Visit Seattle

Your guide to the Emerald City - neighborhoods, food, transit, and things to do while you're in town for Startup Day.

Neighborhoods Near the Venue

Bell Harbor Conference Center sits on Seattle's waterfront

Waterfront

Home to the venue. Stroll the new waterfront promenade, the Seattle Great Wheel, and fresh seafood restaurants along Alaskan Way.

Belltown

A 5-minute walk from the venue. Seattle's densest neighborhood has great restaurants, bars, and coffee shops along 1st and 2nd Avenue.

Pike Place Market

A 10-minute walk uphill. Seattle's iconic public market since 1907 - fish throwing, fresh produce, flowers, crafts, and the original Starbucks.

Pioneer Square

A 15-minute walk south. Seattle's oldest neighborhood features historic brick buildings, art galleries, and the Underground Tour.

Getting Around

From SEA Airport to the city and getting around town

Link Light Rail

The 1 Line runs directly from SEA Airport to downtown Seattle in about 38 minutes. Trains run every 8–15 minutes. One-way fare is $3.00.

From the airport: Head to the 4th floor from baggage claim and cross the skybridge to the station. Get off at Westlake Station for downtown, then it's a short walk or bus ride to the waterfront.

Rideshare & Taxi

Uber and Lyft are widely available. From SEA Airport to downtown Seattle costs approximately $60–110 and takes about 25–40 minutes depending on traffic.

Taxis are available at the airport's ground transportation area on the 3rd floor of the parking garage. Flat rate to downtown is around $55.

Public Transit

Seattle's bus and light rail system is run by King County Metro and Sound Transit.

No ORCA card needed! You can tap any contactless credit/debit card or digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) directly at the reader on buses and light rail. You can also use the ORCA app or buy an ORCA card at any light rail station.

Bikes & Scooters

Lime e-bikes and e-scooters are available throughout Seattle - just download the app and go. The waterfront trail makes biking between neighborhoods easy and scenic.

Where to Stay

Hotels near Bell Harbor Conference Center

Seattle Marriott Waterfront
Discount

2100 Alaskan Way · Steps from the venue

Exclusive discounted room rates for Startup Day attendees. Right on the waterfront, walking distance to Bell Harbor Conference Center and Pike Place Market.

Book by March 31 · Limited availability

Book Discounted Rate
Populus Seattle

100 S King St · Pioneer Square · ~15 min walk

A nature-inspired boutique hotel in a beautifully restored 1907 building. Features exposed brick, Pacific NW design, an on-site restaurant (Salt Harvest), and a rooftop bar (Firn).

Book

Where to Eat

Seattle is a world-class food city - here are some favorites

Local Favorites

Iconic Seattle spots

Pike Place Chowder
Pike Place Market · Seafood · $$
Piroshky Piroshky
Pike Place Market · Russian bakery · $
Paseo
Fremont · Caribbean sandwiches · $$
Din Tai Fung
Pacific Place (Downtown) · Dumplings · $$
Salumi
Pioneer Square · Italian cured meats · $$

James Beard Recognized

Award winners & nominees

Canlis
Queen Anne · Pacific NW fine dining · $$$$
Archipelago
Hillman City · Filipino · $$$
Communion
Central District · Southern & soul food · $$$
Musang
Beacon Hill · Filipino · $$$
Sushi Kashiba
Pike Place · Omakase · $$$$

Upscale / $$$

Downtown, Belltown & waterfront

Aqua by El Gaucho
Waterfront · Seafood & steak · $$$$
Anthony's Pier 66
Waterfront · Pacific NW seafood · $$$
Cutters Crabhouse
Pike Place / Belltown · Seafood · $$$
Shaker + Spear
Belltown · Contemporary American · $$$
La Fontana Siciliana
Belltown · Sicilian · $$$

Things to Do

Must-see Seattle attractions

Pike Place Market

Seattle's iconic public market since 1907. Watch fish fly, grab fresh flowers, explore craft vendors, and find the original Starbucks. A 10-minute walk from the venue.

Space Needle

Seattle's most recognizable landmark. The 605-foot observation tower offers 360-degree views of the city, Puget Sound, Mt. Rainier, and the Cascades.

Museum of Pop Culture

MoPOP celebrates music, sci-fi, and pop culture in a stunning Frank Gehry-designed building at Seattle Center. Interactive exhibits and rotating collections.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

A breathtaking exhibition of Dale Chihuly's glass artwork, including a stunning 100-foot Glasshouse and outdoor garden installations. Adjacent to the Space Needle.

Kerry Park

The best viewpoint in Seattle. This small park on Queen Anne Hill offers the classic postcard view of the skyline with the Space Needle and Mt. Rainier.

Seattle Great Wheel

A 175-foot Ferris wheel on Pier 57, right on the waterfront near the venue. Beautiful views of Elliott Bay and the city, especially at sunset.

