Seattle Washington State Convention Center: Visitor Guide

Seattle, Washington · Downtown Convention Guide

Seattle Convention Center: Arch, Summit, Parking and Visitor Planning

If you’re searching for Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, the current venue name is Seattle Convention Center. The downtown campus has two separate major buildings: Arch at 705 Pike Street and Summit at 900 Pine Street.

This guide helps you identify the correct building, compare the three official parking garages, plan light rail travel, choose nearby hotels, locate event information and avoid arriving at the wrong entrance.

Quick Answers Before You Visit

Arch address
705 Pike Street

Seattle, WA 98101

Summit address
900 Pine Street

Seattle, WA 98101

Main phone

Seattle Convention Center

Arch & Summit parking
$24 for 4–8 hours

Regular published garage tariff

Longer parking
$37 for 12–24 hours

Arch and Summit garages

Public-area hours
6 AM opening

Arch generally until 8 PM; Summit until 10 PM

Important:

Arch and Summit are separate buildings about 1½ blocks apart. The old name “Washington State Convention Center” often refers specifically to Arch, but recent events may use Summit instead. Confirm your exact event building, hall and registration point before traveling.

Arch vs Summit: Which Seattle Convention Center Building Do You Need?

Arch is Seattle Convention Center’s original facility, which opened in 1988. Summit is the newer expansion that opened in January 2023. The same organization operates both.

Original convention building

Arch — 705 Pike Street

Main pedestrian entrance: 7th Avenue and Pike Street.

The Arch campus also includes meeting space accessed through 800 Pike Street.

Arch hosts conferences, exhibitions, business meetings, receptions and large events. Its architecture includes the distinctive arched glass atrium and connections toward Freeway Park.

Directions to Arch

Newer convention building

Summit — 900 Pine Street

Main pedestrian entrance: 9th Avenue and Pine Street.

Summit offers large exhibit areas, ballrooms, numerous breakout rooms, glass-walled public areas and modern meeting infrastructure.

It is not an additional hall inside Arch. Treat it as a separate destination.

Directions to Summit

ComparisonArchSummit
Street address705 Pike Street900 Pine Street
Opened19882023
Exhibit spaceUp to 205,700 sq ftUp to 248,450 sq ft
Meeting roomsUp to 78Up to 70
Ballroom space44,628 sq ft totalApproximately 58,000 sq ft
Garage entrance1400 8th Avenue1009 Olive Way
Public-area hours6 AM–8 PM6 AM–10 PM

Capacities describe the facilities in published configurations, not the maximum number of guests permitted at every event. Building public hours are not a substitute for event admission or garage hours.

Seattle Convention Center Parking Rates in 2026

Seattle Convention Center operates three official garages: Arch Garage, Summit Garage and Freeway Park Garage. The current published prices are based on total time parked, with an evening offer at Arch and Summit.

Parking durationArch & SummitFreeway Park
0–30 minutes$8$7
30–60 minutes$10$9
1–2 hours$11$10
2–4 hours$20$19
4–8 hours$24$23
8–10 hours$26$25
10–12 hours$28$27
12–24 hours$37$36
After 5 PM to midnight$9 evening rateRegular rates apply

Rates include tax per the published official schedule. Special booking, monthly access or any subsequently revised rates may differ. Standard garage hours still apply.

Garage addresses, hours and height clearance

Arch Garage

1400 8th Avenue

Open daily 5:30 AM–midnight.

Clearance: 6 ft 5 in.

Best suited to Arch events.

Summit Garage

1009 Olive Way

Open daily 5:30 AM–midnight.

Clearance: 8 ft 4 in at entry level; 6 ft 10 in on other levels.

Best suited to Summit events.

Freeway Park Garage

1267 Hubbell Place

Open daily 5:30 AM–8 PM.

Clearance: 6 ft 9 in.

An alternative for Arch, with an earlier closing time.

No standard in-and-out privileges or after-hours access

Normal hourly parking is a single stay. If you leave and return, expect to pay again unless you have a separate parking product that explicitly includes re-entry.

