Guest Program

Thursday May 20 2010

Morning Welcome Coffee and Historic Pike Place Market Walking Tour

(Times and hotel room location TBD)

Be sure to attend the Welcome Coffee before the Pike Place Market Walking Tour. We’ll enjoy coffee, tea, pastries, and fruit as we get to know each other better. We’ll also talk about the upcoming events and tours and answer any questions you may have. Then we will leave for the tour, walking 5 blocks from the Fairmont Olympic Hotel to the Historic Pike Place Market. There, an expert
guide(s) will lead you through the hustle and bustle of the Market to the "classic" spots that have made the Pike Place Market a world-famous destination. See fish fly, cheese being made by hand, and the original Starbucks store! This tour pairs quintessential Seattle foods, with animated stories and the history of this 101-year old culinary landmark.
This 2-hour walking tour includes delicious samples of:
• Low-flying Alderwood smoked salmon
• America's Best Clam Chowder & Seafood Bisque—national award winners!
• #1 artisan handmade cheese in Washington
• Renowned chef Tom Douglas's crab bites
• Fresh and exotic seasonal fruit
• Savory Russian piroshky pastries
• Piping hot mini-doughnuts
• Cherry-inspired treats
• Locally-roasted coffee
Note: Substitutions can be made for most dietary restrictions. Tastings subject to change without notice.
Then you’ll have free time to explore the Market and/or downtown Seattle’s shopping scene or to have lunch on your own (we think you will be full after all the tastings on the tour—but are happy to give you restaurant/café ideas).

Pike Place Market overview and history

The historic Pike Place Market, overlooking Seattle's waterfront, is one of Seattle's great treasures. Fresh foods of every kind—from colorful produce to just-picked herbs to plump salmon—drape across booth after booth. Tempting handicrafts, often featuring local themes or materials, provide souvenirs that you will wear or display proudly and that will continue to bring back fond memories. Ethnic dining, antiques, flowers, and curiosities are found in every corner and cranny of this 9-acre market district.

Friday May 21 2010 

Monorail, Space Needle, and Westlake Center Morning Walking Tour 
Lunch in downtown Seattle

(Rendezvous location and time TBD)
We will walk 3 blocks from the Fairmont Olympic Hotel to Westlake Center to catch the Seattle Monorail. There we will board the train, elevated above the city streets, and ride 1 mile to the Space Needle—taking in Seattle sites along the way. Both the Monorail and the Space Needle have been Seattle icons since the 1962 World’s fair. The Space Needle is located at Seattle Center, the site of the World’s Fair. The tower stands 605 feet tall and boasts fabulous 360 degree views of Seattle, surrounding neighborhoods, Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, the Cascade and Olympic Mountain Ranges, Mount Baker, and Mount Rainier. We’ll ride the glass enclosed elevator to the observation deck and give you time to enjoy the beautiful view—pointing out sites so you can learn more about our beautiful city and surrounding area.

Then we will ride the Monorail back to Westlake Center, where we’ll enjoy a light lunch. After lunch you will have free time to explore the shops at Westlake Center or you can return to the hotel to relax before the elegant dinner at Canlis Restaurant. Perhaps you’ll treat yourself to a massage at the hotel or a visit to one of the many downtown salons or spas.

Dress Code for Both Tours—Casual: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers. Remember, depending on the weather, you may need a raincoat, gloves, and a small umbrella.