Amazon Spheres

Three glass domes housing over 40,000 plants from around the world in the heart of Amazon's campus. Free public visits available on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month by reservation.

Smith Tower Observatory

Seattle's original skyscraper (1914) in Pioneer Square. Ride the historic Otis elevators to the 35th-floor observatory for 360-degree views and craft cocktails. A 15-minute walk from the venue.

Museum of Flight

The world's largest independent air and space museum with over 160 aircraft, from the first Boeing to a Concorde. About 20 minutes south of downtown. Free parking.

Get Your Endorphins

Where to exercise in Seattle

Bike & Run Paths

Scenic routes from the venue area

Elliott Bay / Waterfront Trail
Starts at the venue · Flat · ~3 mi along the water
Burke-Gilman Trail
Fremont to Kenmore · Flat · 27 mi paved multi-use
Discovery Park Loop
Magnolia · Rolling hills · 2.8 mi with beach & lighthouse
Myrtle Edwards Park
5 min north of venue · Flat · 1.25 mi waterfront path
Green Lake Loop
Green Lake · Flat · 2.8 mi paved loop around the lake

Hiking

Urban to alpine, all within reach

Discovery Park
In the city · Easy · Beach, bluffs & lighthouse views
Rattlesnake Ledge
45 min east · Moderate · 4 mi RT with lake views
Twin Falls
45 min east · Easy · 2.6 mi RT to waterfalls
Poo Poo Point
Issaquah · Moderate · 7.2 mi RT, watch paragliders launch
Snow Lake
Snoqualmie Pass · Moderate · 6 mi RT alpine lake

Gyms & Fitness

Drop-in classes near downtown

Barry's Belltown
Belltown · HIIT & strength · Drop-in available
Seattle Bouldering Project
SoDo · Bouldering & yoga · Day passes available
Orangetheory Fitness
Multiple locations · HIIT · Drop-in available
CorePower Yoga
Capitol Hill & South Lake Union · Hot yoga & sculpt
Equinox
Downtown · Full gym & classes · Day passes available

Nearby Cities

Explore beyond downtown Seattle

Bellevue

~20 minutes east via I-90 or SR-520. A growing urban center and home to major tech offices including Meta, Amazon, and T-Mobile's HQ. Downtown Bellevue has upscale shopping, restaurants, and the Bellevue Arts Museum.

Check out Bellevue Square and the waterfront parks along Lake Washington.

Kirkland

~25 minutes northeast. A charming lakeside city with a walkable downtown, waterfront parks, art galleries, and excellent restaurants. Known for its relaxed, small-town feel with great views of Lake Washington.

Walk the Cross Kirkland Corridor trail or grab dinner along the waterfront.

Redmond

~25 minutes east. Home to Microsoft and Nintendo of America. The Redmond Town Center has shops and dining, and the Marymoor Park is one of the largest in King County with trails, a climbing wall, and a concert venue.

Bike the Sammamish River Trail or explore Marymoor Park.

Bainbridge Island

35-minute ferry from Pier 52. A charming island escape you can walk onto — no car needed. Explore the town of Winslow with wine tasting rooms, local boutiques, art galleries, and waterfront dining just steps from the ferry terminal.

Walk on the ferry, explore Winslow, and catch the sunset on the ride back.

Woodinville

~30 minutes northeast. Washington's wine country, right in the suburbs. Over 100 wineries and tasting rooms in a compact area — from big names like Chateau Ste. Michelle to boutique producers in the Warehouse District.

Book a tasting at Chateau Ste. Michelle or explore the Warehouse District wineries.

Day Trips

Extending your stay? The Pacific Northwest is stunning in May

Mt. Rainier

About 2 hours south. Washington's iconic 14,411-foot volcano is breathtaking in May. Drive to Paradise for wildflower meadows and glacier views, or hike the Skyline Trail.

Full day
Leavenworth

A Bavarian-themed village about 2 hours east in the Cascade foothills. Great food, mountain scenery, and nearby hikes. The drive through Stevens Pass is gorgeous.

Full day
Hiking

May is prime hiking season. Try Rattlesnake Ledge (easy, 1 hr from Seattle), Discovery Park (in the city), or Snoqualmie Falls (45 min east) for a quick nature fix.

Half to full day

Weather in May

What to expect and what to pack

What to Expect
  • Highs around 60–68°F (16–20°C)
  • Lows around 48–52°F (9–11°C)
  • Mix of sun and clouds
  • Chance of light rain - it is Seattle
What to Pack
  • Layers - mornings are cool, afternoons warm up
  • A light rain jacket or packable umbrella
  • Comfortable walking shoes - Seattle is hilly
  • Sunglasses - when the sun's out, it's gorgeous

Ready for Startup Day?

Check the Event Info page for venue details, schedule, parking, and everything you need for the day of.

View Event Info