WHAT'S NEW?

HOTELS: RENOVATIONS, EXPANSIONS & NOW OPEN

Tulalip Resort & Casino | Tulalip Resort Casino, located 40 minutes north of Seattle, will celebrate the grand opening of its 370-room luxury hotel and spa on August 15, 2008. This will now provide visitors to the casino with a premium location for overnight accommodations. The hotel will feature specialty suites such as the 2,000-square-foot Player's Suite with a professional size pool table, dart board and arcade games and two Asian-themed suites designed on the principles of feng shui but with a Northwest twist. The rest of the hotel will have distinct native designed artwork provided by local tribal artists incorporating the history of the Tulalip tribe. The 14,000-square-foot T Spa will feature men's and women's lounges with saunas, steam rooms and rainwater showers. The spa also has couples and group treatment rooms for up to six people.

New Homewood Suites Open | After a $9 million renovation, Homewood Suites by Hilton Convention Center/Pike Street is now open. The renovation features 195 individually re-designed guestrooms, studio and one-bedroom suites. Unique features include the Suites Dreams® mattress, plush top bedding, whisper soft sheets, and the Signature Homewood Duck Pillow. Each ultra-comfortable room has bright, modern designs and is outfitted with a 32" LCD television, granite countertops and vanities. www.homewoodsuites1.hilton.com

Paradise Inn, Mt. Rainier | Following extensive historic rehabilitation work Paradise Inn at Mt. Rainier reopened for business in May 2008. For additional information visit rainier.guestservices.com or call 360.569.2275.

HOTELS: COMING SOON

New Marriott Hotel | A new Residence Inn Seattle Bellevue/Downtown will open September 2008. The new hotel will include complimentary breakfast, cocktails, coffee/tea, hot continental breakfast, complimentary breakfast buffet in the restaurant, whirlpool and hotel fitness center. www.marriott.com/residence-inn/travel.mi

"1" Hotel & Residences | Starwood Capital Group has announced plans to build a hotel called "1," which the company describes as "eco-friendly." The building will be built to meet nationally accepted standards for the design, construction and operation of "green" buildings, as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council. The new building, located on Second Avenue and Pine Street will include 97 condominium units and 110 hotel rooms. The property is scheduled to open by second quarter 2009. www.secondandpine.com

Arctic Club Hotel | The Arctic Club Hotel Seattle will open June 2008, with 120 rooms, 5,800 square feet of meeting space, full restaurant & lounge, and fitness center. The hotel is located in a historic building that is on the National Register of Historic Places and once housed a fraternal men's club founded by adventurers who had made their fortune in the Klondike Gold Rush. www.arctichotelseattle.com

Courtyard by Marriott Downtown | A Courtyard by Marriott is slated to occupy a historic building in downtown Seattle at Second Avenue and Columbia Street. The new hotel will include 150 guestrooms and is scheduled for renovation and completion in 2009. www.marriott.com/courtyard

Four Seasons Returning to Seattle | Construction of the 21-story, $120 million Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Seattle at First Avenue and Union Street downtown is well under way. The luxury property, which marks the highly anticipated return of the Four Seasons brand to Seattle will feature 149 guestrooms, 36 private residences, a signature water-view restaurant and event and meeting space, including an expansive ballroom and an outdoor infinity pool overlooking Elliott Bay. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2008. www.fourseasons.com

Hyatt at Olive 8 | The Hyatt brand is expanding its holdings in downtown Seattle with the construction of a $175 million, 39-story hotel-condominium project located one block north of the existing Grand Hyatt Hotel. Expected to open January 2009, Hyatt at Olive 8 will feature 231 condominiums on the upper 22 floors and 346 hotel rooms on the lower 17 floors. On-site amenities available to both condominium owners and hotel guests include a spa, pool, maid and dry-cleaning services, valet parking and 24-hour room service in addition to separate lobbies and elevators for the hotel and condominium components of the building. www.olive8.com

Hyatt Place | Development of a mixed-use Hyatt Place hotel is under construction at Sixth Avenue and Denny Way in the South Lake Union Neighborhood. The hotel/condominium project will have 158 hotel rooms and 56 condominiums. Hyatt Place is slated to open third quarter 2008.

