About Seattle

THE WEATHER

Seattle has a mild climate year-round. June can sometimes be rainy, with average highs in the upper-60s and lows in the mid-50s. Layers are key to staying comfortable.

REI SEATTLE FLAGSHIP STORE

It’s always fun to check out the first ever Flagship store. If your schedule allows, see below for dates, times and contact information for out to visit the store. We’ve partnered with the store to create a few specific dates/times that they will be available to tour the Anderson Award recipients. It’s important to register for the tour so they can properly staff the store to accommodate both the tours and regular business. Be sure to read the important details.

Seattle Flagship Tour Dates and Times:
- REGISTER for Monday, June 18 @ 10 a.m.
- REGISTER for Friday, June 22 @ 2 p.m.
What you can expect:
- Tour will be approximately one hour long
- Includes touring the employee only areas and the main store
Questions: contact Amy Denton at adenton@rei.com or (206) 223-1944 x 2082

Even better, you can climb the pinnacle too! See below for information, reservations are required.
- Dates and Times:
  - Monday, June 18: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  - Friday, June 22: 3 – 5 p.m.
- Notes:
  - Reservations are required
  - Family members may climb during this time as long as there is not another Anderson Award recipient waiting to climb.
  - Capacity for 18 climbers during the 2 hours block
- Questions: contact the Outdoor School at seattle-os@rei.com or (206) 470-4083

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

Touring the flagship an optional activity and is not part of the actual Anderson Award Event
Any extra travel to/from the Seattle Flagship store will not be reimbursed
You must register for the tour by Friday, June 1 if interested

GENERAL SEATTLE INFORMATION

See the City of Seattle Visitor’s Guide.

If you’re interested in expanding your trip before or after the event, here are some suggestions for favorite things to see and do in Seattle and environs. Choosing accommodations near public buses or Link light rail stations is helpful.

WHERE TO STAY
Downtown, Belltown, Lower Queen Anne/Uptown, and Capitol Hill can be good locations in which to find an airbnb or hotel as your center of exploration.

EXPLORING SEATTLE PARKS
Green Lake has a three-mile paved-plus-gravel path that goes around the lake and is popular for walking, running and cycling. It’s located in a leafy residential area with shops and restaurants along one end.

Several neighborhoods offer parks with public saltwater beaches great for walking: Golden Gardens Park in Ballard, Discovery Park in Magnolia, Alki Beach and Lincoln Park in West Seattle, and Myrtle Edwards Park downtown near the Olympic Sculpture Park. On Lake Washington, Seward Park offers giant trees and fresh-water access.

Enjoy kayaking? You can rent kayaks at Lake Union, where you can also visit the Center for Wooden Boats and the Museum of History and Industry.

An iconic view of Seattle can be seen from Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill (including Mount Rainier on a clear day).

CYCLING

The Cascade Bicycle Club website is a great resource for routes, including a terrain description.

The Burke–Gilman Trail bike trail (paved) runs from Golden Gardens Park north (with a “missing link” in Ballard) through the University of Washington all the way up to the top of Lake Washington and can be accessed at many points throughout the city. Gas Works Park, just off the trail on North Lake Union in the Wallingford neighborhood, is a place to explore. Outside of Seattle you’ll find paved biking trails in the Lake Sammamish area.

SEATTLE GETAWAYS
Catch a Washington State ferry to Bainbridge, Vashon or Whidbey Islands for an easy day trip or scenic bike ride—and the chance to spot orcas. If you don’t have a car, walk onto the Bainbridge Island ferry at Colman Dock in downtown Seattle; when you get off on the island you can walk to art and history museums, shops and restaurants.

SHOPPING & EATING
Fun Seattle neighborhoods to explore include Fremont (“Center of the Universe”) with its famous giant Troll sculpture, 1950s rocket ship and salvaged Lenin statue, not to mention shops and eateries; Ballard Avenue offers one-of-a-kind boutiques, cafes and a fabulous Sunday farmers market; and of course downtown Seattle’s beloved Pike Place Market, with its produce, flower and artisan stalls on the main level and unique shops underneath (an expansion is currently underway to improve access to the Seattle waterfront).

HIKING OUTSIDE SEATTLE

For great hiking around the region, the Washington Trails Association is a great resource.

North Bend is about an hour’s drive east of Seattle with many trails of varying intensity. Little Si, Mount Si, Rattlesnake Ledge, Cougar Mountain, Tiger Mountain and Snow Lake provide great day hiking under 10 miles round-trip.

Be sure to check the weather before you head out on your outdoor adventure. Here are some other resources as well: