2023 ARM - Seattle Recommendations

Seattle is a vibrant city with an incredible food scene and endless activities to look forward to while you are visiting for the ARM. Below you will find recommendations for restaurants within walking distance from the Seattle Convention Center, as well as classic Seattle activities including visiting Pike Place Market, strolling around Pioneer Square, and Seattle’s Pride Parade.

This will be a busy time for travel, so be sure to make your reservations in advance. We recommend contacting the concierge at your hotel to assist with dinner reservations, sightseeing information, and more.

Restaurants

Lunch

Dinner

Activities

Seattle Pride

June is LGBTQIA+ Pride month, and Seattle Pride has a lot of exciting events and experiences in store for residents and visitors. While various Pride events will coincide with the ARM, the official Seattle Pride Parade will take place on Sunday, June 25 from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The parade route will be downtown along 4th Avenue beginning at Pike Street (about 4 blocks from the Seattle Convention Center) and ending at Denny Way. More details, including a map of the parade, can be found here. More information about road blockages and hotel and Convention Center logistics are soon to come.

Pike Place Market

The Pike Place Market has been a defining Seattle icon for more than a century. Considered by many “the soul of Seattle,” the Market spans nine historic acres in the center of downtown where everyday locals and tourists alike shop, visit, eat and discover. The Market is walking distance from the Seattle Convention Center.

Pioneer Square

Laying claim as the city's “first neighborhood", Pioneer Square is a richly historic place known for its Renaissance Revival architecture, First Thursday art walks, night life, delicious lunch spots, and quirky boutiques. Explore the depth and beauty of Seattle's first historic district. Be sure to check out the event calendar to see what’s in store while you’re in town.

The Space Needle

The Space Needle is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world and is a treasured Seattle icon. Since its grand opening on April 21, 1962, the landmark continues to symbolize the innovative and forward-thinking spirit of Seattle. Located at Seattle Center, the Space Needle stands at 605 feet tall and is one of the most photographed structures in the world. Check this off your bucket list and buy tickets while they’re still available!

Bill Speidel's Underground Tour

Seattle’s most unusual attraction, the Underground Tour, is a humorous stroll through intriguing subterranean storefronts and sidewalks entombed when the city rebuilt on top of itself after the Great Fire of 1889. The 75-minute guided walking tour begins beneath Doc Maynard’s Public House, then spills into historic Pioneer Square, Seattle’s birthplace, before plunging underground for an exclusive, time-capsule view of the buried city.

Kerry Park

Kerry Park has an unsurpassed view of Elliott Bay and the Central City, with an occasional backdrop of Mount Rainier. At sunset, camera buffs often line the wall just as the city and sound are beginning to glow with lights. At night it becomes almost a fantasy scene, with brightly lit ferries gliding across the water and the Space Needle shining from its 500-foot pedestal.

Museum of Pop Culture

The Museum of Pop Culture or MoPOP is a nonprofit museum dedicated to contemporary popular culture. MoPOP is home to numerous exhibits and interactive activity stations as well as sound sculpture and various educational resources. Check out MoPOP’s exhibitions which range in topics from science fiction to music to gaming.

Chihuly Garden and Glass

Providing a look at the inspiration and influences that inform the career of artist Dale Chihuly, the Exhibition includes eight Galleries, the centerpiece Glasshouse, and a lush Garden. Chihuly Garden and Glass also offers a bar that features creative cocktails alongside delicious bites and plates in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. The Bar is the only place in the world to see over 25 of Dale Chihuly’s personal collections, which are on display throughout the space. The centerpiece of The Bar is an illuminated installation of 36 signature Chihuly Drawings, creating a uniquely art-centric dining experience.

Smith Tower

Located in the heart of Pioneer Square, Smith Tower presents the best views of Seattle paired with artisanal cocktails and stories of lore. Classic architecture evokes an opulent era, a backdrop of craftsmanship that lives on through carefully crafted cocktails from an unrivaled, breathtaking vantage high above Seattle. For over a century, visitors have come here to take in Seattle from above, relax, and have a good time. When you visit, be sure to have a seat in the Wishing Chair and keep your eyes out for more legends as you explore the thirty-fifth floor.

Catch a Show

From intimate indoor music halls to large-scale, outdoor amphitheaters, Seattle has a variety of venues for every type of concert and concert-goer. If you’re looking for an evening activity to unwind from a day of panels and posters, check out this list of venues that offer live music, stand-up comedy, and more. Highlights include stand-up comedian Maria Bamford at the Neptune Theatre, Josiah Johnson at Sunset Tavern, and other cool acts.