DINING

Palomino | Palomino restaurant, Rotisseria and Bar is now open in Bellevue's Lincoln Square, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Palomino is an upbeat city restaurant and bar famous for its rich and stylish ambiance featuring European-inspired regional American cuisine. www.palomino.com

How to Cook a Wolf | A Seattle Restaurant, named after a 1942 novel by M.F.K. Fisher which illustrated hunger (the wolf) and the joy of eating. Located on Seattle's Queen Anne hill, view their menu selection at www.howtocookawolf.com.

Boom Noodle | Located on Seattle's Capitol Hill, Boom Noodle offers fresh, authentic Japanese cuisine from hot soup and noodles to chilled dishes and items prepared in the wok. Check out their menu and what the popular term "my boom" means at www.boomnoodle.com.

SHOPPING

Westfield Southcenter | One of the Northwest's largest indoor shopping malls just got better. Westfield Southcenter's expansion includes some exciting new additions to the mall. A 90 foot glass façade and a cafe-style dining terrace will allow views of Mt. Rainier. New full-service restaurants opening include include Joeys Grill & Lounge, Duke's Chowder House, Racha Thai and Asian Bistro, Blue C Sushi and BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse. There will be 75 new retail stores including Forever XXI, Gilly Hicks, Sephora, PINK, Love Culture, Bare Escentuals, Lucky Brand Keans, White House Black Market and more. Additional amenities include a 16- screen AMC Theaters, Westfield Playtown, state-of-the-art Family Lounge, Valet Parking, a new Concierge Center and updated restrooms. Check out this shopping destination on Seattle's Southside. www.thenewwestfieldsouthcenter.com

SPECIAL EVENTS

Teatro Zinzanni | Teatro ZinZanni, Seattle's performance of cirque, cabaret, song and dance is now located at its new home on lower Queen Anne in the Seattle Center Theatre District. With its move back to lower Queen Anne, Teatro ZinZanni joins a booming arts and culture community centered in that area. The lower Queen Anne / Seattle Center area is home to many great performing arts organizations such as Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre and the Intiman Theatre. www.teatrozinzanni.com

NOTE: Want a quick overview of some of the key cultural events happening around Seattle? Our Director of Cultural Tourism publishes a monthly e-mail Calendar "Hot Sheet". Contact us if you would like to be added to the e-mail list or visit the Cultural Tourism website to search for events.

ATTRACTIONS & TOURS

The New Wing Luke Asian Museum | The Wing Luke Asian Museum relocates and reopens its doors at its new International District/Chinatown location following a $23.2 million expansion. Visitors to the Museum can learn about the impact and cultural fusion of Asian Pacific Americans in the Pacific Northwest. The Wing Luke Asian Museum is a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and premier pan-Asian Pacific American museum. To book school and group tours contact 206.623.5124 ext. 133. Visit www.wingluke.org for information on current featured tours.

The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World | Beginning June 28th at the Burke Museum on the University of Washington campus, visitors to the exhibit will view the journey of the north pole's alpha-predators, learn about the unique biology of the polar bear and the Arctic web of life to which they belong. Remarkable footage showcases the annual cycle of life from mothers with cubs to adolescents at play to adults on the hunt. An interactive, hands-on study area allows visitors to further explore the scientific concepts behind polar bear science and global warming and find more information on what we can do to make a difference. www.burkemuseum.org

Aviation Tours | For visitors interested in an experience at the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour or Museum of Flight as part of their Seattle itinerary, the following companies offer packaged sightseeing tours:

Gray Line of Seattle offers four-hour packages that include motor coach transportation to and from each attraction, entry into the museum, and guided tour departing at 1:30 PM. Visit www.graylineseattle.com/sightseeingtours.cfm to check tour date availability.

Show Me Seattle Tours offers guided tours of the Boeing Factory year round on select days. Buses depart most downtown Seattle hotels in the morning between 9:15 AM and 9:50 AM. www.showmeseattle.com

Customized Tours and Charter Services offers a four hour Future of Flight Aviation Center / Boeing plant tour or a combined Past, Present & Future Extravaganza packaged tour twice a day departing from Seattle and twice a day departing from Sea-Tac. Availability may be limited so check online at www.customizedtours.net.