Do not assume a published 12–24-hour charge means you can access your vehicle outside the garage’s operating hours. Confirm overnight and after-hours arrangements before leaving a car.

How to pay for parking

  1. Take a parking ticket when entering.
  2. Keep the ticket with you rather than leaving it in the car.
  3. Before returning to your vehicle, locate the automatic pay station.
  4. Pay with a major credit card; the machines do not accept cash.
  5. Keep the validated ticket.
  6. Scan it at the exit gate.

Official parking contact: parking@seattlecc.com.

Current Official Parking Rates & Reservations

Map, Parking Entrances and Drop-Off Locations

Arch map

Pedestrian entry: 7th Avenue at Pike Street.

Rideshare: 725 Pike Street.

Bus drop-off: 800 Convention Place.

Summit map

Pedestrian entry: 9th Avenue at Pine Street.

Rideshare and bus drop-off: 9th Avenue between Pine Street and Olive Way.

The building maps are for orientation. Parking garage vehicle entrances are on 8th Avenue, Olive Way and Hubbell Place—not necessarily at the public convention doors.

Seattle Convention Center Events and Tickets

The venue hosts professional conventions, exhibitions, public shows, nonprofit fundraisers, conferences and private meetings. Each organizer determines admission, registration, schedule and event-specific security rules.

There is no universal ticket covering events at both Arch and Summit. The event calendar is the appropriate starting point for the confirmed 2026 schedule and later dates.

Find your event by name.

Open the official upcoming-events page and search for the event or organizer.

Confirm the building.

Record Arch, Summit or a specific Pike Street entrance.

Check the event date and time.

Public show hours may differ from exhibitor setup or conference registration hours.

Open organizer registration.

Follow the official event link for tickets, badges, pricing or invitation rules.

Save your confirmation.

Retain entrance, room, parking and badge-pickup instructions.

Official Seattle Convention Center Event Calendar

Event listings change frequently. This guide avoids presenting unverified future dates as confirmed bookings.

Hotels Near Seattle Convention Center Arch and Summit

Seattle’s downtown core has numerous hotels within walking distance of both buildings. Select accommodation based on your actual event location, not only the hotel’s distance to the generic “Washington State Convention Center” map pin.

HotelAddressConvenience
Sheraton Grand Seattle1400 Sixth AvenueVery convenient for Arch and downtown meetings.
Hyatt Regency Seattle808 Howell StreetConvenient for Summit and downtown business travel.
Grand Hyatt Seattle721 Pine StreetDowntown location between major commercial streets.
Hyatt at Olive 81635 Eighth AvenueNear both buildings, with a practical downtown location.
The Westin Seattle1900 Fifth AvenueDowntown accommodations near retail and transit.
Residence Inn Seattle Downtown/Convention Center1815 Terry AvenueExtended-stay accommodation near the convention district.

Hotel selection checklist

  • Locate your convention building first.
  • Compare walking routes rather than straight-line map distances.
  • Check room rate, taxes, breakfast and parking separately.
  • Ask about group-room blocks for your event.
  • Verify accessibility requirements before payment.
  • Consider arriving without a car if you only need downtown activities.

Visit Seattle Hotel Comparison & Walkability Guide

Light Rail, SEA Airport and Public Transportation

Link light rail connects Seattle–Tacoma International Airport with downtown Seattle, making it a useful alternative to rental cars and convention parking.

From Seattle–Tacoma Airport

Follow airport signs to the Link light rail station, ride toward downtown Seattle and use a station convenient to the convention district, such as Westlake or Symphony, according to your building and service pattern.

The trip into central Seattle is often around 40 minutes by light rail, plus walking time and any airport-station access time.

Link stations near the campus

Westlake Station: Convenient for much of the Pike/Pine downtown shopping and convention area.

Symphony Station: Another central-downtown stop, particularly relevant for routes toward Arch.

Check the exact station names, line service and walking routes before departure.

