Visitor Information in Seattle

The Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau is really pulling out all the stops these days. Not only have they coined a new slightly cringe-worthy yet oddly appropriate tagline for Seattle—"Metronatural"—but they have rebranded their visitor center as the "Citywide Concierge Center." The service, which has an office in the Washington State Trade and Convention Center on Pike Street (between 7th and 8th avenues), can help you plan all aspects of your trip from securing events tickets to making accommodations and restaurant reservations to arranging ground transportation and other services. They're set up to accept drop-ins (open weekdays 9 to 5 daily in the summer and during the winter months), and you can also contact them before your trip with questions and requests. They have a second information location at 1st and Pike, open daily from 10 to 6. This location isn't as full service as the 7th and Pike center, but they'll still be able to answer many questions, offer suggestions, and load you up with maps and brochures.

If you're having trouble planning a side trip out of the city, call Washington State Tourism; you can request brochures or speak with a travel planner weekdays from 8 to 5 PST (closed on major holidays).

Contacts

Seattle Convention and Visitors Bureau. 206/461-5840. www.visitseattle.org.

Washington State Tourism. 800/544-1800. www.experiencewa.com.