American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music | Experience the history of Latino popular music production in the post WWII United States as seen in five major centers around the nation - New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio and San Francisco. The exhibition showcases cross sections of each city and its dynamic background of diversity in Latino music shaped by musicians and their contributions. The exhibit includes artifacts, hands-on instrument interactives, listening kiosks and films created for interpretive text in English and Spanish. The exhibition will run from October 13, 2007 - September 7, 2008. For more information visit www.empsfm.org.

Clipper Vacations Overnight Victoria Wine Tour | Clipper Vacations now offers Seattle-Victoria overnight wine tours 45 minutes from Victoria on Vancouver Island. A chauffeured limousine bus will escort guests from the ferry terminal located in the Inner Harbour, through the southern tip of Vancouver Island stopping at some of the newest and best wineries on the island. Tours include wine tastings on the way plus a three course gourmet lunch including wine pairings at the newly renovated Oceanfront Grand Resort & Marina. Visit www.clippervacations.com for more information or to book a reservation today.

Now Offered at the Pacific Science Center
Below are some unique experiences for student and adult groups.

Workshops | Get hands-on at Pacific Science Center! Your group will take part in a private 1-hour workshop taught by Pacific Science Center educators, all of which include a take home component. These workshops are not available to the general public and all requests must be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance. Maximum capacity is 30 participants per workshop.

• Star Astronomy | Lifecycles of the hot and gassy! Workshop (recommended for grades 3-6). Delve into the mysteries of outer space as you investigate the lifecycle of a star. Simulate a black hole, astro-blast a supernova and learn about phenomena scientists still can't explain. As you immerse yourself in the inner-workings of masses of incandescent gasses you'll discover just how strange astronomy can be.
• Fossil's Rock! | Workshop (recommended for grades 2-6). Become an amateur paleontologist! Explore fossils and the excavation process by doing a mini-dig, then investigate an unusual type of fossil preservation by creating your own "amber fossil" to take home. Learn how fossils help us understand the history of the earth and how our planet has changed since its formation. Follow the tracks of the dinosaurs and unravel the secrets of their footprints.
• Bridges: Get Over It! | Workshop (recommended for grades 2-6). How are bridges built? Why are there different shapes and styles to bridges? How many bridges are there in the city of Seattle? In this hands-on science workshop, experiment with bridge components, the forces that act upon bridges, and the factors that civil engineers consider before designing and building a bridge. You'll have the chance to build a mini model of a bridge and create a blueprint to take home. By the time you leave, you'll know precisely what it takes to build a bridge.
• Unbelievable Bugs Workshop | Workshop (recommended for grades K-2). Explore the incredible world of bug biology! Discover what makes insects different from other creatures as you investigate insect anatomy, experiment with the insect eating methods, and explore your surroundings through the eyes of an insect. Join us for an un-believea-bug experience!
• Pacific Science Center's Scavenger Hunt | This 30-45 minute trivia challenge will allow participants to put their science knowledge to the test as they discover Pacific Science Center's hands-on exhibits. By the end, you'll learn how much your co-workers weigh on the Sun, who isn't afraid of holding a live insect and much more. Rates begin at $13 per person. Ideal for corporate and high school student groups. Ask about prize packages and adding on an IMAX film or boxed lunch.

Private Camp-Ins | Spend the night at Pacific Science Center with your group. A select number of private bookings are available for the upcoming camp-in year. A minimum of 150 people is required and at least 60 days advance notice is required. Please call for pricing and booking details.

Mercer Slough Environmental Education Center | Mercer Slough is a biologically diverse 320 acre wetland nature park located near Bellevue. The Slough and Environmental Education Center is a place where you can bounce on a bog, canoe in the slough, and hear a pileated woodpecker knocking on a tree, all in the middle of the city.

Additional Group Activities | Perfect for adult and senior adult groups: Tropical Butterfly House, documentary feature IMAX films, private planetarium show, catered box lunch. Fun and education for student groups: evening laser shows, liquid nitrogen ice cream demonstration. Performance space: Pacific Science Center is pleased to offer a free performance venue for visiting bands, choirs and orchestras with the purchase of Exhibits + IMAX tickets for all group members. Limited audiovisual equipment is also available at no additional charge.

Lucy's Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia | The Pacific Science Center is proud to announce the West coast premiere of Lucy's Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia, which will run October 4 2008 to March 8, 2009. This exhibit will feature the rich history and culture of Ethiopia highlighting its unique position in the world of paleoanthropology. Rich in hominid fossils, Ethiopia is home to Dinkenesh, more familiarly known as Lucy. Discovered in 1974, 3.2 million year old Lucy is the oldest andmost complete adult human ancestor fully retrieved from African Soil. The Pacific Science Center will also feature the IMAX film Mystery of the Nile during its time Seattle. For group reservations and current pricing information contact 206.443.3611 or groupevents@pacsci.org. www.pacsci.org

Mount St. Helens & The Ecosystem Day Tour | Depart from any downtown Seattle hotel or either one of two cruise portals at 7:30 AM for a 12 hour day trip to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. EverGreen Escapes - Adventures, Treks & Tours and their naturalist guides will pick up and drop off guests in luxury air conditioned vehicles including refreshments and meals on their trek to Mount St. Helens. Tours will return to Seattle around 7:30 PM. Click here for complete details about this tour including additional attractions and information. 866.203.7603 | www.evergreenescapes.com

Diane's Market Kitchen Pike Place Market Tour and Tasting | Shop the Pike Place Market with chef Diane LaVonne and learn about the Market through the eyes of a local. Prepare to be delighted as you make your way from the Market to Diane's Market Kitchen where the ingredients purchased earlier by you will be prepared by you. Enjoy demonstrations by Diane on how to prepare authentic Pacific Northwest cuisine. www.graylineseattle.com

Gray Line of Seattle Offers New Culinary Tours | From June through September Gray Line of Seattle will offer eight new culinary tours of Seattle. Tours will commence at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel following a meet and greet with the chef adjunct to a motor coach tour to a local market to shop for the day's ingredients. The chef will demonstrate cooking techniques, offer tips and conclude with preparing a meal for tour guests to enjoy.

For additional details or to discover additional restaurant partners for tours offered by Gray Line of Seattle, visit www.graylineseattle.com.

Pike Place Market Tours Now Available

Pike Place Market and Heritage Tour
Contact: Michele Peterson
T 206-774-5249
michelep@pikeplacemarket.org | www.pikeplacemarket.org
Learn to navigate through the crowds and discover tips on this hour-long Pike Place Market Heritage Tour, enjoyed by first time visitors and locals alike. Following an introduction to the mind-boggling maze that is the Market, you'll visit special nooks and crannies you might otherwise miss. Market Heritage Tours blend history and current information, with a dash of quirky anecdotes and practical shopping tips presented by knowledgeable insiders. Dress appropriately for all types of weather and wear comfortable shoes. Tours commence at the Market Information Booth at First Avenue and Pike Street. Tour hours may vary. For up-to-date tour information, please call Michele at 206.774.5249 or visit www.pikeplacemarket.org. Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. All holidays are subject to change without notice. Special arrangements can be made for groups of six or more people. Please note that advance payment is required for special tours, and reservations should be made one week in advance.

Public Tour Schedule
Market Heritage Tours: *Wednesday through Saturday at 11:00 AM. Cost: $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and children under 18*
Please note: Beginning in October, all Saturday tours will begin at 9:30 AM.

