Plan Your Trip

Getting to the Venue

From Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Light rail (recommended): Take Sound Transit Link 1 Line from SEA-TAC Airport to Westlake Station (about 38 minutes). From Westlake Station, it is about a 10–12 minute walk (about 0.5 miles) to the venue.

Taxi / rideshare: Uber, Lyft, and taxis are widely available. Typically around 30 minutes drive.

Around Seattle

Walking: Many downtown hotels are within a short walk (2–10 minutes) of the venue, including:Hyatt Regency (3 min walk), Hilton Garden Inn (2 min walk),Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle Downtown (3 min walk)

Bus & Light rail: King County Metro buses serve nearby stops. Common nearby routes include Route 70, Route 8, and Route 545 (stops are typically a 3–5 minute walk from the venue). Use the Metro trip planner and search near “Terry Ave & Stewart St” or “9th Ave & Stewart St.”. You can also take Sound Transit Link 1 Line around the city, for example, to the University of Washington area for campus visits and nearby dining.

Monorail: If you’re visiting Seattle Center (Space Needle area), the Seattle Center Monorail connects Seattle Center to Westlake Center in about 5 minutes, which can be convenient for sightseeing.

Driving / parking: Parking is limited downtown. There is no large public parking lot on site and street parking is limited. Public parking garages nearby may be an option, but public transit or rideshare is usually easier.

Hotel Room Block

CHIL is exploring room block options with nearby hotels. More information will be provided closer to the event dates. 

Other Local Accommodations

These hotels are close to the venue (roughly 2–12 minutes walking, depending on the property):

Tip: Summer is peak travel season, and Seattle will hold several world cup matches in Summer 2026, so booking early is recommended.

• Hyatt Regency Seattle (3-min walk)
• Hilton Garden Inn Seattle Downtown (3-min walk)
• Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle Downtown / Convention Center (3-min walk)
• Hotel Theodore Seattle (10-min walk)
• Sheraton Grand Seattle (12-min walk)
  
  

Visa Information

Attendees who require a visa to attend the conference in the United States should apply for a visa at least 12 weeks before entering the country. Find out if you need a visa to travel to the U.S.

We recommend applying for a visa as soon as possible due to long wait times. Check processing times for visitor visas on the United States government website.

To assist in the process, we are happy to provide a letter of invitation. If you require a letter, email info@ahli.cc as soon as possible, providing the following information: 

• • Complete legal name 

• • Date of birth

• • Your company and position

• • Your address and telephone number (both work and home) 

• • Indicate if you are an author, presenter, mentor, reviewer, or general attendee

Food

Coffee will be served during conference days. All options below are in the downtown / South Lake Union area and are generally within a 5–15 minute walk of the venue.

• Shake Shack (South Lake Union): Burgers, fries, and shakes.
• Nana’s Green Tea: Matcha drinks and Japanese-style desserts/light bites.
• Lola: Popular spot for breakfast/brunch with a classic Seattle cafe feel.
• Midori Teriyaki: Fast teriyaki and rice bowls; easy lunch option.

• Top Pot Doughnuts & Coffee: Local doughnuts and coffee.
• Dahlia Bakery: Doughnuts and sandwiches and local pastries.
• Din Tai Fung:Famous for xiao long bao (soup dumplings) and other Shanghai-style dumplings/noodles; a reliable sit-down lunch option (expect waits during peak hours).
• Kati Vegan Thai: Fully plant-based Thai food; good for a vegan-friendly lunch or casual dinner.
• Veggie Grill: Plant-based burgers, bowls, salads, and sandwiches; good for a quick vegan lunch.
  
  

Things to Do in Seattle

Classic Seattle

• Pike Place Market: The iconic public market with seafood stands, produce, crafts, and the famous fish-throwing vendors. Great for gifts, snacks, and people-watching.
• Seattle Waterfront: Walk along Elliott Bay, visit the Seattle Great Wheel, and enjoy views of the water and mountains.

Seattle Center area

• Space Needle: Observation deck with panoramic views of the city, Puget Sound, and (on clear days) Mount Rainier.
• Chihuly Garden and Glass: Stunning glass art installations next to the Space Needle.
• Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP): Pop culture museum featuring music, sci-fi, and film exhibits.

Historic downtown

• Pioneer Square: Seattle’s historic district with 19th-century architecture, galleries, cafés, and the Underground Tour experience.

If you have extra time

• Bainbridge Island ferry: A scenic ferry ride starting near from Seattle Waterfront with great skyline views; walkable town center on arrival.

Day trips: Snoqualmie Falls or Mount Rainier (weather permitting and depending on your schedule).