges. Those who dare can step out onto the Loupe, the world’s first and only revolving glass floor. Wow your guests with a private event at the Space Needle.
For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Seattle, a Hosts Global Member.
EAT
Atoma
Drawing upon their experiences, childhoods and travels, the culinary team at Atoma sources the farmers, ranchers, fishermen and winemakers in the Pacific Northwest to create a menu filled with thoughtful, diverse and globally-influenced dishes. Think black cod served with roasted alliums and matsutake dashi; lion’s mane katsu with ginger carrot emulsion; and beef coulotte served with baby leek, comté custard, sweetbreads and quince. Atoma, named one of Robb Report's Best New Restaurants in America, 2024, is available for private events.
Westward
On the shores of Lake Union, Westward sets the scene for a casual lunch or dinner with an outdoor fire pit and beachside seating. The menu features sustainable seafood and other marine fare from the Pacific Ocean, including fresh, local oysters. For starters, dig into a spicy clam dip or baked oysters before diving into mains like hama hama manila clams served with Morita sausage and leeks; braised spareribs with a guajillo glaze; or chickpea fritters with oyster mushrooms and niçoise olives for the vegetarians in the group. Speaking of groups, Westward is available for private events.
Ramie
With a mission to reimagine traditional Vietnamese cuisine, Ramie does just that by pushing boundaries and blending in inventive twists on classic dishes, all the while staying committed to using local and seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby markets, farms and suppliers. Dishes to remember include Bò Bít Tết, a seven-day butter-aged Wagyu New York Strip served with beef tallow frites, béchamel and a garlic lemongrass glaze; Thịt kho, a braised pork belly served with cơm trộn, truffle, pickled mustard and bean sprouts, and leeks; and Sườn Heo Nướng, pork short ribs with a coffee glazed served with a butternut squash puree, grilled onion and pea shoot vines. Ramie is available for private events.
For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Seattle, a Hosts Global Member.
STAY/MEET
Just as Seattle has something for every meeting planner and attendee, so does ALHI. The historic and iconic Fairmont Olympic Hotel opened its doors 100 years ago, and Lotte Hotel Seattle wows with its Philippe Starck design.
Fairmont Olympic Hotel
For 100 years, the iconic Fairmont Olympic Hotel has been welcoming guests to its premier location in downtown Seattle near Pike Place Market and Seattle’s best landmarks. On the heels of an award-winning, multimillion-dollar renovation, all 450 guest rooms and suites, and 12 meeting rooms totaling 28,000 square feet, feature sophisticated new design elements like spacious living and work areas with oversized marble bathrooms. Wow your guests with a sparkling event under the opulent chandeliers in the Spanish Ballroom, or host a dinner at The George for a modern, brasserie-inspired dining experience.
Lotte Hotel Seattle
Awarded a Michelin Key in 2024, Lotte Hotel Seattle is a luxurious gem in the heart of the Emerald City. The boutique hotel houses just 189 guest rooms and suites, and nearly 28,000 square feet of meeting and event space across 15 onsite venues. At the end of the day, pamper yourself in Le SPA de l’hôtel LOTTE and enjoy some of the best Pacific Northwest cuisine at Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and located on the hotel’s top floor, which affords stunning views of Elliott Bay. The restaurant is available for private events, too.
For more activities and ideas, ask your ALHI GSO about working with Hosts Global Destination Services and Hosts Seattle, a Hosts Global Member.