Savor Seattle Food Tours
Contact: Angela Shen
T 800.838.3006
info@savorseattletours.com | www.savorseattletours.com

Walking tours highlight Seattle's tastiest neighborhoods including the signature Pike Place Market tour. Tours will feature historical background of the people, local artisans, and restaurants that make these vendors unique. Savor Seattle Food Tours offers public and private group tours. Private tour guides can accommodate up to 16 participants with one guide and up to 32 with two guides. Public tours can handle up to 14 people per guide. Tasting occurs on-the-go, therefore seating is limited. Tour participants should wear comfortable shoes and clothes and arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour for check-in and audio equipment set up. A government issued ID is required to reserve audio equipment and also to participate in wine tasting at the conclusion of the tour. Tours include light food and drink tastings, bottled water, dining guide, seasonal recipes, and a "Repeat Visitor" discount card. Visit Savor Seattle Tours online for additional information. Purchase tickets at www.savorseattle.com or call Brown Paper Tickets at 1.800.838.3006.

Public Tour Schedule
Food & Cultural Tour of Pike Place Market: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, $35.23 + tax and ticketing fee ($39.00 total)

Seattle Food Tours LLC
Contact: Bronwyn Gerberding
T 206.334.7119, F 425.869.5344
info@seattlefoodtours.com | www.seattlefoodtours.com

Tour Info: Seattle Food Tours offers small guided culinary and cultural tours. Taste delicious local cuisine while discovering boutique shopping, public art, architecture and nightlife in Seattle's Belltown and Pike Place neighborhoods. Tours are offered year round, rain or shine lasting approximately 2.5 hours. Tours include bottled water and enough food tastings for a full lunch. Tasting is on the go and seating is not available. Tour guests must be comfortable with walking and standing for the duration of the tour. Tours meet in Belltown and an exact meeting place will be provided upon ticket purchase. Visit Seattle Food Tours online for more information. Purchase tickets at www.seattlefoodtours.com or call Zerve at 1.800.979.3370 or 212.209.3370. For private, group or corporate tours call 206.334.7119 or email info@seattlefoodtours.com.

Public Tour Schedule
Seattle Food Tour: 10:15 AM - 12:45 AM, $39.50 per person

Taste Pike Place
Contact: Michael Rogers
T 206.725.4483, F 206.319.4466
info@tastepikeplace.com | www.tastepikeplace.com

This walking tour of Pike Place Market features delicious food from the Northwest's top food purveyors including a bit of history behind the Market and its vendors - past and present. Bottled water is included on all tours. Comfortable footwear should be worn and participants should be able to navigate up and down stairs. Must be over 21 years of age to participate as there is a wine & beer tasting included in each tour. Tours are meant to serve as a light meal and will commence rain or shine. Tours occur daily* and advance tickets are required - exact meeting location provided upon purchase. Tours last approximately 90 minutes to 2.5 hours, depending on tour type. Costs vary between $28-$39 per person, also depending on tour type. There is a limit of 12 guests per guide. Private groups are welcome. Please call to customize a tour around your schedule and interests. For additional information or to purchase tickets visit www.tastepikeplace.com.

Public Tours Schedule:
Breakfast Bites 9:00 AM-10:30 AM, $28 + tax
Lunch Sampler 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, $34 + tax
Food & Wine Tasting 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM, $39 + tax
*Tours are seven days a week, except November through March. Please call for availability during those months.

Seattle Coffee Tour | Learn why Seattle is so caffeinated on the Seattle By Foot Coffee Crawl. Experience the history, facts and culture of coffee that exists in Seattle by exploring some of the world's most famous coffee roasters. Tours run Thursday through Monday beginning at 10 AM, rain or shine, and last about two hours. Tours meet at Seattle's Best Coffee shop in Post Alley in the heart of the Pike Place Market. Reservations are not required and the maximum number of tour participants is 15. www.seattlebyfoot.com

Ride the Ducks of Seattle | Ride the Ducks of Seattle now offers group deals for groups of 10 or more and private charters. For groups of 10 or more: receive a 10% discount off of a regular scheduled tour. Private charters are also available for up to 36 passengers with tours lasting about 90 minutes. Private charters can be customized to your group's interests and needs including pick-up and drop-off at any downtown Seattle location. Boxed lunches can also be added to either group or private charter tours for only $13.99 per person. For more information on group packages or to customize a private tour please contact Mikie at 1.866.385.3825 or 206.441.4687 or email Mikie@ridetheducksofseattle.com | www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/group.htm

Upcoming exhibits at the downtown Seattle Art Museum:

Inspiring Impressionism | Inspiring Impressionism features more than 100 works, including paintings, works on paper, photographs and sketchbooks, drawn from nearly 70 museums including the National Gallery in London, the Musee d'Orsay in Paris and the Museo Nacional del Prado in Spain. June 19 - Sept. 21, 2008.