King County Metro

Local buses serve downtown Seattle. Compare route, stop and service hours using the official trip planner.

King County Metro Information

Taxi and rideshare

Provide the proper drop-off address: 725 Pike Street for Arch passenger drop-off, or 9th Avenue between Pine Street and Olive Way for Summit.

Airport fares and travel times are dynamic; get a real quote for your travel date.

Sound Transit — Current Link Schedules, Fares and Alerts

Accessible Parking and Navigation

Both Arch and Summit are accessible venues. Parking choices matter because the garage-to-building route is different at each facility.

Arch Garage accessible parking

The venue lists 16 accessible spaces at the end of Aisle F on the Blue level.

Use the adjacent accessible ramp into Arch, entering at Level 3. An accessible elevator is located near Room 310.

Important: There is no elevator inside the Arch Garage itself.

Summit Garage accessible parking

The venue’s current parking page lists 18 accessible spaces, six on each of three levels, near elevators.

For entrance access, follow the elevator route toward the building connection. Confirm clearance if driving a tall accessible vehicle.

Freeway Park Garage

The garage lists 16 accessible spaces. Take the elevator to PARK Level and cross the outdoor plaza to Arch’s Level 4 entrance.

The plaza route is uncovered, so rain and cold weather may affect comfort.

Event accommodation requests

Contact the organizer for accessible seating, assistive services and any event-specific mobility or communication needs. Venue accessibility routes do not automatically determine the seating arrangements of a private event.

Accessibility Guidelines & Official Policies

Floor Plans, Exhibit Space and Facilities

Arch and Summit both contain extensive meeting and exhibit facilities. Their independent room numbering, entrances and floor levels make it important to consult the correct building diagram.

Arch facilities

  • Up to 205,700 sq ft of exhibit space.
  • Up to 78 rooms.
  • 44,628 sq ft of ballroom space.
  • Large atrium and public areas.
  • Loading infrastructure for exhibitions.
  • Additional meeting space at 800 Pike.

Summit facilities

  • Up to 248,450 sq ft of exhibit space.
  • Up to 70 rooms.
  • Approximately 58,000 sq ft of ballroom space.
  • Large contemporary meeting levels.
  • Outdoor event and gathering areas.
  • Modern freight and event infrastructure.

How to find your event room

  1. Check your confirmation for the building name.
  2. Record the full room number, ballroom name or exhibition level.
  3. Find the corresponding floor plan on the official website.
  4. Identify elevators, restrooms, registration and the most appropriate entrance.
  5. Follow posted conference signs during the event.

Official Planner Resources and Floor Plan Access

Exhibitor loading and service orders

Exhibitors must use the instructions provided by the specific show contractor. Arch and Summit have different loading arrangements, freight routes, vehicle clearances and deadlines.

  • Confirm the event’s official exhibitor manual.
  • Review the assigned loading dock and marshaling instructions.
  • Reserve utilities, electrical service and internet where required.
  • Follow hand-carried freight guidelines for permitted small deliveries.
  • Observe the approved move-in and move-out schedule.
  • Relocate vehicles after unloading when required.

Official Event and Exhibitor Guidelines

Wi-Fi, Food, Public Art and Visitor Services

Both buildings offer public areas, dining, meeting amenities and art installations.

ServiceWhat visitors should know
Complimentary Wi-FiBasic public connection suitable for browsing and messaging; published limit of approximately 1 Mbps per connection.
Food and coffeeOn-site cafes and restaurants vary by building, day and event.
Visitor informationVisit Seattle information desks operate during applicable events.
FedEx OfficeBusiness services available at the Arch facility on Pike Street.
Public artBoth buildings feature works by regional and other artists.
Guided toursFree guided public art and building tours may be scheduled; reservations and availability are limited.

Official Virtual and Guided Tours

Nearby Seattle Attractions

Pike Place Market

Iconic market district with food, shopping and waterfront views. Convenient for visitors with time outside conference sessions.