S'Abadeb (The Gifts): Coast Salish Art and Artists | S'Abadeb (The Gifts): Coast Salish Art and Artists is the first major exhibition ever to explore the unique artistry and culture of Coast Salish First Peoples of Washington State and British Columbia. Organized by SAM, the exhibition features more than 150 works of art from national and international collections that offer a glimpse into the daily and ceremonial lives of the 35 groups that make up the Coast Salish. Oct. 23, 2008-Jan. 11, 2009.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness: American Art 1660-1893 from the Yale University Art Gallery | Drawn from the renowned collections of American art at the Yale University Art Gallery, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness illuminates the American experience from the settlements of the 17th century through the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. Featured are more than 230 works - paintings, prints, photographs and decorative arts - by artists ranging from Paul Revere to Thomas Eakins and Winslow Homer. Feb. 26 - May 24, 2009.

The Indian Paintings of George de Forest Brush | Running concurrently with Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness will be a special exhibition of the work of an important but little known 19th century American painter. The Indian Paintings of George de Forest Brush, is co-organized by the National Gallery of Art and the Seattle Art Museum.George de Forest Brush (1855-1941) is considered one of the great American "little masters" of the late 19th century. Feb. 26 - May 24, 2009.

Visit www.seattleartmuseum.org for information on ongoing exhibitions at SAM.

Snoqualmie Falls & Winery Tour | Scenic Seattle Tours by Customized Tours leads you on an excursion to the Chateau Ste. Michelle, Silver Lake, and Columbia wineries via scenic routes passing by Mount Si and through the Snoqualmie River Valley to the edge of the 270 foot Snoqualmie Falls. Tours last approximately 5-6 hours and retrieves participants at their hotel between 9:30 - 10:00 AM. Cost per person is $65.00 including tax. Tours offered between May and September. Visit www.toursofseattle.com or call 1.800.770.8769 for more information.

Theo Chocolate Tours | Discover the art of chocolate-making at Theo Chocolate. Located in the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, public tours take approximately 45 minutes, are available 7 days a week at 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM and 4 PM. The tour is $5 per person ages 1 and older. Please call 206.632.5100 to make a reservation. Group size is limited to 25. If a regularly scheduled tour is not full, walk-ins are welcome. Ask about private group tours and events. www.theochocolate.com

Tour de Chocolate | Discover Seattle's other adored bean… cacao! Scenic Seattle Tours by Customized Tours now offers morning excursions of the city's most famous chocolatiers. Tours include education and tastings at four chocolatiers in the Seattle area concluding at the Chocolate Box retail store near Pike Place Market. Private charters are available. www.toursofseattle.com

Tillicum Village | Tillicum Village is proud to offer the following experiential activities: beading workshops, Northwest coast design workshops, salmon staking - the Native American way, personal Blake Island walking tours. New for summer 2008, camp-bike-hike on Blake Island, or spend a day with a beach naturalist exploring the diverse marine plants and animals indigenous to the Puget Sound. For more information on these and other activities at Tillicum Village visit www.tillicumvillage.com or call 800.426.1205. Group tour planners please contact Pat Talbot, Senior Sales Manager at 206.933.8600 ext. 308.

CONTINUING EXPERIENTIAL ADD-ONS

Glass Art | Enjoy and view the process of handcrafted glass art at Seattle's Glass Eye Studio. See the process up close of glass production and creation at the studio and talk with designers. Access to the hot shop viewing area and gallery is available to participants of registered tours. For more information call 206.782.6548 or visit www.glasseye.com.

Green Tours | Are you interested in experiencing the natural side of Metronatural? EverGreen Escapes provides upscale, guided educational tours of the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia to include responsible ecotourism and green sustainability. Half, full or multi-day getaways can be arranged to feature panoramic landscapes, scenic waterways, Cascade volcanoes, and natural wonders using biodiesel 4WD transportation. Looking for a pre or post cruise excursion? EverGreen Escapes also offers personalized shore excursions for cruise passenger(s) interested in escaping from the more traditional pre and post tours. Visit www.evergreenescapes.com for more information or to plan your green escape. 866.203.7603.

Alki Kayak Tours | Now offering group tours for corporate events, team building, weddings, or youth groups (ages 14 and over). Experience why Seattle is Metronatural and engage in the Alki Lighthouse Sea Kayak Tour or soak up the beauty on a Seattle Sunset Sea Kayak Paddle tour. Or, if time permits experience the Blake Island Overnight Tour. For more information on individual and group tours available, visit www.kayakalki.com or call 206.953.0237.

Green Thumb Delights of Western Washington | Interested in gardens, nurseries, conservatories, botanical gardens, festivals, or sculpture parks during your visit to Western Washington? Download our extensive list here >>

Paramount Theatre | Offers free tours the first Saturday of every month at 10:00 AM, ages 7 years and up, and student group tours upon request. www.theparamount.com | 206.467.5510

At The Herbfarm: "24 Hours at The Herbfarm" program includes: guests harvesting herbs and vegetables for the dinner meal, having a workman's lunch, a nine course dinner, and staying overnight at the Willows Lodge, with access to the spa. The Herbfarm has a 5-StarEnviroStar rating for responsible business practices. Designed for 2 to 4 people, arrangements can also be made for 20-30 people. May-September. www.theherbfarm.com | 425.485.5300

Learn the "Art of the Martini" at Oliver's Lounge located off of the lobby of the historic Mayflower Park Hotel in downtown Seattle. As the winner of the 'Best Classic Martini' award in Seattle's Martini Challenge Event, Oliver's Lounge has tried and true tips to shake up (or stir) the best martini around. Class size is 20 to 40 students at $45 per person. Classes are also offered for tastings of premium Northwest wines paired with Chef Wayne's tapas. Limited to hotel guests only. For reservations contact Leslie Womack: 206.382.6991 or leslie@mayflowerpark.com.

Ray's Boathouse Chef's Dinner | (Six Guests): Enjoy an intimate wine dinner prepared specifically for you by Chef Peter Birk. Begin "behind the scenes" in the kitchen where the chef will demonstrate an exclusive recipe while you sip champagne. Then, retire to Ray's beautiful boathouse dining room for a feast of signature seafood paired with premier Northwest wines. Contact lorimagaro@rays.com for group information. www.rays.com

The 5th Avenue Theatre | Discover the secrets of live theatre-backstage! Available to groups: 'Backstage Tour,' 'Post-Show Conversation with Cast & Crew,' 'Broadway Dancing 101,' 'Acting 101,' 'Stagecraft,' 'Brown Bag Lunch,' 'Pre-Show Reception with Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong,' 'Breakfast or Lunch with Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong,' or 'Live Performance, Hosted by Producing Artistic Director David Armstrong.' The 5th Avenue Theatre will do its best to accommodate your group experience. Please be advised group experiences are based upon availability per show and dates.

For more information please contact Joey Chapman at 206.625.1418 x214 or jchapman@5thavenuetheatre.org

AT SEA-TAC AIRPORT

Alaska Airlines adding service to Minneapolis | Two daily flights servicing Seattle and Minneapolis will begin on October 26, 2008. www.alaskaair.com

AirTran Airways to Add Seasonal Flights to Milwaukee | On May 6, AirTran Airways will begin daily non-stop flights between Seattle and Milwaukee, WI. The seasonal flights are scheduled through September 8. www.airtran.com

Nonstop flights from Beijing to Seattle | Seattle is Hainan Airlines' first U.S. gateway from mainland China and provides nonstop service between Seattle and Beijing four times per week. www.hnair.com

Horizon Air flying daily to California wine country | Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group Inc., adds a second daily flight between Seattle and Sonoma County/Santa Rosa, CA. Seasonal schedule is April 6-October 26. www.horizonair.com