Freeway Park

Urban park immediately associated with the original Arch campus, with a landscaped setting above the freeway.

Seattle Waterfront

Waterfront attractions and public space are accessible from downtown, with walking distance dependent on your starting building.

Seattle Center and Space Needle

Use downtown transit or the Seattle Center Monorail from Westlake for Seattle Center attractions.

How to Request Seattle Convention Center Event Space

Meeting and exhibition space is booked through the venue’s event-planning process rather than a standard public ticket purchase.

Choose your event format.

Determine whether you need exhibit halls, ballrooms, meetings, receptions or breakout rooms.

Estimate attendance and room needs.

Include visitors, exhibitors, staff and staging requirements.

Specify preferred dates.

Include setup, show and move-out periods.

Compare Arch and Summit.

Use floor plans to identify the appropriate space and loading arrangements.

List technical services.

Include AV, networking, electrical, catering and freight requirements.

Submit an official inquiry.

Request availability and a detailed written proposal.

Review contract and operations.

Confirm rates, deadlines, approvals, staffing and cancellation conditions.

Official SCC Meeting Planner Resources

Related Convention Center Parking Guide

Compare Parking Rules at Other Convention Centers

Seattle’s garages charge hourly and daily tariffs, while other cities may provide free parking or prohibit overnight stays. See the Convention Center Parking: Rates, Garages & Map guide for nationwide comparisons, re-entry rules, accessible parking and cost-saving strategies.

Seattle Convention Center: 10 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Washington State Convention Center now called Seattle Convention Center?

Yes. The venue operates as Seattle Convention Center, with Arch at 705 Pike Street and Summit at 900 Pine Street. The older Washington State Convention Center name remains common in searches and older event materials.

2. What is the address of Seattle Convention Center Arch?

Arch is at 705 Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101. Its main pedestrian entrance is at 7th Avenue and Pike Street.

3. What is the address of Seattle Convention Center Summit?

Summit is at 900 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101. Its main pedestrian entrance is at 9th Avenue and Pine Street.

4. How much does Seattle Convention Center parking cost?

Arch and Summit garages charge $24 for 4–8 hours, $28 for 10–12 hours and $37 for 12–24 hours under the published tariff. Freeway Park Garage is generally $1 less for the same daytime durations.

5. Is there evening parking at Seattle Convention Center?

Yes. The Arch and Summit garages list a $9 evening rate for vehicles entering after 5 PM and exiting by midnight. Freeway Park Garage uses regular rates.

6. Which parking garage should I use for Summit?

Summit Garage at 1009 Olive Way is the most directly associated venue garage. Its posted entry-level clearance is 8 feet 4 inches, with lower clearance on other levels.

7. How do I find events at Seattle Convention Center?

Check the official upcoming-events calendar at seattlecc.com/upcoming-events, then confirm the organizer’s registration details, building and room before attending.

8. Is Seattle Convention Center accessible?

Yes. Arch and Summit provide accessible public spaces, entrances and facilities. All three convention center garages list designated accessible parking spaces.

9. Can I reach Seattle Convention Center from the airport by light rail?

Yes. Link light rail connects Seattle–Tacoma International Airport to downtown Seattle, where visitors can walk or use local transit to reach Arch or Summit.

10. Which hotels are near Seattle Convention Center?

Nearby hotels include Sheraton Grand Seattle, Hyatt Regency Seattle, Grand Hyatt Seattle, Hyatt at Olive 8, The Westin Seattle and Residence Inn Seattle Downtown/Convention Center.

Official Contact and Visitor Resources

Seattle Convention Center
705 Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101

Phone: 206-694-5000
Parking email: parking@seattlecc.com

Information reviewed October 15, 2026. Addresses, parking tariffs, garage clearances, public opening hours, facility capacities and accessibility information were checked against Seattle Convention Center and Visit Seattle resources. Event listings, services and parking conditions may change.

This is an independent visitor guide from convention-center.org, not the official website of Seattle Convention Center.