JetBlue begins flights from Seattle to California | On May 21, JetBlue Airways began offering daily flights to both Long Beach, CA and San Diego, CA from SeaTac Airport. The airline will offer two daily roundtrips to Long Beach and one to San Diego. www.jetblue.com

Northwest Airlines flying nonstop to London | On June 1, 2008 Northwest Airlines began daily non-stop service between Seattle and London's Heathrow Airport. www.nwa.com

Alaska Airlines offers nonstop service to Hawaii | Alaska Airlines now flies directly from Seattle to all four Hawaiian islands. Alaska now offers nonstop service from Seattle to Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii. Alaska will use a Boeing 737-800 which seats 157 passengers. www.alaskaair.com

Lufthansa Inaugurates Frankfurt - Seattle Service | Seattle service | Lufthansa Airlines offers daily, non-stop service between Seattle and Frankfurt, Germany Departs Seattle at 2:30 PM and arrives in Frankfurt the next day at 9:25 AM. Departs Frankfurt at 10:05 AM and arrives in Seattle at 11:20 AM the next day. www.lufthansa.com

British Airways Adds Seattle Service | British Airways has increased its number of roundtrip flights between Seattle and London's Heathrow Airport from 10 to 13 flights per week. www.britishairways.com

Virgin America comes to Seattle | Virgin America now includes Seattle in its major west coast routes between Los Angeles-Seattle and San Francsico-Seattle. www.virginamerica.com

Extra Level of Parking Now Available | In addition to floors 5-8 in the Airport's Parking Garage, the third floor is now open to general public parking. Expected airport delays occur on a day-by-day basis. Check out the online calendar to help get you to the airport on time and avoid delays.

Click here for additional shop & dine info at Sea-Tac.

SEATTLE ON THE MOVE

As Seattle continues to grow and offer more art, culture, and activities for locals and visitors alike, we would like you to keep the following changes in mind as you continue to plan exciting Seattle travel experiences.

Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel | The newly retrofitted Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel reopened in 2007 returning to its original operating hours of 5:00 am - 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Included in the Downtown Ride Free Area, bus routes currently service five stations: Convention Place, Westlake Station, University Street, Pioneer Square, and International District / Chinatown. Light Rail will join bus service in 2009 and extend operating hours to late evenings and weekends. www.seattletunnel.org

King Street Station Renovation (Amtrak) | Seattle's historic King Street Station (Amtrak terminus) is amid a major renovation to be complete in 2009. Already complete is the station's 100-year-old Compass Room entry hall to its original appearance. The renovation will also include new restrooms, a bigger lobby and waiting area, improved ticketing and baggage facilities, new train arrival and display, new way-finding signage to the surrounding neighborhoods, new roof, exterior cleaning and safety and security improvements. www.wsdot.wa.gov

Olympic Peninsula Hood Canal Bridge | A six-week closure of the Hood Canal Bridge will occur May-June 2009. The Hood Canal Bridge is an economic lifeline for the people and businesses of the Olympic Peninsula and a gateway for tourists and visitors. The six-week bridge closure will allow the Washington State Department of Transportation to replace the east half of the bridge. Completing this project will provide travelers a newer, safer, more reliable bridge. Learn more about different transportation options available, and planning trips ahead of time. For complete project information or to receive Hood Canal Bridge Project e-mail updates ("HCB News" on the project website) visit www.hoodcanalbridge.com.

Sound Transit Light Rail | Construction on the 15.6-mile Sound Transit Light Rail route between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac International Airport is 90% complete. The first phase, which includes service from downtown Seattle to Tukwila station, is scheduled to open summer of 2009 where the remaining extension to the airport is scheduled to begin service December 2009. www.soundtransit.org

South Lake Union Streetcar | Seattle's South Lake Union Streetcar now provides convenient service from the South Lake Union (SLU) Neighborhood to the downtown retail core at the Westlake Transit Hub. There are eleven stops on the 1.3 mile route with cars running every 15 minutes. www.seattlestreetcar.com

Waterfront Streetcar | The Waterfront Streetcar is currently closed until further notice. Special buses provide free service to the International District/Chinatown, Pioneer Square and the Waterfront. transit.metrokc.gov